Metrics

Fifth of top 10k FPL managers yet to play first Wildcard

Roughly a fifth of the top 10,000 Fantasy Premier League managers are yet to use their first Wildcard.

Time is running out to deploy this chip as it is only active for the next three Gameweeks, disappearing after Gameweek 20.

Following the passing of Saturday’s deadline for Gameweek 17, 81.09% of the top 10k had played their Wildcard.

As you can see from the table above, 0.87% of them played the Wildcard for Gameweek 17, taking the overall total for the top 10k to 81.09%.

That means 18.9% of managers at this level still have it in their pocket, ready to deploy over the Christmas period.

Our ProPundit writer Simon March did an article earlier this week on the pros and cons of using the Wildcard later in the season and is certainly an interesting read. READ IT HERE.

Those that do deploy their Wildcard between now and the end of the year may well end up with squads that look a bit like the above.

This is the template Wildcard put together by those using it for Gameweek 17.

As you can see, the Brighton double-up between the sticks is the most-popular goalkeeper combination, featuring Mat Ryan (£4.8m) and David Button (£4.0m).

The most fashionable defenders in these select squads match the quintet considered the best by the majority of top 10k managers.

John Lundstram (£5.1m), Martin Kelly (£4.3m), Çaglar Söyüncü (£5.1m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) and Diego Rico (£4.3m) are all the top five most popular defenders both for the top 10k generally, and those who Wildcarded for Gameweek 17 – in the same order as well.

There is some disparity in midfield though.

Sadio Mané (£12.3m), who assisted and had a headed goal ruled out for offside in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Watford on Saturday, is the most popular in both sets, in 87.4% of Wildcard squads and 85.8% of top 10k squads.

By contrast, Mohamed Salah (£12.2m), who has double-figure hauls in each of his last two Premier League outings, is only in 16.8% of top 10k squads, suggesting he can act as a powerful differential at this level from Gameweek 19 onwards, as Liverpool are without a fixture in Gameweek 18.

While James Maddison (£7.8m) is in 59.6% of top 10k squads for Gameweek 17, he is in 71.3% of the Wildcard squads at this level, indicating how popular he is.

The Wildcard users have also taken the opportunity to invest in the Spurs midfield double-up too, with considerably more vigour than the rest of the top 10k.

Son Heung-min (£10.0m) and Dele Alli (£8.7m) are in 56.3% and 42.5% of Wildcard squads at this level but are only in 51.8% and 34.7% respectively in normal top 10k teams.

The true power of these players for those further down the rankings is shown by how few managers own Son and Alli overall. As things stand, their worldwide ownership figures are 21.0% and 12.5% respectively.

Meanwhile, if Kevin de Bruyne (£10.2m) manages to return to usual FPL form against Arsenal’s then he could help arrest a slew of sales.

He may still be in 60% of top 10k squads but that number has been falling each week for some time now.

Furthermore, the Manchester City midfielder has been selected by just 37.9% of top 10k managers playing their Wildcard for Gameweek 17.

So far, it has been a disappointing Gameweek for the in vogue forward line of Jamie Vardy (£10.1m), Tammy Abraham (£8.0m) and Marcus Rashford (£9.0m).

The Leicester City forward was handed an overwhelming majority for the Gameweek 17 captaincy, with 71.2% backing for it among the top 10k, but arguably failed to fully deliver on his promise.

Despite finishing the match at the King Power Stadium with more shots on target than any other player, Vardy did not find the net officially.

He was initially awarded the goal for Leicester’s equaliser but was shortly after stripped of it, Tim Krul (£4.5m), quite rightly, accredited with an own-goal instead.

Meanwhile, Mané (backed by 18.6%) came in as a distant second, managing to outscore Vardy by one point.

As already mentioned, Salah’s big haul against Watford was especially powerful for those who captained him.

With the vast majority of top 10k managers getting 10 points for Vardy, a 32-point haul for the Egyptian will surely have propelled the 4.5% who captained him into the highest reaches.

As for the rest of the popular forward line, Abraham blanked in a surprise defeat to Bournemouth while Rashford awaits his owners in a meeting with Everton on Sunday afternoon.

A final word on the chips as 2.6% of the top 10 deployed the Triple Captain for Gameweek 17.

Our Scoutcaster and ProPundit Az also pulled the trigger for his enhanced armband.

Like many of those in the top 10k, the chosen recipient was Vardy, and, chances are, his Triple Captain backers were expecting a lot more than one assist against Norwich.

