Pro Pundits

The pros and cons of playing the second Wildcard ahead of FPL Blank Gameweek 18

With six top 20k finishes to his name and a current overall rank of 41,610, Let’s Talk FPL’s Andy explains why he’s considering deploying his Wildcard to optimise his chances in both Blank Gameweek 18 and Double Gameweek 19.


For most of us, this Fantasy Premier League season will be like no other. We’ve had fixture postponements before for cup runs and weather, but we haven’t had to manage a global pandemic at the same time.

Because of this, there really are completely different ways to guide our teams through Gameweek 18 and 19, while also thinking more about the long-term implications of using our chips now.

I’m someone who usually goes with the crowd. Not because I’m scared of making my own decisions, but usually because the crowd knows the best route, at least in terms of when to deploy chips.

We know that the Wildcard, Free Hit, Bench Boost and Triple Captain are usually best left until the Double Gameweeks later in the season but for once, I’m thinking about going against the grain.

A lot of FPL managers will be navigating Gameweek 18 and 19 without using their Free Hit or Wildcard, while others will be using the Free Hit to manage Blank Gameweek 18 and then using free transfers to address Double Gameweek 19.

But what if a Wildcard could do both for us? In this article, I want to argue the case for using the chip in Gameweek 18. It would mean going for more than half a season with no Wildcard in hand, but keep your mind open and have a think over what I’m about to say.

Managing the Blank and Bench Boost Simultaneously

Usually, with the blanks and doubles, there is some kind of gap between the Gameweeks where things can go wrong: be it injuries, suspensions, or in the current climate, positive COVID-19 tests. It will usually require some transfer management to switch between players blanking and then doubling, or vice-versa.

But for Gameweeks 18 and 19, they follow each other, and because of the fixture rearrangements for Manchester United and Manchester City, you can cover a lot of the popular Free Hit picks from Gameweek 18 who are also great for Gameweek 19 and beyond as well. This lets you attack two very big Gameweeks with just one chip.

It’s possible to get 10 or 11 players out for Blank Gameweek 18 and, with one transfer, get to 15 Double Gameweek players.

Below is an example of a Wildcard that could go from 10 Gameweek 18 players to 15 Double Gameweek assets just by switching Alexandre Lacazette (£8.3m) to any striker with two matches, such as Danny Ings (£8.3m), Michail Antonio (£6.2m) or Rodrigo (£5.7m). If you were happy with Rodrigo, this would also leave you an option to switch Marcus Rashford (£9.6m) back to Mohamed Salah (£12.6m), if you didn’t want to go without the Liverpool winger in Gameweek 19.

andy-wildcard-gameweek-18-article

The Sacrifices

As you can see from the above team, there are some sacrifices that have to be made, depending on the players you’d be otherwise looking to target with a Free Hit chip.

The first one is that there’s no Harry Kane (£11.0m) in the team. In fact, there are no Tottenham Hotspur players at all. It’s very difficult to fit Kane in because of his position and price point, especially when four out of five of the midfielders play in both Gameweeks 18 and 19. There is space for Son Heung-min (£9.8m) but for me, he’d only be in if I was sure I wanted to get Salah back for Gameweek 20. Otherwise, I’d take Rashford, who has an extra match in Gameweek 19 and a better fixture run afterwards.

Most managers using a Free Hit chip in Gameweek 18 will likely target the Arsenal defence and/or Bukayo Saka (£5.3m), too. Given the Crystal Palace performances so far this season, it could yield a good amount of points.

But with Manchester United playing Burnley and double Manchester City defence to cover the Arsenal backline, it’s a small sacrifice to make, in my eyes.

Differential FPL XI - High Risk, High Reward

Fixture Schedule: Gameweeks 20-24

Knowing how this season has gone so far, anything that feels perfect won’t be perfect for long, but not only do we have three strong teams in Aston Villa, Manchester United and Manchester City with a match in Gameweek 18 and a Double Gameweek 19, but they also have fairly generous fixtures after the double.

These are the fixture runs from Gameweek 20-23:

  • Manchester City – West Brom (a), Sheffield United (h), Burnley (a), Liverpool (a)
  • Manchester United – Sheffield United (h), Arsenal (a), Southampton (h), Everton (h)
  • Aston Villa – Burnley (a), Southampton (a), West Ham (h), Arsenal (h)
 1

Most FPL managers are likely to want at least one Manchester City defender with Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m), Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) and Jack Grealish (£7.7m), all of whom are great options and feature in a lot of teams.

