Pro Pundits

When is the best time to play the second Wildcard as Double Gameweeks loom large?

When is the right time to play a second Wildcard? Should Fantasy Premier League managers deploy it before or after the next set of Double Gameweeks?

The questions around this particular chip are endless and I can understand why. We are entering a pivotal part of the campaign so it is important to get our strategy correct.

With this article, I talk about the pros and cons of using your Wildcard now versus later in the season as I continue to mull over this decision. I intend on presenting the factors you should consider while making this decision, which should hopefully help you with the same.

Is it time to go all in or should you hold on for a little longer? Let’s discuss that question in more detail.

For me, the serious planning begins in Gameweek 25, as I’m very likely activating my Wildcard with the intention to Bench Boost in Gameweek 26. It is worth pointing out that I have a Free Hit also in my pocket so I don’t need to worry about Blank Gameweek 29 at this point. 

ADVANTAGES TO WILDCARDING NOW

Mitchell benefits from Palace's first clean sheet since Gameweek 1

In an ideal world, I would have liked to Wildcard after using my Bench Boost in Gameweek 26 but there are a few reasons for me pulling the trigger now. Let’s call them the advantages of Wildcarding in Gameweek 25:

  • I have a non-playing goalkeeper and two of my outfielders are Oliver Burke (£4.2m) and Tyrick Mitchell (£3.9m). This means that if I want to Bench Boost in Gameweek 26 without using my Wildcard, I need to spend transfers on these three spots. This is a little inconvenient in terms of attacking the doubles in Gameweek 24 and 25 before that, which is where I’d have liked to spend my transfers.
  • I am currently ranked at 1.2 million and, if I need to have a respectable finish to the season, I don’t have enough time to recover it by simply taking hits and trying to get the right team in place. I want to press the Nitro Boost button early and hope that the Wildcard sustains itself for a sufficient period and helps take my season in the right direction. Personally, Wildcarding later in the season might be too late given my rank.
  • Buying extra games for at least 15 players in Gameweek 25 and 26. I currently have just one Leeds United and zero Southampton players. I am hoping that I am buying at least 15 extra games for my squad by playing my Wildcard.
  • I could potentially have two Burnley players in Double Gameweek 24 and I don’t necessarily want to carry them in Gameweek 26 as their potential Double at that point does not look very attractive. One of the advantages of Wildcarding in Gameweek 25 is I can get rid of my Clarets without any fuss.

If I had a decent bench right now, I would have considered Wildcarding in Gameweek 24, 25 or 26. There are advantages to pulling the trigger on a new squad after the Bench Boost…

WILDCARDING AFTER MY BENCH BOOST

harry kane fpl injury return spurs west brom gameweek 23

First up, the distribution of funds is correct. Once we have the Bench Boost chip out of the way, we do not need to have a second playing goalkeeper and can also afford to have a bottom-price 14th outfielder. This helps us compress funds and spend more on the pitch rather than distributing the money through the squads. 

Also, on this note, I am anticipating that it might be fairly difficult to build a good Bench Boost team in Gameweek 26 because we could have Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea all having Double Gameweeks. 

Yes, the budget midfielders and forwards are making life easier right now but Harry Kane (£11.0m) has returned and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) is already back on the training pitch. It might be very difficult own a lot of these big hitters and have a balanced squad all at the same time. 

If you are not Bench Boosting in Gameweek 26, it is possible to have a more appropriate distribution of funds which might allow an additional big hitter or two.

WILDCARD PERSPECTIVE

Signing Cancelo a week before fixture swing can give FPL owners the edge

A big worry I have right now is being guilty of short-sightedness. If I Wildcard in Gameweek 25 looking at the Double Gameweek players, I worry about building a new team that is too heavily focused on the doubles and the Bench Boost. 

This is a real concern and we definitely need to pay attention to the fixtures after the next Double Gameweeks when putting together a new squad for the rest of the campaign.

It is very important to not have a blindspot just for the Double Gameweeks and build a mid-term team with good fixtures in the future. 

This is one of the advantages of Wildcarding after Gameweek 26 as there will be a balanced focus towards the good players and teams rather than just the Double Gameweek players.

Being able to assess the impact of European football returning is also a big advantage in terms of Wildcarding later. There are Champions League and Europa League games coming for a lot of important Premier League clubs and I am wondering whether we spot certain trends in the European games which might help our Fantasy squads… and a later Wildcard.

Something as simple as Pep Guardiola preferring certain centre-backs in Europe to others in the league could potentially impact which players we choose for a Wildcard or Bench Boost squad.

THE RIGHT MOTIVATION

Blades defence finally records clean sheet as Wilson blanks again 4

Another factor I worry about is motivation and certain teams visiting the beach way sooner than expected. In my opinion, the league is most certainly going to be won by Manchester City and we could have a season where the relegation race might be decided a lot earlier than normal. Again, this could lead to certain team selection and form trends which might be more visible a little later in the season. 

