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FPL chip strategies for the Blank and Double Gameweeks ahead

Manchester United’s victory over Chelsea on Monday evening and the subsequent FA Cup quarter-final draw means that we finally know the full extent of Blank Gameweek 31.

Just five Premier League matches will take place that weekend as a result of the clash with the FA Cup quarter-finals and ten clubs will be without a league fixture.

Those ten sides will face a Double Gameweek as a consequence, very possibly as soon as Gameweek 32 given that there is a convenient midweek after the already-scheduled matches that is free of any UEFA Champions League or Europa League action.

Gameweek 35 also looks primed to be a Double Gameweek and could even potentially absorb some of those cancelled Gameweek 31 games, though of course, the Premier League will have further fixtures to reschedule as a result of Gameweek 33’s clash with the FA Cup semi-finals.

As a result, we are operating under the assumption that the following will occur – though we emphatically stress that nothing has so far been confirmed regarding when the Double Gameweeks will take place:

Blank Gameweek 31 – five Premier League fixtures will be contested.

Double Gameweek 32 – ten Premier League fixtures will be initially contested, plus some/all of the additional five that were postponed from Gameweek 31.

Blank Gameweek 33 – between six and eight Premier League fixtures will be contested.

Double Gameweek 35 – ten Premier League fixtures will be contested, plus some/all of the additional two/three/four that were postponed from Gameweek 33 and potentially any other outstanding matches.

Chelsea and Brighton (whose Gameweek 27 meeting was postponed as a result of the clash with Sunday’s EFL Cup final) may enjoy an additional Double Gameweek or even a Triple Gameweek in Brighton’s case, depending on the Seagulls’ progression to the FA Cup semi-finals.

For quite some time now, we’ve preached a “wait and see” policy on chip strategy and stressed the importance of the FA Cup fifth round, given that the results of the cup ties in the weekend just gone have such an impact on Blank Gameweek 31 and beyond.

Now seems the right time to assess our options, however, so we’ve taken a look at a handful of chip strategies that Fantasy managers might consider for the weeks and months ahead.

There is no right or wrong way to deploy chips in FPL – at least, not until hindsight comes into play – and there are strategies beyond the ones outlined below that could prove to be more effective in the long-run.

Last season, Yusuf Shiekh Wildcarded in Gameweek 25, Bench Boosted in Gameweek 37 and used his Triple Captain chip in Gameweek 38 – and finished first in the world.

As is always the case with these things, the most favourable strategy will differ from manager to manager and may depend on your current set-up.

Strategy 1

Build a team for GW31+33 / FH32 / WC34 / BB or TC35

This strategy entails steadily building a team of players using free transfers (and maybe a hit or two) between now and Gameweek 31, drafting in players who have a guaranteed fixture in Blank Gameweek 31 and, ideally, Blank Gameweek 33.

The Free Hit chip can then be used to cherry-pick 11 players who have attractive fixtures in Double Gameweek 32, before the second Wildcard is deployed in Gameweek 34 ahead of Double Gameweek 35.

Bench Boost or Triple Captain can then be used in Double Gameweek 35, with the remaining chip (if any) having to be used in a single Gameweek or, if there is one, another mini-Double Gameweek involving Chelsea and Brighton.

Pros:

  • Good if you are already well on your way to fielding 11 players in Blank Gameweek 31 (e.g. already have perhaps five or more assets in your squad who have an unaffected fixture that weekend).
  • This policy could ultimately save a valuable chip, as those Fantasy managers using Free Hit in Gameweek 31 may end up with a very similar starting XI given the (relative) lack of attractive fixtures to choose from.
  • Building a team for Blank Gameweek 31 has the dual benefit of setting up for Blank Gameweek 33, too. There may be a cluster of clubs without a Premier League fixture in both – Wolves and Manchester United already fall into the camp.
  • Players from Leicester, Liverpool, Bournemouth, West Ham, Huddersfield, Burnley, Chelsea and Everton can be targeted for Gameweek 31 in the knowledge that those clubs also have a fixture in Gameweek 33.
  • The likes of Leicester, West Ham, Liverpool and Huddersfield have largely good fixtures anyway leading up to the Blank Gameweeks.
  • An especially attractive strategy for those with low team value who don’t have a lot of money tied up in assets they may need to ditch (e.g. Paul Pogba or Raul Jimenez).
  • Means that a decision can be made as late as possible on fit and firing Gameweek 32 players, with that Gameweek falling after the March international break.

