Pro Pundits - Lateriser

Are Gameweeks 4 and 7 the best time to play the first Wildcard in FPL?

The Gameweeks are coming in thick and fast and more often than not we forget to sit back and think macro.

Chelsea’s performance on Sunday was incredibly encouraging and with most Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers having no Blues assets, a few might be thinking of a Wildcard during the first international break which follows Gameweek 3.

So, I thought it might be a good time to look at the merits of a Gameweek 4 versus a Gameweek 7 Wildcard.

The idea of this article is to help you think about the factors involved, that is all. Whether you Wildcard or not obviously depends on the state of your team and I leave that decision to you.

GAMEWEEK 4 WILDCARD

Also, before I finish up, Fantasy Football Scout has been nominated along with our podcast ‘The FPL Wire’ for the Football Content Awards (Best Podcast – Fantasy Football).

If you have liked our work, please vote here, and thank you!

800 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Which wolves option are you looking at?
    A)Jimenez
    B) traore
    C)Trincao

    Although B and C are good,Jimenez is and has always been the talisman with pen duties so I'm still looking at Jimenez.

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Is Jimi worth the extra 1.5m is the question. Also With DCL and Antonio already firing, it’s a bit of a sacrifice

    2. FPL_ UP_Down
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Jimenez.
      Ill be getting him tonight after he drops to 7.4

    3. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      All 3, no rush so will watch v manu (and hope they smash them) and then will move for whoever. Also monitoring Semedo, awful player, but not in FPL.

    4. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      B is looking good. Yet to return but looking lively and the stats back that up.

  2. The Final Boss
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    GGMU

  3. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Ditching Ings early. Here’s why:

    1. He has 2 goals from a npxG of 0.06…

    2. Brentford isn’t as easy of a fixture as people are claiming, they’ve concede 0 goals this season

    3. Fixture turn is next week anyway

    4. DCL is rising this week, could price out many people from moving to him in 1 move

    1. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      This is my thinking. At least I'd be bringing in DCL for a lengthy spell. I can't, for some reason, see Villa scoring.

    2. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I think it's a good move. Brentford no mugs.

    3. ElChapo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      interesting..

    4. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Hmm, interesting. May be how I use my ft

    5. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I’m looking at Ings to Kane (c) based on team news

    6. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Do you think it’s worth a hit? I can see DCL outscoring Ings by 4…

    7. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Brentford have only played a poor arsenal team with no strikers and a poor palace team.

      The risk is a first good attack (Villa) puts 4 past them and I can definitely see that happening

    8. Santigold
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      DCL already went up to 8.1, so it's too late to make a straight swap from Ings to DCL with 1 transfer.

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        He might have change in the kitty.

    9. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Not sure about this move; lacking a bit more context. Might hurt you this week, particularly as Brighton are no slouches…remember the Burnley goal should have been ruled out.

    10. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Take point 4 out of it for a second. Need to decide if it's a luxury transfer or one you feel can't wait at least a week.
      Point 1 just shows how deadly he can be when he DOES get those big chances

    11. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      he is like Vardy. stats dont matter when you are a clinical finisher

    12. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Do you think DCL outscores him this week? If not, then those points are irrelevant really

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        At least three of those four points are relevant, regardless.

        1. Flaming Flamingo
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          I don't see how. If you think Ings outscores DCL this week you'd be silly to spend the transfer, none of those points would convince me otherwise

          1. Drexl Spivey
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            He doesn't though, and statistics appear to back it up.

            1. Flaming Flamingo
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              Fair enough. I would prefer Ings this week though personally

  4. mcginnntonic
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Livramento nailed?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      No, first season of full first-team professional football. But will play enough to be value at 4.0

  5. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    with Vest back in training (and possibly Bertrand), feel like Iheanacho is very likely to play in a 352, not a bad pre-WC punt

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      With no true right sided players could definitely happen. But don’t think I can see Vestergaard being rushed in this week after an injury

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        First point is referring to Perez’s suspension just to clarify

    2. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Leicester have great fixture but not played well.

