Pro Pundits

Gameweek 7 Wildcard team reveal: Lukaku over Ronaldo plus double City and Arsenal

Ex-FPL winner Simon March: How to avoid getting carried away with your GW1 picks

After a Gameweek 6 score of 44 and a fourth red arrow in succession, I embraced the ‘Sunday night Wildcard’ cliche and finally pushed the button. For this article, I’ll be sharing my current draft and a bit of the thinking behind it.

First off, a word on the timing of the Wildcard. While I had my fair share of yellow flags and underperforming players, it was mainly the concern that I would be priced out of the team I wanted that made me choose this Gameweek. As you’ll see, this necessitates greater investment in the Liverpool v Man City fixture than I’d ideally have liked and a Gameweek 8 Wildcard would not only have avoided that but, also, have allowed me to better mop up any problems that might occur during the preceding international break. 

However, neither of those factors seemed significant enough to warrant holding off and, equally, there are opportunities to be gained from tapping into some of the good Gameweek 7 fixtures.

Finally, I’m approaching this Wildcard with a fairly long horizon and am targeting the players and teams that I think can deliver for the foreseeable future. Equally I’m seeking enough depth that my squad can cope with the unexpected. My hope is that this will help me establish a reliable enough foundation that I can use my transfers progressively rather than reactively going forwards.

So, without further ado, here’s my current Wildcard draft.

Goalkeepers

The Kasper Schmeichel (£5.1m) / Danny Ward (£4.0m) Leicester goalkeeper rotation is a hill I’m willing to die on this season having already had it from the start. While they are not the most popular picks between the sticks (ooh that rhymes), at least not in the FPL community, they haven’t done badly, averaging 3.0 points per game so far, despite Leicester’s dismal defending.

Schmeichel is second for saves made, which helps him in terms of save points and bonus points but just the one clean sheet is not all that convincing a return. That said, I do believe Leicester will improve, particularly with the return of Jonny Evans (£5.4m), and, also, that it is more likely that they will sort out their defensive problems than some currently better-performing options are likely to maintain their defensive solidity.

Finally, at £9.1m combined (£9.0m for me), Schmeichel/Ward offers a strong certainty of a playing goalkeeper for a fairly low cost.

Defenders

My strategy for the defence is to get three near-to-nailed-on players from what appear to be the three best defences in the league (Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea) and then, ideally, leave them for the rest of the season so I can focus my transfers elsewhere.

1,736 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hakaei lali
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Play up pombe

    1. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      *Play up Burnley

    2. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Just play Chilwell.
      Up/down/left(preferred)/right

  2. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Sanchez
    Taa alonso marcal
    Salah sarr raphinha greenwood benrahma
    Antonio Cristiano(c)

    1. Do a hit
    2. Hope for Ayling to replace TAA.

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Ayling is out.

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

      Ayling is out

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Ayling is out

    4. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Ayling is ailing

    5. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Ayling could make it

    6. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      But not worth the risk. Get Trent out for a big hitting defender for next 5 gameweeks, then bring back Trent at 7.3

    7. max99
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Trent to alonso or rudi?

  3. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Saka or Gallagher?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Saka

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

      Saka

    3. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Saka

    4. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Saka

    5. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Gallagher. He's flying.

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

      Saka

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

    What’s the position with Coufal? I thought not in squad tonight due to injury concern but he is not flagged

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      He was on the bench.

      1. maglia rosa
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Not listed on BBC as on the bench.

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

        No he wasn’t according to Sky Sports

        1. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          I'm sorry, you are right.

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

            No problem- it’s difficult to keep up with all the injury news !

    2. maglia rosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Surely imminent.

  5. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    1FT 1.7m ITB

    Sanchez
    Shaw* White Livramento
    Salah Jota Raph Sarr
    Ronaldo Antonio ASM

    Steele - Gilmour TAA* Ayling*

    Take the potential price drop on Shaw and wait for Ole's presser tomorrow or abandon hope and ship now for Rudiger?

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      wait imo. i've the same £££ & waiting.

      Ayling to Rudiger maybe an option? he's def out so gives you a chance of having a playing sub if needed this week

      1. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Ayling will 100% be sold if Shaw is fit, only reason I'd be selling Shaw over him if I made the move tonight is the price drop.