For that fixture run, there would be no harm in adding a couple more players from these teams as well, and the fact they cover Gameweeks 18 and 19 is a bonus.

One thing this is helpful with is offloading some of the money you’ve spent on the bench. Because of the fixtures for Gamweeek 20, unless there is a big injury blow, you should be able to roll a transfer, which would allow you to make two or three moves in Gameweek 21 and start downgrading some of the bench options to give you more money to spend.

Free Hit Flexibility

The Wildcard is often talked about as the best FPL chip, and I’d agree. The ability to change your entire team and set up for a fixture swing, or to manage multiple injuries, is huge.

But the Free Hit can offer a lot of flexibility. I’m not trying to argue that the Free Hit is better, but it might not be as bad to manage the rest of the season as it first feels.

Nothing is set in stone for future Blank and Double Gameweeks but the consensus seems to be that teams that reach the FA Cup 6th round will blank in Gameweek 29, with their Premier League fixtures likely to be brought forward to Gameweek 26.

For those with just their Wildcard left, they’ll likely set up for Double Gameweek 26 (possibly Bench Boosting) and then look to manage Blank Gameweek 29 with transfers. With the Free Hit spare, you can just manage your team as normal and Free Hit in Gameweek 29 if needed.

While no-one can safely predict who will get through to the FA Cup 6th round, we would assume that a big percentage of the top Premier League teams will progress.

Here are the Gameweek 29 fixtures:

andy-wildcard-gameweek-18-article 1

There’s the potential for plenty of these games to get called off, which would then arguably make a Free Hit in this week a little less helpful.

But because you can be flexible with it, you could switch to using it for Double Gameweek 26, as we should find out which fixtures are being postponed before we’ve reached Gameweek 24.

Otherwise it could just be saved for a rainy day, or perhaps a final-day punt.

The Downsides

The Complete Guide to FPL Gameweek 9

As with any strategy this season, it’s not perfect.

Using the Wildcard so early in the season leaves you with 20 Gameweeks to manage without the fallback of this prized chip. With the way fixture postponements and rearrangements are happening currently, it could make things very tough later on in the season.

There’s a heavy reliance on Manchester City, Manchester United and Aston Villa to do well in both Gameweeks 18 and 19 using my strategy. They have the fixtures for it, and a lot of the players will be targets of FPL managers regardless, but if Liverpool were to excel and you opted against Salah and any defenders, then it could be carnage. It’s also difficult to get Spurs players in, as I mentioned before, and they’re very heavily owned.

On top of that, there’s a reliance on no other fixture postponements for Gameweeks 18 or 19. There have only been four so far in over 160 fixtures, but three of those have come recently and betting against more happening would be foolish. There’s already talk in the community of holding the Bench Boost in case fixtures get called off in Gameweek 19, so it may be safer to wait until Gameweek 26 to start activating big chips.

What’s the right decision?

FPL Gameweek 14 injury and team news: Updates on De Bruyne, and more

I think now, more than ever, there isn’t a right or wrong way to play the next couple of Gameweeks.

People have been affected by fixture changes in different ways and the number of chips you currently have will change your thinking, as well as the players you own.

For me, I haven’t just decided that De Bruyne is a great option: my plan was always to get him back for Gameweek 20. The problem is, I sold him because he didn’t have a Double Gameweek, and now he does, along with a great fixture in Gameweek 18.

I find myself wanting three Manchester City players and I had none going into Gameweek 18. I also sold Ollie Watkins (£6.1m) recently because of no double and given his fixtures, I’d be happy to own him again. The Wildcard will not only allow me to cover Gameweek 18 but will hopefully let me nail the Bench Boost and have a good team for the Gameweeks preceding Double Gameweek 26, which should hopefully give me breathing space to plan.

It’s scary going against the crowd, and it’s even scarier to manage more than half a season without a Wildcard, but as Del Boy used to say: “he who dares wins”. In my case, though, I might end up more like Rodney, looking like a bit of a plonker.