      So many other value strikers that it seems unnecessary risk?

  6. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Bench one for next week;
    a) Toney (avl)
    b) Cash (BRE)
    c) Ayling (bur)
    d) Bruno (wol)

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      D? LOL

      50/50 between A and B - prob B

    2. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      D lol

    3. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Clearly your choice is a, b or c.

      I would bench Ayling from those.

      1. Jdpz
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Why Ayling?

    4. MikeBravo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

  7. Ruudy Van
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    So I now have a very template team and 3xliv, 3x Utd 3 x West Ham

    Gameweek 5 is going to be a mess.

    Sanchez Steele
    TAA Shaw coufal Tsmikas manquillo
    Salah Bruno Raphina Benrah greenwood
    Ings Antonio Obafemi.

    1. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Depending on how bold, there’s a nice Fernandes and Ings out to Lukaku and Chelsea midfielder

      1. Ruudy Van
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        What scary seed have you just planted in my head…

  8. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Great thoughts.

    My main opposition to GW4 wildcard is that I’m pretty happy with my team (sitting around 200k) and few transfers, maybe 1 hit can get Kane this week and Lukaku after Liverpool. I also definitely want to keep Salah now.

    Sure I’d make a better team with wildcard and get rid of a few fails, but it feels small gains and a few freak results / injuries could wreck it.

    GW 7 though will be bigger changes, settled teams and a good view of budget players. I might lose 0.5 in value but hopefully will also have missed a few traps.

    Seems pretty clear preference for 7 to me

  9. johnhnicholas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    I m thinking of ditching Ings for DCL before price goes up prob next day or two if not tonight. If I had 2 free I d tfr white for Livramento

  10. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Have 2 FTs and dont know what to do. Atleast want to save another FT.

    Tsimikas > Livramento/Duffy could be option.

    Barnes > Raphinha too. Worried that Barnes won't start against Norwich and he is dropping in price. Raphinha going to miss GW4 doesnt make it easier.

    Any helps?

    1. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Would do livra and raphinia

      1. Strchld
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Won't do both.

    2. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Think Barnes gets a stay of execution without Perez, possibly switching to 433 with Nacho coming in as well
      good idea to roll 1FT - no other priorities?

      1. Strchld
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        No. Barnes will go anyway next week.
        Ings > DCL probably another FT next week If no injuries during IB.

      2. Strchld
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Barnes > Mount could be an option too.

    3. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I’d do the Timmy move mate and roll the other transfer, I have Barnes too, will keep for Norwich and then show him the door!!! Might lose 0.1 but it’s Norwich so he could feasibly get a good return to make up for it!!

      1. Strchld
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        If I would trust that he will starts, its easier to keep. But I dont trust at all. Cant see any other good replacements than Raphinha and he is going to miss GW4 and maybe GW5(?). Maybe I will take that 0.1 drop too and hope best.

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Exactly why I’m keeping mate, have Benrahma and Raphinha is the only one I wasn’t at that price, happy to wait till after the Pool match for him tho

  11. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    My knee well and truly twitched all aboard the Benrahma train. A few whiskeys does tend to lubricate that joint.

    Woke up to:

    Mahrez and Brownhill -----> Benrahma and Raphinha

    Feeling okay about it now - untill Mahrez bangs a hatty against Arsneal

    1. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Its a good choice mahrez too uncertain to start

  12. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    2 FTs.
    Good moves?

    White, Gundo > TAA, Benrahma

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Good moves

      1. Maddamotha
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks

  13. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Roll FT?

    Sanchez
    Coufal TAA Shaw
    Ben Mo Pog Bruno Raph
    Antonio(c) Ings

    Bench: Ayling Tsimikas Perica
    0,5m ITB, 1 FT

    1. The Final Boss
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

    2. Arn De Gothia
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Coufal->Regulion

  14. The Final Boss
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    2fts

    Barnes gundo to benrahma greenwood??