    2. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Why wait? Get rid

      1. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        If Shaw can play at the weekend I can bench Livramento and sell Ayling for Rudi instead

    3. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      good move looking at the fixtures and cs odds even if shaw s fit...
      i am shipping shaw out as well...only confuson is which chelsea defender to ge!!

      1. max99
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Alonso playing higher up and only played 45mins in champions league

  6. sarnshawn
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Old team & 2 transfers -
    Lloris (Foster)
    Shaw, TAA, Digne, Tsimikas
    Mount, Salah, Benrahma, Fernandes
    Dennis, Ings
    Bench - Antonio, Bissouma, Livramento

    Or new team with wildcard -
    Sa (Foster)
    Thiago Silva, Digne, Rudiger
    Salah, Benrahma, Raph, Doucoure
    Vardy, Pukki, Antonio
    Bench - Sarr, TAA, Livramento
    ?

    1. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Love it. Finally someone who has a mind of their own!

  7. The_Sig23
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Play one; Demarai Gray or Cancelo?

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Gray for me. United defence isn't the greatest.

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Both. Surely there's someone else to bench.

    3. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Gray

  8. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Who to get more score this GW ?
    A- Cancelo
    B- Coady +4

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Coady this week.

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      b

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B

    4. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers

  9. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    What to do? Got 2 FTs and 0.1mill in the bank.
    Thoughts on:
    TAA and Bamford -> Alonso and Jiminez?

    Martinez steele
    TAA James Marcal Livra Williams
    Salah Greenwood Jota Gray Sissoko
    Antonio Bamford Ronaldo

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Is James gonna be back?

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Just Bam > Jim

  10. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Lol at anyone who would pay to see his team 😀

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Bonkers people who would.

    2. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      It’s a good GK reveal

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        If the rest of it as bad, I'd want a refund 😀

    3. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      i think my sub auto renewed this year... only pop on to read comments these days

  11. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Start Gray or Dennis?

    Sanchez
    Alonso Semedo Marcal
    Salah Raphinha Greenwood *
    Lukaku Antonio *

    Steele Livra TAA

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Dennis.

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

    2. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Should have put Sarr in as well

    3. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Gray

  12. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    For -4

    1. Cancelo
    2. Rudiger (have alonso)

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      1

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      rest of defence?

      1. dshv
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Taa marcal alonso tsimi ayling

    3. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      1

    4. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Cancelo

  13. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    TAA* > Dias or Cancelo for their upcoming fixture swing?

    Sanchez Steele
    Alonso Rüdiger Duffy (TAA* B.Williams)
    Salah Greenwood Torres Benrahma Allan
    Lukaku Jiménez (Bamford*)
    1FT £0.3M

    Was going to roll the FT but good chance I have only 10 players even with Williams off my bench.

    1. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Gray

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Reply fail?

  14. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Evening all. Which one please?

    Sanchez
    Rudigar - White - Marcal
    Salah - Raphinha - Jota - Benrahma
    Ronaldo - Antonio - ASM

    (Steele) - TAA - Livramento - Brownhill

    A) Jota > Saka (-4)
    B) Jota > Sarr (-4)
    C) Save

    1. Firmino
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Save

    2. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Saka

  15. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    On WC....
    A) Ramsdale
    B) Sanchez

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B as more secure

      1. Kay317
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        More secure? You think there's actually a chance he's dropped?

        1. Bobby_Baggio
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          His place to lose. Sanchez won't get dropped. Brighton better chance of CS in my opinion

    3. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Sanchez

  16. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Bamford to who. 8.1 to spend.

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Jim

    2. maglia rosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Jiminez
      Cheeky punt If Dcl is fit he could work out at OT with Slab Head on the sidelines.

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Jimmy looks the best bet. Dcl has burned me before.

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

      Jiménez for next few then move to Toney

    4. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Chris Wood (c)

  17. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Pick a one week punt before I wildcard

    1. Wood
    2. Mee/Tark
    3. Chilwell
    4. Jimenez

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      4

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

      4

    3. maglia rosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      1 or 4
      2 for the cudos if it came off 😎

    4. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Mee

    5. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      1. It's Norwich

  18. Patrick Bateman
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    % chance of Alonso playing this weekend?

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

      51%as Chilwell was equally poor in last match..

      1. 1984 TC
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Hence, Chilwell needs more playing time to improve?

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

          probably...and as both were kinds equal in perfo level tuchel may toss a coin..
          imo chilly is a better crosser and lukaku will benefit from him playing..