One thing that you could do to safeguard yourself against this is that the race for the top four as well as European places looks like it could go deep into the season. Teams vying for these spots will continue to be motivated right until the end of the season and it might be worth investing in them if Wildcarding early. 

THE FREE HIT

One of the reasons I’m not worried about the Wildcard in Gameweek 25 and Bench Boost in Gameweek 26 is that I don’t need to consider the Blanks in Gameweek 29 at all (because I have a Free Hit Chip still to use). 

This might not be the case for a lot of managers who might need to keep an eye on the Gameweek 29 fixtures and maintain a balance between them and Double Gameweekers in Gameweek 26. This is why a lot of managers are considering a Bench Boost even in Gameweek 24 and then Wildcarding in Gameweek 26 where the bench is focused towards those playing in Gameweek 29. 

An alternate option is to dead-end into Gameweek 29 by focusing transfers between Gameweek 26 and 29 towards the Blank Gameweeks and eventually use the Wildcard chip in Gameweek 30 with a focused view on the last eight fixtures where the factors state above can be taken advantage of.  

One thing I want to mention, if you have already used your Wildcard or if you are playing your Wildcard after the Double Gameweeks, is do not take a lot of hits and maximise on all the Double Gameweeks. 

That might not be possible, I appreciate. You will need to pick and choose the Double Gameweek fixtures you want to attack and compromising on one might mean being able to jump in on another. 

For example, Burnley are not a team renowned for their attack and it might even be a good idea to jump on a Danny Ings (£8.4m) who has a decent looking fixture against Wolves in Gameweek 24 before his Double Gameweek in 25. 

Point being, you need to pick the teams and Doubles you want to target if you’re keeping the Wildcard in the pocket for later. I particularly mention Ings here because, to me, he looked really sharp against Newcastle and got a lot of shots off which hasn’t been the case with him normally. 

A lot of the Southampton first-team players are coming back as well which makes investment in them a lot more attractive.

When it comes to the Chip Strategy and use of the second Wildcard, a lot depends on your own team and how the fixtures look in Gameweek 26 and onwards once the FA Cup results are in. 

I am writing this article before all the latest FA cup games have been played and I’m patiently waiting for the chips to fall into place.

I hope you enjoyed reading this article as I tried loud thinking and noting all the factors you should consider before deploying your chips. Do let me know in the comments section how you find this article and if I missed out on any factors I should consider. If you want to know more, we will be recording the next episode of The FPL Wire on Thursday evening. 

767 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    oh, and Kane should embrace his baldness and shave off his hair

    1. Pchids
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He'd look like Mr. Chips from Catchphrase

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

        He always looks like Bruce Forsyth grandson to me 🙂

  2. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone taking a punt on Richarlison?

    1. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      One of the options along with Barnes If I choose to BB this week.

    2. spiritof82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ancelotti punts on Richarlison every week!

  3. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    5 yellow flags 🙁

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      does that matter ?

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

        Not if you love semaphore

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          thought he meant Richarlison

  4. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who scores more this week?

    A. Konsa (bha)
    B. Meslier (ars)

    1. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Can I ask why your comparing a def and gk?

      1. FPL price manipulators are …
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Contemplating playing the rush GK chip

  5. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Was there any news regarding DCL last night?

    1. kime67
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      hammy. not looking good

  6. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So everton dgw 26 almost confirmed right? Saints and wba...hmm..

  7. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    been a good read the last 12 hours of posts,3flags,4flags,5flags ,6flags so much crying and no info ,multi drama queens,just hilarious...

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Rate my flags - Just one. Any good?

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

      "It is not enough that I succeed, everybody else must fail" - Ghengis Jordan.

      1. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        haha i have 5 ,maybe ok ,who knows ,great comment tho,TKT.

  8. kime67
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    everyone flagged. is it time for the wc?

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

      Not yet for me. I'm so behind the times I have no flags.

  9. slove
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Antonio to Ings this week or next ?

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Next

  10. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dias will play both matches right?

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not 100% with Pep, he might get rested in one for the Gladbach game

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

      Absolutely*

      * have absolutely no idea

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Do you work for BBC?

    3. kime67
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      who knows.

      1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It is okay we might not know. But will it make sense losing him over Stones and Cancelo to get Dias? The idea is getting two defenders who will likely play 2 games.

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think he was diahorrea-ing all over the City dressing room floor so possibly not

  11. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    "When is the best time to play the second wildcard?"

    As someone who has already played it this makes me both sad and relieved that I don't have to worry about it!

