Pro Pundits

How I’m using the Wildcard to plan for the Blank and Double Gameweeks

With Gameweek 16 fast approaching, it is almost time to activate my first Wildcard ahead of the upcoming Blank and Double Gameweeks.

I am currently sitting around 350k overall with 851 points, which is ‘okay’ for this stage of the season, but it’s obvious I need this Wildcard to act as a catalyst for improvement.

So, in this, my latest column, I’m going to run through my chip strategy for the coming weeks and highlight a pool of players I’m considering for my Wildcard. There is still just under a week before final decisions need to be made, but unless additional fixtures get added, I don’t envisage too much changing.

CHIP STRATEGY

  • Gameweek 16 – First Wildcard
  • Blank Gameweek 18 – Free Hit
  • Double Gameweek 19 – Bench Boost

When I started writing this column on Monday morning, my understanding was that we were unlikely to see another Double Gameweek as big as 19 (which currently features ten teams) in 2020/21. Since then, we’ve learnt that the EFL Cup Final has been moved to a later date towards the end of April, which suggests we’ll now see another big Double in Gameweek 26. 

However, having spent a fair bit of time looking at possible scenarios, I’m sticking to my original strategy and will plan accordingly for future Blanks and Doubles.

A key reason for this is that I like the budget options on offer at West Ham United, Southampton and Leeds United, all of whom feature in this Double and have okay fixtures either side. That means players from these teams can rotate in and out of my starting XI as and when needed, without too much value being left on the bench. Going forward, I’ll probably be looking at an additional outlay of around £1.5m on bench players each week, which I’m hoping won’t prove an issue.

So, if I Bench Boost in Double Gameweek 19, I also have to Free Hit in Blank Gameweek 18. While the pool of players is naturally smaller with only five matches scheduled for that week, I see it as an opportunity to make up ground, with Manchester City looking like one of the teams to target.

My remaining chips, second Wildcard and Triple Captain, will then be used around Double Gameweek 26.

For those wondering, I did consider going a week early with my Wildcard to avoid being priced out of any moves, but felt I’d be losing good players with good fixtures in Gameweek 15, like Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m), Jack Grealish (£7.8m) and Ollie Watkins (£6.1m). By waiting, I also get another week of information, which is often valuable. 

WILDCARD

Losing Son Heung-min (£9.7m) and Harry Kane (£11.0m) for Double Gameweek assets is a risky play, given their fixtures, which see them take on Fulham and Leeds United at home before Gameweek 18. Ideally, I’d hold both, but I’m currently leaning towards keeping just one, and then moving that player on for an additional Double Gameweek player ahead of Gameweek 19. That way I can capitalise on those fixtures.

However, when planning future transfers, I also need to consider what follows the Double Gameweek.

In Gameweek 20, I’ll want De Bruyne back in my squad without taking a hit, ahead of a trip to West Bromwich Albion.

All of these kinds of scenarios are worth thinking about now, to ensure a successful Wildcard isn’t undone in the weeks to follow by a lack of planning. Gameweek 20 is as important as any, and I need to make sure that I can capitalise on any fixture swings without unnecessary hits, and that I also have good captaincy options in place. 

This is where a captaincy planner can be useful, like mine below. It should also mean I have the correct big hitters in place going forward.

CAPTAINCY PLANNER

  • Gameweek 16 – Salah (new), Son or Kane (FUL)
  • Gameweek 17 – Salah (sou), Son or Kane (LEE)
  • Blank Gameweek 18 (Free Hit) – De Bruyne (BHA)
  • Double Gameweek 19 – Salah (MUN, BUR)
  • Gameweek 20 – Fernandes (SHU), De Bruyne (wba)
  • Gameweek 21 – De Bruyne (SHU)

WATCHLIST

GOALKEEPERS

Alex McCarthy (£4.6m), Illan Meslier (£4.6m), Sam Johnstone (£4.5m).

Right now, I’m leaning towards pairing Meslier and Johnstone together, despite Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion’s ongoing defensive issues. That combination gives me a solid fixture run right up until Gameweek 25:

LEE, ARS, Free Hit, BHA + SOU / wol + whu, new, FUL, shu, CRY, ars, bur

Ideally, I don’t want to use transfers on this position up until my second Wildcard, which this setup should allow.

While clean sheets may be hard to come by, what these keepers will provide is save points, and lots of them. In fact, no other keepers can match them for saves this season, with 120 between them.

Hopefully by the time the Double Gameweek comes around, Sam Allardyce will have had sufficient time on the training ground to tighten Albion up, but if I do have doubts around this, McCarthy at Southampton is another option I’m comfortable with.