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Playing 66%
      Starting 50%

  19. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    ESR or Gallagher?

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

      G

  20. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA • Alonso, Cancelo • Rudiger
    Salah • Raph • Jota
    Lukaku • Antonio • Toney

    (Sanchez / Gallagher / Alan / Livramento)

    Aiming for this team. Worth it?

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Worth what?

      1. maglia rosa
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        😆

  21. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    it worth to get Cancelo for a hit instead of one of those
    A- White BHA (A)
    B- Brandon Williams BUR (A)
    C- Livramento CHE (A)
    If not choose one to play

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Play White

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

        this

    2. Ray85
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      White. As my only option is Livramento I am getting Cancelo for -4 but would not do so if had White

    4. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

    5. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Thank you :*

  22. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Have James in my team already, would you go for Alonso or Rudiger to go alongside him?

    1. maglia rosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Rudiger

    2. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Rudi

    3. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Rudiger

    4. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I want to say Alonso, but probs rudiger

    5. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers all!

    6. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A message to you . Rudi.

    7. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Alonso. Too much upside to ignore

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Actually yes this, Alonso haha

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

      Tricky but has to be Rüdiger as you could face situation where both James and Alonso don’t start. I have Alonso and getting Rüdiger

      1. Clay Davis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Going Rudiger is like doing missionary with your socks on. Live a little

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Lmao

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

          Rüdiger Alonso this week surely better than James Alonso?

  23. acidicleo
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    is ronaldo to lukaku (minus 4) bit crazy?

    a) yes, wait a week
    b) no, go for it and give the armband to kaku

    1. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Go for it and captain him

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

      B. I would do this also but having to take -4 to sort out defence

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A, I’d rather Ronaldo than Lukaku this week

  24. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    shocked that Saka or ESR aren't in the Midfielders watchlist! :-/

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

      wait to see how they perform against a good brighton side!!

  25. OLEgend
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Will Shaw fall in price tonight?

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

      was due to fall last 3 days and survived..its touch and go...

  26. Mornar Bar
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Sanchez
    TAA* Duffy Marcal
    Salah Benrahma Sarr Gray
    Lukaku Ronaldo Antonio
    Foster Livra Manq McArthur

    0.0m itb, WC used. Was planning to get Rudiger for a hit (Marcal + Gray out, Rudi + 4.5 mid in), but now TAA is injured, I realized I could do TAA -> Rudiger this week and then Marcal/Duffy -> Dias/Cancelo the following one (if nothing screws up during IB). What would you rather do: keep or sell TAA at this point?

  27. Ray85
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    WC draft

    Ramsdale (Foster)
    Alonso Rudi Cancelo (Livra) (Manquillo)
    Saka Salah Raphina Gallagher (Luiz)
    Vardy Lukaku Antonio 0.4ITB

    Views on:
    -Vardy v Auba v Jimmy
    -Gray v Gallagher
    -Alonso v Azpi v Christensen

    1. Ray85
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Would welcome any comments/suggestions please

    2. maglia rosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Not keen on Manquillo even as a 3rd bench. Gallagher's eye test is better than Gray's and all his points in my team have been very gratefully received this season. On WC and have Gallagher and no Gray. Jimmi looks to be the most likely to score well after his first goal. Auba could work very well but at that price it's a hard sell. Vardy is Vardy and could work well.

      1. Ray85
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Nice one. Will stick with Vardy and Gallagher for now. Manq is unlikely to play though as it will be 343 with Livra as first defender sub. Did think about upgrading to Duffy but would cost an extra 0.3m.

  28. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Ronaldo to Lukaku or Jota to Saka?

  29. Joey Barton and Friends
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Best one-week non Template defender/midfielder punt?

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Mee

    2. maglia rosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Mee / Tarkowski

      Westwood

    3. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Mee/Dawson
      Lingard

  30. Gunneryank
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Did you see the rules changes for South American players? Apologies if already posted. Just saw this on the Guardian:

    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/sep/30/covid-rules-to-be-relaxed-to-allow-red-zone-players-to-return-to-action

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Now we have to monitor whos vaccinated?

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah, between this and the late timing of the last round of international matches, I am steering clear of South American internationals at least until the international breaks are over for a while.

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

      Issue is that Brazil and Argentina play on 15 October so will any of their players play on 16 October