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. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Please please please, lads, final question then I'm off:

    1. Martinelli to Gray (- 4)
    2. Play Dias

    P.S. Aren't we overconfident regarding Gray? I mean, he didn't play against Chelsea, but I don't know why exactly — and don't know his situation as of now. What if he misses out against Brighton? Then surely not worth a hit for me.

    1. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Play Martinelli

    2. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I like the look of 1 tbh. I really want Gray as well but struggling with the dilemma of whether to stretch to a -8 for him, especially with these new rumours of doubts. If it's just the 1 hit I'd probably jump straight on it though.

      Any thoughts on mine below would be really helpful

      Bilva > Gray worth a -8?

      DDG Bachmann
      TAA Cancelo Reg White Liv
      Son Jota Bilva Bowen McArthur
      Ron Antonio Hwang
      (-4)

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

        I appreciate it, mate! I myself don't think I'd take a - 8 for Gray. Good luck, sir!

  2. quayle99
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Play

    Saka or Jota

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

      Jota

    2. Kevin Twine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Jota

  3. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Chaos really is a ladder.

    Despite my whinging (I have moaned plenty during this COVID chaos), some how climbed 320k places throughout December.

    How has everyone else fared? The chaos probably has helped the more invested and engaged managers overall.

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Same. I’ve done well out of it. Up to 19k now.

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I played my wildcard early december to spread out cash on bench too. Have had quite a few bench points coming on, so i'd say i accidentally prepared for this chaos. Went from 250k to around 100K now

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

    Don’t mess up your team and take hits for players from Brentford and Everton. You don’t want to wake up with these players in your team next week.

    Only Bowen fromwhu worth A -4

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

      Antonio haul incoming

    2. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      The shock and realisation when Double Gameweek 22 fixtures are announced that Antonio and Bowen will be on everyone’s bench that week

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

        … or hauling against a decimated Leeds defence.

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

      Everton have excellent fixtures, starting with Norwich in GW22, and have further doubles in prospect.

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

      FH22 for the win

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

    Captain

    A - Antonio
    B - Bowen

    First to 3 wins it

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

      B

    2. Diedhiou See That?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B

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

      B

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

      A

  6. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Which one:

    A) Foden to Bowen
    B) Foden to Gray

    Already own Antonio.

    1. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Either A or just ride with Foden and see what’s dished up for GW22

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

    who scores more this week

    A, Dawson

    B, Gray

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

    ANY IDEA FOR THIS TEAM?

    DDG
    TAA Cancelo James*
    Sterling Son Jota Bowen(C) ESR
    Antonio King
    (Foster Duffy Livramento* Pukki*

    1 FT 2.3 ITB

    1. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      James to Johnson or other West Ham for safer risk
      (Also consider a team that may have decent single game this week and a potential fantastic game week if GW22 becomes a DGW)

      James to Digne for MASSIVE RISK M but over a few gameweeks ‘could’ deliver rewards

  9. JollyGoodYellows
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Worth doing Maddison > Gray for free?

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

      yes

  10. VaVaVoom14
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is this Liverpool chelsea game going to get postponed?

    1. Oggle22
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Who knows

  11. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Best move? 2FTs, 0ITB.

    A. Dalot >> Lamptey
    B. Foden >> Gray
    C. Ronaldo+Martinelli >> Kane+Gray

  12. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    James + Foden + Martinelli >>>> Coufal/Dawson + Son + Gray (-8)

    Giving me this 4DGW this week. FH next week.

    DDG
    Dawson TAA Cancelo
    Son Gray Jota Bowen
    Ronaldo Watkins Antonio (c)

    Foster Alonso Saka Livra

  13. winchester
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    which one? (have 2 west hame players)

    a) dawson
    b) keane

    1. Bennyboy1907
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

      1. winchester
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        cheers benny. would you lose livra or james (bought 5.5m)

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

      For that reason I’m going Keane to not triple up and definitely sell James, forget value

  14. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Who to lose for Coufal? Alonso or White?

  15. Moose™
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Brownhill to Bowen©

    Now,

    1. Watkins to Antonio

    A. Yay
    B. Nay

    2. James to
    A. Johnson
    B. Diop

  16. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    a) Tiney and WardProwse
    b) Jota and Dennis

  17. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    too risky to go without any spurs players this gw?

  18. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    G2G?
    Ramsdale
    Trent Jonshon Reg Keane
    Salah Son Jota Bowen Foden
    Antonio(c)

    Foster Dennis Livra Arher

    Cheers

  19. AIRMILES
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Re the article

    I don't understand why you'd WC 3 WHam and 3 Everton players into your team. That's a FH move not a WC move. Seems madness to me. Thoughts from anyone who agrees with Elfozzie?

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

      I've done the same but only two wham three Everton. It's because they both have good long term fixtures. Plus the defenders and Gray are cheap enough to bench. My team was in a state though had 3 Chelsea defenders.

      1. AIRMILES
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks for the reply. I also have three Chelsea defenders, so I'm in the same boat, but saving my WC. I've taken a 4 point hit (Gallagher and James > Bowen and Coufal), and it's allowed me to bench Rudiger and Alonso. I feel that's adequate. I agree WHam and Everton have a good run of fixtures, but I wouldn't want 6 players from those two teams. Probs 4 at the absolute maximum.

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I do think it's a bit short-sighted, especially regarding Everton. I mean Brighton and Leicester are hardly amazing fixtures this week either.

  20. DMP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    ?
    A) Foden to Gray
    B) Alonso to Keane

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

      Both

  21. sfcspartans
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    (A) James to Reg (-4) or
    (B) play Livra?

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

    James+Laca > dawson+Toney (-4)

    GtG?

  23. Teomi
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A son and dcl
    B gray Kane

    Help pls, first to three!!

    1. balint84
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      A

    3. Birdman77
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

  24. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Whar are the likely DGW22 fixtures at this point ?

    1. enrico.palazzo
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      want to know this too

  25. balint84
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bench King or Cash ?

    1. Jump in Micah
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Cash is King? (Sorry - probably would bench Cash)

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

    This was a well written article with different considerations to the norm. Great work.

  27. leo_messi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Ramsdale or Sanchez???

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

      Sanchez ddg next

  28. Ludde
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Have done Bernardo, Watkins and James to Gray, Antonio and Dawson for -8. What do you guys think about these transfers, risky?

  29. RobMcM1991
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all, best move here? 1 FT and 0.1M itb.

    Ramsdale
    TAA - 
Cancelo - Reguilón
    Jota - Salah - Foden - Raphinha - Gallagher*
    Kane - King

    (Foster*) - Livramento* - Amartey* - Davis

    A) Raphina —> Bowen
    B) Raphina + Gallagher —> Bowen + Gray -4
    B) Something else with more DGW players

    Any advice appreciated
    Cheers & good luck!

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

    Go big?

    King Martineli James to Antonio Gray Johnson -8?