Pro Pundits

The merits of a Gameweek 26 Wildcard and what my new FPL squad could look like

How Fantasy Premier League managers navigate the upcoming series of Double Gameweeks could prove season-defining for many of them.

We are currently facing the potential for back-to-back Double Gameweeks in 24, 25, 26 and 27, which is exciting indeed.

The bigger of the Doubles is likely to be in Gameweek 26 and traditionally, the practice has been to Wildcard before this sort of round so you are ready to Bench Boost in it. What is different this year is that the big Double Gameweek does not fall in Gameweek 34 or 37 like previous seasons, but much earlier. 

With it falling at a later stage, there was less worry about setting up long-term for the rest of the season but using the second Wildcard as early as Gameweek 25 means that you have to make sure you don’t handicap yourself by getting tunnel vision and looking solely at the Gameweek 26 fixtures alone. 

What is beneficial though, is that most of the top teams, Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurs, have the Double Gameweek in 26 and assets from these teams are good picks long-term. 

However, due to these expensive assets having a Double Gameweek, setting up a Bench Boost team is quite tricky. I had a go at a potential Wildcard team, with a view to Bench Boost in Gameweek 26, which you can see below. There is £2.6m in the bank there to convert Danny Ings (£8.4m) to Harry Kane (£11.0m).

The Bench Bwho have a single Gameweek fixture at home to Aston Villa, which is decent and Leeds on their day can score a few past anyone. 

Still, they’ve not been as free-scoring at home so this could be a disappointment. Alex McCarthy (£4.5m) would be the Bench Boost keeper, but I am a little bit concerned about his recent performances and Fraser Forster (£4.0m) waiting in the wings.

Antonio Rüdiger’s (£4.6m) possible Gameweek 26 fixtures are Manchester United (home) and Liverpool (away) so I am not really confident about a clean sheet in either. Matthew Lowton (£4.5m) is likely to have Spurs and Leicester where, again, I don’t feel too confident about his point potential. 

Now let’s have a look at what I could do by focusing most of the money in the starting eleven while still retaining five starting defenders.

Right off the bat, I like having Jack Grealish (£7.8m), he is as nailed as it gets with the European schedule coming up and I trust Villa’s attack to deliver. I included James Justin (£5.2m) as a placeholder as he can be changed for any other Leicester defender now that we know about his long-term injury. The Foxes have a great run of fixtures from Gameweek 27 with Brighton (away), Sheffield United (home), although are not playing in Blank Gameweek 29.

Jannik Vestergaard’s (£4.7m) potential Double Gameweek 26 is not as appealing, which could see Southampton travel to Everton and Spurs but the Saints play Sheffield United (away), Brighton (home), Burnley (home) and West Brom (away) between Gameweeks 27 and 31 which I like. Ben White (£4.4m) is also a great budget option from a decent defensive side. 

Another factor that cannot be underrated – information. Closer to Gameweek 26, we will have more clarity about injuries, European rotation, upcoming doubles and in general can set up the Wildcard better for the rest of the season. 

Like many of you, I have left plenty of points on the bench in the last few weeks and while we have been fortunate that money was not an issue with many of the heavy hitters injured or out of form, it is likely to be scarce going forward. 

I really don’t like having to make a decision who to bench out of Raphinha etc every week. Yes bench strength could be useful but most of the players I have picked are reliable starters. I also want to have every last bit of cash available going forward and not have it tied up in the likes of a bench goalkeeper, and/or an eighth attacker. That’s about £1.5m which can go a long way in the coming Gameweeks. 

This is how my team currently looks:

I have two free transfers and £3.0m in the bank for Double Gameweek 24. Before the flags on Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m) and Michail Antonio (£6.7m), I was pretty set on using the two free transfers on Eric Dier (£4.9m) to James Tarkowski (£5.3m) and Forster to Nick Pope (£5.5m) and activating my Bench Boost. 

