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. Postman Ty
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    You have to love this: I bought Raphinha at 5.5m and in the 4 games since then he's had 2 goals and 3 assists for 8.25 points per game. His price is now 5.4m...

    1. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If only I could be top of my ML.

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      5.3

      1. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Ah sorry I got him 5.4 right before that GW and yes now 5.3. Cheers.

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

    Bench 1
    A Bamford
    B Soucek
    C TAA

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

      C

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

    Current squad, 2 fts and 3.7m itb. Any thoughts on what I do here guys????..

    McCarthy Pope
    Stones Justin Coufal Targett Taylor
    Salah Son Bruno Gundogan Saka
    DCL Antonio Bamford.

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

      Start preparing your team with DGW players. Justin/Saka have to go first, then maybe DCL/Taylor second depending on their fitness.

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

        What dgw players to bring in though??

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

          Depends on your chip strategy. I'll be targeting Ings/Raphinha/Dallas and get another City asset

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

    GTG? Bench and line up correct?
    Martinez
    Shaw, Cancelo, Lowton
    Salah, Sterling (c), Gundo, Bruno (vc), Grealish,
    Cavani, Antonio
    (Forster, Cresswell, Bamford, Dallas)

    Any advice appreciated.

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

      Gtg. That bench could get a few points too

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

        Yea I know. Going to be painful I think. Just hope I make the right choices for once!

  5. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    R.James -> Lowton? play over Watkins.

    Have Pope, chasing.

    Y/N

  6. PL Ball
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DDG (Johnstone)
    Cancelo*, Stones*, Cresswell, Coufal, Mee*
    Bruno, Son, Soucek, Gundo* (Smith-Rowe)
    Bamford, (Watkins, DCL)

    2FTs. 8.7 ITB.

    Any thoughts on what to do here?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Stones -> Tarkowski
      ESR -> Sterling (c)
      DCL -> Cavani

      Bench Soucek, Watkins, Coufal

  7. Franfe98
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed

    Hi guys, need some help here

    Have 4.4 in the bank, buy Pieters (0 point) or a 5.4 defender (-4 point)? If second, suggest defender.

    Thanks!

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      always buy someone you think will score the most

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

        or someone you reallly lovvvvvveeee...

  8. Max City
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    need to bench 2:

    A. Cresswell
    B. Dallas
    C. Grealish
    D. Watkins

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B
      Coin toss (but aim for Watkins)

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

      no other options at all ??

      1. Max City
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        the others would be involving someone like Salah, Son, Bruno, Gundogan, Dias, Cancelo, and Bamford

  9. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lost the plot. Bought Foden. Foden to Raphinha easiest transfer I've ever made next week.

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      foden - raphinha GW 25 I assume

  10. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    advice needed please

    a wilson to cavani and only raphinha and dallas as dgw players for 25. would bench awb this gw
    b wilson to bamford (will be benched ) and have 3 leeds for 25. would play awb this gw

    thanks and gl 🙂

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      b

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        thank you 🙂

  11. Boleyn Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Evening all. Which option is best? Thanks in advance:

    a) Lowton
    b) Mee

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      b

    2. Goodfeathers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      B

    4. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      a) will save you money
      b) will give you a more popular pick

    5. Pooodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Longer term Lowton due to price. If you’re wildcarding in the next couple I’d go Mee for his goal threat.

  12. FPL_WILDCARD
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    For 1 gameweek only...

    1. Richarlisons double or Cavani v WBA

    2. Mee’s double or Shaw v WBA

    Cheers

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      probably Cavani and Mee

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

        Agree

  13. ankj70
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start one:

    1) Bamford
    2) Soucek

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      2

  14. Millie7
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    have 1FT so going to transfer DCL

    A) Cavani
    B) Ings

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

      A

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

      i d keep him. cant your bench cover ?

      1. Millie7
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Keep for what fixtures?

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

      Ings if you’re thinking longer term - I’ve gone for Cavani as going to WC last year.

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

        * next week! Not sure where last year came from.

        1. Millie7
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          hahah

  15. peropordopipo
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Coufal
    B) Bamford
    C) Watkins
    D) Son

    Play 3 out of 4

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

      Bench A

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bench A

    3. Monya Meow Meow
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The bottom 3

  16. Pooodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Using my bench boost - best to keep Antonio and hope for the best or ship him for Richarlison (-4)?

