Pro Pundits - Tom
12 September 2026 1310 comments
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In his latest article, five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman shows us his Gameweek 4 Wildcard squad.

He also discusses some of the main decisions to be taken.


BRUNO F OR HAALAND, BUT NOT BOTH

As I plan to Bench Boost in Gameweek 5, including both Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) and Erling Haaland (£15.5m) in my squad isn’t really an option, given the need for depth.

I’ve been going back and forth on which player to include throughout the week.

In my video with Joe on Tuesday, I was really keen on a ‘no-Haaland’ draft, which looked like this:

However, since then, I’ve switched to Haaland, in part due to captaincy.

GameweekNo Bruno F captaincy planNo Haaland captaincy plan
4Palmer (HUL)Palmer (HUL)
5Haaland (SUN)Fernandes (ful)
6Palmer (BOU)Palmer (BOU)
7Haaland (IPS)Fernandes (lee)
8Palmer (TOT)Fernandes (BOU)
9Haaland (BHA)Palmer (MUN)
10Haaland (nfo)Fernandes (AVL)
11Haaland (FUL)Palmer (LEE)

The ‘no-Haaland’ captaincy plan actually looks okay until Gameweek 7, but after that, it doesn’t look quite so robust.

Now, Manchester City play Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain just before Gameweek 7, so Haaland could of course be rested, but I’m hesitant to rely on that assumption, as he may very well start, too.

I do have three free transfers banked, which opens up another route to bring Haaland in. However, restructuring my squad so soon after a Wildcard doesn’t quite feel right.

This is why I am now leaning towards including Haaland.

Dropping Fernandes admittedly doesn’t feel great, especially with Fulham away next week, but it was always the plan to Bench Boost in Gameweek 5 and spread the funds, so I’m just going to see how it plays out.

BENCH BOOST OPTIONS


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  1. tbos83
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Cap:
    A) Haaland
    B) Pedro
    C) Szoboszlai

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B. Maybe A. C not even close

    2. Il Capitano
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

    3. GoonerByron
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A week where Haaland is a captain differential will always have my armband on him

      1. vova
        1 month, 15 days ago

        my thoughts exactly and a tasty 4:30 Sunday kick off to look forward too.

  2. Ady87
    1 month, 15 days ago

    A) Bruno/Wissa
    B) Palmer/Isak

    I own Rogers, Pedro and Szob.

    1. JT11fc
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B for upside this week

    2. Positive vibes
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

    3. Ini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I don’t agree with triple Chelsea. What’s gonna happen when they go to Brentford next week? Too many eggs in one basket imo.

      1. Warby84
        1 month, 15 days ago

        That’s why I’m free hitting

        1. GoonerSteve
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Good week for a free hit

        2. Hughes Your Daddy
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Yep, FH for me as well this week. Want to save my WC to after international break.

  3. JohnnyCroat
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Market and some morning rakija done. Late breakfast when I return. Nap, the Andy & the deadline stream, followed by an Open Day at the local public transit authority (ZET).

    Isak (C) on a FH, going no Håland this GW, Allons-y!

    1. GoonerSteve
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Good luck!

  4. jonnybhoy
    1 month, 15 days ago

    On wildcard for GW4. Any changes to make? Plan is to roll to 5FT (will have 4 next week) then bring in Bouremouth defence likely Petrovic for Hornicek and potentially swap De Cyper for Vuskovic if he loses his place.

    Hornicek 4m
    Calafiori Konsa De Cuyper Muhremovic Egan
    Saka Palmer Rogers Scott/Tav Gross
    Haaland Wissa J Pedro

    1. Positive vibes
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Gtg but I prefer Ode and Isak

      1. Ronnies
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Saka and Wissa probably on pens though?

      2. jonnybhoy
        1 month, 15 days ago

        I've had Isak in all week over Haaland as contemplated a no Haaland draft. Just concerned around xMins for Isak. Odegaard I think could be recency bias and I like Saka on pens. But its close maybe a 60/40 swing on those 2

        1. GoonerSteve
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Ødegaard form looks to be a result of him being fully fit, full of confidence, and also a taxtical change where he now makes much more runs into the box.

          He is my number one transfer target.

      3. GoonerSteve
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Same

    2. JT11fc
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Would want a Hall/Thiaw, would also keep an eye on Spurs Marmoush/Porro/VDV

      1. jonnybhoy
        1 month, 15 days ago

        I do like Thiaw/Hall but don't see how I get one of them and Muhremovic. Newcastle short term fixtures are good too so their goalkeeper appeals more as set and forget and can rotate the defenders.

