Chip Strategy

Gameweeks 9 v 13: When is the best time to play the FPL Wildcard?

Gameweek 8 was the busiest week for Wildcard deployment in 2022/23 so far.

Over 650,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers activated it, taking total usage of the chip to around 27%.

But for the rest of us with the Wildcard still intact, when is the best time to use it?

Gameweeks 9 v 13: When is best to play the FPL Wildcard? 3

Nearly half of the early responders in our poll say Gameweek 9 and many of those will have already hit the ‘activate’ button.

Just under a quarter of voters say that they are undecided, however, so we’ll run through the pros and cons of two of the Gameweeks that many others are considering: Gameweeks 9 and 13.

This article is built on the excellent groundwork laid by Pras, who shared his thoughts on potential Wildcard windows before a ball had even been kicked in early August – and many of his arguments for and against are as valid then as they are now.

GAMEWEEK 9

FIXTURES SORTED BY DIFFICULTY (‘EASIEST’ FIRST)

GAMEWEEK 9 WILDCARD: PROS

  • Revisit Gameweek 8 blankers: Six Premier League teams were without a fixture in Gameweek 8 and you may have transferred out some of their players simply in order to get a competitive starting XI. If sold, the likes of Mohamed Salah (£12.9m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.4m) and Reece James (£6.0m) could be immediately brought back in at the drop of a hat, with Chelsea, in particular, now enjoying a mostly favourable run of fixtures up until the World Cup hiatus.
  • Negotiate Blank Gameweek 12: A Blank Gameweek 12 is looming for both Arsenal and Manchester City, so using a Wildcard now can help plan for that postponement. Many of us may own six players between the two clubs and so now, especially with Arsenal’s trickier Gameweek 9-10 fixtures, might be a good opportunity to reduce the representation from one or both clubs.
  • Fixture swings: One of the key motivational factors for any Wildcard window is fixture swings, and there are lots of those as we head into October. The fixture schedules of Leicester City, Chelsea and Crystal Palace are all suddenly a sea of blue, while many of the teams we previously targeted, such as Arsenal, Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool, have some trickier tests in the short term especially.
  • Improve team value?: One nice by-product of a Wildcard in an international window is that it gives you two weeks to make incremental team value increases, rather than the usual one. If you hop on James Maddison (£7.9m) now and he rises twice over the international break, for example, you’ve increased your spending power by £0.1m. We really have to temper expectations on this front, however, as there are usually fewer double price-risers than you might imagine in a fortnight such as this.
  • More time to take effect: “Never judge a Wildcard on one Gameweek”, the old mantra goes, and by using the chip now you are giving yourself a full eight Gameweeks for your carefully constructed squad to deliver on its promise and negate any unforeseen bad luck/variance you might get in one round of matches. By leaving it later, say until Gameweek 13, you’re relying on the overhauled XV to hit the ground running and prosper in a shorter space of time.
  • React to international break injuries: Prepare for a deluge of yellow flags and withdrawals over the next fortnight; some of the injuries might even be genuine. Yes, it’s the first international break of the season and the last one before the World Cup, so you can probably expect to see lots of strong-looking sides named as nations gear up for Qatar 2022. The European countries are in UEFA Nations League action, too, so the extra competitive edge may lead to a small rise in injuries, especially if there are fewer in-game rests and less rotation.

GAMEWEEK 9 WILDCARD: CONS

 

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398 Comments Post a Comment
  1. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Current WC team, what would you change? Thank you.

    Weak areas I feel are Martinelli (as I don’t overly like the fixtures but price is very good) and Solanke.

    Guaita
    
TAA, James, Cancelo

    Salah, Maddison, Zaha, Martinelli
Haaland, Mitro, Solanke
    (Ward, Guehi, Andreas, Neco)

    1. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      The main problem with Solanke pick is that if he fails to produce there is no one else to replace him in the straight swap. The rest is a template.