    (Already got Cavani.)

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

      Keep

    2. MattysFantasyFooty
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Keep

    3. Monya Meow Meow
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Keep I say

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

        Thanks guys. I think that’s probably right but I’ll feel silly bench boosting if I don’t get 15 players out!

  17. Vardy boys
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start

    Saka
    Barnes

    Or Dallas ?

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

      Dallas

  18. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Given I already have Lowton:
    2FT:

    A)
    Robertson -> Digne
    McCarthy -> Pope

    B)
    Robertson -> Tarkowski
    Forster -> Pope (ie keep McCarthy for GW25

    Prob have to WC in 26, as I don’t have my FH left

    1. Monya Meow Meow
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B for me slightly

  19. MattysFantasyFooty
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lowton for Robertson and play him over Son

    Or

    Play Robertson over Son?

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Play Son?

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

        Got double city defence and really don't see them doing much, plus I have no defenders from Burnley. I am quite tempted to save FT but I don't know if I am wildcarding next week really up in the air.

  20. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play two:
    A) Antonio
    B) Soucek
    C) Coufal
    D) Bamford

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      top 2

    2. Monya Meow Meow
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A & D

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

      AD

  21. Monya Meow Meow
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Justin to Shaw and play him over Dallas?
    or
    Justin to KWP for his DGW next week?

    Pope
    Cancelo - Dias - Shaw/Dallas

  22. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    With 3 City players (Sterling, Gundo & Cancelo) which I'm going to hold for a good period of time, I feel that this is the best gameweek to BB for me because it's certain that all the three of them are likely to get good minutes in both games and surely going to play both games at least. If I BB in gameweek where City have a single fixture, it's very likely that one or two or maybe all the three of them are benched thus spoiling my BB. Thoughts?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Likely playing mine also with the same 3 city lads

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

        Cheers mate!

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      surely going to play one of the both games at least**

      And maybe even both games because of tougher oppositions.

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

        For your logic to work, they all have to play only 1 minute of football each across both games this GW. The logic makes sence, it's just a case of the probabilities. I feel like there might be a better time to boost, but it depends how good your current bench is. The City theory is just a very small part of it; I wouldn't let it be too persuasive.

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

      You have GW26 to BB, which I think is better

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

      Do it. If you have a strong bench

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

      I don't think you can possibly predict when they will play. Good luck.

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

      Cheers everyone

  23. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    hows this on wc??

    Ederson
    Mee, Rudiger, Digne
    Salah, Sterling, Gundo, Bruno
    Watkins, Bamford, Ings

    Steer, Dallas, Burke, Dunne

    1. Joyce1998
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is pope + Stones better option??

  24. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any help? 2FT 0.1itb

    Martinez
    Mee Dias Stones
    Son Bruno Salah Greal
    DCL Antonio Bamford
    (Johnstone,Raph, Dallas, Justin)

    A) Salah, DCL to Sterling, Ings/Cavani
    B) Son, DCL to Gundo, Ings/Cavani
    C) One transfer and play Raph

  25. aborg
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dilemma on what to do this GW as not sure Antonio will start, therefore should I do..

    A)Justin -> Mee
    OR
    B)Antonio -> Richarlison

    1. Monya Meow Meow
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think Antonio will play some minutes at least so A would be more logical

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Who's first sub?

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

        If I play Mee I will put Antonio first sub, if I play Richarlison I will have Barnes first sub

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

      A, Antonio should start imo

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

        Thanks...just that coach's comments where a bit 50/50 and got put off.
        If he plays you think he would be firing on all cylinders or get subbed in the 60th min mark?

    4. Mork calling Orson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  26. Aubamazette
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Antonee Robinson or Shaw this week only?

  27. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Coufal or Son?

  28. highsguy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sorry guys out of the loop

    Lowton or Pieters?

    Cheers

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

      lowton

  29. Rossendale Rover
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    All these managers with chip decisions to make.....Pity us chipless souls wondering how the hell to wade through the next few game weeks

  30. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would this bench be worth a BB (-4)?

    Areola Coufal Mitchell Son