    1. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Id rather worry about when to use wildcard #2 than not have it at all

    2. Pchids
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A-men

  12. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Just noticed! 4 5 1 formation on the FPL team sheet looks so intimidating!

    1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bada$$ midfielders usually have mega hauls at their peak.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I hope this is the week! With goals coming from defense too!

  13. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    RMT pls

    one flag

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

      6/10.

    2. Kabayan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      G2G

  14. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wilson out for 6-8 weeks!

    https://twitter.com/BenDinnery/status/1359808647610724354

    1. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Defenders playing Newcastle nailed on cleansheets now

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Triple Brighton defence on FH29 locked in

      1. Lazaretti
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        With TC Duffy or Dunk.

    3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lets make a list of proper FPL options who are actually not flagged. I bet the number will not cross 13 or 14!

    4. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL to Joelinton confirmed

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        But everyone is going to bring in Joelinton. As a differential I’ll be looking to use TC on him.

  15. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Need some help guys, got 1 FT and 1.0 ITB.. seems like DCL and Dias have to go.. worth taking a hit to replace both?

    Lloris Button
    Dias Cancello AWB Mee CTaylor
    Salah Son Bruno Raphina Gundo
    DCL Bam Watkins

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dias may be back as Ill. Not worth a hit anyway. DCL to Richarlison/Antonio/Cavani?

      1. tibollom
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        thanks mate

    2. ppv
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You have a benching headache without getting anyone else in

      1. tibollom
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        yea i guess so but not many DGW players

  16. Bucket Man
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts. Likely to WC 25 and BB26. FH29
    2FT
    McCarthy
    Robertson, Cancelo, Stones
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Barnes, Gundogan
    DCL*, Bamford
    Forster, Dallas, Holding, Brewster

    Thinking Robertson to Tarkowski and Brewster/DCL to Cavani. If DCL fit bench Barnes.

  17. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Chances of playing this weekend?

    Pope
    Digne
    Justin
    Dias
    DCL
    Antonio

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No one on here (as far as I know) are part of the coaching staff for a premier league football team and thus have no clue. In Pope and Dias’ case at least, there hasn’t been any mention of them having an injury at all.

      1. CrouchDown
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No one on here knows who is going to score points next GW either.

        This premise of this game is predicting outcomes based on any available info we have.

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yes, so wait until the pressers.

  18. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    BREAKING: Newcastle’s Callum Wilson facing 6-8 weeks out with a 'bad' hamstring injury.

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just when they are starting to play a bit

  19. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If Fraser Forster is the first choice many could actually BB before 26

    1. FPLShaqiri
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Did I miss something? McCarthy has played virtually every game

  20. KirkhamWesham
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I've got 3 flagged players on the bench (DCL Antonio Dias.)

    Think ill get away with it?

    Martinez
    Cancelo AWB Cresswell Dallas
    Salah Bruno G'dogan Soucek Raphinha
    Watkins

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Still looks good

  21. Pepeye
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any news on James Justin Leics fans?

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Negative. Any info on MCI players City fan?

  22. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Don't know what to do.. Kinda stuck. Just Coufal to Mee or something?

    The current team:

    Martinez
    Shaw, Dias, Stones, Coufal, Alioski
    Grealish, Salah, Bruno, sterling, Soucek
    Watkins, Antonio, Bamford
    2ft's

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Depends when or if you’ve wildcarded.

      1. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Haven't thought about that yet.. Maybe I'm not enough in the game for making long term plans

  23. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo choked on his granola this morning, doubt for the weekend

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Good it was just granola!

  24. Muller Reus Corner
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How does Werner, DCL and Alonso to Kane, Ings and Lowton for a -4 hit sound?

    1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bad

    2. Pocky
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Desperate...it sounds desperate.

  25. Eddie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Can't find any info on the Nick Pop knock. Can anyone enlighten me as to what it was?

  26. Eddie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pop 🙂

  27. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundogan TC anyone?

  28. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hoping for Wood to be fit

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dark times

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Morning?

  29. Pepeye
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Doc looking at Rodri, Dias still has Stomach cramps, Fernandinho quad problem and for Steve the Spud Cancelo is feeling better after his Grenola Ha ha

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The EYE has spoken

    2. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Amazing news, thanks

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What is this?

      Based on fresh sources today?

      Or just sn attempt to be funny?

      1. lespaul
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        sounds like they need to check their sauces are fresh

    4. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      At this rate Pep won't have enough players to spin his roulette.

  30. Jeko
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    For this dw, bring Calvert in instead of Wilson with a - 4pts hit?

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. And delete your team immediately after.

    2. Men in green tights
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is that DCL if so he might be missing both games with a possible hamstring injury from last night so wait and see on press reports if I was you

    3. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes do it now

      1. Jeko
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks for your enthusiasm