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. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Worth hitting WC with this mess or just take a hit or two?

    Sanchez
    Alonso* White Livra
    Salah Jota* Greenwood Benrahma Sarr
    Ronaldo Antonio
    Dennis TAA* Ayling*

    A) -4 would be Ayling for a 4.6m DEF
    B) -8 would be Ayling + Jota for Rudiger + Raphinha
    C) WC to get Lukaku and others in

    1. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      You planning to WC next week anyways?

      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I think so

        1. Tempestic
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Trent > Rudiger. WC next week.

          If Jota doesnt start he should get at least 30 and he does well off the bench

    2. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Nah man, you're WC is needed for more than a -8.

      Don't be too downhearted if your -8 doesn't pay off though, it rarely does. Just stick with it.

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      WC

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

  2. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Salah pogba townsend traore rice, choose one to bench

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rice

    2. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rice mate, easy.

    3. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Towsned agang United

  3. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bench 1

    A Semedo
    B Jota
    C Alonso
    D Greenwood
    E Benrahma

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      c

  4. 1984 TC
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ugh, no Benramha?!?!

    Ben to who? Ramha?

    1. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Where's this no Benrahma news coming from?

      WHU, get more rest than Man United, you don't expect Ronaldo/Bruno to be benched.

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        played the full game tonight

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          some one has to

      2. JONALDINHO
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Ronaldo and Bruno are far more important than Benrahma is to West Ham. Fornals, Bowen and Lanzini all didn’t start. Both Yarmolenko and Vlasic were subbed early too unlike Ben who played the full 90

        1. Tempestic
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Plus Benny played 90 vs Leeds. I'm not sure..

        2. CRO KLOPP
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Antonio and Benhrama are Bruno and Ronaldo in West ham. Rice also played 90 both games and he doesnt need rest. It can happen but I dont see it

  5. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is it worth -4?

    TAA & Jota > Burnley defender & Son?

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Doing exactly that but semedo/Pereira and son. Not dreaming of Burnley

    2. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      U WC'ing next week?

      1. steven8991
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        yes

        1. Tempestic
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Don't think Sons worth the hit for 1 gw personally. Villa are a good side and if Jota doesn't start he can do well from the bench

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Tempting

  6. max99
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Foster (sanchez)

    Alonso Shaw White ( ayling, tsimikas)

    Salah, sar, barnes, benny (gray)
    Ronaldo, toney, ant man.

    0 ft
    G2g or should I wc guys?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Gtg

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

    Benny playing 90 tonight a concern?
    Reckon he starts at the weekend? Another one to add to my ongoing list of doubts... WC is very very tempting

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

      I’m sure he will start

    2. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      On his form you'd expect him to start but maybe managed minutes. Depends how the game goes I guess

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      He’s young and fit.

    4. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Does he play international football?

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

    Best move for the long term? Thanks for any thoughts

    A. TAA to Cancelo. (Will allow Duffy to James if he drops to 5.5)

    B. TAA to James. (Allows McArthur to Saka or Williams to 5.9)

    C. TAA to Alonso. (Allows McArthur to 6.1 or Williams to 5.6)

    Sanchez
    TAA Rudiger Duffy
    Salah Raphina Benrahma Gray
    Ronaldo Lukaku Antonio

    Steele McArthur Williams Livramento

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A looks nice

    2. Angelic upstart
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Keep TAA

      You'll be selling one of the premiums fairly soon anyway.

  9. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Jota > Raphina for a hit?

    Sanchez
    Rudiger cancelo semedo
    Salah Jota Sarr doucoure Gallagher
    Ronaldo Antonio

    Foster TAA Omo Scarlett

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No, not for a hit. I’d rather sit back and wait for him to come on in the 70th minute and pinch a goal or two.

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        this

      2. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers

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

      Prolly wouldn't do it for a hit. Can do it next week

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

    Is it crazy to consider KdB on a wildcard? I know most people are thinking about Grealish but I just can't help but think KdB will get alot more points this season, and I need som differentials to catch up in my mini league. Team would look like this:

    Ramsdale Foster
    Rudiger Christensen Cancelo Livramento Kelly
    KdB Salah Raphinha Saka Brownhill
    Antonio Lukaku Toney

    Bench too light maybe?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      It’s early so you’ll be well ahead of the curve if he fires.

    2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I think he's mint and all the lemons will be doing him soon.
      So do him now before those helpful borefests come a callin'.

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

      Maybe worth doing Saka to ESR to fund a stronger bench?

  11. cfreel
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Differential League 2021 - GW 6 Results & GW 7 Form.

    Pick a new team each week with players that have under 10% ownership and see who the differential master is by the end of the season.

    Further rules explained in the form for GW 7 entry here:
    https://forms.gle/aKXQGkF3agXw7Y2R8

    GW 6 Results - cfreel - 46 points - https://imgur.com/PnhXf5r
    GW 6 Differential Dream Team - 122 points - https://imgur.com/0mAy76o

    1. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I didn't realize there was a league like this being run.
      I will try and put together a team and enter.

      Cheers 🙂

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Why do you need team ID?