DEFENDERS

Can Robertson sustain value advantage over Alexander-Arnold after 10-point haul?

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m), Andrew Robertson (£7.2m), Rúben Dias (£5.7m), Reece James (£5.3m), Aaron Cresswell (£5.2m), Eric Dier (£5.0m), James Justin (£4.9m), Stuart Dallas (£4.7m), Vladimir Coufal (£4.6m), Charlie Taylor (£4.5m), Fabián Balbuena (£4.4m)

In my current draft, both Liverpool defenders feature having delivered a combined 19 points in Gameweek 14. Over the last three Gameweeks they lead the way amongst defenders for final-third touches, and if anything, I see them upping their output in the coming weeks.

Ideally, they’d be joined by James (if fit), but team value may restrict this, so I will likely have to select two or three of the sub £5.0m options listed above. If money is tight, Balbuena dropping to £4.4m may be useful.

Of the single Gameweek candidates, I like Dias and Dier, who may also come into my thinking.

MIDFIELDERS

Salah building up massive power in top 10k after Gameweek 14 haul

Mohamed Salah (£12.5m), Sadio Mané (£11.9m), Bruno Fernandes (£11.0m), Son Heung-min (£9.7m), Jarrod Bowen (£6.4m), Theo Walcott (£5.8m), Raphinha (£5.4m), Tomas Soucek (£5.1m)

It’s almost certain I’ll include Salah and Fernandes as my midfield heavy hitters, and compliment them with a couple of budget options.

Raphinha looks like he’ll make the cut, and has been posting some encouraging numbers since making his first start in Gameweek 9. Amongst midfielders, only Mané has attempted more shots in the box over that period, while he also ranks sixth for chances created. With a great looking Double, he should offer real value.

West Ham duo Soucek and Bowen are also appealing, with the latter’s share of corners heightening his appeal, while Walcott is a differential pick. If Danny Ings (£8.4m) is set for another spell on the sidelines, I’m quite fond of this move. In the three games Ings missed earlier this season, Walcott deputised up front with only four midfielders registering more shots in the box during those games.

I won’t rule Chelsea midfielders out either, but with points often spread around the team, I will probably look elsewhere.

FORWARDS

Harry Kane (£11.0m), Jamie Vardy (£10.2m), Patrick Bamford (£6.4m), Chris Wood (£6.2m), Che Adams (£6.0m), Rodrigo (£5.7m)

As discussed earlier, I could do a transfer hokey-cokey with Kane and Vardy or go cheap. Either way Bamford is a certainty, but the other spots are up for grabs.

A Leeds’ attacking triple-up may be a bit too much, but considering their expected goal (xG) total this season is only behind Liverpool, for a short period, a move for Rodrigo could work. However, Wood may be the better bet. He isn’t someone to get too excited about, but has been consistent in recent seasons and does tend to pick up bonus points when he scores, which I like. The fixtures before the Double Gameweek are about as good as it gets for Burnley too.

Michail Antonio (£6.2m) may become an option, but with ongoing injury issues, time is running out and it’s hard to see him featuring right now.

So, I hope this have given you some ideas for the coming weeks. 

I’ll be finalising my team at the weekend, but will update you on how it’s been going the next time I check in.

Thanks for reading, and best of luck to you all over the Christmas period.

632 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    WC GW 17

    FH 18

    BB 19

    GO BIG OR GO HOME

    1. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      boom.

    2. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not a fan of of FH in 18, but generally looks good

    3. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I was really tempted by this, just worried about the blanks later in the season and being 3 chips down to handle them.

    4. Davros
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Can’t use WC in GW17 I think. Has to be in 16

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        2nd WC

  2. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Planning to navigate Gw18 with free transfers and then BB in gw19.

    Which bunch is the best for BB guys?
    1) Coufal - Matip - Souchek - Decordova-reid (1 hit)
    2) Balbuena- Matip- Podence- Decordova-reid (no hits)
    3) Balbuena- James- Souchek- Adams (1 hit)
    4) Coufal- Stones- Souchek- Adams (0 hits)

    The rest will be:
    Martinez - Johnstone
    Justin- Dallas - Dier
    Kdb- Son- Salah- Bruno
    Dcl - Bamford

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      4

  3. Totti
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    -4 already taken

    martinez
    bednarek lamtey coufal
    salah KDB son grealish
    kane calvert bamford

    forster burke taylor dunne

    am I GTG?

    any suggestions guys

    1. aleksios
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Gtg.

