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

    Better combo long term?
    No WC left so Watkins have 2 more games over Bowen

    A) Kane + Bowen

    B) Watkins + Son

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

      A

    2. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Long term probably B, but Bowens form makes it close.

    3. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers

  2. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Captain confusion!! Tempted by Maddison..

  3. BOATIES FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Does it make sense to start Foster over Ramsdale?

    Cheers

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No

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

        Foster (new bur)
        Ramsdale (tot)

        I was thinking he either plays or doesn't not likely to get a cameo

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes. Could get a jammy assist or pen save. Should get nice few saves but CS a bit optimistic. I'm benching Sa.

      1. Ron_Swanson
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I think the main question is around the likelihood that he plays

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

          Looks good and fans comments are enthusiastic about him, but nothing definite. If he doesn't play your usual No. 1 gets in anyways. Wouldn't buy ir sell him.

          https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/19844973.watford-players-return-injury-newcastle-united-match/

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

      I am doing that

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

      yes

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

      Yes

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

    1) Son -> Maddison
    2) Son and Broja -> Maddison and Dennis (-4)
    3) Son and Antonio -> Kane and Maddison (-4) (have Ronaldo so not sure I will captain)

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

      2

    2. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      1.
      Antonio has great fixtures
      I doubt Dennis will make up the -4 points

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

        Thanks, with 2) it’s Broja out and I will then keep and play Antonio

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

    A) Play Gray (vs. NOR), bench Son
    B) Livramento > Lamptey (bench Son + Gray)
    C) Son > Fernandes
    D) Son > someone else

    Part of me has an eye on the Son drop tonight.

    Re: D - Have Maddison. Don't really want Moura/Tielemans/Lookman etc, as fixtures mixed after.

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

      I always follow the strategy that if I don't know what to do, then the best thing to do is nothing and never take a hit, or save the transfer until next week where things are usually clearer and I have better options

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

        You are a sage

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

    team value 94.5m 12m ITB
    Covid is doing crazy things to my FPL strategies.

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

      *93.5m

  7. GRIMANDI [formerly boring M…
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone hearing Arsenal will apply to have NLD postponed due to having less than 13 available 1st teasers?

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

      As long as we know by 9 in the morning!

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

      Considering 1 was sent off he can’t be included in the “missing” that’s a farce

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Is he available? No

        Hardly a farce

      2. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Apparently there's a different squad criteria for League Cup than for Premier League. Can go down lower to U20s and below to make up a League Cup squad but PL has a more senior look. Don't quote me though, think I heard that on some pod.

    3. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Quote from Arteta on a post on the previous page on here saying that Arteta says they ‘have to play the NLD, no excuses’

  8. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Repost bottomed-

    Evening all!!! Best double gameweek defender for this week????

    Cheers!!!

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Royal

  9. Torres76
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Sell which one first for Maddison

    1. Salah
    2. Son

    Both dropping in value tonight

    Cheers

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

      Son. Salah should be back before him.

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

      close price changes website and you won't know about it
      also it's impacted by FH teams so won't know for sure they're dropping

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

        This

    3. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      If you've held salah this far, you might as well keep.
      Egypt lost their first game, he may be home sooner than you think

  10. Subzero (-4)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Evening fellas. Anyone going without Kane and ronaldo? If so who you captaining?

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Dennis

      1. Subzero (-4)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah Dennis is weirdly tempting me lol

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

      At the moment I don't have them. Will probably take a punt on Dennis if I don't take a hit to get one of them in.

      1. Subzero (-4)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Which one you considering for the hit then?

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

          I have Watkins, Antonio and Dennis so would probably drop Watkins for Ronaldo.

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

      Prob Maddison.

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

      Yup. King, Maddison most likely … will decide tomorrow

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

        Employing the DENNIS system

  11. myteamissheeeeeeeet
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Do any of you sexy people care to share your FH team for this game week so that I can get some ideas?

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

      Just read the last 4 pages

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

      One post, 12 year lurking leach. The worst

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Theyve posted before

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

          I'll have to take your word for it as history doesn't show anything.

          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Rare enough posting dor me to be genuinely surprised that they would name themselves that

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

        Not feeling the love tonight Rover.

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

          12 year gravless lurkers asking people to pick their FH team for them are never getting any love here 🙂

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

      Classic FFS “mama birding” 😎

    4. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah. Just subscribe to my Only Fans.

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

    Foster
    TAA, Alonso, Coufal, Cancelo
    Bowen, Maddison, Sterling, Jota
    Dennis, Antonio
    (Ramsdale, Watkins, Livra, Mahrez)
    0 FT 4.5mil itb

    You think it's worth taking a -8 to get Ronaldo and Moura in for Watkins and Mahrez? Or any other suggestions? Cheers.

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No I’d just do Mahrez to Moura personally

    2. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Villa have great fixtures and potential double so he's a keeper.

  13. jia you
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Locked & Loaded after getting rid of Tsimikas, Son, Edouard & Foden. GL for the GW all!

    Lloris
    Trent Robertson Reguilon
    Jota KdB Bowen Maddy Sancho
    Dennis King
    (Gunn Cancelo Watkins Livra)
    1.7itb

  14. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Assuming fit, who's better to have this week

    Kane or Dennis?