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

        Maupay could be an option with 0.5 itb? His fixtures get nice and green as Solanke’s get trickier around gw13

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          DCL is just about fit again. But tbf he's probably due another injury by GW13

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo to Trippier and upgrade Solanke.

      1. Atimis
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        TAA to Trippier if any

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          Flip a coin.

    3. Atimis
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Don't think that TAA is needed at this stage, if you downgrade him, you can easily punt on some ~8.0 mid

  2. Atimis
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Toying with Solanke over Toney on a WC as it would allow an easy route for Salah and other strong mid.

    27.0 to fill the gaps, could be Salah/KDB, Diaz and Solanke. Thoughts?

    Guaita/Ward
    Cancelo/James/Trippier/Neco/Emerson
    X/X/Maddison/Zaha/Pereira
    Haaland/Mitro/X

    1. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Solanke pick in an isolation has a merit. However, as I responded above to Rafa, the main question is who will replace him if he fails to produce. There is no reliable option in his price range.

      1. Atimis
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        True that, eventually you need 2FTs/hit to fix that

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Salah, Toney and Marti/ Sinistera.

      1. Atimis
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Salah in now is comfortable just can some big point for KDB 9-11 which makes me not so sure about Salah

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          Other option is to bring Salah in GW12

    3. theodosios
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Why you need Salah? 🙂

      1. Atimis
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        I'm just thinking about GW12. I can be very happy with KDB now just have to have some plan for GW12.

        1. theodosios
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          As I can see, you don't have Arsenal players atm and you can easily bench 2 City players for GW12.
          Salah definitely not worth 13m this season. Nunez, Jota, Diaz, Firmino, they will all take a piece of cake.

          1. Atimis
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 1 month ago

            Defo would like to have one of them, I'm not saying Salah is the best, just can look the safest

    4. McSlu
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Sounds like a good plan. I have tinkered about this as well.
      I am also trying out alternatives with Kane up there as well, and with Solanke you could still field a pretty decent midfield with e.g. Diaz and Foden.
      Problem for me is I can't get Mitro, witch is someone I would like as well

    5. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Do you really think Bournemouth will open up now & actually create some chances for Solanke. A casual look at the fixtures sees green, but I think they still struggle in all the next 4 games. Would rather have Daka or Brennan if you really need a cheap striker short-term

      1. Atimis
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Totally agree that it would be a punt, you could just say now or never. Is Daka fit and nailed?

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          Fit, certainly not as nailed as Solanke, but I expect him to continue getting a decent run of starts now with Vardy perhaps shifting to an impact sub role, and Iheanacho perennially ignored except in 2 striker formations

          1. Atimis
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 1 month ago

            He could be gold punt, yeah

  3. ceerus
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    A) Salah Toney
    B) Kane Rashford/Trossard

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      A but it is close

    3. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      A

    4. Raheem S. Archer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      A but B gives you about 3mil more to spend elsewhere so doesn't seem a fair comparison

  4. The Tinkerman
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Isak and Patterson on my WC last week…

    1. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Isak's injury probably not so serious but the Patterson's one did not look very optimistic yesterday

    2. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Get tinkering.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Isak is a fake injury imo, he wants to stay and fight for that striking spot when Wilson is back.

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 15 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          What happened to Patterson?

          1. The Mentaculus
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 1 month ago

            Stretchered off in Scotland game last night

    3. THAT'S LIFE
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Why injuries are good:
      1. Less benching decisions to get wrong
      2. With 5 subs players are playing 70 or 20 a lot more than 0 or 90 these days.
      3. Easy transfer decisions if at bare bones

  5. szmajchel
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Who from West Ham do you think is worth buying now?
    Fabianski, zouma, paqueta?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Avoid for now, we are still not out of second gear.

    2. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I dont like them at all. But if you want to have one of them it should be Zouma. Cheap, nailed and he can score one or two odd goals.

