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

    Chances Cancelo starts both games?
    Want to take him or Dias out to bring in Sterling. Currently on 3 City.

    1. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think he will

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

      Very good chance he starts both but I think having Sterling this week is gonna be important.

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

        agree, I want Sterling, therefore, i need to take out one of Cancelo or Dias, the former has a higher ceiling, the latter is more nailed to start. Quite a dilemma!

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

          Dias is an absolute constant in that team. If he doesn't start, he is most definitely not coming on so thats when your bench comes into play. Cancelo definitely has the higher ceiling but there are so many players in that City squad that can play his position. Think long run and not just for these gameweeks.

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

      Had a same dilemma .. I ended up with ignoring Sterling and

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

        and fixed other parts of my team

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

          good luck, Sterling is a very strong captain pick this week, over two games, i'd think he'd get 3 attacking returns.

    4. mash
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I assume the other City player you have is Gundo? If you're chasing, getting Sterling in could be great this week - I think Dias is more nailed, so losing Cancelo is the 'safer' enabler, but for even higher risk/reward, you could lose Dias as Cancelo is maybe more explosive.

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

        i'm not chasing, i have Gundo as my mid, considering losing Dias and bringing in Sterling to max out on City. I'd captain Gundo but doubts in my mind tell me can he continue the good form?, he's outperforming...

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

          I think Gundo has a good chance of keeping up his form, and now that Fernandinho and Rodri seem to be ok it looks like he can continue on this run. That said, Sterling is also in great form and potentially even more explosive. It's such a tough call and as I'm typing this I realise I've been no help at all!

          Personally, I'm being boring and sticking with the same three you currently have - Dias, Cancelo, Gundo

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

            Don't sweat that, good to read your views.
            Both Spurs and Everton are defensively weak. Expect City to score two in both games, not sure if they will keep a clean sheet in both. Sterling could be back on pens, Pep alluded to allowing him to take pens the last time he missed.
            i have 2 FT and maybe, i should use one to strengthen elsewhere and save a FT for next GW. That said, Sterling (c) really tempts me!

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

              It really is! In a strange way I'm glad I have had other injuries to prioritise my FT, otherwise I'd be having the same conundrum as you 😀

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

                i've got Justin and DCL to fix, so might just leave the City boys alone and use the FT's to plan for the next few GWs. Will sleep on it!

  2. Harvey Specter
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GTG? Already took a hit earlier this week to get DCL in

    1. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      G2g

      1. Bees4Lyf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Lol

    2. Harvey Specter
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tried to copy paste, no idea why the whole msg didnt show lol

  3. Scout15
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who'd you start?
    A) Son
    B) Bamford

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

      Son

    2. fpl_tp95
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bam for me

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

      I'm selling Son to Sterling and losing 0.3 on current value if that answers question

      1. Scout15
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not a bad move. I would probably do something similar if hadn't already got 3xCity.
        On the other hand, there is always a chance we see some Son's counterattack so considering to start him...

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

      B

    5. mash
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bamford imo

    6. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’m starting Son and benching BamBam but it’s uncomfortable.

  4. fpl_tp95
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed

    Who to bench? Grealish, Raphina, Watkins and Antonio

    1. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Raph

    2. mash
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Raphinha, I think, just. Hard to say if Antonio will start - hopefully with his fixture on Monday he has enough time to recover!

  5. jeff09
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Gundo essential this week for a hit? ML rivals have him and likely to captain. 1FT 2.3m ITB

    Pope
    Dias - Stones - Digne
    Sterling (C) - Bruno - Son - Soucek
    Bamford - Watkins - Antonio
    bench : Maddison - chilwell

    A) stones, soucek > mee, gundo (-4)
    B) stones, maddi > Dallas, gundo (-4)
    C) single transfer- chilwell out
    D) Save

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      D, trust your players

    2. fpl_tp95
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Chilwell out. I think if you have 3 City, just stick with the 3 you have. With pep roulette any moves could come back and bite you. I think sterling cap can give you a nice differential on your mL rivals