The flags on those two forwards have made things a bit trickier. I don’t mind taking a hit for Ings this week as I was planning to do that next week anyway. I could then do Tomas Soucek (£5.4m) to Raphinha and possibly another hit for Dallas to ‘dead-end’ my team in Gameweek 25, and then Wildcard out the Southampton and Leeds assets in Gameweek 26. I am not too keen on taking a minus-eight just to Bench Boost though. 

I imagine a lot of us are in the same boat, I was initially thinking of even navigating Gameweek 26 without using the Wildcard but West Ham not having a Double then has made that a bit tricky. 

I should also mention that I have my Free Hit chip intact, so navigating Gameweek 29 is not that much of an issue. 

Plenty to think about! Hope this article gave you food for thought, thanks for reading. 

4,305 Comments Post a Comment
  1. afsr
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    G2G or get someone for a hit?

    Pope,
    Digne, Stones, Cancelo
    Bruno, Gundo (C), Soucek, Salah
    Richarlison, Watkins, Antonio

    Martinez, Son, Cresswell, ALonso
    0FT 0.9 ITB

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lot of bench points in there imo. BB?

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

        plan for BB26 w WC25

        1. sminkypinky
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Understandable. I would probably go with that though.

  2. Matsy123
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain Sterling Gundo or Bruno and why?

    1. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dgw player

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

      Sterling, highest ceiling imo

  3. Your Man With The Hair
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one:

    A) Kane
    B) Bamford
    C) Ings

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

      bam

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

        Ings

  4. Dannyb
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Barnes and Bellerin to Tark and Gundo -4? Would have to bench Bamford for Tark if I did this.

    1. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Link your team. You'll get much more feedback.

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

    Evening Champs! have 1 ft and 2.3m itb. wc bb tc available.
    GTG? correct bench? cheers..

    pope
    dias cancelo coufal dallas
    bruno salah gundo son
    antonio bamford

    martinez adams soucek taylor

  6. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    which one lads?

    A) DCL>Cavani
    B) Cancelo>Lowton, 4.3>Gundogan [Bench DCL]

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

      B

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

    Is it mad to sell Salah and Cancelo/Dias to bring Sterling in and cap him over Gundo?

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

      Made the same move but lost stones

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm seriously considering it, feels like a higher ceiling.

  8. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you Sterling to Gundogan?

    I am scared as non Gundo owner

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

      I have Gundo Capt but I’m scared of not having Sterling

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

      No don’t be so silly

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        But Gundo EO% will be 150+. It could kill my rank.

        Alternative is Sontes to Tark and Son to Gundo

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Gundo is a top-scoring player in the league for 10 GWs or so with 90+ pts. Sterling scored 60 in that timeframe

          1. Rinseboy
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            please do Sterling to Gundo mate. The less Sterling owners the better

        2. sminkypinky
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          This if you’re afraid of the ownership

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

    Lovely goal by Weir for Man City ladies. Doubt we’ll see a better one this weekend 🙂

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dunno that Preston goal was a stunner!

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

    GW29 is my big worry. Think I'll be taking a -8 or maybe even -12 during GW25

  11. Kasper the ghost keeper
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which bench boost?

    24: McCarthy (Wol), Barnes (Liv), Target (Bha), Dallas (Ars)

    25: Pope (Wba), Watkins (Lei), Targett(Lei), Cresswell (Tot)

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

      Don’t like either tbh

  12. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    1. Is my team good enough to save my WC? 2. If so, who is the best Justin replacement?

    A - Dias
    B - Cancelo
    C - Mee
    D - Shaw
    E - Digne

    Pope
    Stones - Justin - Coufal
    Salah - Bruno - Soucek - Gundo (c) - Raphinha
    Antonio - Bamford

    Martinez - Robertson - Dallas - DCL

  13. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Tell me am I daft in saving my ft?

