Chip Strategy

FPL chip strategy: When to play the Free Hit, Bench Boost and Triple Captain?

Learn to choose your battles. Battles not fought are not lost; simply battles not worth fighting for.

Chips are on the minds of a lot of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers. No, I’m not talking about the ones where just one is not enough (clearly FPL has adopted this line of thinking after their Christmas gift) but the ones that could potentially lead to big gains in FPL if lethally deployed.

When I’m looking around, I’ve seen a lot of FPL managers play their chips simply because of ‘FOMO’ (fear of missing out) or because they are presuming their better opportunities will not arrive in the future. Within this article, I aim to cast an eye on what opportunities might arrive in the future and what factors you should think about while deploying your chips. I just want to reiterate at this point that what you should do with the chips is fully dependant on your team. I just want to give more FPL food to chew upon. That’s about it. At this point, I want to just take this opportunity to thank Legomane, Ben Crellin, Talha Nadeem, Planet FPL, Pras and Sonaldo who have been doing excellent work on this topic and serve as the basis of my research.

First off, let’s quickly look again at Double Gameweek 22.

As I already cited in my article last week, no team has a standout pair of Double Gameweek 22 matches on paper with the exception of Watford. In addition, popularly owned ‘single’ Gameweekers like Liverpool, West Ham United and Everton have good fixtures on paper and there is a strong chance you could miss out on some hauls if you Free Hit these players out. There has been enough conversation around Gameweek 22 so I am not going to dwell further on it. Let’s look ahead at potential future opportunities and factors to consider.

Blank Gameweek 27

The Carabao Cup has now concluded there are two games that are going to be postponed because of it:

  • Arsenal vs Liverpool
  • Chelsea vs Leicester City

At this point, I would like to thank regular FFScout contributor Legomane for the planning charts he makes available for us, which help visualise the free midweeks and what is scheduled for the team in play.

There is a chance that Liverpool could have a Double Gameweek 26 (which I will touch upon later). Also, these four teams are not guaranteed to blank in Gameweek 27; one of their outstanding fixtures could potentially be moved to the midweek of Gameweek 27, although that would require them and their opponents not to reach the FA Cup fifth round.

For the purposes of this piece, let’s assume that these four teams blank in Gameweek 27. The ownership from these four, especially Liverpool, is considerably high, which does tell me that there is a potential opportunity to play a Free Hit chip in this week. There are some good targetable fixtures in Gameweek 27 with your Free Hit, too, in my opinion. I’ll just list them down here:

  • Everton vs Manchester City
  • Manchester United vs Watford
  • Crystal Palace vs Burnley
  • Southampton vs Norwich

Blank Gameweek 30

As we can see above, Gameweek 30 is where the FA Cup quarter-finals take place, meaning that a lot of teams should blank. At the moment, we have one confirmed fixture in Gameweek 30 and that is Aston Villa vs Arsenal. This confirmed fixture is also quite important to note, as you can have an overview of things and a little bit of shrewdness with transfers can go a long way.

Given the way the FA Cup draw has fallen so far, we could potentially see a considerable number of teams blanking in Gameweek 30. So the Free Hit chip could be handy to tackle this Blank Gameweek if your team is hit hard by postponements.

Why I mention Arsenal and Aston Villa here is that we know for sure that they have a fixture in Gameweek 30 and both teams have good fixtures (and a potential double or triple for Aston Villa) in the weeks beforehand, which is something to keep in mind before selling players from these teams. It could potentially lead to you dead-ending your team in Gameweek 30 instead of deploying the Free Hit chip that week and then using the Wildcard in Gameweek 31.

Again, there is no straightforward chip strategy that I’m aiming to bring to light with this article. These are simply factors to consider and think about when planning when to deploy your chips. Like I mentioned at the top of the article, there will be many battles to fight until Gameweek 38 and you can avoid ‘FOMO’ by picking and choosing your battles wisely. For example, I am loosely thinking about holding onto Aaron Ramsdale (£5.1m) and Bukayo Saka (£6.4m) with the view of maybe saving a Free Hit for Gameweek 30. Aston Villa are also something to think about.

Potential Double or Triple Gameweek 23

There could be a Double or Triple Gameweek 23, with the potential for games to be scheduled during the FA Cup fourth round or during the international break.