    1. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I'd give Barnes one more go, at least I'm doing so.

  15. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    I’m actually stumped on what to do. Had a relatively good start. Obvious issue this week is no stand out captaincy option in my side, but feel many will be the same. Second, is a defender.

    Who are people targeting this week?

    Sanchez
    Shaw Cancelo Tsimikas
    Salah Mane Mahrez Buendia Benrahma
    Ings Antonio

    Raya Cucho C.Taylor Veltman

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      depends how you feel going no united
      can you do tsimi to trent and mane to son?

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Cap Antonio v Cry is a nice pick
      Veltman back next week by all accounts, but v Eve
      Tsimikas -> Livramento v New perhaps?

  16. mataave
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Sold Jimi for Lukaku yesterday as I had the exact funds. Looking to change Rudiger to Christensen so that I can afford Dallas to Traore, thoughts?

    Sanchez - Steele
    TAA - Tsimikas - Dias - Rudiger - Omobamidele
    Fernandes - Salah - Benrahma - Dallas - Bissouma
    Lukaku - Antonio - Dennis

    1. Jarnathan
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A good plan

  17. LC1
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Morning all,

    Really happy with my start and for once am actually struggling to spend any of my 2 FTs;

    Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Coufal
    Bruno(c) Salah Raphina Greenwood
    Toney Ings Antonio

    Foster Bissouma Tsimikis White(!)

    Thinking to do Tsimikis and Ings to Livramento and DCL?

    Any other suggestions are much appreciated!

    1. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      If you are happy with your team and struggling to use your FTs, then why use both?

      1. LC1
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Because the only way I could bring in DCL is by catching his price rise tonight and by getting the extra 0.1 from Tsimikis sale.

        Could do just Tsim to Livra but then will be unable to do Ings > DCL in the coming weeks

        1. Flaming Flamingo
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          I wouldn't be using 2 frees to be getting rid of Ings this week personally. You could just do the first transfer and still get DCL for free in GW4 if you wanted

          1. LC1
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            That the problem- I wouldn't be able to afford the transfer as DCL rises tonight.

            It's either Ings to DCL tonight or not at all

            1. Flaming Flamingo
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              You'd have two free transfers next week, so bringing him in shouldn't be an issue if you still want to. Besides, you may have other fires to put out come the IB so those transfers may end up having better use elsewhere

    2. EWH2020
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Would you consider Salah to Son?

    3. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Why get rid of Ings before Brentford after 2 goals in 2?

      1. LC1
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        DCL has much better fixtures over the next 5 and I'm only going to be able to bring him in now or never as his prices rises tonight.

        Ideally I would keep him for Brentford though.

    4. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I would be tempted to switch up to 352, bin Toney for a 4.5 and upgrade Biss to Benrahma. And hey presto you got your money for Ings->DCL next week too

      1. LC1
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        This is also a great idea!
        Thanks!

    5. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I like the moves you mentioned. Yes it's risky to remove Ings but it's a transfer that makes sense given his run of fixtures vs. DCL's.

      1. LC1
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Ta pal.

    6. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I'm leaning towards Ings to DCL by midnight, for same reasons.

  18. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Might not have covered every point but wanted to offer food for thought with this article.

    1. LC1
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Still a great piece!

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Very useful, thanks. I very nearly triggered my WC last night, but my three-figure haul thanks to Antonio and Benrahma steadied my hand. I really only wanted to change 5 players and I have a roadmap to get them without hits. One week - DCL, the next Lukaku, the next Raphinha. It might mean coming in a game late on some assets and costing points, but I'm firmer in my pre-season resolve to wait until after GW7 and catch the big swing.

    3. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks Lateriser.

      I don't think Chelsea assets are going to fly up in value. A couple of low scoring games between GW3 and GW6 should slow them down.

