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. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    When will we get an update on Son?

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Friday latest

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Thurs/Fri press conference probably

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Maybe at the Europa presser on Thurs

  2. mcginnntonic
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Rather have for one week:
    A) Vardy vs norwich
    B) Son vs Watford

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      A. Watford defend well

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        they haven't so far this season! (Bachmann owner)

    2. footballfreak
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      A

    3. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Vardy

  3. R.C
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone in love with the Chelsea formation?

    Feels like it's perfect for Big Rom - he's going to run riot!

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Im hoping he produces no more than Ings/DCL and is effectively priced out of the game.

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Transferring Salah out for -4 when they face each other is not for me. And now it would be actually -8.

      1. fricky_
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I love Chelsea x3 from GW7, just don't like them against Liverpool, Spurs and City 3 of 4 next

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Damn, Lukaku is now Messi ...

  4. footballfreak
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    gtg with bench order and team?

    Sanchez
    Shaw TAA Amartey
    Benrahma Salah Bruno Greenwood
    DCL Ings Antonio
    Subs: Ayling, Livramento, Brownhill

    1. fricky_
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah looks good, just be on the lookout for news on Leicester defence (Vestergaard mainly) and also consider Livramento vs Newcastle as a decent shot of getting a return perhaps. Ayling decent chances of that vs Burnley too. Kinda hard decision you got there

  5. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Gündo owners would u sell him with hit -4 pts for
    A- Pogba
    B- Greenwood
    C- Alli
    D- Gray
    E- Safe
    F- Keep

    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Wouldn't sell for a hit

      1. fricky_
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Not taking a hit to get rid of him, he could easily get a return+ CS vs Arsenal

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Thx guys I would keep

  6. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    What to do with Harvey Barnes??

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Keep for Norwich

      1. fricky_
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Keep for Norwich yep

    2. Pukkipartyy
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Get rid.

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I sold for benny last night

    3. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Personally I think he’ll be dropped. Last 2 fixtures he’s been subbed off with less than 70 mins & was pretty ineffective. I know Perez will be missing but I see Leicester going 2 up top.
      Plus there’s other options - Greenwood, Raphinha & Benrahma around his price

  7. R.C
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Just watched a couple of videos of Livramento.

    He should play in midfield!

    1. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      He did

    2. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Okay Pep.

  8. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Would you make any changes to this for gw3 solely?

    Sanchez
    Taa shaw coufal
    Salah bruno Barnes benrahma raphinha
    Ings Antonio

    Foster ayling tsimikas perica*

    1. Ninjaa
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      No looks good. One last chance for Barnes

    2. fricky_
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Looks solid

  9. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Would you keep harvey Barnes for Norwich? Also likelihood of him starting?

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Yes. Very likely as Perez is suspended.

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Had enough of Barnes, horrible FPL player drops my rank every time he’s in my team.

    3. james 101
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Don’t want him. But I probably would keep

  10. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    0.1 short of Ings to Big Rom for next week, likely 0.2 short by then. Whom should I downgrade?

    Sanchez
    Shaw Coufal Amartey (Tsimi) (Duffy)
    Salah Bruno Jota Greenwood Benrahma
    Antonio Ings (Perica)

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Tsi to Livramento

    2. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Jota

    3. Ninjaa
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Shaw imo, possibly Jota as I think Salah is enough Liverpool attack

    4. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Tsimikas, is 0.1

  11. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Is Duffy likely to keep his place?

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Brighton best start ever to season, if their form continues potter no choice but to keep back line unchanged. His spot to lose 🙂

  12. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Any wolves fans about? Is Ait Nouri likely to break into the first team at any point. Could be a bargain for when the fixtures turn if so.

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Not a Wolves fan but I am getting Marcal in this week for the run in.

  13. MoSalalalalalalalalah
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Is this it worth me trading Cavani + Varane for Richarlison + Tarkowski, in the Draft?

  14. davidmcnamara
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Best captain pick for this week?

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Antman?

    2. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Kane potentially

    3. fricky_
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      imo Antonio

    4. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Antonio is up there

    5. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      You want me to wipe your as* after you poo as well?

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Jeez dude relax

      2. davidmcnamara
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Just posing the question to hear thoughts, relax mate

      3. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Imo Bruno. Antonio would be my 2nd choice.