Cons:

  • Means that Bench Boost or Triple Captain can’t be used in Gameweek 32, which may potentially be the biggest Double Gameweek of all.
  • Means that one of the two above chips would have to be used in a mini-Double Gameweek or a regulation single Gameweek.
  • With still a month to go before Gameweek 31, injury/suspension/loss of form could befall the players that are being stocked up on.
  • Would likely mean having to avoid/gradually ditch in-form assets from the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Wolves in order to field 11 players in Gameweeks 31 and 33 (though up to three outfield players and a goalkeeper from these teams could, of course, be benched during their blanks).
  • Those relying on team value for a later Wildcard may lose a considerable amount of money if ditching assets such as Doherty, Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Raul Jimenez as they build for Gameweeks 31 and 33.

A slight variation of this strategy is as follows:

Strategy 2

Build a team for GW31 / WC32 / FH33 / BB or TC35

As above, this strategy entails gradually building a team of players using free transfers (and hits, if necessary) between now and Gameweek 31, drafting in players who have a guaranteed fixture in Blank Gameweek 31 – but not looking beyond that point.

The Wildcard can then be used to select 11 players who have attractive fixtures in Double Gameweek 32 and potentially again in Double Gameweek 35.

The Free Hit chip would be used for Blank Gameweek 33.

Bench Boost or Triple Captain can then be used in Double Gameweek 35, with the remaining chip (if any) having to be used in a single Gameweek or, if there is one, another mini-Double Gameweek involving Chelsea and Brighton.

Almost all of the same pros and cons for Strategy 1 apply to this method too, though in addition:

Pros

  • Ensures a strong starting XI in Blank Gameweek 33, which will have more fixtures to choose from than Blank Gameweek 31.

Cons

  • The gap between Double Gameweek 32 and Double Gameweek 35 is three weeks – meaning advanced stockpiling for the latter could be affected by subsequent injury/suspension/loss of form etc.

Strategy 3

FH 31 / build for 32 and TC or BB / WC34 / TC or BB 35

This strategy entails gradually building a team of players using free transfers (and hits, if necessary) between now and Gameweek 32, focusing almost exclusively on players who have a double in Gameweek 32.

The Free Hit chip can then be used to select 11 players who have attractive fixtures in Blank Gameweek 31.

As in Strategy 1, the second Wildcard is deployed in Gameweek 34 ahead of Double Gameweek 35.

The Bench Boost and Triple Captain chips can be used in Double Gameweeks 32 and 35.

Pros

  • Means that the Triple Captain and Bench Boost chips can each be used in a Double Gameweek, potentially raising the points ceiling for both of those weeks.
  • Has the potential to retain high team value until the Wildcard, especially for those managers who have a lot of money tied up in the more popular assets from the likes of Wolves, Manchester United and Manchester City.
  • Means managers can focus on the attractive fixtures leading up to Gameweek 31 without worrying about blanks. Manchester City’s forthcoming run (WHU, bou, WAT) could be fully exploited, while someone like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang might be brought in for Gameweek 27 as a short-term punt.
  • Managers can cherry-pick a Gameweek 31 squad and ensure a playing starting XI.
  • As with Strategy 1, ensures a strong Double Gameweek 35 team/squad with transfers left relatively late in the day.

Cons

  • Potentially severely weakened Gameweek 33 team, with focus being on Double Gameweek 32 and the Free Hit having already been used in Gameweek 31.
  • Wolves v Manchester United is definitely off in Gameweek 33 – meaning that managers with numerous assets from these clubs who planned to keep hold of Messrs Pogba, Rashford and co may be struggling to cobble together a starting XI.
  • Double Gameweek 32 occurs after the international break, meaning any plans to steadily build a squad for that round of fixtures could again be derailed by injury/suspension/loss of form given that much can happen in the intervening six weeks.
  • With Liverpool, Leicester, West Ham and Chelsea all enjoying decent fixture runs in the coming weeks and months, managers may already own five, six, seven or even more players with a fixture in Blank Gameweek 31 as it is – leaving a question mark over how much worth the deployment of a Free Hit chip on the likes of Bournemouth and Burnley assets for one Gameweek really is.

A slight tweak to Strategy 3 would be to use Free Hit in Gameweek 33 instead of 31, with the decimated starting XI instead being in the latter.

