Pro Pundits

The best Wildcard, Free Hit and Bench Boost squads for Double Gameweek 26

Fresh from a 108-point score in Double Gameweek 25, Az looks at the optimum squads for those on a Wildcard, Free Hit or Bench Boost and assesses the leading Triple Captain candidates.


This is it. It’s the big one. Double Gameweek 26: the biggest Double Gameweek we’ve ever had.

Are you excited? Nervous? Do you feel like your entire season is resting on this six-day period that sees 14 teams play twice? Hopefully, you’ve all known that this day was coming and it hasn’t taken you by complete surprise.

If you’re struggling, I’m here to help you with your planning. I imagine your strategy will depend on how your current team is set up and what chips you have remaining, so I’m going to look at it from all angles.

Let’s begin.

No chips planned

Now if you’re like me, you’re not planning on using a chip this week.

Maybe you’ve already used your Bench Boost and Triple Captain earlier in the season. Perhaps you have your Free Hit earmarked for the Blank Gameweek in 29. Some of you might be holding on to your Wildcards until later in the season – or perhaps you played it early.

Anyway, if you’re in this camp, it’s a case of making do with what you’ve got and playing tactically to make the best of it. With the number of teams playing, it’s very likely that you have a good crop of Double Gameweekers anyway.

The absolute minimum I’d feel comfortable taking into this Gameweek would be nine – but 10 or 11 looks the most sense due to the potential for huge returns right across the board.

It’s good to target players from Spurs, Fulham and Villa because they also have fixtures in Blank Gameweek 29.

It’s one of the reasons why I think Harry Kane (£11.1m) is almost a “must get” this week. Not only does he have a good double-header against Fulham and Burnley, he immediately goes into a game against Crystal Palace – before playing Arsenal – and then Aston Villa when so many other teams blank.

The question is, who do you drop for him? Danny Ings (£8.5m) is the obvious player to make way for Kane if you have him but if you’ve held on to Patrick Bamford (£6.9m) and Michael Antonio (£6.5m), I can understand if you are reluctant to get rid of one of them.

Antonio earns back-to-back start for first time since Gameweek 6

I will probably lose one of them for Kane, although I’m undecided at this point. Both have a pretty tricky run of games up until Gameweek 29 when Bamford plays Fulham, which looks slightly better than Antonio at home to Arsenal. However, when Leeds and West Ham play each other, I fancy West Ham to win – so it is a toss-up.

An easier route into the Spurs’ attack might be to just grab Son Heung-min (£9.5m) if you haven’t already. I don’t think the double-up is a must-have but one of the two Spurs attackers does look quite important for this week and beyond. In a straight shoot-out between Son and Kane going forward, I fancy the latter due to his penalties and how impressive he looked when Gareth Bale (£9.3m) got on the pitch.

Aside from Spurs, I like the look of Leicester with games against Arsenal and Burnley followed immediately by matches against Brighton and Sheffield United. Harvey Barnes (£6.9m) is on fire at the moment and James Maddison (£7.3m) has plenty of ways of getting points with an improved eye for goal and set pieces in his locker.

Aside from these two, I think Çaglar Söyüncü (£5.3m) could be an inspired pick given that Leicester will almost certainly bank some clean sheets over the next four games. If you’ve got a bit more cash to burn, why not plump for Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m), who could line up in an advanced role and be an unbelievable differential at just 0.7% ownership.

Whoever you decide to get, remember that every “hit you take, every move you make” means that you’ve got more ground to make up. I’d advise trying to limit the number of hits you take once you hit 10 Double Gameweekers and plan for the Gameweeks ahead accordingly.

Wildcarders

If you’re Wildcarding then you’re going for it this week and I salute you.

I’ve put together a rough draft of something I’d consider if I was playing this chip. Just don’t forget that you need to take into account Blank Gameweek 29 – unless you have the Free Hit in your pocket of course!

If I was Wildcarding, I’d be torn between Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) and taking a punt on Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m). Going for the Belgian would target City’s four home fixtures in the next fortnight. While I don’t think De Bruyne is completely immune to rotation during this spell (especially given that he’s just back from injury), his low ownership makes him a perfect differential. I fancy City to score lots of goals over the next couple of weeks no matter what team they put out.