1,044 Comments Post a Comment
  1. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    After Liverpool 7-0 thrashing of Palace who would have thought Salah would blank in the next three? Well my rival did and he instead went for Zaha and El Ghazi

    1. 272MK
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      exactly

    2. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Genius

  2. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best attacking asset apart from: KDB Bruno Son Saka Laca Wilson for gw18?
    A) Kane
    B) Sterling
    C) Rashford
    or someone else?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      in that order maybe

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    Decent article Andy. Definitely a strategy to consider.

    But "with six top 20k finishes to his name" as a bio, in bold, is very cringe.

    A top 20k finish isn't even a thing.

    1. HollywoodXI
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I doubt Andy wrote that himself to be fair. He’s seems like a humble guy so probably cringed as much as you reading it.

    2. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1. Didn't write that.

      2. It's literally a thing, I've done it 6 times apparently 😉

      1. RoysCallerAnne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Who wrote it, Munday? Doesn't he have 6 top 2.5m's to his name 😆

        1. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          It's just part of the bio that was written, not sure who, maybe David yes

          It's not a big deal, one of those things people spend a lot of time moaning about, a bit like the "expert" stuff, even though noone actually calls themselves an expert.

          1. RoysCallerAnne
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I'm an expert. I call myself an expert all the time.
            It's probably why I don't do a YT channel, I don't think I'd get many watching 🙂

    3. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Tbf even if you think this isn’t a thing, Andy has become probably one of the most recognisable FPL pundits and now earns a living doing it. For me that is actually more impressive than his record. Earning money from a game you love playing. That’s one step away from being a professional footballer itself.

      GL with the WC. I do think it’s a waste but that my opinion. 😉

      1. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        But why?!

        Can navigate a blank and BB in one go!

        Then just build towards 26 or FH if 29 is no good.

        It's almost too perfect 😉

        1. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I know but with 9 top 600k finishes my hold all chips back strategy is going to be golden. 😉 I do like it but The way I’m looking at it is I would be making 2-3 maybe 4 transfers over 2 weeks. I’d rather take a small hit and have all my chips when most will have used them. The beauty this season is it’s certainly not boring and predictable as it has been in the last few seasons. Where you are OR wise you strategy is different to those around you. So is mine around my rank. Horses for courses I think they call it.

        2. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Love the content though. Watch it all the time especially the deadline stream. So many paying for you to simply say yes or no. Proper Dellboy. 😎

        3. Lord.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Not really one go though because you’re using your WC and BB. My current plan is to get 10-11 players for GW18, and 13 DGW players plus Son and Dier for a BB in 19; and I can do this because I realised several weeks ago that City and United’s GW1 fixtures would be caught up during this period.

          1. andy85wsm
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Can I borrow your crystal ball? 😉

            1. Lord.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              I posted on this at the time.

              1. andy85wsm
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 13 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Fair play!

                Well I sold KDB a couple of weeks ago because of no DGW...

                Can't worry about the fact other people are in a better position with players owned really

                1. Lord.
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  I will still have to decide whether committing to a GW19 BB is wise in the current climate, but I have until next Friday, and could still opt for TC or 11DGW players with no chips.

                  Tonight’s result now makes it likely that City will have DGWs in 24, 26 and 27 by the way. Spurs will also have a problem if they progress in Europe and the FA Cup, as they already need new dates for both of their fixtures against Fulham.

    4. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think it should focus on how not only does Andy have a nice beard. He has an excellent grasp of pronunciation of Irish players names. Caoimhín Kelleher is no problem for Andy. It is Andy's USP - unique selling point in the bio!

      1. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        So true.

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

        Beard quality is a very much underrated asset to consider when listening to the pundits. Lateriser12 also has a beard.

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

    MCFC - sheer class at Chelsea + Man Utd, Dias & Stone best defensive combo in Prem

  5. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have you change your mind on MCI and MUN assets? KDB Dias Cancelo(or Stones) the way to go this week? Sterling or Foden options or too risky?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      i m clueless to be honest. not even sure i want kdb anymore...

      1. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Lol, what, why?

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I am worried about Sterling gw19 have KDB and Cancelo as well. But by gw19 Mahrez will be another option again.
      As long as KDB starts two games gw19 I don't care as it is when I will be using my TC. If KDB/Sterling is benched gw18 it would actually make me happy. Because would have more of a chance of starting both gw19.