All data taken from LIVEFPL.NET.

1,952 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Martingaling casuals punished!

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Probably end up fit enough to play...

  2. NoName
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Mount & Abraham to Martial Rashford 2FT, yay or nay?

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Do one of those, not both.

      1. Salads
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        This

    2. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yep

      • NoName
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers

    3. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Points prediction for these 3?

      A. Alli
      B. Son
      C. Kdb

      1. Pinturicchio10
          4 years, 3 months ago

          5
          9
          7

        • noquarternt
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          2 for all of them

        • FirMinaMiMo
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Kdb 1 goal 1 assist .... conform 🙂

      2. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Actually thinking of a -8 here

        Pope
        Soyuncu Lundstram Rico Kelly
        Son Alli Maddison
        Vardy Ings Abraham

        Henderson Hayden Mane* TAA*

        1FT, 4.3m

        Assuming United play reasonably well against Everton I like the look of:

        Maddison -> Martial
        Hayden -> Grealish
        Tammy -> Rashford

        1. noquarternt
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Just A and C surely

          1. Nabs Kebabs
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Don't really want Soyuncu on field away against City. Hayden is a fodder but honestly he's just a waste of space in my fpl team and with a TV of 107.5m I don't mind having a bit of an expensive bench of the xmas period. Grealish hard to ignore playing the worst 3 teams in the league next with the next of them being at home.

            1. noquarternt
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Yeah I guess it’s good to be ready for rotation as well. -8 seems a bit steep but could work.

              1. Nabs Kebabs
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                everyone here is just afraid of hits

                1. noquarternt
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  Yeah, the red arrow after a hit ruins lives

                2. G-Whizz
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 6 Years
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  Not everyone...

        2. GoonSquad
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I think all 3 outscore the player you're removing, so if playing all, do it.

          1. Nabs Kebabs
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            cheers

        3. FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Would not remove Tammy,
          Maddison + Ings > Martial + Rash

          1. Nabs Kebabs
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            that's a good option too

      3. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Which 2 would you rather have alongside Vardy?
        A. Mousset and Rashford
        B. Jimenez and Tammy

        1. Salads
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          B

        2. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          B

        3. FirMinaMiMo
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          A..... Norwich will b tough for wolves so no B

        4. GoonSquad
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Depends on mids....I like 352 this year.

      4. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Jetero Williems is a tasty option

        1. Nabs Kebabs
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          butchered his name though 😆

          *Jetro Willems

      5. Azzastaan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I know lpool has no game gw18 but in theory which is better

        Mane Salah james mount 0.5itb
        Mane kbd james mount 0.2itb

        1. Salads
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          What’s the rest of your team?

      6. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        There’s only one REAL captain option next gameweek, right?

        1. Nabs Kebabs
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          don't see anyone that stands out

          1. noquarternt
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Think he means Rashford

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I'm going with. Vardy

          1. fish&chips
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Son or Alli for me

      7. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        When was YC reset 1st January?

        1. FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          or up to 10 YCs no reset

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          After gw 19

      8. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        What would you do here?

        Considering pereira + mount to richarlison + aurier
        Any further suggestions?

        Gazzaniga
        Pereira Chilwell Kelly
        Son Pulisic Mount Cantwell
        Vardy Abraham Greenwood

        4.0 Salah TAA Robbo

        2 ft 0.8 itb. no WC

        No idea whta to do.

        1. Nabs Kebabs
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Team needs major overhaul there, I'd be looking to sell Pereira, Pulisic, Mount and possibly Tammy aswell.

          1. Emiliano Sala
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            What about robbo and taa?

            1. Nabs Kebabs
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              both are potentially expendable aswell...the issue is there aren't a lot of great defender options especially at that price range...I don't rate Aurier, Spurs defence is suspect and he is a red card waiting to happen. Would rather go cheaper to someone like Rico or Willems

              1. Emiliano Sala
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Thanks buddy

      9. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Score prediction for Spurs-Chelsea next GW?

        1. FirMinaMiMo
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          3-2

        2. FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          3-2

        3. FirMinaMiMo
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          3....kane son alli
          2.... pulisic/mount kovacic

      10. noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Pope
        Lund Rico Engels Bednarek
        Allí Son KDB
        Vardy Abraham Ings

        McGovern, Mané, Saka, Soy

        1FT 0.6

        Not enough cash to do Abraham to Rashford. Any ideas? Cheers

        1. FirMinaMiMo
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yu are still at cup selection ???? ....if yes check opponents strikers nd make a move 🙂

          1. noquarternt
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Good idea. My H2H opponent in my cash league has this->

            Pope
            Jonny Soy Lund
            Mount Son Sterling Grealish
            Abraham Vardy Rashford

            With an awful bench. He’s clearly going to captain Rashford. So I presume I need him in at all costs without a good captain option?