        1. JT11fc
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Ye prefer Muharemovic out of the 2 but just not on the De Cuyper train personally

          1. GoonerSteve
            1 month, 15 days ago

            I have De Cuyper but worried about his minutes longer term

  5. JT11fc
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Gtg? A few bench headaches

    Trafford
    Muharemovic Cala Thomas
    Saka Palmer Rogers Barcola*
    JPedro DCL Havertz

    Kinsky Mbuemo OReily Thiaw

    *not confirmed yet

    1. jonnybhoy
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I would go Mbuemo in the squad personally

      1. JT11fc
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Wouldnt mind playing over Havertz, but Havertz didnt start ucl...hmm

  6. Randy_Marsh
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Who are we captaining of the Chelsea triplets Palmer. Rogers or pedro

    1. GoonerSteve
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Palmer for me.

  7. FPL Emu
    1 month, 15 days ago

    I am losing so much value this week, even when doing well (100k). Can't remember it being that aggressive earlier. Losing on Hume, Maguire, Mbeumo - and Le Fee who fell last week too. Considering wildcard instead of free hit just to avoid that

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I’m trying to hold my nerve in spite of this. Not had as good a start (500k) but feel like I’m only a couple of players away from current wildcards so I’m hoping I’ll have more points of difference when I eventually pull the trigger. Volatile price changes making it difficult to hold off though!

      1. GoonerSteve
        1 month, 15 days ago

        I keep reminding myself that the "essential" players seem to change each week - Cherki being a good example. Hopefully patience will be rewarded.

    2. GoonerSteve
      1 month, 15 days ago

      The price changes are a pain. I was looking at De Cuyper, Cherki, Sangare to Konsa, Ødegaard, Szoboszlai for a -4 but decided to roll for a week. Can't do it now.

    3. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      SV 99.7m but I'll take pts over TV/SV any day

      1. FPL Emu
        1 month, 15 days ago

        I hear you, for sure. But when we are starting to talk a full million in value swing in choosing a free hit instead of wildcard, it's starting to look rough!

        1. Studs Up
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          1 month, 15 days ago

          True, but i wouldn't jump on a wagon for the sake of TV...it's like buying a player "other" ppl wanted if u know what i mean.
          Eg, De Cuyper went up thrice but he's not even in the top 5 for pts scored...ok maybe it's a petty eg lol

  8. Tomerick
    1 month, 15 days ago

    On WC

    A) Isak, Bruno, Saka
    B) Haaland, MGW, Odegaard

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

    2. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

  9. TochanMama
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Verbruggen
    Gvardiol - Konsa - Calafiori
    KDH - Mbuemo - MGW - Rogers - Tzolis
    Haaland (C) - JP
    (Kinsky - Gonzalo - Maguire - Oshea)

    Correct Captain & bench order?

    1. tbos83
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Yep, GTG

  10. Alisson WondHaaland
    1 month, 15 days ago

    WC draft almost done

    Kinsky Dubravka
    Cala Konsa Thiaw Muha Egan
    Palmer Rogers Øde KDH X
    Haaland JP X

    A) Isak + Gomez/4.5 (8th attacker)
    B) Wissa + MGW

    1. Warby84
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

    2. GoonerSteve
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Have you used bench boost yet?

      1. Alisson WondHaaland
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Yeah

        1. GoonerSteve
          1 month, 15 days ago

          I reckon A as less bench headaches.

  11. Under my Cucurella
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Start 1 as 3rd defender this week - currently on A

    A: Davis vs Palace
    B: Ajer vs Bournemouth
    C: Maguire vs City

    1. GoonerSteve
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I'd probably go Ajer

  12. nn11
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Would you have Raya + Barry or Verb + Wissa?

  13. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Is Isak less appealing as captain with Gakpo potentially out? Go safe with a Chelsea lad instead?

    1. tbos83
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I don't think Chelsea are necessarily safe Hull yet to concede and won't rollover

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 15 days ago

        So are you saying Isak?

    2. David Parkinson
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Slightly, yep.

  14. RealSocialDads
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Start:

    A. Verbruggen (cov)
    B. Kinsky (EVE)

    Captain:

    A. Haaland (mun)
    B. Palmer (HUL)

    Context: playing triple city (gvardiol and Cherki), double Chelsea (JP) and starting De Cuyper so Verb would be a double up

    1. GoonerSteve
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I think I'd go A and B

    2. David Parkinson
      1 month, 15 days ago

      BB

      1. RealSocialDads
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Already used it...!

        1. GoonerSteve
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Lol

  15. Tripleh123
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Start one each, starting Calafori and De Cuyper as well alrdy:

    A. Muhremovic
    B. Konsa

    1. Verbruggen
    2. Kinsky

    1. GoonerSteve
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B1 for me. In general I think Kinsky may be the better option, but Cov havent scored yet so Verb seems a sensible bet this week.