  12. SKENG
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Would you WC this? 1 FT, 0.9 ITB

    Foster Bachmann
    Azpilicueta Duffy TAA* Ayling* Amartey*
    Salah Jota Greenwood Benrahma Sarr
    Ronaldo Antonio Obafemi*

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

      Prolly do a defender transfer and WC next week

  13. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    On wc pick one.
    A)sarr
    B)saka

    Playing 3mf, Salah, Raphina and one of above.

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Saka due to fixtures

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

      Saka. Sarr has horrible fixtures after Leeds

    3. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'm in same boat and another option was sarr for this week then switch to Saka after that. Issue with that is a planned transfer often goes wrong.

  14. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    1 FT. Would you wildcard this:

    Sanchez Steele
    TAA* Shaw* Ayling* Omobamidele* White
    Sarah Benrahma Raphinha Jota Brownhill
    Ronaldo Antonio Jimenez

    Thanks!

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

      If shaw is fit just do a defender transfer. But if not or you suspect Telles will start the next one I'd prolly WC.

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Probs TAA + shaw to 2x Chelsea def for a -4

  15. Casual Player
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Which to sell?

    A. Jota
    B. Traore

    The hold would start this GW for potential 1pt cameo (but hopefully more), then may stick around a few weeks after.

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

      Think Jotas starts are now a lot less secure due to firmino so I'd prolly do him

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

  16. MikeLowrey
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    2FT - Had planned on hitting in Lukaku to push my WC out to a later GW, but the depleted defense is causing issues

    Bachman
    TAA* Shaw* Veltman
    Salah Jota Raph Benny
    Ronaldo Antonio Ings

    (Foster Gilmour Omo Ayling*)

    A) TAA & Ayling to Rudiger & Alonso (WC GW8)
    B) TAA, Shaw & Ings to Christensen, White & Lukaku for -4. Save WC for later

  17. flippetyflop
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A or B please guys?

    A - 2 FTS - TAA to Azpi and Gray to Son before a GW8 WC

    B - WC GW7

    Sanchez/Foster
    TAA/Dias/Shaw/Dunk/Livra
    Salah/Benrahma/Raphina/Gray/Gilmour
    Ronaldo/Antonio/Scarlett

  18. ZTF
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Curious about the Tomiyasu love. Fixtures look pretty good but I’m hesitant to back Arsenal until they play someone decent. Thoughts?

    1. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Agree but at 4.5 its mostly a bench defender, he only needs to play the easier fixtures so I dont think he's a terrible pick

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Looks a decent shout at the price, if I didn't already have White he would be on my radar.

    3. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      how the Spurs have fallen.. they aren't considered decent now.. they were top 1 after 3 gws

  19. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    would you rather have..

    Cancelo or Grealish?

    1. ZTF
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Cancelo

    2. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Cancelo

  20. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    1FT, Sell Torres or Jota or keep both? Backups are Sissoko and Livramento if they dont play

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Sell the one you have least confidence in of starting imo, Sissoko not the worst off the bench this week mind you, Livramento not so much.

      1. Alisson WondHaaland
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Ive already used my WC so Im thinking long term. While I probably think Torres is more likely to start this week, I dont back his chances for minutes in the future while for Jota Im quite confident that'll he'll still play

    2. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Sell Torres IMO. Seems to have dropped right back in the pecking order. It’s 11 into 6 positions at Man City, compared to 4 into 3 at Liverpool.

    3. Pops15
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Has to be Torres. Jota will always get minutes so less of a worry

  21. Pops15
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Rudiger (5.7) vs Christensen (5.0)

    I'm contemplating whether Rudi is worth the .7 more. Both seem quite integral to the Chelsea back 5 atm and I dont think either are fully safe from rotation at some point.

    Currently Christensen has only missed one game from 6 and Azpi had a sub appearance the same week. Reason I mention Azpi is that he is always referred to as one of the most nailed in the back line.

    I can understand the rush to buy Alonso as if hes playing he has a huge points potential with his attacking threat, but I feel there might be a little recency bias with Rudi due to his goal and massive haul 2 weeks back. Rudi only scored once all of last season and provided no assists, he definitely is not one of those CBs that always offer attacking threat as we've seen with players like VVD, Stones last season or even Dawson ( guy is an absolute nut case the way he throws himself at the ball).

    I'm not trying to argue that Christensen is a better option then Rudi, I can see the appeal. Just a little surprised that Christensen hasn't made it into some more squads, especially with the great bench options we have as cover for occasional benchings and the budget savings we recieve. In my opinion both will be getting 6 points a week with the occasional bonus point.

    Would love to hear what others think. Cheers guys!

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'm likely going both, can't afford a more expensive pairing, prepared for an occasional benching for Christensen so ensuring I have a bench that can cover.

      1. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Same!

    2. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I've gone for Christensen, enabled me to get cancelo and upgrade a mid slightly. I agree that he's pretty nailed and will equal Rudiger most weeks.

      1. Pops15
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Exactly the same reason I started looking at the two. Going Christensen gives me the budget to upgrade Shaw + Greenwood to Cancelo + Grealish next week

    3. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I think Christensen over Rudi.