    6. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Livramento

    7. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Benrahma

  15. james 101
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    GTG? (Best start in quite a few seasons so in no rush to mess it up!)

    Sanchez

    TAA Shaw Cresswell

    Bruno Salah Benrahma Greenwood Raphinha

    Antonio Ings

    (Foster Tsimikas White Junk)

    1. fricky_
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Yep gtg

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers!

  16. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Is tmiskas and Barnes to tanganga and Raphina good moves ?

  17. Tjomsss
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Hi!

    Would you sacrifice TAA and Ings for a 4.7 defender and Lukaku?

    Tempted to WC, my team would then look like this:

    Sanchez (Foster)
    Alonso Tanganga White (Livramento) (Tsimikas)
    Salah Fernandes Raphinha Benrahma (Bissouma)
    Lukaku DCL Antonio

    Defence is weak but it lets me get Salah, Fernandes and Lukaku in the same team.

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      It’s a fun team.

      WCding us dependent on what you have now though

      1. Tjomsss
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        My team right now is:

        Bachmann (Foster)
        TAA Shaw White (Veltman) (Tsimikas)
        Salah Fernandes Greenwood Barnes (Bissouma)
        Ings Antonio Toney

  18. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    How do I upgrade this lot, lads? 2FT, 0itb. Cheers!

    Sanchez, 4.0
    TAA,Tsimikas,Shaw,Ayling,Veltman
    Salah,Bruno,Benrahma,Greenwood,Mahrez
    Antonio,Toney,Perica

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Mahrez is your cash cow. I'm similarly setup and considering either playing it safe this week with Tsimi to Livramento or upgrading my 4.5m striker to DCL and dropping Mahrez down to fodder.

      1. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        True. I want maybe Raphinha tho, and upgrade Toney maybe

  19. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Any advice guys? I was pretty set on A because Mahrez has a decent enough fixture (albeit some rotation risk) and it would mean going into GW4 with 2 FT in hand but now I'm starting to think its a bit of a wasted transfer and I'd be better off going with B, getting some more cover on the bench and setting myself up for the future. I can then upgrade a 4.0 defender in GW 4 or 5, Any opinions?

    Sanchez,
    TAA, Shaw, Tsimi, Webster, Omobamidele
    Salah, Bruno, Mahrez, Benrahma, Buendia
    Ings, Antonio, Scarlett

    2 FT, 0 ITB

    a) Tsimi -> Livramento
    b) Mahrez & Scarlett -> DCL & Bissouma / Gilmour / Brownhill + 0.9 ITB to deal with 4.0 defenders next week

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

      You started with a 3-5-2 for a reason presumably. Not sure what's changed to make you think that a 3-5-2 is no longer good.

      1. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Just like the look of DCL honestly

  20. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Gundo, Toney > Benrahma, DCL for free?

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

    2. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

    3. fricky_
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Absolutely

    4. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Prefer Sarr or Harrison, but yeah sell the other 2

    5. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Definitely

  21. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Toney is gonna punish sellers

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I am keeping

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Good man

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      What if I never had him?

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Then you’ll want him!

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Never owned, but yes, when he has more pts than Antonio I will be punished by him. I can live with that.

    4. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I hope so!

  22. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    A) Play Mahrez against a depleted Arsenal side
    B) Transfer out for Son(if declared fit)

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Can't decide what to do with Mahrez either. I have a niggling feeling that he will punish me if I sell him but if I hold I just know he'll be benched!

  23. Champione
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Worth a downgrade in midfield in order to upgrade Veltman > Dias/Coufal/other premium def? 0.0 ITB

    Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Veltman*
    Salah Bruno Grealish Greenwood Benrahma
    Antonio Wilson

    Steele Tsimikas White Perica

    A) Veltman > Livramento
    B) Tsimikas > Livramento
    C) Grealish + Veltman > Raphinha + Dias/Coufal -4
    D) Veltman > Dier/Ayling

  24. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    I don't understand the love for Spurs defenders. They are conceding a lot of shots and Lloris is their highest scoring player (joint 3rd highest in the game). What am I missing here?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      They are cheap and people see two CS, as a Spurs fan I’m personally not interested but each to their own

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Watford and CP next. First match was vs MCI. So for short term picks before WC there are worse options.