  4. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    My chance Mitchell wins his place back after that 0-7?

    A 3.9m playing def would be very handy right now.

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Or who is the next best 4.3m or lower def, who isn’t Lewis (shocking fixtures).

      Have 2 x FTs so need to burn one, like I did last week, bringing Lewis in for Mitchell 😆

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Any chance Pieters gets some games?

    2. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      does aanholt get injuried?

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Can Mitchell play RB?

        1. Totti
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I think if he could play right back, what will ward and clyne do then 🙂

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Hopefully be dropped 😛

  5. Parsnips
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    2FT. What do I do here?

    Martinez
    Robo Chilwell Cancelo
    Salah Bruno KDB Bowen
    Watkins Bamford DCL

    Ryan Coufal Anguissa Mitchell

    1. aleksios
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Change Chilwell and Mitchell.

    2. fusen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Get a playing defender for Mitchell or swap out Chilwell for a fit starter over this busy period?

  6. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    a) Chilwell to TAA ( double up with Robbo) b) Chilwell to Coufal and invest money elsewhere.

    Thanks guys.

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

  7. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who to get in for Watkins:

    A) Che Adams
    or
    B) Bamford
    ..?

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Slightly B, but either is good

  8. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any idea by when will we know which teams will have a dgw26?

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      GW24

      That's when FA Cup is I think.

  9. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bench 1 please

    A. Bowen BRI
    B. Watkins CPL
    C. Klich BUR

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      That's a tough one but bench Klich.

      1. nolard
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        c

  10. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez - McCarthy
    Keane - Lamptey - Taylor - Zouma - Lewis
    Salah - Son - Fernandez - Grealish - Soucek
    Kane - DCL - Brewster

    2 x FTs, 0.0m ITB

    All suggestions welcome, I haven't got any good ideas myself!?

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lamptey to Coufal

      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        That’s a good idea

      2. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        What’s wrong with Lamptey? He’s flagged every week but still plays....this time more serious?

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No good ideas
      Do nothing

  11. Parsnips
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chilwell and Mitchell > Dallas and Taylor??

    I already have Robo Cancelo and Coufal.

    Any other options than Dallas and Taylor?

  12. trinzoo
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    No love to Klich from Leeds having DGW in mind?

    On pens + 4 assists so far. He should outscore the like of Raphinia who is favoured here.

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I have him, but want to sell
      You feel you need to play him, but doesn’t do much

      Went off at HT v Utd too

      1. trinzoo
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Don't like other options in that price, Soucek is a defensive mid (3G1A) comparing to 3G4A of Klich.

        1. St Pauli Walnuts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          He's the most offensive defensive mid you're likely to see though, could have had plenty more goals as he's always in the box.

    2. Lovren an elevator
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Raphina, is still settling in, and look what he's capable of. I think he possesses more quality, will ultimately become a better pick. I also think he's completely nailed (as is klich, but as already mentioned, got subbed, wasn't part of Bielsa's plan B)

  13. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    1FT. 0.6ITB.

    Chilwell -> Matip? Plan to FH 18 & BB 19.

    Martinez
    Dallas Bednarek Coufal
    KDB Bruno Salah(C) Son
    Bamford Adams DCL

    Steer Bissouma Taylor Chilwell*

    1. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Matip cannot be relied upon to start every game, certainly not when they are in the same week.

      Maybe Justin instead if you cannot make moves to afford Robbo/TAA?

  14. makaveli123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best replacement for Chilwell? Straight swap to Zouma/James?
    Got 6,0m ITB. Cheers

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not a fan of their fixtures, so went to Stones myself

  15. Amartey Partey
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who will get more points in GW19?

    A. Johnston
    B. Alioski
    C. Balbuena

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      \o/

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

  16. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Do we know if Ings will be out for a while again? And whether if so, Adams is the likely beneficiary

  17. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Such a useful article! Cheers Tom!

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks mate, glad you liked it.

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

    Do we think it's going to be possible to have an educated guess at the GW26 doubles before GW19?

    I'm considering using my WC in GW19 instead of the free hit and hoping I can work towards a decent BB team in 26, under the assumption that the bigger teams will most likely make the quarter's and have doubles. Then I save my FH for 29 which will likely be difficult up navigate without.

    Thoughts?

  19. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is it worth keeping 1.6m in the bank in WC GW16, in order to get KDB in GW20?

    1. JollyGoodYellows
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I would, surely over those 3 games he's got a lot of points in him!