There are free TV slots on Saturday at 5.30pm and Sunday at 2pm in the first weekend of February, which could signal a Double Gameweek (likely for Aston Villa and one of Burnley or Leeds United) – although it’s worth noting that there is a big England rugby game at 5pm on that Saturday.

Additionally, as per The Athletic, Premier League teams could schedule games during the winter break but you would think that this break is for international teams outside of Europe that have matches. Teams with important players from South America (for example) might have a problem with their blanks getting scheduled here.

This is just speculation, of course. But Aston Villa definitely have a game in Gameweek 30 and these are their fixtures in the mid-term.

They have home games against Leeds United, Watford and Southampton and an away trip to Newcastle United in the mid-term. This makes me think that instead of using Free Hit on their assets in Gameweek 23, I’d much rather spend points, take some hits and buy their players because they have good mid-term fixtures and a confirmed match in Gameweek 30 which might help me save a Free Hit there as well. Again these are just food-for-thought musings from my end and you can choose to do what you want with this information.

Potential Liverpool Double Gameweek 26

As we can see in Legomane’s chart above (click to expand), Liverpool have a free midweek in Gameweek 26 in which they play Norwich at home. They also have a home game against Leeds United still to be scheduled and if it falls in Gameweek 26, I don’t think there is ever going to be a better opportunity to deploy the Triple Captain chip with Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) facing Norwich City and Leeds United at home. The one caveat is that Liverpool are likely to blank in Gameweek 27.

Situation after Gameweek 30

At this point, without going into too much detail, I just want to touch upon what happens after Gameweek 30.

Gameweek 33 is where the FA Cup semi-finals take place. The midweek after this is free, giving potential for a large Double Gameweek. Also, teams that are in the FA Cup semi-final could either blank or have their one Gameweek 33 fixture pushed to midweek. So Gameweek 33 is one where some teams could double, some would have a single match and some could have none. A good week for chip deployment, primarily your Free Hit, Bench Boost or maybe Triple Captain.

Similarly, the midweeks after Gameweek 36 and Gameweek 37 are also free and traditionally the former is a big Double Gameweek where a lot of managers look to Bench Boost. You can even think about using your Free Hit chip here should you wish to.

I don’t want to delve too much into post-Gameweek 30 but hopefully this helps you with some planning and primarily your decision with what to do in Gameweek 22. I quickly want to say thanks to Pras and Zophar for skimming through this article. The point I really wanted to make is there will be many opportunities to be aggressive during this season and it won’t be possible to do so all the time. Pick your battles based on your team and based on potential upside.

If you want to know more, you can view our latest episode of The FPL Wire below:

1,115 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    I’m looking to BB any suggestions on what to do? Thanks alot
    .2 ITB 1FT

    Sanchez Pickford
    Trent Cancelo Dalot Johnson Davies
    Son Jota Gray Bowen Raphinha
    Kane (C) DCL Antonio

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Son to Maddison is popular

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

    For GW22

    Who is the best DGW defender to have?

    &

    Who would you have out of Ronaldo or Kane?

    Any ideas would be welcomed

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

    Son to Maddison tonight safe enough?

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Wait if you can

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Just done that and saved 0.2 potentially

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

    Only got 2 x DGW players so tempted to FH or maybe take a -8 to get 5 x DGW:

    DDG Steele
    TAA Cancelo Tierney Coufal Livra
    Foden Bilva Jota Salah Bowen
    Antonio Dennis Edouard

    Had a few green arrows in a row and behind in league so want to keep momentum going,got 97 points last week.

    I think even taking a minus 8 team still won’t be great so maybe FH the way to go but that’ll be both used. Would like to keep Salah too.

    Thoughts?

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

      Salah & Ed to Maddison & Kane... plenty of DGW imo

      good team

      1. TheBear
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah was wanting Kane and Maddison,got a funny feeling Daka will perform really well this week too….

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

    Enjoyed putting this together.

    Hope it's helpful.

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Is that a wrong team linked to your account LR? Seems to be doing well 😛

  6. EffPeeEll
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    If I read all that my eyes will bleed.

    What did he say?