This team has six players already in place for Gameweek 29 and Barnes can easily become someone like Raphinha (£5.4m) further down the line. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.6m) could also become Antonio to give yourself a bit of extra firepower.

I’d also be sure to target Everton with arguably the best Double Gameweek 26. Lucas Digne (£6.1m) has the potential to be the highest-scoring player with fixtures against Southampton and West Brom – and Calvert-Lewin could be a shrewd captain pick for those going against Kane or Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m).

Free Hitters

If you’ve decided to play your Free Hit this week (and I would strongly advise you to make sure you are covered for the Gameweek 29) then I’m very envious. Using this chip in a Double Gameweek looks a lot of fun.

My squad wouldn’t be a lot different to the one I suggested as a Wildcard team, but obviously, you can free up some cash with some of your bench players to strengthen your first XI.

This means that I could double up on the Leicester attack with Barnes and Maddison while keeping a ‘strong and stable’ backline of premium defenders without much compromise. Possible bad news on the Maddison injury front would, of course, force a rethink.

Salah is the only player who I’d really fear not owning here but with Liverpool struggling and what looks like a difficult game against Chelsea following their away game against bottom-of-the-league Sheffield United, I’d fancy De Bruyne to outscore him if he sees the minutes that I think he’ll get.

Bench Boosters

Ah, the Bench Boosters. It looks like this chip is going to be the most popular this week and I understand the reasoning.

Someone explained to me (after it went completely over my head), that this is perhaps the best time to use it as it’s the most likely time that you won’t need to use your bench due to injuries or sickness from your first XI.

For most people, given that we’ve just emerged from Double Gameweek 25, I expect this means a Bench Boost of at least two Leeds players against Aston Villa.

I’m not completely sold on this idea and if you are willing to take a bit more of a risk, you could wait until Gameweek 30 and Bench Boost when Leeds have Sheffield United at home, which to me, looks much more attractive.

That said, it does seem like a good time to play Villa with Jack Grealish (£7.7m) and Matty Cash (£5.0m) both potentially out. I certainly wouldn’t be making transfers to take Leeds players out just to target Double Gameweekers and would just hope for the best.

I could use the Bench Boost this week, but with Antonio and Coufal up against Man City and three Leeds players facing Villa, I think I’ll hold for now and assess until later in the season. Good luck to anyone that goes for it.

Triple Captainers

I plumped for Patrick Bamford as my Triple Captain in Gameweek 25 so this isn’t an option for me this week, but it looks like a great time to use it.

To me, the standout options for the chip are Calvert-Lewin and Kane.

I have seen some people saying that while they think Kane is a good captain option, they think Calvert-Lewin is a better Triple Captain option. I just can’t see the logic here. Captain – or Triple Captain – the player who you think will do best.

Everton have been quite an unpredictable team in the league over the last few months, losing to the likes of Newcastle and Fulham but beating Liverpool comfortably in their last game. I don’t think there’s any doubt that Southampton and West Brom will give up chances to them and I do think Calvert-Lewin should be at least considered by anyone looking to play this chip.

However, while Spurs have faltered, Kane has flourished against the bottom eight.

Twitter user FPL_Swede pointed out that in 10 games against the bottom eight teams in the Premier League, Kane has delivered in every game, averaging 9.2 points a match. That’s an unbelievable record. He seems a great option for the chip and I think you would be very unfortunate to come away from games against Fulham and Burnley with nothing. He’s almost certainly going to be my captain this week.

Conclusion

Werner, Son and Kane kept quiet as FPL's two best defences impress again

I hope this has in some way been useful in helping you make decisions no matter what strategy you are adopting.

For my team, I think I’m going to reluctantly take out Marcus Rashford (£9.6m) and one of Bamford/Antonio and bring in Kane – just because I do believe he is the best captaincy pick. It would mean that I’d have to grab myself Ademola Lookman (£5.0m) to free up the funds, but I believe he could turn out to be quite a shrewd acquisition as he plays two quite porous defences in Double Gameweek 26 and then can sit on my bench until I need him in Gameweek 29.