Fantasy managers without their Triple Captain chips should be able to adopt and adapt any of the above strategies, though those without their Wildcard will likely have to sacrifice one of the Blank Gameweeks in order to get the most out of the Doubles: FH31 or FH33, build for 32 and 35, and TC/BB in 32/35 is one avenue for that group of FPL bosses.

980 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SOTHPAW
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this team for 31 which I can get with 4 free transfers. Will free hit in 32 and these players back for 33.

    Boruc
    TAA Periera Luiz
    Salah(c) Hazard Mane (v) Anderson Richarlison
    Wilson Arnautovic

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I presume you have:
      Richa already?
      I presume you are getting
      Haz Mane Wilson?

      1. SOTHPAW
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yea that's right, will do Aguero to Wilson and Pogba to Hazard just before week 31

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I’m looking at something very similar Aldi for free but prefer Higuain and Fraser over Rich and Anderson.

      I’d prefer double Bournemouth attack to double Hammers and I’ve had enough of both Rich and Anderson.

      1. SOTHPAW
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Sure. I saw the Huddersfield fixture for West Ham and my eyes lit up.

      2. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Fab
        Pereira Luiz Robbo
        Mo Mane Hazard Fraser
        Rondon Higuain Wilson

        The compromise for me is bringing in Higuain and Hazard from 29 (Fulham) for Son and Kun.

    3. reedj008
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Would take Maddison over Richarlison if you have the funds. Leicester's fixture run is so nice now until GW37.

  2. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I have no wildcard and this is my draft plan..

    FH 31
    Build for 32 & 33, BB in 32
    TC 35

    I'm going on a presumption that its better to BB in 32 than 35 as there will be more DGW and I'm looking at Aguero TC in 35 vs TOT & CAR

    thoughts?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Consensus is also to FH in 32 as 31 and 33 can be built early.

      1. OneDennisBergkamp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        when to BB then?

        1. Scotters333
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          35

          1. OneDennisBergkamp
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            When to TC then?

    2. KunDogan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Good plan, it may be vice to go against the ”consensus” depending on situation

      1. DandyDon
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        This

    3. skinner
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      exactly what I am planning.

      Def BB in 32. Will work out who to TC in 35 later

      The only switch I may make is to FH in 33 but unlikely

    4. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Consider reversing your BB and TC. Liverpool play Spurs in 32 and Cardiff in 35.

    5. J-NOISE
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Makes sense for the absence of WC

    6. NecuratuL
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      it sounds good but how you know what to buildfor 32 ??there is no scheduled games yet

  3. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    The best point I read in the article is the value of the FH chip on low priced playing assets in GW31 or 32 for that matter. The WC has multiple weeks of value. Take it most will have at least 7 decent assets by this time; What is the FH real value?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Having said that I would love to have the chip.

  4. czechow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Sorry if this has been raised already.

    I have all chips and my WC.

    I am minded to go strategy 1, so FH32 and building a team for 31 and 33.

    If I have 4 players now with 5FT, I will have 9 for 31. If i save the FT going into 32, then FH in 32, I will still have 1 FT for 33, so I will have 10 players for 33.

    Is that correct?

    1. kendo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      When playing either a Wildcard or your Free Hit chip, any saved free transfers will be lost. You will be back to the usual 1 free transfer the following Gameweek

  5. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is Hayden essential now? Good price and fixtures and no blanks

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      might blank in 33, shelvey/ki.

      decent bench fodder though

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A Newcastle fan on here wasn't impressed with him.

    3. TheNovocastrian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      As a Newcastle supporter I'd only select from Schar or Rondon; or if you want a gamble on a potential differential, Almiron.
      Personally, I'm avoiding all Newcastle players though)

      1. DandyDon
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Lascelles due a goal?

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Not really

  6. pjomara
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    My plan is not to use chips for 31 or 32.
    I find the bottom 3 or 4 players of a BGW XI are usually substandard and generally end up with 1 or 2 points, so am just going with 8 BGW players.
    So my plan is to maintain 4 good BGW players in my first XI all along that would be in my team anyway, and have 4 lesser quality BGW players on my bench.
    Then after BGW31, do 3 transgers (1 hit) to give me 10 DGW players plus the best of the SGW players.
    I also plan to use my TC chip in DGW32.
    I might actually use my FH chip in a SGW - instead of having the best 11 players from 4 or 5 fixtures during a BGW, use it to get the best 11 players from 10 fixtures of a SGW which has a much higher upside

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I used (maybe not correct) my FH chip early on a SGW. I got 23 points out of it.