  6. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    why would walker be a threat to cancelo start? they can both play in the same side, i am confused.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No Walker = Cancelo has to start.

    2. 272MK
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Walker RB, Zinchenko/Mendy will be available should Pep wants to rest Cancelo

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        cheers mac. maybe go with dias and stones then

  7. George James
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What’s the best option for the DGW 19 from below?

    A) -8

    Martinez
    Coufal • Cancelo • Stones • Robbo
    Salah • Bruno • KDB(TC) • Son
    Bamford • Watkins / Antonio

    B) -4
    Martinez
    Coufal • Cancelo • Stones • Robbo
    Grealish • Bruno • KDB(TC) • Son
    Bamford • Kane

    C) FH and save TC

  8. NejiHyuuga01
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Shaw or Lindelof?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      lindelof if i had to choose.

  9. Pepeye
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On tonight's performance I wouldn't have either Shaw or Lindelof. Shaw bad tempered Loser and very poor

    1. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lindelof is such a nothing player. Devoid of athlethisism, character and talent.

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Like most if the Utd defence.

  10. Reeker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez - Peacock Farrell
    Dias - James - Robertson - Coufal - Dallas
    Son - Grealish - Salah - Fernandes - Soucek
    Calvert Lewin - Bamford - Brewster

    2.3 ITB - 1 FT

    What chip strategy would you do with this lot? FH 18, TC 19
    or WC 18 - BB 19?

    Was 100% on FH 18 but not sure anymore. Just looking for a bit of guidance of what you would do with this squad

    That's 10 DGW at the moment for those not bothered to count and 6 single gameweek however one is brewster

  11. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have 6 top 20k finishes aswell. I will consider myself as a pro from now on 😀

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Do you post about anything else but your ranks?

      1. Woy_is_back
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Just check my history, its right there "smh"

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

        Damn a jante, explains it all 😀

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

      I have 6 top 10,500s but then again, I've always considered myself a pro.
      But this new way of looking at things is great!
      7 top 20ks doesn't have the same ring.

      1. Woy_is_back
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nice rank history

        1. RoysCallerAnne
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks. I'm in no way modest about it either. I'm one of the best FPL players in the world.
          Modesty has no place in FPL.
          It's why I like you Woy.

          1. DA Minnion (Former great)
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            What's gone wrong this season.

            1. RoysCallerAnne
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              I dunno but ask again after GW38. I've come from even further behind from where I am now and still reached top 10k.

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

            Exactlyyy! So many salty jealous haters 🙂

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

      Well if you actually were a pro you'd statpad your finishes as 1x100, 2x6k, 3x10k, 4x11k, 6x18k instead of 6 top 20k finishes. Classic amateur post. Need to do better.

  12. Londongeezaa
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Why has Salah not fallen yet? Makes no sense.

    1. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He’s only -87 on FPL statistics

      Even if he gets to -100, I’d expect there’s some adjustment for FH teams?

      Can’t see his price falling until after FA Cup ties

      1. Londongeezaa
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        His overall ownership has drop by over 3% with over 250k sales. Yet he still hasn’t budged.

        1. Kindness
            3 years, 2 months ago

            My theory is that players with a blank gameweek don't drop. Didn't happen to grealish when he had a blank against Newcastle, in fact he went up the next week when people went back for him

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

      Really tempted to press the FH button as I’m slowly being priced out of the players I want...

      Thoughts?

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Same boat, still seems risky.

    3. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Do you like my FH draft?

      Darlow or DDG
      Cancelo Dias Tierney
      Saka KDB(C) Bruno Son
      Kane Lacazette Wilson

      (Could also go with Rashford and Foden instead of Saka and Kane but it means getting Maguire instead of Dias)

    4. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Who's wildcarding?

      1. George James
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thinking about it

        1. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          20 weeks without a wildcard sounds like chaos doesn't it?

          1. S.Kuqi
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Now it is time to attack imo. All the big boys have dgw, could be huge swing.

            1. andy85wsm
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Same could be said of GW26 of course.

              1. S.Kuqi
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Gw18 wildcars suits my team better. Got no Manc, only Bruno from united, Bamford and bench is crap

                1. andy85wsm
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 13 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  Mine is okay but no City and only Fernandes too.

                  Feel like the WC can kill 2 birds with one stone.