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Prefer Dennis this GW even if same they were the same price

  15. WibblesTeam
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Ronaldo (c), King, no fit 3rd defender
    B) King (c), Antonio, Cucurella''

  16. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Best defender 4.9 and under?

    Currently on Lampety

    1. Francescoli
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      On free hit? If so, I'd get Lowton or Burn.

  17. GE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    King or Dennis (yellow flag)?

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

      Dennis is fit, ignore the flag

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

        Ok, tx

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

          I'm not saying that Dennis is the answer, just that you should ignore the flag when deciding

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

      Dennis

    3. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Dennis

  18. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Arteta on if there's a possibility that the Spurs game could be called off: "We try to prepare the games thinking always that we are going to play. If something happens along the way... it is what it is."

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

        that sounds like the groundwork being set for a postponement

  19. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Son > Maddison
    B) Son + Antonio > Maddison + Kane (-4)
    C) Son + Livra > Maddison + Royal (-4)

    Sanchez
    TAA Keane Cancelo
    Bowen Gray Gallagher Jota
    Dennis Ronaldo Antonio

    Steele Livra* Son* White

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

      I'm doing A.

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

    Why would anyone bench Watkins vs Man Utd? They’ve managed two CS since October and when they met last Monday Watkins hit the crossbar.

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

      Because people have deep teams and have 10 better options?

      For me Antonio, Dennis, Bowen, Jota, Maddison, Rudiger, TAA, Cancelo are all better plays than him. So then I need to start 2 of Watkins, Martinelli, Dias, and Foden. Watkins is far from a slam dunk there.

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I have him. Thinking about getting Coutinho over a doubler too. Sure why not?

  21. gart888
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Do Son to Mads tonight to beat the price rise?

    Or hold off for more info tomorrow morning?

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

      Think you know the answer 🙂

      prices irrelevant

    2. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Tomorrow AM

  22. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    I was all ready to FH, and then it looked like Arsenal might not have a team (they will), and then it looked like the Foxes might spring another BS excuse (they probably can't), but...

    Sanchez (DBL)
    TAA, Cancelo, Reggie (DBL and rested)
    Jota, Bowen, Hojbjerg (DBL), Son (DBL and out)
    Antonio, DCL, CR7 (DBL)

    Son is definitely going. Likely Tielemans for me. And, that might be it. Might not take hits.

  23. Hibbopotamus
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    would've had like 6-7 healthy players, so i'm just going for it:

    DDG (Foster)
    Rudiger, Alonso, Lamptey (Emerson, Cucurella)
    Mount, Moura, Maddison, Trossard (Barnes)
    Kane, CR7, Dennis

    that the right back 3? Barnes worth the punt over Trossard, or another mid entirely?

    1. Hibbopotamus
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      this is a FH, to be clear

    2. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      scary going without Jota and Bowen but very strong team

      1. Hibbopotamus
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        have both in my normal lineup, but figured i got nothing to lose with all the injury issues, and since lot of folks aren't going to be targeting this DGW it could be lucrative, so might as well roll the dice. expecting it to blow up in my face later on but hey.

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

      I can't decide at all. Bit concerned with Lamptey's minutes. Im on Rudiger Alonso Reguillon but looking at Trent, and maybe Cucurella and Cancelo too

      1. Hibbopotamus
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        yeah i might end up going back to emerson, one piece of this i don't feel reasonably okay with

  24. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Best defender that isn’t Dalot Trent Davies or Cancelo? Thanks.

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

      Lamptey for this week

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Robbo

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

    My team is a complete mess, probably worth a FH?

    DDG
    Cancelo TAA Reguilon* Johnson*
    Foden* Gray Bowen
    Ronaldo* King Broja*
    Foster* Tsimikas Son** Salah**

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

      decide tomorrow when some flags come off but ya atm thats worth a FH

  26. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    which one would you choose from:

    A) Gray 5.5
    B) Doucouré 5.4
    C) Gordon 4.5

    ?

    1. Hibbopotamus
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Gordon is on a heater, but I think Gray is a bit more secure of gametime

  27. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Pick 1 to bench please....

    A....gray at Norwich

    B....foden v chelsea

    C....Antonio v Leeds (got bowen)

    Thanks

    1. AD105
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

  28. AD105
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Any defenders who you would confidently say are worth a -4 for Reece James this week? Planning to bring Laporte in next week but know the defence in general needs patching up… Current team is:

    De Gea
    TAA Cancelo James
    Bowen Jota Madders Bernardo
    Ronny Dennis Antonio

    Foster Duffy Brownhill Livra

  29. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Planning on saving ft. Lined up correctly?

    DDG
    Trent, Cancelo, Reguillon, Lowton
    Jota, Bowen, Gray
    Kane, Dcl, Antonio

    Sanchez, Dawson, Ramsey, Son 1ft

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

    Looking at Son to Tielemans for free
    Which second move to prioritise, ie: who scores more over the next 2 gw?

    Antonio to Kane -4 (ARS lei followed by che)
    ESR to Raphinha -4 (whu followed by NEW)

    Is it worth doing both -8? Only have White as a playing sub this week and unsure if Foden plays