Chip Strategy

Why I’m playing the Wildcard ahead of Double Gameweek 21

Whilst most managers would consider it way too early to Wildcard, especially with all the uncertainty around fixtures and Covid cancellations, there is some method to the madness.

For starters, we now know (coronavirus permitting) that Everton, Brentford and West Ham have Double Gameweeks in 21, plus there are further doubles almost certainly coming for a host of teams in Gameweek 22. We also know that a number of players who’ve been fixtures in the template will need moving on, something I’m certainly feeling. For instance, Chelsea players are far less desirable in the short-term with blanks, tough fixtures and erratic form all playing a part even before the Reece James injury, Arsenal’s fixtures aren’t much better, whilst AFCON meant we had to get rid of the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Said Benrahma, Romain Saiss, Riyad Mahrez and, until this morning, Emmanuel Dennis!

Add to this general underperformance of players in my squad like Bernardo Silva and Tino Livramento, unknown return dates for Conor Gallagher and Ben Foster and a feeling that I’m just a bit ‘out of sync’ from the high performers and suddenly the case for a Wildcard doesn’t seem so hard to make.

There is also a potential nuanced chip strategy on offer, with the potential of using a Wildcard in Gameweek 21 to lead into a Bench Boost in Gameweek 22, taking advantage of doubles and prime fixtures, although the lack of data on the 22 doubles makes this less likely.

Key Considerations

Obviously, when you’re going to wildcard rather than simply free hit you’re looking for a longer-term strategic decision that takes into account a number of factors:

  • i) Maximising DGW21 (West Ham, Everton, Brentford)
  • ii) Well placed for DGW22 (Everton, Spurs, Brighton, Leicester, United, Burnley)
  • iii) Still setup for favourable fixtures, blanks and possible doubles in the next four or 5 (Everton, Liverpool, Watford, United, City)
  • iv) The Covid-factor – clubs struggling or looking likely to have outbreaks (Newcastle, Norwich, Chelsea, Liverpool)

On top of all this. we also ideally want some flexibility to change when it all goes wrong, hence the desire to leave a little cash in the bank for maneuvering.

I’ve tried to connect all of the above in my thoughts, although the Double Gameweeks are the prime consideration, which has led to a balanced approach with Everton and West Ham for Gameweek 21 and decent fixtures, plus Liverpool, Spurs, United and Brighton for fixtures and potential Gameweek 22 doubles. I’ve also kept a hand in City, but have abandoned Chelsea and Arsenal totally. I will definitely want to bring Dennis back in (now he’s NOT at the AFCON), but I can do that in Gameweek 22 if I feel the need.

The Squad…so far

  • De Gea – One of the few survivors from the existing side, I think there’s a good chance of a clean sheet against Wolves and a likely double in GW22
  • Sanchez – Brighton have decent fixtures and a likely double in GW22, so I need a playing keeper to keep my bench boost option alive. I did consider Pickford…very briefly!
  • Emerson Royal – If I knew Reguillon would play each match he’d be first choice, but the attacking potential and more guaranteed start down the other flank gets the nod. Ben Davies and Dier were also in consideration.
  • TAA – I think he’s in the ‘unsellable’ category and could have a double in GW22
  • Cancelo – The only player that definitely won’t have a double either week, but a protective manouevre
  • Keane – One of the Everton trio for the double GW21 and ongoing fixtures, and capable of getting involved from goals at set-pieces.
  • Johnson – In some respects the least ‘fixed’ of my defensive line, but at £4.0m I needed a makeweight this week
  • Bowen – I’ve coveted the West Ham attacker for some time and right now he’s an essential
  • Gray – Another entry to Everton midfield, with Townsend out it’s Gray or Doucoure most likely to get forward and cause trouble an I favour Demarai’s pace.
  • Jota – Will be interesting to see how Liverpool hold up as an attacking force without Salah or Mane, but Jota will surely get even more game time and be more of a focus for the attack
  • Son – I’m big on Spurs based on form, likely doubles and fixtures and the only question is Son alone or go for the double-up
  • McTominay – A value pick to get some extra United coverage, I’m not expecting a lot though and he could easily be replaced pre-deadline. He is getting forward more under Ralf Rangnick, however, with more shots in his last four matches than in his previous 12 combined.
  • Calvert-Lewin – A definite punt here, but if we’re trying to make the most of the GW21 double then the best Everton striker has to feature. Could easily be too soon
  • Antonio – Third West Ham asset and I player I’ve owned off and on all season, IF the Norwich game goes ahead I feel there could be the return we’ve all waited for.
  • Kane – I’ve gone for Harry as I think he’s starting to show signs of getting back into the groove and with the fixtures ahead of him I narrowly prefer him over United. That said I have oscillated between Ronaldo and Kane (and likely will till deadline)

Naturally, like any Wildcard, this is a work in progress and will likely change multiple times before the New Year deadline!

2,522 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    TAA • Cancelo • Reguilon • Dalot
    Bowen • Jota • Foden • Son
    Antonio • Ronaldo

    Sanchez • ESR • White • Locadia

    ESR => Gray -4 and bench Dalot or leave as it is?

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

      I’d say roll the dice. ESR will go next for you so take the punt for a double

      1. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Same thinking

  2. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Vitaliy Mykolenko to Everton confirmed.

  3. Junglist95
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Good morning 2022...

    TC Keane!!!