Whatever you decide, enjoy this bumper Gameweek and see you on the other side!


My Double Gameweek plans and why the Wildcard/Bench Boost tactic has its downside

Az <p>One half of the FPL BlackBox YouTube series with Mark Sutherns.</p><p>Former Membership Strategy Manager for FFS&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

2,383 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What would you do?
    Mee --> Keane (-4)

    Y or N?

    Thanks 🙂

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

      N

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

        Cheers

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

      Yes

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

        Cheers

    3. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      N

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

        Cheers

    4. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No. I’m perfectly happy to have Lowton (do have Holgate though).
      Probably won’t get a cleanie but you never know with Burnley. May surprise us!

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

        True

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

      close call... if you can strech to pereira theb yes

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

        Thanks!

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

    Is this a valid way to look at hits;

    Out: Ings, Rashford, Mee, Lowton -12

    In: Kane, Barnes, Ricardo, Digne

    I can’t see Burnley keeping 1 CS this week, Rashford unlikely to do much against Chelsea at least, then Ings-Kane needs no explaining. I would also want to make these changes say next week due to the better fixtures anyway so would probably take hits! Better to make them now and hope one or 2 return and have them for the fixtures, or not worth it?

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

      Worth it

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      They are mostly good transfers, but -12 is too heavy for my taste

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

      You are just gaining 1 game with a -12; those are all the flavors of the week tho

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

        Which makes sense doesn’t it? Extra possibility of points in better fixtures with better players

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

          I guess, if you like their long term value over replacement. I’d be tempted to go -4 and keep Mee and Rash

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

    Any news on Ashley Barnes??

  4. Isco Disco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mendyyyyyyyyyy
    Atalanta 0- 1 Real Madrid

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

    Start Dallas or Mee?

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

      Tough one. Probably Dallas without the double

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

    I'd love to have the balls (and absolute stupidity) to get Kun and Bale in.. Imagine the green arrows if the stars align!

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

      Imagine the reds if they don't.

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

        But the greens... haha

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Both on bench again next game 🙂

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

        Both getting 90mins + over the dgw imo!

        1. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Bale most likely.

          Kun only just back from a long injury, he will be eased in slowly I would think

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

            30mins next game and 50-60 in the following game...

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

    A. Digne/Barnes/Bamford (-4)
    B. Davies/Barnes/Kane (-8 bench Raphina or Bamford)

    No FH for 29

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

      B

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

      Davies not nailed so A

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

      Thanks, struggling to find a decent defender for double for 4.7 or less.

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

    BSilva is never tired.

  9. Isco Disco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Not watching the City game today. Can someone please tell how is Gundo looking?
    Will he play both games?

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

      Tired

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

      I have him and fully expect 90 mins only

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

    I assume Kdb will start at the weekend. Would have liked to seen a cameo tonight.

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

      He's the one EVERYONE will wish they own this DGW

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

        1 goal from open play this season

  11. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A lose sterling
    B lose salah
    C lose sterling
    D keep all three dont bring spurs players...

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

      One of the Sterlings

    2. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  12. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundo down to SGW 26, we reckon?

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

      1.5x GW perhaps

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

      Probably, but it's Pep so impossible to guess

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Real question mark over him and Silva.

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

      yep

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

        Based on what?

    5. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would say so but only needed 70mins to wack a 19 pointer so I frankly don’t not care

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

        He's not gonna do that every week you know

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

    Mee, Ings to Pereira, Watkins for -4?

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

    who made that bad pass to a gladbach player at the end?

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

      Rodri

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

    Anyone fancy a Foden punt?

    1. Towsor44
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Already have him and wondering about Wildcard and he wouldn't be in mine if I do

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

      Got and keeping. Pep brought him off... nailed for the both games

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

        That was a joke by the way

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

      Had him for quite a while now ... happy to keep

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

    So we can see Stones starting the first of the DGW games surely...the rest is anyone's guess.

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think Stones and Dias play PL games. . . .rotate them in CL games until they get tricky at least.