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

      you're missing the fact most people are stupid and focus on results bias.

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Never forget that half the worlds population are below average intelligence.

    3. Ranger3
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      They played City, and wolves away.. Next 2 should be much easier

  25. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Looking at 4.5 Spurs defenders to replace Veltman. Despite 2 clean sheets, they have conceded the most shots and are 7th for expected goals conceded. This suggests they have been fortunate to keep 2 clean sheets.

    1. Ranger3
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      They played City, and wolves away.. Next 2 should be much easier

  26. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Has anyone tried to calculate the importance of tv? Easy to say that money is not that important and all you have to do is to find cheap enabler or gem. But this phrase is probably incorrect. What if the opponent with high tv finds those same enablers? With 1 million it means having TAA instead of VvD. Or if everyone has TAA, one million allows to have Reguilon over Dier and Coufal over any 4.5. Money matters! And early in the season it matters even more.

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      My best season (just outside the top 1k) I built massive team value.

      Just kept rising as the season went on.

      A lot of fun!

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah, see comment below. I really wanted to wait but took a -8 and made a booboo so cancelled it out and wanted to catch the price swings.

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I would say that chasing TV rises has a negative correlation with high OR. As we have limited FTs, there must be some compromise in going after last week’s bandwagon vs choosing the next player to haul.

      In actuality, there’s probably a balance to be struck. The more I play this game, the more I understand I should spend less time chasing players going up in price.

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I agree. During my rookie season I chased too much last week's pts. Jumping on false bandwagons is a serious mistake. But jumping on those assets that have good fixtures coming and have good underlying stats or caught the eye like Pukki scoring vs Liverpool (before his hattie) is another story.

    4. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Some seasons money doesn’t matter, but I feel like this one it will be really important with the amount of high priced premium options

    5. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      transfers should be directed at solving the weak links in the team. by doing so you improve the team whilst also protecting TV from falls, which have a more significant impact than jumping on the risers. a lot of the time the two will coincide and that makes it a priority transfer

  27. MoSalalalalalalalalah
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Best 5.5. midfielder?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      A 5.5 defender

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        5.5 mid turns to 5.0 defender really because of them having lowest price at 4.0 and mid at 4.5

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Gray?

  28. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    I used my WC last night. I’m a bit frustrated by it because I had other plans in mind but the WHM lads were rising and I had already lost value in other players.

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      how many had you had?

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I had no player from West Ham. Tried to go off template with Salah, Bruno and Manè for the first 2 fixtures hoping Manè below 5% could do some damage before using him as a cash cow. Instead I restricted my formation (451) and lost value.

        1. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          What's the team now?

          1. Paqueta Rice
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 7 months ago

            Currently looking like

            Sanchez
            Shaw Reguillon, Amartey
            Salah, Bruno, Son, Greenwood, Benrahma
            Ings/DCL, Antonio

            Steele, Dennis, Livramento, Duffy

            Still undecided on losing Ings this week or not before Brentford but don’t like planning transfers after a WC. Also Dennis to 4.5 to allow Amartey to a 4.6 def undecided.

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Same. The game would be easy if we could consider form, look at the season ticker and plan our transfers accordingly.

      I now realise starting the season with two Arsenal players (so that I don’t have to use FTs bringing them in GW4), wasn’t very smart. My hand is now being forced to avoid price drops.

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah, while most my original are template I tried to be different in other ways. I started with Tierney also thinking the same way. I wasn’t expecting them to be as poor as they have been regardless of price changes! Manè dropping after one game was annoying and I thought Barnes was dropping last night too.

  29. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Is the Raph definetly missing GW4?

    1. PocketZola
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      He better

  30. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Hi all.....

    I have 1ft.

    Would you do ings to dcl or save the transfer?

    Ings has Brentford at home at weekend - but dcl forthcoming price rise is annoying...thanks

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Ings > DCL is my plan also, but can’t do it yet. Ings fixtures get bad and DCL on pens. It’s the right move, just when is the question. DCL price increases are annoying though.
      I can see Ings getting something vs Brentford

    2. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Save. Do DCL next week

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah playing with fire to do it before villa v Brentford.....

        Especially as I got rid of Barnes last night before Norwich!!

        Just want to keep an eye on price rises as I also have toner to shift at some stage - and not many options with my limited cash!