                  But scary not having it 🙂

                  1. S.Kuqi
                    • 11 Years
                    3 years, 2 months ago

                    With careful planning I think us wildcarders will do just fine.

                    I'm really happy with my wc team atm. Sets me nicely for next 3 gws atleast

      2. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        O/

      3. George James
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Let’s see your drafts guys?

        1. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          It's in the article 😉

      4. milanista10
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I did it last GW & no regrets so far

        1. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          How does the team look?

          1. milanista10
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Martinez
            Cancelo Dias Maguire Tierney
            KDB Bruno Son Neto
            Kane Watkins

            Johnstone Bamford Soucek Coufal

            1. milanista10
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Oh & I’m saving the transfer this GW to have 2 FT for 19

            2. andy85wsm
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Any Salah plan or going without?

              1. milanista10
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Yeah, current plan is Son, Kane, & Tierney out to Salah, Robbo, & Rodrigo for -4

                1. andy85wsm
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 13 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  Nice!

                  Going to leave myself with the option of having Rashford and Ings/Antonio for free.

                  Or Salah + Rodrigo for a -4.

                  In hindsight maybe a GW17 wildcard would have made it easier to manage but couldn't get my head around it in time.

                  1. milanista10
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    3 years, 2 months ago

                    Needed to do it in GW17 as I knew I’d want 2 FTs in GW19 - glad it paid off with players like Tierney, KDB, Kane hauling while lack of Liverpool didn’t do any damage!

                    Sounds like a good plan! So you are all set on a WC too?

                    1. andy85wsm
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • Has Moderation Rights
                      • 13 Years
                      3 years, 2 months ago

                      Maybe...

                      I could potentially get out a team for 18 with 9 players for a -4 including

                      Cancelo, KDB, Fernandes, Grealish, Kane and Reguilon.

                      Then 11 DGW players for a -4 in 19.

                      So perhaps I should just do that and forget the BB.

                      Would leave me WC and FH for the rest of the season.

                      We'll see...

                      1. milanista10
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 11 Years
                        3 years, 2 months ago

                        Ah a lot of thoughts on your mind then..

                        I personally like the BB in GW19 as it’s not often you see two good fixtures for teams like West Ham & Leeds whose players are budget friendly as well..

                        Good luck with your decision Andy!

      5. HollywoodXI
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Me. Already (recklessly?) pressed the button. Set up like this:

        GW18: Martinez Meslier Maguire Cancelo Stones Coufal Chilwell KDB Bruno Son Grealish Soucek Lacazette Bamford Watkins

        GW19: Martinez Meslier Maguire Cancelo Stones Coufal Chilwell KDB Bruno Salah Grealish Soucek Rodrigo Bamford Watkins

        BB GW19

        1. HollywoodXI
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          *Maguire is now AWB (worried about the yellow card thing)

      6. Reeker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Martinez - Peacock Farrell
        Dias - James - Robertson - Coufal - Dallas
        Son - Grealish - Salah - Fernandes - Soucek
        Calvert Lewin - Bamford - Brewster

        2.3 ITB - 1 FT

        Would you WC or FH this Andy?

      7. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'm considering wildcarding for GW19....allows more information regarding Covid, an extra week to consider form, injuries, etc...rather than going for it early in 18 which I don't like (unless you have a very depleted team as in less than 7 BGW players).

      8. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'm taking a -8 rather than WC or FH. Had issues like Taylor and James though

        Still only have 10 gw18 but will BB gw19.

    5. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ready!

      Darlow
      AWB Cancelo Tierney
      Sterling(c) KDB Bruno(vc) Son Saka
      Lacazette Wilson

      Steer Yedlin Kilman Brewster

    6. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is Son better option than Rash for double even when Rash plays one game more and have SheffieldU in gw20?

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No

    7. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Interesting to read comments about potential Bruno resting this weekend.
      Obviously we have no idea if real but would be great for us free hitters.

      1. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Be great for the whole.of FPL considering he's so highly owned.

      2. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He had a rest tonight.

      3. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        no sane active player will go without Bruno for 18 regardless I reckon

      4. Lord.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You do realise that they’re talking about the Cup match ahead of GW18?