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I would normally agree but with the particular fixtures in 31 you can get 11 potential haul players in your team quite easily. 3 pool, 3 Chelsea, 2-3 from WHU/BOU/BUR

  7. A.T
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I’m not spending much time on fpl these days so I was wondering if there’s a way of navigating the future weeks if you’ve already used your BB?

    1. Ëð
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Easily, I'd probably prepare for the blank gameweeks now, FH GW32, and then WC just before GW35 to get 11 DGW players.

  8. Ëð
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Any ideas on what to do here? I'm leaning towards FH 32 eventually, with players with a fixture *

    2FT & £1.0m ITB.

    Fabianski*, Boruc*
    Robertson*, TAA*, Luiz*, Doherty, AWB
    Salah*, Pogba, Son, Fraser*, Camarasa
    Auba, Rashford, Jimenez

  9. SkeletONv01
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone considering Arnautovic? Please talk me out of bringing him in 😀

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Waste of time. he'll let you down. 2 from West Ham enough Fab and Anderson. Better strikers out there.

      1. Jones Kusi
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Like who?

    2. Ëð
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I will be keeping an eye on him over the next few weeks. I wouldn't do it just yet.

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      1 He’s not nailed
      2 he didn’t show anything in the minutes he did play at Palace
      3 next up us City and an ultra defensive Newcastle
      4 he’s only once played 5 on the trot all season gws 1-5
      5 you can wait until 30 against Cardiff or 31 against Huddersfield to see if he’s worth it
      6 Rondon is an alternative (I know but he’s gone well against lower ranked teams this season)

  10. Kiteulf
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I have ederson-guaita
    robbo-kolasinac-laporte-doherty-wanbissaka
    salah-son-pogba-gibbswhite-redmond
    jimenz-Auba-Rashford

    I need to change 9 players to get full 31 gameweek
    considering:

    fab-guaita
    Pereira-Kolasniac-robbo-diop-david luiz
    longstaff-hazard-pogba-salah-son
    higuain-branes-wilson

    But that is too many changes between now and gw 31

    1. Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'm very much in a similar position which is why i'm likely to FH 31. I think you can just concentrate on the next few weeks and the DGW. If i naturally end up with 7-8 players by 31 i might change tact. I have lots of value tied up in Son, Pogba et al so i can't see another way really. Plus i only have FH. BB left.

  11. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Pogba triple captain at home to Cardiff gameweek 38 anyone???

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He'll be rested for the FA Cup final

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        This is true mate .... back to the drawing board I go haha

      2. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Nope that's Dohery and Jimenez. 😀

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Could work.

  12. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    How about this team for Blank Gameweeks 31 and 33?

    Fab
    TAA, Pereira, Clyne
    Salah, Mane, Hazard, Anderson, Fraser
    Vardy. Higuain

    Any suggestions for improvement?

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good mate

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, spent all night working it out. 😀

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Haha I know that feeling

          1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Not too dissimilar to what I have in mind too

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      pretty good - how many of those do you already have?

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        err... about 4, so I've got my work cut out. 😀

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          😀 I've only got 2 of those 🙁

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Brilliant.

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Am 4 x FTs away from the following for GW31 (which will leave two to sort out GW33):

      Boruc
      Luiz Robertson Chilwell
      Sala Mane Hazard Fraser Rich
      Rondon Higuaín
      Sub: Mitro

  13. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hi. Would like to gauge a general opinion please.

    A question for all of you who are looking to restructure your team for the upcoming bgw31 with intentions to fh32

    Most managers have a combination of players like Pogba , Rashford, Doherty, Jiminez. Many of them bought cheep and now a lot more expensive than the value you hold them for.

    My question is, do you intend to remove or keep these players over 31 and 33

    even though they blank the compromise is you might not be able to afford that assembled squad again for dgw35 and beyond , which could be of a significant disadvantage.

    Have you given this consideration? does it bother you are have you a "cunning plan"?

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Excellent question mate this is something that has been on my mind to mate il be watching the responses closely mate

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        *oops a bit over board on the ‘mate’ haha

        1. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers mate 🙂

    2. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I don't really see it as an issue.