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      About the only pleasing thing about tonight for me, was this has increased the chance of Stones sneakily getting both in DGW.

      As a Gundo & Cancelo owner I’m not as confident on those two playing both!

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

        Me either. I would not worry too much about that though, as nearly everyone owns 2-3 city players and all are in the same boat. For example my player will play in first game and yours will play in the second, and vice versa. Or else both our players will miss out as we own the same ones.

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

      Don't think Stones is as nailed as everyone thinks, he will rotate with Laporte till the end of the season (even in league games)

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

    Existing team for 26 below

    Is Sterling
    A a hold now or
    B take -8 on Sterling to Barnes, Bamford to Kane and Tarkowski to Dias

    Martinez
    Cancelo Tarkowski* Shaw
    Salah Sterling* Bruno Gundogan Raphinha
    Watkins DCL

    Pope Bamford* Dallas Coufal

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

    Roulette time...

    So Kdb starts at the weekend along with Gundogan
    Sterling subbed off for rest (or just being sh!ite)
    Foden to be benched

  19. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I have 10 DGW players, using no chip and 3 Leeds players and Coufal.

    So which of the 3 Leeds players do I play as my 11th man vs Villa without Grealish

    a) Bamford
    b) Raphinha
    c) Dallas

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

      a

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B) is the form man, Bam 1st sub

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

      Same as you and I'm playing Dallas as I have only 2 in the back with DGW anyway

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

      If you have the liberty to choose, I'd go with Raphinha

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

    Dias played full 90 today, so also likely to have minutes managed?
    Think I will consider rolling with Stones + Gundo only, selling Sterling. Then get any 3rd City for DGW27

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

      Why sell Sterling?

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

        To get Kane for captain. And I think Sterling will play only one the first DGW. But at risk of coming back to bite me

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

      So hard to tell with pep. Dias looks as likely as anyone (apart from ederson) to play all games in this run. Wouldn’t sell any city, just go with the 3 you’ve got.

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

        Pretty set on getting Kane so one big hitter has to go - either Sterling or Salah

  21. King Conte
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ederson
    Evans,Targett,Wan-Bissaka
    Salah,Sonny(VTC),KDB,Barnes
    Kane(TC),DCL,Diagne

    Fodder,Aina,Burke,Fodder
    No Bruno but hey can’t have it all!

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

      I'd never have my vc from the same team as my captain.

      1. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This. Beware of the COVID

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

    Gundo TC is too risky now

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

      Agreed! Wouldn’t choose a city player with the amount of games they have

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

    Is there a way to see in livefpl.net the efftective ownership stats for defenders with EO

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

      *

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

        *

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

    Gundo has already shown what he can do in an sgw and Dias/Stones are a det piece away from a decent probability 15 pointer

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

      *set piece

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

      Already got Cancelo, should I get Dias or Stones to double up?
      Or Man UTD assets?

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

      Probably some problem with the posts?

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

    guys, gundo is as nailed as you can be

    toss up between stones/laporte, silva/kdb/foden

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

      Nailed players get rested too

  26. Cahill
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts please?

    Martinez
    Cancelo mee lowton
    Sterling Bruno son foden
    Kane DCL Watkins

    A) Mee -> reguillon
    B) foden -> gundo

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

      I have your situation at the back and I'd go with A as Spurs play in 29.

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

    Best defender to replace TAA?
    6.2 ITB

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

      Reguillon

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

      Depends on your chip plans. Targett a decent option if you need a gw29 player

    3. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Digne

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

      Pereira/Digne/Castagne/Reguillon or Aurier if nailed

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

    Those of you who does not have FH chip,
    show me your WC teams!

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

    Even when Gundo had the groin issue, Pep said “He won’t be rested, if he’s fit, he plays”

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

      That was when KDB was missing and the league wasn’t wrapped up yet

  30. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    When is the earliest we can find out if Aston Villa and Everton have a DGW in 28?

    1. swanseag55
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would love to know this and how likely it is. I’ve seen Ben Crellins spreadsheet so is likely. I’m thinking of a big hit to BB this week but if they have a double in GW28, the hit I’m hoping will be worth it