    Martinez
    Digne Stones Dias Cresswell
    Son Grealish Salah Bruno Gundo
    Antonio

    Steer Bamford Dallas DCL

    1. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      think I would get Pope with an FT

      1. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Would lose 0.5 on Marty and not afford him back even if somehow afforded the ft’s for it. I get what you’re saying but Marty is a keeper for me. Thanks for your opinion though Rinse!

        1. sminkypinky
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Oh and can’t afford Pope for Steer for free.

    2. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Or should i do Digne -> Tark?

  14. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Soucek
    or Tark/Mee -4?

    Do Sheffield conceed many headed goals?!

  15. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any digne news?

    1. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      no news good or bad

    2. Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Was watching the game. He just looked tired from playing so many minutes.

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

      Digne pictured training today

    4. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks all. Fingers crossed!

  16. Reeker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What would be your strategy with this lot?

    Martinez
    Coufal - Dias - Cancelo
    Gundogan - Grelish - Salah - Fernandes
    DCL* - Antonio - Bamford
    (Peacock-Farrell) (Soucek) (Robertson) (Dallas)

    Have WC and BB

    2 FT - 3.6m ITB

    Was going to do Peacock-Farrell -> Pope and Robertson to Tarkowski then WC next week.

    Probably ship out DCL now but unsure what do to do with the chips as well.

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd go ahead with that plan and bench DCL over Soucek. Maybe DCL to Ings next week? Thoughts below?

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

        Yes ryt

  17. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts? 2ft 1.1itb

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Taylor Robbo
    Salah Son Bruno Soucek
    Bamford Antonio

    Ramsdale DCL Holding Anguissa

    A) Robbo, Anguissa to Gundogan, Mee
    B) Stones, Anguissa, Salah to Tarkowski, Foden, Sterling -4

    1. Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I like B. Sterling is such an easy captain pick for this week.

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks i agree.

  18. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain Sterling or Gundogan?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling

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

        Your cap Gundo ?

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Depends if i get Sterling in or not, currently own neither.

  19. TAT
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Got two FTs and 6.1 in the bank. Is Button + Robertson > Pope and Shaw decent transfers?
    Next GW I’ll target bringing in Son, then maybe a replacement for Pope before BB in GW 26.

    Martínez
    Cancelo - Dias - Mee - Robertson*
    Gündogan - Raphinha - Fernandes - Salah
    Bamford - Watkins
    (Button* - DCL - Anguissa - Dallas)

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Good moves

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

        Would like to get Kane as well, but I'm reluctant to ditch any of Watkins, Bamford or DCL. Got the WC still though, so I have a way of making some moer changes for BB26 if needed.

  20. Kuyt Hero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Son or Raphinha?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Son

  21. Huddersfield
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best Def/Mid 1 Gw punt other than Burnley def & City?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Shaw Rashford maybe

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

        Do you reckon one of these 2 will outscore all the Everton def/mids , Fulham def/mids & Burnley mids?

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

    Bench Son or Bamford?

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

      Both

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

      I went with Son based on opposition and extra time midweek. Not confident though

    3. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I went with Bam. Son has a record against City.

  23. Tango74
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wilson to Cavani or Watkins ?

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

      If they get DGW25 then Watkins, else Cavani for this week

      1. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        But need do 1 before deadline as 2ft lol

  24. shapply
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    play 1:
    a) Soucek vs SHU
    b) Ings vs WOL

  25. Salalalalah
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Digne injured or ready to play?

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

      There has been no news at all.

      1. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Frustrating. Made me think about Digne to Tarkowski with my ft.

  26. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling or Foden? Will probably captain Pope.

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

      Sterling, unless you need the funds for Kane

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

        I do. Cheers, am feeling Foden.

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

          He’s loving it 😉

  27. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any chance Digne gets a rest on sunday?

    1. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      just why?

  28. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to captain?

    A) Bruno
    B) Gundo
    C) Pope

  29. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Bamford or Grealish?
    Currently on Grealish but not so sure...

  30. Mane Mane Mane
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bamford or Soucek? Who should I choose to play this week?