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. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Son or Dallas?

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

      Son

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

      I'd always play Son especially with Kane back (Spurs seem to do ok against City)

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

      Son

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

    I need advice!

    A) Buy Cavani and play him against wba & NEW and take a -4 point hit

    OR

    B) Buy Watkins and play bha & LEI for no hit

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

      A if you think he will start

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

        I think Cavani will for wba so maybe:
        A) Cavani for WBA and a 14?
        OR
        B) Watkins for bha no hit?

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

          Probably Cavani for fun

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

    Stones & Son > Shaw/AWB & Sterling (C)
    or..
    DCL > Cavani (bench Coufal?)

    Team:
    Martinez
    Stones Cancelo Mee Coufal (Dallas)
    Son Salah Gundo Bruno (Soucek)
    Bamford Antonio (DCL)

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

      First move

  4. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    if probably using WC in GW 25, and setting up BB for GW 26--do you think these are good moves for this week? (with a -4)

    McCarthy --> Pope
    Salah --> Sterling
    DCL --> Cavani

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

      Yes. These 3 could easily repay 4 points this week itself

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      S>S (C) probably worth a punt. Who is your current starting keeper?

      1. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        oops! you meant all 3 moves for (-4)?

        1. Pomp and Circumstance
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          perhaps all 3

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

    Hi All,

    Bench Soucek or Antonio? Lol. Sheffield United midfielders might nullify Soucek in the middle of the park and are pretty good in the air, therefore may do well defensively against him. Antonio's strength and pace could well cause the CB's a problem. Soucek much more likely to play 90 mins. Hmmm...

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

      I'd play Antonio, his stats are great...

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

        But his fitness doesn't seem to be. I've got Sou starting over him at the moment, but not sure.

    2. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd try play both. Sheff Utd are 2nd worst for set piece goals conceded

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

        if he's not fit, they won't risk Antonio and Sou will come off your bench. So I'd start Antonio and you can't lose

  6. Johan Queef
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Looking for some advice...

    I have 2FT this week and was set on getting Pope for Johnstone (other keeper is McCarthy). Now I'm thinking of just getting Martinez as he'll also have a fixture in GW29. Martinez destroys my rank every week and so it might be a good time to fix this area.

    A) Pope (attack GW24 - sword pick)
    B) Martinez (long term shield pick)

    For reference, I do already have Mee.

    Thanks!

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

      A, then switch to Martinez next week (if you have no other issues)

      1. Johan Queef
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks for the comment. Next week I have Raphinha, Kane etc on my radar. But maybe Martinez can come in closer to 29.

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

      If I was going through this period without chips I'd probably plump for B. Usually a pretty conservative player though.
      Pope could well return enough to justify a later GK hit if desired.

      1. Johan Queef
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I'm also quite conservative usually. I have a nice history with Pope so maybe he'll be kind to me and I'll end up keeping him for a while!

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

      choose Pope and captain him! (more maverick than I would be though!)

      1. Johan Queef
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This screams similarities to the dreaded Duffy captain a couple of seasons back! Not sure I've got the cahoonas for that.

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

    Any thoughts people?
    This week only.
    1 FT.
    Steer > Pope (got Mee)
    Dcl > Cavani (DCL hidden on bench - Antonio currently 1 & only sub)

    Worth attacking and doing both for - 4? - current rank is garbage.

    Thanks for any thoughts.

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

      Yeah, both can work

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

      I definitely wouldn't take a hit with ant on the bench who is your playing keeper?

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

      Got Martinez

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

        I'd do dcl to cavani or rich and play martinez. Hit for a keeper even dgw keeper when your existing keeper has decent fixture just not worth it. I'd also try bench someone else for ant if possible. He won't cameo he either starts or doesn't play.

    4. Blonde Faith
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      FWIW my DGW transfer approach is to go -4 only if (a) your subbed player is likely to blank, and (b) your new player is nailed on, so you get your points back, worst-case.

      So do it 🙂

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

      Thanks for taking the time guys, much appreciated.

  8. Jafalad
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I have 3 CTY, Pope and Tarkowski: who should be my sixth dgw player?

    Thinking Barnes or Richarlison.

    Barnes has the better fixtures but I have no EVR. Is Richarlison now on pens?

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

      I'd go richalrson even though siggy on pens as far as I know

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

        Thanks, why Rich?

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

          I'd just trust everton to score more goals than Burnley plus Richarlson has a very juicy dgw coming up also I don't know how long wood is out barnees might not even be nailed medium term....

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

      I have Bamford, Antonio and Watkins as my current forwards so a little reluctant to remove them.

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

      Barnes, since he will be good for next week as well for WBA

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

        Good point. Antonio->Barnes?

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

          Yep

        2. sunzip14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          This wasn't in the question 😛 Maybe not for Antonio, if he is starting.

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

          But if you had Richarlson or Barnes next week wouldn't you just end up benching them for rafjnha in any case? In which case the argument for Barnes facing wba next week is void....

    4. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes, to not just hope for CS in Burnley matches 🙂 And Siggy on Pens if he is on the field, I think.

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

      5 should be enough but if you must have one more, how about Lowton. good for the DGW then cheap enough for your bench.

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

    Good morning guys...

    No replies. Suggestions will be helpful.

    24- Kwp to lowton.free and save ft
    25-antonio salah to Kane maddison free
    26-dallas Martin to target /spurs defender McCarthy -4

    My bb team 26 would be

    Martinez McCarthy
    Digne dias cancelo lowton target /spurs defender
    Salah son bruno gundo grealish
    Kane dcl bam

    Should do well right?