            1. FirMinaMiMo
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Ohh mate !!!!! I m saying for gw18 opponent ...wait for a while 🙂

              1. noquarternt
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                That is my GW18 opponent...fpl Cup is impossible, my H2H is possible.

      11. Sicaholic
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        For gws 18&19, which is better? Budget 16.8m. I have no spurs or manutd attackers.

        A. Alli (CHE/BRI) + Jim (nor/MCI)
        B. Son (CHE/BRI) + pukki (WOL/avl)
        C. Other options

        1. FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Alli + Martial if you can

          1. Sicaholic
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            One striker and one mid position. So technically can't haha. Struggle is to find a decent striker here, while accommodating a spurs mid

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          B

      12. Azzastaan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Pope
        Kelly Rico Taa Soy Lund
        Mane Dendonk Mount James (Kdb or Salah?)
        Tammy Vardy Rashford

        Thanks I know no gw18 for lpool just in theory whilst I can still afford everyone which is better

      13. nibby
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Hi fellas, would really appreciatte some suggestions. Current ream:

        Guaita
        Lundstrom Maguire Aurier (Soy TAA)
        Alli Son Maddison Cantwell (Mane)
        Maupay Tammy Vardy

        Got 2 FT. Which move makes more sense?

        A) Maguire + Cantwell > Cahill + Grealish
        B) Mane > Grealish and roll 1FT
        C) Tammy + Mane > Rashford + Grealish

        If Maguire fails to deliver tomorrow will probably do A. Thoughts? Thanks!

        1. Salads
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Wouldn’t get rid of mane unless you have the funds to get him back in. Uniteds fixtures look good so would look at ways to get rashford or martial in without having to lose mane. Have soy Maddison and vardy myself might ditch Maddison for martial so long as no injury’s tomorrow.

      14. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Just realized ings finally blanked. Surprised but very pleased. Owners have had too much jam already

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          😀

        2. norab
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Mattered less since Tammy blanked also. A lot of sellers sold Tammy for Ings with an eye to get Tammy back. When Ings got hot they kept him. Tammy at least getting something today would've been nice.

      15. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I'm ready for GW 18 😀

        Pope
        Aurier Lundstram Rico
        KDB Son Grealish Donkey
        Vardy Rashford Ings

        Soyuncu

        Anything worth a hit ,? 2.1m itb

        1. FirMinaMiMo
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Whos that donkey haha...and the benchers please??? 🙂

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Dendonker
            No bench

      16. FirMinaMiMo
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Anyone at margin line of elimination from the cup (headtohead) !!!!!!

        1. Lacabacca
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          No!!!!

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Stop shouting you guys 😀

        3. Tsparkes10
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yup lol

        4. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yesssss!!!!

        5. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          OMG! SO CLOSE EVEN THOUGN MY RIVAL IS A CASUAL WHO KEPT ROBBO!

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            MINE CAPTAINED SALAH

      17. Manumana
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Hi guys. Wot do u think of these upcoming moves ? 2fts 4.0 itb.

        This week - Zaha & TAA -> Son & Targett
        Next week - Ings & Jiminez -> Rashford & Abraham -4

        Or any other ideas very welcome

        Guiata Button
        TAA Soyuncu Lundstram Kelly Rico
        Mane KBD Alli Zaha Dendoncker
        Vardy Jiminez Ings

        Thx

        1. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Unless you start seeing improvement in Chelsea, I wouldn't do the Jimenez -> Abraham -4. The other stuff seems fine.

          1. mazkills
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            +1 on Chelsea form

        2. Salads
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Both great moves imo, good team built already

          1. Manumana
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Thx for all the replies

      18. mazkills
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Would really appreciate a quick yes/no (and if you have a preference):

        Ryan
        Lundy-TAA-Soy (Pieters/Tomori!)
        Alli-KDB-Mo-Mount (Cantwell)
        Raul-Tammy-Vardy

        Should I make this kind of move?