      I'll bench them for 31 & 32 (maybe sell Doherty who I have less cash in). Players I'll be bringing in for 31 & 33 are cheap as chips anyway, so there won't be a problem leaving Pogba, Rashford and Jimenez on the bench.

      1. Pegboy
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Sorry, should read 'I'll bench them for 31 & 33'.

      2. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        So you'll be keeping the ones you've cash tied up in. Thanks

        1. Pegboy
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Yep.

          Through luck rather than design, I happen to have 7 GW31 players already, so it'll be relatively easy for me to navigate (though it does mean starting the likes of Schindler...).

          1. potatoace
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            That's a great position to be in , well played sir.

    3. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Jimenez and Doherty become dispensable when their fixtures turn. Cash in on the profit and look for alternatives.

    4. JasonG123
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Can bench at least 3 who you have the most value tied up in - for me that's Pogba, Jimenez, Rashford and Wan-Bissaka. Can sell Sterling, Son and Rashford who I don't have much value in just before the GW31 deadline for Hazard, Fraser, Higuain etc, then get them back on FH and back on GW34 WC.

    5. scubasmithy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I have a cunning plan............bear with me on this.

      Current squad including planned transfers to week 31 (free hit 32 anyway, 1 extra transfer for 33, then wildcard 34)

      It starts by banking my transfer next week to give me 2 transfers going into 29

      Fabianski
      Ederson

      Pereira
      Robertson
      Doherty
      AWB
      Shaw (becomes TAA)

      Fanderson
      Salah
      Pogba
      Sane (becomes Fraser week 30)
      Puncheon

      Auba (becomes Aguero week 29?)
      Jimenez
      Rashford (becomes King/Wilson week 30)

      I'll lose, nothing on Sane, nothing on Auba, 0.2 on Rashford and 0.1 on Shaw

      So for week 31 I'll have (with one extra transfer saved just in case - I'll use it in 31 but not sure on what yet - but the below excludes this transfer)

      Fabianski
      Robertson
      TAA
      Pereira
      Fanderson
      Salah
      Fraser
      Puncheon
      King/Wilson
      - 9 players and keeping the big boys mostly

      Week 32 - free hit so don't lose value there

      Week 33 - will have one extra transfer to play so looking like the below (plus one or two transfers more)
      Ederson
      Robertson
      TAA
      Pereira
      Salah
      Fanderson
      Fraser
      Puncheon
      Wilson
      Auba* (I will probably go Aguero to Auba for 33)

      Week 34 - Then it's wildcard time......probably 10 or so DGW players at least, plus some SGW players with good fixtures etc....

      Week 35 - boosting the bench to max out DGW points

      After that..... who knows..TC probably on Salah in 36

      Blank weeks look ok to me given my current squad. Key is to hold any assets I have value in for 31 and 33 if I might need them back for 34 or later.......

      1. scubasmithy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I should add, I'm considering Luiz / Hazard and Higuain as options for 31.... One of those will be my extra transfer I think.

  14. spatel2
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Current team
    Fab
    Robo, TAA, Doherty, Bennett, WBS
    Salah, Son, Pogba, Sane, Puncheon
    Jimenez, Rash, Aguero

    Aiming for GW 31 team to be something like:
    FAB*
    Robo* TAA*, Pereira*, Lascelles,
    Salah*, Fanderson*, Hazard,
    Higuain, Arnie, Rondon

    Bench Hamer, WBS, Pogba, Puncheon

    so 5 swaps in next 4 GWs - so that would need 1 more -4 hit after this GW. if I get an injury, I could play Puncheon and not worry about getting Rondon in. a mini wildcard after gw 30 would ensure the team is solid until them.

    Yeah or nay?

    1. spatel2
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      p.s. plan is to FH gw 32 WC 34 BB 35, used up TC chip

      1. scubasmithy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        pretty much identical to my thoughts, although for those who only have 3 or less in week 31 as things stand, they will probably need to choose a different approach.

  15. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    So looks like common consensus is to do Strategy 1. Aren't they afraid of not using the BB or TC on a double gameweek? Strategy 3 on the other hand...

    1. scubasmithy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Strategy 1 = Bench Boost in Week 35 which is a double gameweek (and on the back of a wildcard in 34)

      TC - Salah at home to Hudd in week 36 as a fallback is not too shabby.

    2. scubasmithy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Strategy 3 means - probably only a decent team for 32 rather than an excellent one. Also week 33 is compromised.

