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

    GTG? Did Mitchell to Tarkowski for free.

    AREOLA
    CANCELO TARKOWSKI Maguire Coufal
    STERLING(C) GUNDOGAN Bruno Raphinha
    Bamford Antonio

    Martinez Son Targett DCL

    1. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yup

  2. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on which one to bench?

    A. Antonio
    B. Cresswell
    C. Antonio

    Currently on Antonio because of the worry of his minutes. I also have coufal but prefer cresswell over him

    1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Double Antonio?

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Bamford should be C

    2. FCRS1991
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would definitely bench one Antonio 🙂

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        🙂 one of them is bamford

  3. Salah(c)
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Free hit g2g?

    Pope
    Lowton digne stones
    Salah sterling(c) gundogan hamez bruno
    Rich cavani

    1. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Why not save FH for GW29...?

  4. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Yes or no?

    Rudiger/DCL > Pieters/Cavani for free

    (Wildcard next week + could go Rich instead)

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

      Why lose Rudiger? Easiest CS of the season.

  5. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    To bench :
    A. Cresswell
    B. Mee
    C. Soucek

    1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not B

    2. King Sheep
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  6. King Sheep
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain

    a) Sterling
    b) Gundogan

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

      B

    2. FCRS1991
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm on Sterling...but I know Pep will screw me over with rotation

    3. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

      1. King Sheep
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks guys, currently on Gundo but might switch, and you're right FCRS, Pep will probably screw it no matter who we Captain lol

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

    Which is better ?
    A- Mee & Coufal
    B- James & Lowton

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

      A

    2. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. storr84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    4. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    5. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheeers

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

    Score predictions for each below gw24?
    -Lowton
    -Dallas

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      8
      2 (although I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a cs or attacking return)

  9. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Antonio or Bowen? Literally my only problem this GW and its doing my head in.

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio

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

      Antonio.

    3. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks

  10. VICTORIOUS SECRET! !
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So here's how my team looks atm

    Martinez Johnstone

    Dias cancelo coufal Dallas rudiger
    Bruno salah son gundo reed
    DCL Bamford Antonio

    With 3.5 ITB and 1 FT

    Do I ?
    A. Bench DCL and save
    B. DCL----> Watkins

    Throw in suggestions please
    Cheers

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

      A

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. VICTORIOUS SECRET! !
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks guys ☺️

    4. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL > Cavani looks obvious imo

  11. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Not sure why I own Alonso. Which is better:

    a) Alonso
    b) Coufal
    c) Mee (-4)

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

      B

    2. VICTORIOUS SECRET! !
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Coufal

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

      Alonso was poor v Barnsley - not at all nailed. Coufal should keep a CS - him.

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Was he poor or merely a tactical substitution? Tuchel doesn’t seem to be a big fan of Chilwell. Best to not get too clever though

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

          He's some goose if he rates Alonso over Chilwell.

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

          He was poor but he was part of a second-rate team which was poor as a whole. Although he's competing with Chilwell, it was James TT replaced him with. Still a tactical mystery, that guy.

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

      B > C > A

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

    Is there any chance that more games will be added to GW29?

  13. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Digne or Soucek?

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

      Digne, mad to bench a double.

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        True. Bit worried about the flag and no DCL to convert the crosses.

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Digne

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

    So digne starting for sure?

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

      Trying to figure out whether he will start both games. Flag is still there

  15. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Kane
    B) Siggy
    C) Tarkowski (have Mee)

    1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Play or bench?

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Buy

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          For 1 week before WC

    2. King Sheep
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

  16. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Coufal -> Lowton
    (Have Pope and Mee)

    Yes or no for triple BUR?

    1. Fer Fuch's Ake
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      thats wasteful

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No way Pedro.

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

      2 nice gameweeks, then you're stuck.

    4. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      CS probability:

      CHE: 52%
      MCI: 47%
      MUN: 47%
      WHU: 43%
      EVE: 38%
      CPL: 37%
      SOU: 34%
      ARS: 32%
      BUR: 30%
      WOL: 30%
      LIV: 29%
      AVL: 27%
      BHA: 26%
      FUL: 21%
      SHU: 21%
      LEI: 20%
      LEE: 18%
      TOT: 13%
      WBA: 12%
      NEW: 11%

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Which game?