      I would really like Son to turn up big time GW3 to cast a little more doubt into the template.

      GW7 for the wildcard for me as was my original plan.

    4. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      great read thx LR

    5. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      a certain mr. kane is 12.3 now

    6. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      GW7 also allows punts on Wolves, Arsenal and Watford between GW4 and GW7, giving us the choice to stick or twist on them depending on team performances. GW4 would lock us into them a little more.

      1. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Great point.

  19. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    GTG?

    Sanchez
    Trent | Shaw | Coufal
    Bruno | Son (C) | Jota | Benrahma | Mbuemo
    Kane | Antonio

    Steele | Amartey | Omobamidele | Scarlett

    0ITB

    Thanks

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Surely captain Kane? But Son has a decent record vs Watford IIRC

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      (C)'s written in yuor name mate:) GL

  20. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Play Ayling or Amartey?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Ayling - decent clean sheet prospects and attacking potential

      1. tricpic
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Amarty - playing Norwich

        1. Lord.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          If he plays.

  21. Longiss
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    „The disadvantage being that Chelsea also have good fixtures from Gameweek 4 onwards and their assets could be a lot more expensive”

    Why would you consider Spurs away and City at home good fixtures?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      He said only the City game is tough. The Spurs defence looked very shonky on Saturday. They were lucky Wolves can't hit a barn door.

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Villa and spurs are good fixtures for Chelsea, it's just man city that is the tough one

      • TheTinman
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Spurs will up their game vs Chelsea as they did vs City. Also its a Derby. It's a tough game.

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Not impressed by them so far, getting lucky in my opinion. Not a walk over of course but a 2-0 Chelsea win wouldn't surprise me

      • EWH2020
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I have a FT burning a hole.

        Salah to Son Hokey cokey?

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          lets see if he is fit

      • Jdpz
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Play
        a) Cash (BRE)
        b) Toney (avl)

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          B

        2. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Toney

        3. james 101
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Toni

      • thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Already ditched Mahrez for Benny before his price rise last night.
        Still sitting on 1FT & a fair chunk of cash ITB.

        Am wondering what to do with the 2nd transfer…

        A) Barnes > Greenwood
        B) Toney > DCL

        Or

        C) Do both for a -4

        Any help much appreciated!

      • Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        who'd you play:
        a. Amartey
        b. Tsimi
        c. Ayling

        thx

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          C

      • KingPulis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        What to do with this team? 2.5m ITB. Thinking of:

        a) Grealish > Son
        b) Grealish & Wilson >> Kane & Mbeumo (will allow me to trade down kane to lukaku easily if needed later)
        c) Ings/Wilson to DCL

        Sanchez
        Shaw TAA Coufal Amartey
        Salah Fernandes Grealish Benrahma
        Ings Antonio

        Bench: Tsimikas Gilmour Obafemi

        1. KingPulis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Sorry - I have Wilson not Antonio*

      • klipp klopp
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Who is best 5mil defender
        1) coufal
        2) reguilon
        3) semedo
        4) tierney

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          1

        2. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          1

        3. james 101
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          A

      • Kevinn
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        2

      • Lord of Ings
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Just saw Adama's 1v1 vs Lloris,typical Adama wasn't it?
        His conversion is very poor and will never appeal to me fpl wise atleast.
        How did trincao look vs spurs?

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Yup. It's what the xStat bods who don't engage their eyes miss.
          Trincao was pretty good, but if no one can find the onion bag, he's not must use as an fpl asset.

          1. Holmes
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Are you referring Jimenez as onion bad? 😀

      • james 101
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        GTG / leave it alone?

        Sanchez

        TAA Shaw Cresswell

        Bruno Salah Benrahma Greenwood Raphinha

        Antonio Ings

        (Foster Tsimikas White Junk)

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          GTG

          1. james 101
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Thanks mate.

            Loving this year so far!