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

      Sterling might be a better option than Gundo this GW.. I have Gundo and wanted to bring Sterling in

    4. jeff09
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks chaps, saved me a headache there. I think you’re right that anything can happen with Pep roulette

  6. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Big call just taken and taken out Salah- hope this team looks gtg......? Might live to regret but got WC in back pocket

    Pope
    Cancelo Coufal Tarkowski
    Sterling (c) Gundogan Bruno Grealish
    Cavani Bamford Watkins

    Martinez Raphinha Robertson Dallas

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

      Robertson over Coufal man

    2. fpl_tp95
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good to me. I've also taken out salah, will almost certainly come back to bite me but decided to stop being scared of not owning him

    3. Harvey Specter
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      As long as you have a plan to bring in someone like Salah or Kane in a few GW's, you're good!

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

        Cheers. Yes Kane plan for 26 and Salah back ( or Mané) in week 30/31 WC

    4. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Doing same. Salah might not even start.With champions league on Tuesday who knows.

  7. Lukakwho
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Are DCL and Justin both sells?

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

      Justin definitely. He's out for ages.

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

      keeping dcl, should have tasty fixtures for 26

  8. Harvey Specter
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GTG?
    Pope
    Coufal - Stones - Rudiger
    Gundogan - Sterling (C) - Son - Bruno - Soucek
    DCL - Werner

    3.3 ITB

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

      yep nice team

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

      I can't see anyone worth a hit to bring in

    3. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      G2g, now for real haha

    4. Harvey Specter
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers!

    5. Atwood
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL the only one I don't like, but that's for this gameweek only

  9. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Justin to ?.

    A) shaw
    B) rudiger/alonso
    C) white/burn
    D) lowton/taylor (have pope)
    E) digne
    F) cahill/dann

    1. Harvey Specter
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Shaw or Rudiger imo

  10. mash
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pope
    Cancelo Dias Coufal
    Salah Fernandes Gundogan Soucek Anguissa
    Bamford Antonio

    McCarthy DCL Justin Robertson

    3.8 in the bank and have 2FT but will roll one for when we have better fixture info next week. At the moment I'm aiming to dead-end in BGW29 and wildcard after, but there's lots of options! Which do you think is best?

    A) Justin to Dallas (DGW25 plus non-blank GW29)
    B) Justin to Shaw (probable DGW26 but blank GW29)
    C) DCL to Cavani (probable DGW26 but blank GW29)
    D) DCL to Richarlison (DGW24, probable DGW26 but blank GW29)

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

      If dead-ending in 29, I think every transfer has to be made with that in mind... I'd take Dallas ...

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

        Cheers - that was always my first choice! Such a shame Justin got injured as otherwise I'd be making this same move but with Robertson, and freeing up more cash!

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

    Which one for next 2?

    A. Cavani
    B. Werner
    C. Ings
    D. Richarlison

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

      A

    2. Harvey Specter
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cavani

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

      C

  12. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundo or Foden?

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

    Wildcarding next week so not concerned about long term.
    Justin/DCL > Cancelo/Cavani
    No hits. Sound good?

    Martinez
    Mee - Stones - Justin
    Grealish - Sterling - Bruno - Salah
    DCL - Bamford - Antonio

    Dallas - Balbuena - Bissouma

    1. Harvey Specter
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good!

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

      Beautiful

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

    Martinez
    Cresswell - Stones* - Mee*
    Salah - Bruno (vc) - Foden* - Gundogan* (c) - Soucek
    Bamford - Antonio

    McCarthy - DCL* - Dallas - Mitchell

    1 x FTs, 7.8m ITB

    All set? Bench order correct? Use FT?

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

      Love it. Enjoy foden 🙂 what were your moves

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

        Just did Justin > Mee with 1 x FT

        Will keep McCarthy for DGW25 (instead of getting Pope) and use 2 x FTs to get Raphine and deal with another inevitable flag next GW 😆

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

          Nice, thoughts on mine above?

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

            Done - think I replied to the right one

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Captain Foden imo

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

        Seriously tempted, but don't have the ballios 😛

        You getting Foden?