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

      I don't think you can afford that team

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

    Wilson --> Cavani FT? Wildcard has been spent. Other strikers are DCL Antonio.
    Just get Watkins now as the long term option?

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bamford should be your first priority forward

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

        Antonio -> Bamford next week locked in

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

      Cavani should be good for this GW, but Europa follows so I wouldn't count on his minutes. I'd get Bamford now if I were you.

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

        Save FT, play Son and ponder next week?

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

          I think I'd punt on cavani for the next two you can always shift him to Wattkins further down the line, he is clearly first choice number 9 for united now and I think they will prioritise the league over el.

  11. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which combo to have on WC?

    A. Ings & Lowton
    B. Antonio & Mee

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

      A

  12. AdamJ91
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any other Pope (c) out there? Care to celebrate early with our 40+ returns?

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Never captain a defender ..... Duffy already shown us the meaning of the phrase.

  13. LABILLETHEGOAT
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    salah > sterling for -4?
    My team:
    Martinez
    Mee Stones Coufal Shaw
    Salah Bruno Gundo Grealish
    Bamford Antonio

    Son, DCL, Mitchell

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would do Son > Sterling.... I would try to get Kane in GW 26

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

    On WC. Hemming over 5th d spot. Do any of Struijk, Mitchell or Kilman have half decent chance of keeping a spot?

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

      Kilman will probably play more

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

    Bench one:

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

  16. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Morning all! Either of these worth a go?

    A) Coufal -> Mee for this GW. Antonio -> Ings GW25
    B) Save FT this GW. Gundo/Rash + Antonio -> Raphinha + Ings GW25

    Cheers!

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B if you have Pope already.

  17. Garth Marenghi
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who scores more points vs spurs?
    A) Sterling
    B) Gundo

    Vs everton?
    A) Sterling
    B) Gundo

  18. C_G
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2 FTs - how does this sound?

    Holding ---> Lowton
    &
    Antonio ---> Barnes

  19. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pope

    Cancelo/Mee/Cresswell

    Gundo/Sterling(C)/Salah/Bruno/Soucek

    Antonio/Bam

    Marti/DCL/Struijk/Juistin

    Stick with this lot or take a -4 to bring in Richarlson(Probably using WC next week). Who to bench if Rich comes in?

  20. C_G
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    what to do here?? have 2 FTs and 0.7 ITB

    Mendy

    Cancelo Stones Dallas

    Soucek Salah Bruno Gundo Soucek

    Antonio Kane

    Forster Bamford Holding Mitchell

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

      pls help!

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

      Mitchell to Lowton and start him over Dallas?

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

        Having two Soucek is another issue

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

          Son is fifth no Soucek haha

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

            not*

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

      I would never waste a transfer on Barnes

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

      Stones to shaw/Burnley and sLah to sterling captain would be very tempting to me

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

      I'd also play over soucek

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

        Kane over*

  21. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Please Bench one
    1. Coufal
    2. Bamford
    3. AWB

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

      Bam

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

        Benching inform forward ahead of 2 defenders does look strange though

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

      3

  22. E25
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on a move for this week with dgw 26 in mind? Thinking..
    A) Brewster - > watkins
    B) Robbo -> Lowton

    Pope
    Cancelo stones Robertson
    Bruno Salah grealish Gundo(c) Soucek
    Bamford Antonio

    McCarthy / Konsa Dallas Brewster
    2ft 4.7itb

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

      A. If you still have BB

      1. E25
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yep. Cheers

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

    DCL > Barnes -4 or play Bamford

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

      Play Bamford

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

      Play Bam.

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

    Need one to bench, which one:
    A. AWB
    B. Bamford
    C. Coufal
    D. Grealish
    E. Soucek

    1. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      Very similar situation
      Now I thinking of benching grealish 😀

  25. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    is it safe to roll the transfer only have 3 city players for double. I was going to do Calvert to Rich seems like backwards move. I don't see Burnley keeping clean sheet

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

      How is DCL = Rich a backwards move when Rich gets to play the match against Fulham and DCL doesn't?

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

        Its backwards because dcl better than rich longterm and he is back next gw

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

      If you don't see value in Burnley for the double it makes sense to roll a FT.

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

      Yes especially if you want to get 2 Leeds next week which I would advise

      1. Ange Ball
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        EMP you on same page plus get more important on doubles

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

    Play bamford or antonio?

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Playing bamford and Antonio first sub. Think antonio will come from bench

  27. HellasLEAF
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kilman or Struijk for longterm cheap 5th D.

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

    Trade DCL for a FT to Barnes or bench and play Mitchell in defence.

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      trade

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

      Trade Mitchell to a Burnley d or Shaw and hold dcl

  29. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Too much confusion. Forgetting everything that's coming and saving a FT now, even if I end up WCing on 25. Will just do Justin>Lowton for now and with 2FTs next week, probably Coufal+DCL> Dallas+Ings. Have all chips but probably better to wait for more info and WC26.

    DDG
    Stones, Cancelo, Lowton,
    Grealish, Bruno, (G)undo, Salah, Son
    Antonio, Bamford
    Forster, Coufal,DCL, Mitchell

    Gtg? Would you start Coufal ahead of anyone?

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

      I'd start him ahead of son but its close

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

    Play DCL or Bamford? I mean I’m benching holding and Robertson too. Surely with DCL missing Fulham Bamford better pick

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bamford. DCL could even cameo against city and bamford's away form is good

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This

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

        Agreed