  4. Scotty Dog
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bench 1

    A)Jota
    B)Dennis
    C)Foden
    D)Son

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

      B

  5. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Everton defender or Brentford defender for the double? Can only fit one of them in my FH team

    1. PapaWengzz
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Whats the team looking like?

      1. Jimmy Boy
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Fabianski
        Cancelo - Keane* - Reguilon
        Bowen (c) - KDB - Son - Gray
        Antonio - DCL - Ronaldo

        3.9m - Dalot - Tsimikas - Bissouma

        Final decision is Keane or Pinnock/Jansson, feel like Brentford might actually be more likely for a clean sheet over there two fixtures but Everton appear more popular

        1. MysticMac17
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          I would get Pinnock/Jansson over Reguillon and have Keane alongside him. I would also get Toney over Ronaldo on FH. I don’t understand why you aren’t loading up on all the double gameweek players on a FH. I would even get Fernandez over Fabianksi and get a West Ham defender over Cancelo

          1. Junglist95
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Because most of those SGW players could easily outscore the Brentford dgw ones? And the Everton and W. HAM.

  6. Ruudy Van
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Leicester have no fit strikers in their squad

    A) does that make Maddison more or less appealing?
    B) lookman or barnes to start upfront?

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

    Correct bench?

    DDG
    Trent Cancelo Reg
    Salah Son Jota Bowen Maddison
    Antonio Broja
    Sanchez / Dalot King Lamptey

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

    Final decision is who to replace James with, really can not decide between these..

    1. Coufal
    2. Emerson Royal
    3. Reguillon

    1. Pompey5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      same boat. If Reguillon was nailed I think it would be an easy choice.

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

        Emerson then?

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

      A

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

      Same here, A or C for me

    4. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Dawson 🙂

  9. Erange
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Please help me choose one to start:

    A. Dennis
    B. Reguilon
    C. Saka

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

      b

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

      B

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

    Taken a hit to get in Bowen. Watkins to Antonio worth another one?

    Yay or nay?

    1. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Not for me

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

      Begrudgingly, I’ve made that move. It just feels too risky going without

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

        Agree - he’s in. Hopefully first and last -8 of the season

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

          Yeah, I’m not one for hits either, fingers crossed it pays off!

  11. AlpoShearer
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A. Livra to Keane -4
    B. Smith-Rowe to Gray -4
    C. None

    1. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      tempted by B myself, see below

    2. ILOVEBAPS
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

  12. ‘Tis the Season
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Have I got the bench right?

    DDG
    TAA Cancelo Coufal
    Jota Foden Son Bowan
    Antonio Watkins Dennis

    Subs - Dias ESR Alonso

    OR...

    get Gray (-4) for ESR and bench Jota/Foden

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

    Are the GW21 games now set in stone or is there a possibility that other games will be slotted in on the 11th Jan?

  14. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is Doucoure going to AFCON?

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

      Nice try.

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

        He'll go to AFCON when Josh King finally gets his England call up.

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

          Have the Norsemen conquered England again?

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

      He's French

    3. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      He is French dude

    4. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Fail

    5. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      If France qualifies he could, not a regular starter though-)

      Malian descent so in theory yes.
      But no, he will play for a Everton

  15. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Help is needed please

    Is this FH Team G2G

    Pickford

    Cancelo Dawson Regulion

    Bowen (c) Jota Son Gray

    Kane Antonio (vc) Toney

    De Gea Ramsey Mitchell Tsimikas

    2.8 ITB

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. Catona75
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      How about Keane for Dawson, Benrahma for Jota and DCL for Toney? Just a thought

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

    What keepers on wildcard?

    Pickford has dgw now
    Sanchez might have next

    How about DDG?

    What are best combo?

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

    1FT 3.3m ITB

    Guaita
    TAA Cancelo Dawson
    Son Foden Jota Bernardo Bowen (C)
    Watkins Antonio

    Foster* - King Livra White

    Might not matter given Foden COVID rumour, but start King or Bernardo?

  18. boroie
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bench 1…

    A - Dier (wat)
    B - Cancelo (ars)
    C - TAA (che)
    D - Jota (che)
    E - Foden (ars)
    F - Broja (BRE)

    * Also have Salah

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

    I hadn't seen this earlier, but posted by a few sources a couple of days ago:

    “Demarai Gray travelled with the squad to Stamford Bridge and tested positive.”

    https://twitter.com/EFCdaily_/status/1476305681028460544

    If so, that'll be why he missed out. Not injury or another illness of sorts. That match was on 16th December so way past the isolation period.

  20. Billybigspuds
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    OK, saw a few a comments that foden may have covid - anyone able to provide any insight?

  21. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Play Saka or Broja?

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

    Who to start?
    A. Martinelli (mci)
    B. Alonso (LIV)

  23. Fpl_Ludwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC?

    Pickford
    TAA - Cash - Cancelo - Dawson - Pinnock
    Son - Gray - Bowen
    Kane - Antonio

    Bench: Sá - Jota - Maddison - King

  24. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    What are latest Demarai Gray news? In training but starting both?

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Lei are in all sorts so game might be postponed but no confirmation.

      1. MysticMac17
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Not based on COVID but on injuries and AFCON. It won’t be postponed and it’s 12 days away

  25. Espanyolie
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    TC worth in anyone this week?

    1. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      There will be better doubles for that I’m sure

  26. Malinwa
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    In for James:

    A) Cash
    B) Coufal
    C) Dawson

  27. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Chasing a 50pt lead, how what would you do to this team? Leader has Bowen/DCL

    (1FT & 0.1itb)
    Sanchez
    TAA/Cancelo/Alonso/James*
    Salah/Jota/Son/Foden
    Antonio/Borja
    (Ramsdale/ESR/Manquillo/Davis)

  28. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    So James, Martineli, King I recon would get around 6 points if played by me plus 8 points for 2 hits I may take.
    Bringing 3 DGWers in theory gives me at least 12 points at start so would need one return in six games to break even.
    Makes sense?

  29. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    My FT this week

    James out for

    Tierney or
    Reguillon

  30. Manani
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Coufal or Dawson?