      Then again, they're bound to score at some point so maybe this will be the week.

      Sorry, not very helpful!

      1. Tripleh123
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Cheers. I would go with Kinsky as well as I am wary of doubling up on Brighton. Muhremovic over Konsa for Defcon? Can't decide as Arsenal are solid at the back as well

        1. GoonerSteve
          1 month, 15 days ago

          I'd probably go Konsa myself.

  16. Ohh1454
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Would you do Sboz to Rogers ? (Only have JP from Chelsea attack atm). Thanks

    1. GoonerSteve
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Tricky one as Szoboszlai could score well against Fulham. I probably would though. Much higher ceiling with Rogers and he is bang in form.

  17. The Mighty Whites
    1 month, 15 days ago

    1FT, 2.4 ITB, thoughts please? WC in GW6

    Verbuggen / Kinsky
    Calafiori / Maguire / Ajer / Konsa / Davis
    Palmer / Mbuemo / Szoboszlai / Tzolis / Gomez
    Haaland / Joao Pedro / DCL

    A: Ajer to Muharemovic
    B: Tzolis to Rogers
    C: Tzolis to Odegaard
    D: Roll

    1. GoonerSteve
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I like B and C. Both bang in form.

      I am desperate to get Ødegaard in my team (I sold him last week - dagnammit) but I already have JP and Palmer, otherwise Rogers would tempt me.

      1. GoonerSteve
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Tzolis could do well also though. But it think Øde and Rogers are safer bets.

        1. The Mighty Whites
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Thanks! Could potentially start Gomez over Tzolis?

  18. Saintjack01
    1 month, 15 days ago

    I have 9.9 mill itb and need a GK and defender please help

    Already have konsa, hall and califiori

  19. Shultan
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Bench 1
    Gross wissa schade

    Play 1
    Gavadiol hall ajer

  20. Digital-Real
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Palestra showing 75% chance of playing. Hope we get a Chelsea lineup leak

  21. Tinfoil Deathstar
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Best combo on WC:

    A) Vuskovic & Muharemovic
    B) Vuskovic & Thiaw
    C) Muharemovic & Thiaw

    1. Admiral Benson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      C

  22. kaneishungry
    1 month, 15 days ago

    WC draft help
    Kinsky Dubravka
    Cala Konsa De Cuyper Mendy Davis
    Palmer Rogers Ode Groß X
    Haaland JP X

    A) Isak + Mbeumo + Slater/4.5 mid
    B) Bruno + Groß + 4.5 fwd

  23. Ray85
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Safe captain in JP or take a risk with Bruno?

  24. Kodap
    1 month, 15 days ago

    On WC, I'm happy (i think) G2G? 0.2m itb.

    Verbruggen
    Vuskovic - Calafiori - Konsa
    MGW - Palmer (c) - Rogers - Odegaard - Szob
    Haaland - Pedro

    Kinsky - Van Hecke - Barry - Mendy

  25. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Kluivert to who did up to 6.9m? I have 3x Arsenal already

    A) KDH
    B) Barnes
    C) Enciso
    D) Other - Who?

    Thanks folks

    1. Ray85
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Barnes

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Thank you

  26. FPL Emu
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Which of these two teams do you think scores more for GW5?

    Nr 1

    Kinsky (AVL)

    Gvardiol (SUN) - Calafiori (bha) - Maguire (ful)

    Bruno (ful) - Mbeumo (ful) - Ødegaard (bha) - Le Fee (mci)

    Pedro (bre) - Haaland (SUN) - Wissa (HUL)

    Nr 2

    Trafford (CRY)

    Konsa (bha) - Calafiori - Tarkowski (IPS)

    Bruno (ful) - Odegaard (bha) - Palmer (bre) - MGW (COV)

    Isak (bou) - Barry (IPS) - Pedro (bre)

  27. Skogen89
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    On wc should i go for:

    A) De Cuyper and Hall
    B) Muharemovic and Thiaw

    I have some value in A, where im at now. A little affraid of Mitoma coming back and min risk

  28. HODGE
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Best 4 million bench fodder defender on a wildcard?

  29. damiang2233
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Best replacements for Rayan & Aaronson? 11.8m to spend

  30. Atwood
    1 month, 15 days ago

    How do we like Marmoush as a FH differential?

    Anyone got any better one week punts?

    1. Warby84
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Munoz (Liv) N.Jackson