        TAA out and and Moun >Martial/Richarlison/Maddison OR Raul>Rashford/Jesus

      19. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        58 with KDB and Jimmy left any good? 🙁

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Better than me atleast

        2. mazkills
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          You need an Alli or Son im afraid, but should be above average when all said and done 😉

        3. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Very good Chucky
          And you know that 😉

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Top 10kavg is 40 right ?

        4. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Might be top 100 GW score at the end!

      20. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        *post Liverpool blank thoughts

        Now that Salah looks a lot more fit we are going to need him over Mane (or even alongside if possible). Also think VVD could be the Liverpool defender to own as the schedule gets busier. Klopp's system takes its toll on the fullbacks.

        1. mazkills
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I'm thinking of ditching TAA and upgrading Mount/Raul...would prob take an out of form player and eventually go VVD when buying back Liverpool defense.

          I think Mo and Mane are about the 2 best players in the league, and over the season it should show. I like both, partial to Mo.

          1. Nabs Kebabs
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Seems a solid plan.

            Hard to look past KDB as best player in the for me. But for fantasy Salah and Mane are insane are they are more strikers than midfielders (especially Salah).

        2. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Had similar thoughts. Looking at Pulisic-Kevin-Reid to cheapie-Salah-Van Dijk over next 2 weeks.

          Would mean a weaker midfield but its not like Pulisic or Kevin are on fire anyway... 😮

          1. Holmes
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            But Robertson did well in his sub appearance, could have got something and with his rest out of the way, he will probably start majority of the games from now onward.

      21. juho
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        McGinn drop priced me out of Pulisic + McGinn -> Son + Grealish

        Would you rather:
        1) Sacrifice KdB for Son, which enables Aurier in and replacement for Mousset eventually
        2) Still do Pulisic -> Son, and in GW20, Mousset + McGinn -> Connolly + Grealish

        Thank you.

        1. Salads
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Any other city coverage?

          1. juho
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            None, mate

            1. Salads
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Would probably hold KDB for the arsenal game. Maybe pulsic to son makes most sense this week

      22. Salads
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Hi! Finally got myself into the top 5k and hoping to stay there!

        Any preference here current team:
        Ryan - ramsdale
        Kelly-soy-TAA-tomori-Lund
        Mane-alli-son-Madison-Hayden
        Vardy-abraham-rashford

        A)tomori, TAA and Hayden out for McGuire and aurier grelish (minus 4) have the exact funds.
        B) Ryan and tomori out for Martin and aurier (no hit)

        Any other suggestions would be appreciated!

        1. Salads
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Awful benching headache with a of course

      23. JasonG123
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Best midfielder for 6.5m or under? Seems to be a real lack of options.

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Grealish

      24. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Best moves here? Still have the 1st WC so only 2 weeks to consider:

        A) Salah & Pulisic -> Sterling & Alli
        B) Salah & JWP -> KDB & Alli
        C) Salah & Abraham -> Sterling & Rashford
        D) Pulisic & Abraham -> Grealish & Rashford
        E) Pulisic & JWP -> Grealish & Martial

        Ryan
        Lundstram, Soyuncu, Aurier
        Son, Pulisic, JWP, Dendoncker
        Vardy, Abraham, Pukki

        Button, Williams, TAA, Salah
        Bank 0.9m, 2FT, WC available

        1. Buck The Trent
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          B

      25. Henryyy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        What combo would you own going forward?

        A KDB Abraham
        B Alli Rashford

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          B

      26. davies
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Pulisic > Grealish for free

        Yay or nay?

        1. FirMinaMiMo
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Nay... pulisic ll score vs spurs

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I did it

      27. FirMinaMiMo
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Since i started fpl at gw6
        Currently my Team value is 102.0
        Any Idea please to rise my TV???

        🙁

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Is your point rising?

          1. FirMinaMiMo
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Nope 🙁

          2. FirMinaMiMo
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            For the past few weeks TV remains the same!

            1. Holmes
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Point matters.

              Team value is secondary.

              1. FirMinaMiMo
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                But i hve to break my team nd make unnecessary hits like (-4) etc..... For buying a worthy form player 🙁

      28. Bavarian
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Would you do the move Robbo-Maddison-Abraham 》》》
        5.2 Def-Alli-Rashford (-4)??
        And which defender?, have TAA-Soy-Lund-Kelly... Thanks...

        1. FirMinaMiMo
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Bench pool players !!!!!
          And try tammy to rash

          1. Bavarian
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Have TAA and Robbo...need to sell one of them to fund...

            1. FirMinaMiMo
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Thn sell TAA