      With centrebacks, unless there’s a clear JS issue (there isn’t here) or disparity in attacking threat (nope), always worth going the cheaper IMO

      Stones over Dias for the middle 1/3rd of last season was one of my best moves.

      The season before I remember after the COVID shutdown Boly being a popular call, and going Saiss instead, and getting more points for less $$

    4. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I think the thing is we still havent seen a fully fit Chelsea back line this season so its hard to predict who plays when this happens.

      Silva was not fully fit at the start, now James is injured. When James returns it'll be interesting to see how many starts each player gets. This is pure guess work but I suspect it'll be Christensen, Silva and James rotating with Chalobah coming in for the odd game, which would mean Christensen starts maybe 2/3 games. If he happens to play the midweek games then that would mean he only starts around 1/2 of prem games at which point Im not sure its worth it.

    5. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Great post btw, really appreciate when people make an effort on stuff like this!

  22. FantasyClub
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Sorry if this has been asked but is Raphinha getting called up for Brazil and if so will this have an effect on his return?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Might do yeah

    2. Pops15
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Ideally he doesn't go. Seems like the 2 weeks rest would do him some good. He cant play the entire season carrying this hip injury

      1. FantasyClub
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Actually true, very good point, I forgot he’s carrying an injury.

  23. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Latest Wildcard. Bruno>KDB next week. Thoughts?

    Ramsdale | Foster
    Rudiger | Christensen | Walker | Duffy | Livramento
    Salah | Fernandes | Raphinha | Saka | Brownhill
    Lukaku | Antonio | Saint-Maximin

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Dont like these 3 Christensen | Walker | Duffy

      Maybe Bruno > Grealish and $ for TAA,Cancelo

      1. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        How about this instead? Think White and Livramento are great substitutes for Christensen and Walker should they get rotated. Ederson is a safe starter for City.

        EDERSON | Foster
        Rudiger | Christensen | Walker | WHITE | Livramento
        Salah | BENRAHMA | Raphinha | Saka | Brownhill
        Lukaku | Antonio | VARDY

  24. derdourily
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Will Ramsdale rise tonight ?

    1. Bruno Commando
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      likely not

  25. FPLMarc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Saka or Smith Rowe?

    I don't want to lose even more money this week by waiting (Jota to drop, Saka to rise). No idea whether Saka is worth the extra investment though.

    1. LeSof
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Depends, Saka if your intent is to play him most weeks, ESR if you’re using him as part of a rotation with a defender

  26. mash
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    'Evening all, advice appreciated!

    Sanchez
    Shaw* Veltman Livramento
    Salah Jota Raphinha Benrahma
    Ronaldo Antonio Bamford*

    Foster TAA* Brownhill Ayling*

    2FT, 0.2 in bank

    Likely to use WC for GW8, so my FTs are looking like either:

    A) Bamford and Shaw to Jimenez and Rudiger (won't lose out from Shaw's likely price drop)
    B) Bamford and TAA to Jimenez and Rudiger (play Rudiger ahead of Livramento and take Shaw drop on chin)

    Which do you reckon is best? I'm tending towards option A so I have the option of keeping TAA on WC, but if he drops back to 7.5 it may not matter!

  27. ZTF
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Schmeichel [Ward]
    TAA* James* Coady [Ayling*, Livr]
    Raph Salah Pogba Benr [Gilmour]
    Antonio Ronaldo [C] Saint-Maximin

    1FT 0.2M

    Where to start? Ayling?

  28. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ordinarily I wouldn’t mind the risk of a Jota benching and 20 minutes against tired legs … except I am not too sure how tired the Man City legs will be

    1. C-Dawgg
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Man City always have more legs

  29. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is it OK to play Livramento and Duffy this GW? Or would you take a -4 to get rid of James or TAA?

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Similar question below. Just want to see what others are doing in the community

  30. Yankee Toffee
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Are managers sitting on TAA (waiting for the IB) and playing bench? For example I’d be playing Livra against CHE…rough stuff

    1. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Waiting to make a final call, but I’m considering getting a bit cute and doing TAA out this week (for Cancelo/Alonso/Azpi), then bring him back in for Shaw next week

      1. gart888
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I'm considering the same. TAA -> Cancelo, then Semedo -> TAA.

        In the end tho, it kind of seems like a waste of a transfer.

    2. Pops15
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'm moving him on with the potential of a WC next week and bringing him back in. If hes out for longer then I may well hold the WC. Ideally prefer that scenario.

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

      I think it's OK if the rest of your team is strong. I mean you would probably want TAA back pretty soon because fixtures are pretty good after the international break (with the exception of Man United away perhaps).

    4. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Ive got Marcal coming in so fairly happy. I do also have Jota and Torres though which isnt ideal...

    5. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      The type of injury is what worries me...

    6. SC not pearls before swine
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Since I've already wildcarding and I don't want to waste two transfers selling him and bringing back, I'm keeping and playing Livramento (or Williams :/). Maybe I'll get lucky again like when he came off the bench with 5 points @ Manchester City.

    7. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      playing Coady White & Coufal with TAA & Livra on my bench … oh wait Coufal is flagged now