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Couldn't be any clearer in the circumstances

    2. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Congrats on having the attention span of a dung beetle

  7. barton fc
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Best option?

    A) son + Davis > lookman + Ronaldo - 4
    B) son + Davis + Watkins > maddison + Ronaldo + Denis - 8

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

    Best Tottenham defender?

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Royal given injury concern surrounding reg

  9. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Xhaka red card

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Overreaction from the ref there

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

        You can't kick someone in the chest.

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

        Back to bed you

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

    Xhaka attempted murder on Jota.

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

      He want to FH, but reluctant to lose Jota

  11. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is it Newcastle that have signed Coutinho and Digne, Villa that have signed Trippier and Wood and just being reported wrong lol?

  12. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Xhaka ree

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      *red

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

    Start Bilva (CHE) ahead of Gallagher (bha) ya?

    A: yes
    B: no

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No, Gallagher much more likely to get something

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

        it really feels that way! thanks

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

      Nope

  14. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Xhaka is a liability

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Totally and utterly.

  15. EDUARDO DA SILVA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Nketiah you idiot

  16. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Do EFL Cup reds count towards Prem games?

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

      Yes.

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

      Red card susoensions apply across all competitions but yellows don't

    3. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yep, you'll have to drop Xhaka! 😉

  17. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    How’s the wc looking. Cash in bank to go Maddison to salah whenever he’s back

    Sa Sanchez
    Alonso taa cancelo coady royal
    Maddison raphinha gray Bowen jota
    Dennis king Kane

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

      Looks decent. Lacks City players though

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers. Selling foden on wc is one I know could backfire

  18. fplgaruda
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Shocking, Xhaka red

  19. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Boom Xhaka Laka 😀

  20. 2999 - Lady of Legend
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Anfield never fun for us gooners 🙁

  21. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Xhaka has to be one of the dumbest most boneheaded footballer player i've ever watched

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Walking red card waiting to happen.

    2. NorCal Villan
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      He’s a hockey goon

  22. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Target Arsenal for FPL. No central mids.

    1. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      They’ll have to play someone with a couple of brain cells now

    2. EL tridente
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Captain Kane is ready for DGW!

    3. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Good job it's just Spurs up next 😉

  23. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Helps preserve Liverpool assets, and maybe Arsenal too if Liverpool put the game to bed early.

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yup and then Trent and Jota off sharp for a nice warm glass of milk and an early night.

  24. Grande Tubarão
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    What is wrong with Xhaka? Arsenal should just terminate his contract

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

      Then send him to Antarctica

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

      At least he was in position, where is te other defenders? Tierney? Yes, it looks stupid when he hits Jota in the chest but ffs he at least is there in contrast to every one else in that Arsenal team.

  25. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    DDG
    Alonso TAA Cancelo
    Maddison Jota Bowen Bilva
    Ronaldo King Antonio

    Foster Gray Dawson Livramento

    What to do here please?

    1. Hold
    2. Play Gray (nor) over Bilva (CHE)
    3. Bilva >> Moura (-4)
    4. Livramento >> Reguilon (-4)

    Cheers

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      2 got to play anyone against Norwich

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

      2

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      2

  26. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone looking for a definition of ‘liability’ look no further than Xhaka

    1. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Imbecile

      1. Grande Tubarão
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        (Him, not you in case that wasn’t clear)

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

    1FT 4m ITB

    Guaita
    TAA Cancelo Dawson
    Foden* Jota Bernardo Bowen
    KING Antonio Watkins

    Foster* - White Livra* Son*

    1 DGW player and 1FT, FH time?

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

    Excellent article, and the fpl wire was a good listen too. One option that wasn’t discussed is to dead end the squad into GW27 and wildcard in GW28. That’s when we’ll want to dump residual United assets and get back on board with Chelsea. There might also be DGW opportunities to exploit. By combining with a FH in GW30 there won’t be any BGW hassles to worry about.

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

    Still recall how arsenal fans kept crying how unlucky they were vs city lool with Brain dead players like Xhaka you really can’t complain can you

    1. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      They were a bit unlucky vs City tbf.

  30. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Xhaka will be telling Arsenal fans to F off next week after we rightfully blame him for today's loss. Idiot