  15. shearer9
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I'm bench boosting. Does Button to Areola for a -4 make sense?

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

      If you are then yes... should you be BB if you need to do that?

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

    Really thinking to BB this week. Can't think of a better time to use it, except maybe 26 if I wildcard in 25. But that's not the plan!

    I'm thinking to take out Dias and Bissouma for AWB and Gundogan.

    Team would be:

    Pope
    Stones Cancelo Coufal
    Gundogan Salah Bruno Son Soucek
    Antonio Bamford

    Martinez DCL Dallas AWB.

    If I swap DCL for Ings I would bench boost. Can you see any reason for not doing this now?

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

      The move from DCL to Ings would mean a -4.

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

      I’d do it definitely

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

        Thank you for replying.

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

    bench order correct ?

    dcl bamford raphinha

    thanks

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

      I'd have bamford, Raphinha then DCL.

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

        cheers

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

    For this gw would you prefer to start Bamford or Rashford for a hit?

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

      bamford

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

        cheers

  19. FPL Alaska
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2 FT, taken DCL out this week. Which option? Have been planning on brining in Kane week 26 for DCL replacement or for Antonio.

    A) DCL > Ings/Adams
    B) DCL > Watkins
    C) DCL > Cavani
    D) Just do DCL > Kane this week

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

      im in a similar spot but prob gonna bench DCL until I get a better idea who I want out of Ings/Kane/watkins in a weeks time when we get more fixture info

      1. FPL Alaska
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        If I didn't have 2 FT I would do the same.

  20. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start one please;

    A) Bamford
    B) Coufal
    C) Son

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

      I have Bamford and Son (see below) and just sold Coufal, if that helps

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

      Son

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

    Play 1:

    A) Son
    B) Cresswell

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

      very tough but a.

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

      Son

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

      I think I’d go B

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

    A)
    1)Gundo, Salah 2) Son, Sterling

    B) DCL to Cavani, Justin to AWB or play Raph

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

      If you have or plan to have Kane, then 1)

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

      I don't understand the options here mate...but DCL > Cavani and Justin > AWB sound good

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

        Basically Salah to Sterling or Son to Gundo...

        Then either Justin to AWB or DCL to cavani

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

          1 & AWB

  23. yanky
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    start DCL or Bamford?

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bamford

  24. YLK13
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you WC with this team?

    Martinez | Forster

    Dallas Dias Stones | Justin Kilman
    Gundo Salah Son Fernandes Grealish
    Watkins Bamford | DCL

    Thanks!

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

      Do you still have your free hit?

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

      I have a starting XI same as yours (Areola, Cresswell, Tarkowski, Antonio on the bench)

    3. AD105
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Absolutely no need to wildcard unless you want to, that team is very good and pretty template

  25. yanky
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    start one:
    a) DCL (MCI)
    b) Bamford (ars)
    c) Decordova Reid (eve/bur)

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

      c

    2. KrisMCFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      b!

  26. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How's this ?
    Subs in right order?

    Martinez
    Stones Mee Shaw
    Grealish Bruno Sterling Gundogan Son
    Bamford Kane

    Watkins Coufal Dallas Forster
    Really not sure on my formation.

    1. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Watkins for Bamford.

  27. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Choose one:
    a) Bissouma > Sterling. Bench DCL
    b) DCL, Forster > Cavani, Pope for -4
    c) Taylor, Forster > Cancelo, Pope for -4. Bench DCL

    1. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      a and its not close

  28. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which one?

    A) DCL > Ashley Barnes
    B) Holding > Tarkowski. Double up Burnley defence

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

      b

  29. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guys i could really do with some help here. 2fts and totally lost!

    Martinez
    Dias Shaw Rudiger
    Bruno Son Sterling Gundogan Salah
    Antonio Watkins

    4.0. Adams Alioski Douglas

  30. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you expect to score more Cavani or Ings the next 2-4 gws?
    I can do Cavani now then switch to Ings later but have Kane to get in (likely 2 moves anyway)

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

      Get cavani in 🙂