        1. FPL_Crisis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Wishful thinking then!

      5. Bram
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Fully expect Bruno rested this weekend - v Watford in the FA Cup

    8. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hows thisFH draft

      Darlow
      Maguire stones tierney
      Kdb bruno foden saka son
      Wilson kane

      Subs steer saiss mitchell brewster

      Gtg? Foden or gundo better actually?

    9. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Free hitters....couple of questions

      Tierney or Saka?
      City- double defence or double attack? Tempted by Foden along side captain KDB

      1. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Sterling and KDB for me if free hitting.

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

        If I was going 2 attack it would be KDB & Sterling for surity of starts through to gw22 - Foden is too rotatable. I've gone 2 defs though as my budget and availability of midfield slots don't allow Sterling.

    10. ResultatFar
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I am starting to consider Richarlison alongside Wilson in attack on my free hit. Am I alone with that one?

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I think he is great punt. Go for it

    11. Aurora Borealis?
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Managed to get a FH 1st XI with only Ars/Mun/Mcy/Tot players. What do you think?

      Leno
      Cancelo | Dias | Wan-Bis
      KDB | Fernandes | Son | Saka
      Kane | Martial | Laca

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cavani is back for the Burnley game so don't like Martial. The rest is fine.

        1. Aurora Borealis?
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks Ninja, agreed his minutes do worry me

    12. mlm
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Soucek or raphinha?

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Sous chef.

      2. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Always pick the Brazilian

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

          Jo?

      3. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Saka punt instead, plays 18 and nice fixture in 19?

    13. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Greeting one and all!! On WC currently anyone care to have a look at where I’m at currently and any advice warmly welcomed!!
      Martinez
      Dias Cancelo AWB Holding
      KDB Bruno Son Saka
      Kane Lacazette
      Subs- Areloa, Bamford, Cresswell Soucek.
      Cheers folks ,zero in bank

    14. Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1 hour to decide between a WC or FH 18

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Fh

      2. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Still so many fa cup to play. Why decide now?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          0.1m

      3. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Wait- plenty good options. 0.1m shouldn’t be deciding factor

    15. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      DDG or Darlow?

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Darlow

    16. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just occurred to me that in my history of playing FPL I've never once owned Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott or Roberto Firmino.

      1. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Owning Walcott is a rite of passage.

        Have to do it at least once

        1. Drexl Spivey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Just to get it out my system?

      2. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What a strange occurrence to just pop into your head!

        1. Drexl Spivey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Danny Welbeck too.

      3. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Owned them all

      4. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Walcott’s last game of the season hatty. The only time I’ve owned him and captained him. Pure genius. 😉 Firminho a couple of seasons back was so consistent for about 15 games. Never been close to that since. Ozil is a waste of air. And money for that matter.

      5. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I remember when Walcott was more expensive the Son.

    17. mgilbert86
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is Bailly nailed for United now?

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No

      2. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No.

    18. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I like the way Andy is thinking. He is showing some balls. Too often he has doubted himself and let himself be swayed by the crowd. And it is shoulda, coulda woulda. He has had a great start to this season and might as well go the wildcard route if he feels it can him more of an edge.

      Plus wildcarding this early also has a secondary advantage there is about 20 transfers available to change the wildcard over the rest of the season.

    19. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Personally my tactic was planned for awhile back ether BB or TC DGW19.
      However, given the fact it would have taken a -8 for me to take advantage of BB - TC seems more sensible. Plus I am in the fortunate position of not having to use the FH in gw18 as I can field 9 players plus Brewster.
      So I can go a slightly different route to most on here.

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Me too. It’s all about team set up right now. I just cannot justify using my fh to effectively bring in 2 Arsenal players for 18. Wc seems excessive too when I’ve already got a team of 10 dgwers and Kane. Would need to dismantle the team to get a full playing bench for bb in 19. Tc is the best option and having fh, wc and bb in my pocket for the rainy days ahead.

        1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          The TC all rests on Pep Guardiola's humour if you are TC KDB for instance. So it is not without it's risks. But I figure at worst KDB should get around 10 points. Say two 3 points and an assist. Which would mean 30 points. A BB might only get an average of 20 points. Plus I am avoiding a -8.

          I am going 10 DGW's plus Son so are strategy is very similar.
          Also happen to have Wilson for gw18 who I had back in gw13. Hopefully he will do well this week as I feel many will prefer the Arsenal players.