      1. The Abyss
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        It’s not just football’s he’s good at kicking too!

  6. jack88
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Pope
    Cabcelo trippier james
    Salah Madison zaha martinelli
    Toney haaland Mitro

    Ward patterson nico pereira

    Thoughts on wc draft?

    1. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      If you are fine with Salah that there is nothing else to say. However Patterson probably is probably injured.

      1. jack88
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Replacement of salah?

        1. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          It depends on your assessment of Salah's value. Many people here do not view him as option due to his price. They have Haaland as a perma-capitan, so in their opinion Salah's price and form do not justify his inclsuion into their squad. They prefer KdB or even Son or Diaz and reinforcements in other formations.

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Template

  7. theodosios
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    4.3m to replace Patterson on Wildcard.

    Mings or Emerson?

    1. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Ming is at least nailed

      1. theodosios
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        yeah...thanks bro

    2. Krafty Werks
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Mings or Justin depending when you may need him to play?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Justin

  8. Krafty Werks
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Can the Trippier / Saliba rotation pair cover TAA in the upcoming fixtures be viable to save funds at the back?

    A back line of : Cancelo / James / Trippier / Saliba / Justin(or Fofana) in a 3/4/3.

    TAA fixtures = BHA / ARS / MCI / WHA / NFO / LEE / TOT / SOU

    Trippier/Saliba rotation gives = FUL / BRE / LEE / EVE / SOU / NFO / SOU / WOL

    Also means I get to keep Saliba who I've had from the start and have good funds tied up in. Allows around 1.5m in funds extra to spent elsewhere in the team. Think I'm gonna go with it!!

    1. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      If you have had Saliba from the start keep him. He is poor man's VVD:)

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Hey, I considered the same but as a rotation for Cancelo, not for Trent.

        Cancelo and Saliba both have blank in GW 12, will you have 11 playing players in GW 12?

        My plan is to utilize that rotation and in GW 13 sell Trippier to Cancelo

        I still think GW 13 onwards both Cancelo and Trent are must

        1. Krafty Werks
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          Ok, yes will have 11 players for GW12 as follows :

          Guaita
          James / Trippier / Justin
          Salah / Maddison / Barnes / Zaha / Andreas
          Mitrovic / Toney

          Begovic, Haaland / Cancelo / Saliba

          I can also sell Tripps > TAA in GW13 by downgrading Barnes then when the fixtures start to get a little tougher for Leicester and I am no longer really want the attacking double up. Bailey/Dasilva or the likes in then maybe? Even 4 at the back looks good then until GW16 anyway, what with Saliba having SOU / NFO / CHE / WOL...it's only really the Chelsea game you wouldn't want to play? Think I'm gonna go with it!!

  9. The Knights Template
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Socceroos playing New Zealand at the moment. Great chance to scout Chris Wood.

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Good shout

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Typical aussies score a worldie

      1. The Knights Template
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, I’d rather see a well crafted goal. NZ look more likely to do that.

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          Wood Hattie incoming

          1. The Knights Template
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 1 month ago

            I like Just, sneaky, niggly little player.

            1. Bring back Timmy
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 1 month ago

              De Jong pretty good too

  10. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    My WC dilemma boils down to:

    A) Martinelli + Isak
    B) Rashford + Mitro

    1. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      B)

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

        Thanks. Only thing stopping me is I've made 0.4 on Marti and 0.1 on Isak

    2. COYS Down Under
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Isak is injured if reports are to be believed. I’d go B

  11. boc610
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Messi's holier than thou image about to take a bit of a battering....the narrative was that here was a player who was doing everything possible to stay at the cash strapped club he loved yet one thing he wanted was a 9m release clause and 71m a year plus a an 8 million signing on fee.

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Gotta pay that tax bill.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Nah. Money is money. Suck em dry

      1. boc610
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        hes within his rights to do it and who could argue with him, biggest player in the clubs history and best player in the world ..but him and his people definitely spun a story of pay cuts and sacrafices which this contact leaks seems anything but.