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers mate

  20. yanky
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    best one week chilwell replacement before wc?
    a) Walker
    b) Matip

    Dias Creswell ___ (Lamptey Mitchell)

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Walker

  21. JollyGoodYellows
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What would you do with this lot? 2FTs and 0.1itb. Thinking of FH 18 and TC 19 but not completely sure.

    Mccarthy (Martin)
    Zouma James Dallas (Konsa Neco)
    Salah KDB Bruno Son (Anguissa)
    DCL Bamford Wilson

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson > Wood I would definitely do and then I probably would ship James or if you want him for the DGW then I would save the other and start Konsa

      1. JollyGoodYellows
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers. I was thinking Wilson > Adams but Wood is a good differential. Trying to find news on James and Konsa decides my second transfer.

  22. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Excellent article Tom, like reading a planning spreadsheet in article form

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Really appreciate that mate, thanks.

    2. Rashleigh Runabouts
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes, agree. That's a great article and very useful. Thankyou Tom. I just can't bring myself to use my FH on those 5 fixtures in GW18 though! What would your FH team look like for GW 18 Tom?
      Cheers.

  23. RUUD!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    How do you end up working for FFS, is there any jobs going?

    1. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      *are

      You're hired!

  24. Jammy Dodger
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    How am I looking, any changes needed?

    Martinez
    Robbo - Stones - Zouma
    Son - Bruno - Salah - Bowen - Grealish
    Kane - Bamford

    Forster - Coufal - Mitchell - Brewster

    Thanks all, merry christmas !

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      lovely side for this week i wouldn't move anything

  25. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If Chilwell is fit, which of these trios would you rather have for the Double Gameweek?

    A) Kane(shu), Robertson(MUN BUR), and Raphinha (BHA SOU)
    B) Mane(MUN BUR), Chilwell (ful lei), and Rodrigo (BHA SOU)

    If A, GW 20 I do Kane > Aguero
    If B, GW 20 I do Mane > De Bruyne

    Thank you all!

    1. Jammy Dodger
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A for me !

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Tough one, prob B

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    4. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks all! Appreciate this help. Its so tight and this seems like a central debate in my team before I press to wildcard on Saturday

  26. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A. KDB + Brewster
    B. Soucek + Vardy/Kane

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B for me with Kane

      1. Jammy Dodger
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Agreed

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B Kane

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B Kane

    4. Die Hard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B with Kane

  27. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    How's the team looking before WC16?

    0FT 0.2itb
    Martinez
    Robbo Coufal Cancelo
    Grealish Salah KDB Bruno
    Watkins DCL Bamford
    (Peacock Ayling Taylor Bissouma)

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I would start Taylor ahead of Coufal, I believe West Ham will concede this weekend so I'd put Coufal second sub behind Ayling. Otherwise looks good

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        When I'm stuck with playing one of the cheap defs, I use the CS odds. Burnley low probability of CS. With Ayling playing CB I decided to play Coufal over Ayling in the chance of an assist and bps

        https://twitter.com/FPL_Salah/status/1341284839287267329?s=19

        1. Nice to Finally Michu
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Not sure why Burnley have such a low probability this week. Good defense at home to Sheffield

  28. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez, Forster
    James, Robbo, Lamptey
    Burno , KDB © , Mahrez, Grealish
    Kane , Bamford, Adams
    ( Chilwell , Bissouma ,Dunne)
    Already -4 pts
    A- Mahrez > Soucek
    B- Mahrez > Maddison
    C- Mahrez > Raphinha
    D- Chilwell > Coufal
    E- Chilwell > Dallas
    F- Other option

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I don't think any of those moves are worth the -4. I would honestly just save even though it leaves you with Chilwell benched for the time being

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      D - I think both James and Chilwell will be out for at least 1GW and you don't have good back-up if both out

      1. Nice to Finally Michu
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Ah I didn't see James in the side as well, yeah I might say D as well

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Thank you guys

  29. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez
    Dias, Coufal, Dallas
    Salah(c), KDB, Bruno, Grealish
    DCL, Bamford, Adams

    (Soucek, Chilwell, 3.9m)

    Good to go or is Chilwell out worth a hit?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wait for concrete news but I'm hearing he is out for 2-3GWs. Probably best out for a hit

  30. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is it worth taking KDB and Brewster out for Soucek and Kane?

    Martinez
    KWP Coufal Taylor
    Salah KDB Bruno Son Grealish
    DCL Bamford
    Johnstone Lamptey Lewis Brewster

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      thats my plan. but not this week.

    2. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'd say so.