      Trying to get a squad that is perfect for 32 and 33 is very very hard.

  16. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Nice concise article! So glad I didn't waste my time overthinking, clear as mud now haha.
    It has made me realise that with no WC, it would be quite wise to use the FH chip in GW32. Then aim for approx. 7/8 solid assets that play in both BGWs 31&33. Finally get lucky with minimal damage v those with WCs left.
    Think that about does it, cheers!

  17. Poseidon.
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Come on Bayern lol

  18. RobN
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else contemplating

    31 fh
    32 tc
    33 normal
    34 wc
    35 bb

    I currently got 9 players in week 33 so not a disaster.

    Thoughts please
    Ta

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      FH 31 doesn't suit me with only 1 player atm

  19. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Oof, currently only have 2 GW31 players including Digne who I was gonna get rid of this week, should I keep him and start switching others?

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I have 2 but 1 is Snodgrass who probably dropped this week with Nasri back and Lanzini near. Will just dump my fringe players and sell Koscielny after 28 then maybe closer to the time Jiminez Doherty Rashford Son possibly. Only think you need 4-5 key players plus a few other

  20. Ini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    This is written so clearly..very nice work.

  21. Cathal Cantona
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone have a list of the gw 32 fixtures including the potential double fixtures which could be rescheduled from gw 31?

      1. Jönny
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks for this, very helpful!

      2. Cathal Cantona
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

  22. FPL-(VAR)dy
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    any idea when the rescheduled fixture from the blanks in 31 will be available??

    1. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      27 and 31

  23. PatrickLee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I have a question that might be stupid, but going to go ahead anyway. For strategy three in the tips about managing the double game weeks:

    "STRATEGY 3
    FH 31 / BUILD FOR 32 AND TC OR BB / WC34 / TC OR BB 35"

    ...One of the cons is 'severely weakened team for GW33'.

    I don't understand why you wouldn't just wildcard a week earlier, during GW33?

    Everywhere I look people are offering two options and on the free hit in 31, people say the con is having to build for GW33 and the difficulty in doing it. Why not just wildcard that week?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Because a large number of teams that blank in 33 will be likely to have DGW in 35.

      1. PatrickLee
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks for the reply! Seems logical enough.

      2. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        6 of those 'DGW35' teams could be Cardiff, Brighton, Watford, Fulham, Newcastle, Palace right? I can't see a double-GW frenzy for many of those players - I think WC33 could actually work quite well (if the GW31 blanks are played in 32)

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          hypothetical DGW35:

          Cardiff (mci LIV)
          Brighton (tot wol)
          Watford (FUL hud)
          Fulham (wat bou)
          Newcastle (CRY SOU)
          Palace (new ars)

          so on your WC33 you'd fill your bench with United/Watford I guess, then maybe bring in 2 more before 35

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Man City - TOT CAR

  24. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anybody else finding this whole chip strategy thing a complete headache?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think the late WC is going to be meh. There just aren’t enticing DGW fixtures in 35 this year, due to the teams left in the FA Cup.

  25. gebinsky
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hello guys.

    Which clubs could miss GW 31?
    And in which case that matches will be postponed?

    Thanks.

    1. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      The FPL site is updated with the GW31 blanks. We don't know when they'll be rescheduled for yet, the assumption is GW32.

      1. gebinsky
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Oh sorry.
        I mean GW33, not GW31.

        1. Pierce34
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Wolves-United is definitely not happening in GW33. One of Watford/Palace will also blank. The others that have a chance at being blanks are matches involving Man City and Brighton.

  26. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Are the blanks for GW33 confirmed? Only United and Wolves?

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Blanks will be confirmed after then next round of the FA Cup which takes place during 31.

      We can make some rough guesses now though

  27. J-NOISE
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Strat 3 for me but with this in mind :-
    A slight tweak to Strategy 3 would be to use Free Hit in Gameweek 33 instead of 31, with the decimated starting XI instead being in the latter.

  28. RobbieJ14
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    What is the best strategy when you have already used WC?

    I'm thinking of using free hits to build team for DGW's, with free hit on GW31 and BB DGW 32.

  29. The Bloodster
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    My problem is I foolishly used my FH chip to fend off a Head to Head rival and correct a point hit mistake I had done that week.

    I've only got 3 players in for GW31 at the moment (Liverpool players) so I will have to take hits to try and get a XI for GW 31