  17. Fer Fuch's Ake
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Rank by order of minutes playing this DGW?
    A-Bilva
    B-Foden
    C-Jesus

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

    2 ft, all chips in play, any advice?

    Pope
    Dias, coufal, wan b, stones, Lowton
    Fernadez son gundo (c) salah
    Bamford
    (McCarthy, antonio, dcl,Anguissa)

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

      Need to decide on your chip strategy - e.g. if WC in 25, you have 2 FTs to burn this week

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

        True, want to save WC if possible, may just use 1 ft and reassess.

        Could to antonio to ings who had a dub next week, or maybe cavani

  19. Nabs Kebabs
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I own Sterling and Gundo yet my (c) has been on Bruno all week. Anyone with me?

  20. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Last Question Who to play and get more pts ?
    A- Coufal SHU (H)
    B- Dallas ARS (A)

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

      A easy

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

        Thx

  21. M00N
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best mid this week that’s not Bruno, Salah or any City player?

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

      Rashford

  22. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    bald christ please just play Phil for both games amen

  23. 420king
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench Son, Maddison or Antonio?

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

      Maddi or Antonio, tough call

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Agree, I'm on Son. Thank you.

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

          Maybe Maddison over the two just

          1. 420king
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Probably the most sensible one, yeah. Thanks again.

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

    Pope (Martinez)
    Stones Dias Mee (Alonso Dallas)
    Salah Bruno Gundo Grealish Son
    Bamford Antonio (Adams)

    Would you BB this or safe it for next week?

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

      Close call, maybe Bb This week if you’re set on one of the 2

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

    Anything else needed here? 0FT, 0.7itb
    Pope (cry, FUL)
    Digne (FUL, MCI) - Stones (TOT,eve) - Coufal (SHU)
    Sterling C (TOT,eve) - Salah (lei) - Fernandes vc (wba) - Grealish (bha)
    DCL (MCI) - Watkins (bha) - Bamford (ars)
    (Steele - Anguissa - Kilman - Bartley)

    A) G2G
    B) Grealish > Gundo (-4 and C)
    C) something else

    Thanks!

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

      Great. Gtg

    2. 420king
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Either A or C (sell DCL)

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

      Sorry yes get DCL on bench

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

      Who would you sell DCL for? Cause your bench isnt strong if he doesn't start both games.

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

      Thanks all. Not too keen on selling DCL given another upcoming GWk. Accepting he won’t start against Fulham but could bag against City.

      Will hold off on Gundo tho!

  26. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gtg??? 2.5m itb

    Did Wilson to Ings for free

    Pope
    Digne Stones Cancelo Chilwell*
    Salah Grealish Soucek Gundo(c)
    Ings Bamford

    Martinez Dallas Son** DCL

    *Maybe a start if not Dallas there
    **Banking on City clean sheet hence Son bench

  27. HammersXI
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thinking of making these transfers:

    Stones + Maddison + Son -> Digne + Lookman + Gundogan (-4) to get this team:

    Martinez
    Dias* Lowton* Digne* Rudiger (Coufal)
    Lookman* Gundogan* Sterling* Salah Bruno
    Antonio (Bamford)

    Thoughts? Planning to WC next week

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

    Bench 1 keeper and 2 outfield:
    A) Mccarthy vs WOL(H)
    B) Sanchez vs AVL(H)

    1) Son vs MCI(A)
    2) Antonio vs SHU(H) (Cameo risk)
    3) Chilwell vs NEW(H)
    4) Robbo vs LEI(A)

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

      B 1&4

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

      B

      1
      3

  29. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    g2g or take a -4 to get another city asset?

    Mendy
    Dias* R James Coufal Tarkowski
    Salah Bruno Gundo
    Cavani Antonio* Bamford

    Martinez Barnes Son Dallas

  30. Scratch
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    My bench is complete junk. Would you take a -4 Justin -> Digne or just start Antonio. Wildcarding tomorrow anyway

    Sounds as if Antonio ssshould start.

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

      Start Anto

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

      Would start Antonio. If it is either-or. Would your bench at least start to get 2 points?

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

        Dier and Riedewald in there

    3. Prince of Persia
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely start Antonio.

    4. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would t count on it

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

      what exactly is ur bench?