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      And what's wrong with wanting to get paid?

      He's the best player in the world with an image to match.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Upvoted

        1. boc610
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          tell what do you think a 9M release clause in MESSI's contract suggests?

      2. boc610
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        see my comment above. of course he can ask for what he wants. but there was a narrative spun which made him out to be going all out to stay at the club he was at since a boy. a 9m release clause is farcical. it would have been triggered within a day of the contract being signed. and he would have made a fortune from the club prior to that. so only one winner in that scenario.

      3. boc610
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        barca were over a billion in debt at that point

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          At which point you might just say, if they're going to treat debt so flagrantly, how much difference does another 71m make...?

          1. boc610
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 1 month ago

            i have ZERO sympathy for Barca, but a bulsh**er needs to be called out and this case I think its messi. he could have got his pay day from barca, and fair enough, but a 9m release clause means he could have left pretty much instantly after the ink was still wet (and PSG would have been the ones to trigger it). so thats two whopper pay days and the club that he loved dearly even more in the cra pper thant they already were.

    4. Futbol Heritage
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      He ended up joining PSG. Are we really surprised $$$ was top of mind for him?

      Nice to see the carefully built narrative finally coming apart

    5. KanuLenoMeeMoCash
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      he already cheated on taxes right?

    6. TanN
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I understand people's anger here.

      But Messi is the greatest player in the World for many people. Not many will remember the times before Messi / Ronaldo.

      They've redefined football. Improved the game.

      He's been at Barca all his life, and if I was in his situation I would feel entitled to a massive wage. The 9m release clause sounds dodgy to me, I'll admit, but the amount of money Messi has made the club (trophies, leagues, competitions won as well as shirt sales, matchday tickets and other memorabilia must be in excess of the wages he's been paid!!)

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        I'm pretty sure Maradona and Pele will be remembered.

        Gazza too and Beckenbauer as well as Cruyff!

        1. The Knights Template
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          And Dendoncker.

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 1 month ago

            what about Edhinho?

  12. The Knights Template
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Imagine if Bournemouth made it to the World Cup.

    1. jack88
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Ok

    2. Bring back Timmy
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Jousting?

    3. Philosopher's Stones
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Bournemouth vs San Marino in the World Cup final. The stuff of dreams.

  13. jack88
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Toney+ sterling
    Or
    Kane + martinelli

    1. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      A but only due to Arsenal blank

      1. jack88
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        I can bench martinelli during blank

    2. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Bournemouth, World Cup

      1. jack88
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Sure

        1. The Knights Template
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          Solanke, Golden Boot

          1. jack88
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 1 month ago

            Zemura, ballon d or

          2. Botman and Robben
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 1 month ago

            Welbeck winning GB this season.

            1. The Knights Template
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 1 month ago

              Maupay says hello

  14. Athletico Underachieving
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Would you keep Neco on WC now Patterson likely out, or pay a bit more for Mings/Justin/Ait Nouri for example? This is with GW12 in mind where said player will be needed to start…

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      We're talking about a 2nd or 3rd bench player. I'd go Neco.

    2. Bring back Timmy
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      If you’re happy with the rest of your team and have zero itb it’s neco

  15. TanN
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    This article is just what I needed, so thank you Fantasy Football Scout!

    I am in a dilemma, does my current team need wildcarding...?

    Pope Ward
    Cancelo Trippier Saliba Digne Neco
    KDB Diaz Zaha Martinelli Andreas
    Haaland Jesus Isak

    For GW12 I have 10 players (2GKs though)

    However I can deadend my team into GW12 then WC 13

    1. Bring back Timmy
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Million dollar question. I also had 3 city and 3 Arsenal and decided to WC mainly because I don’t like the gunners fixtures up to gw12.

      1. TanN
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        yes I aim to use my one FT a week to phase out Arsenal assets up to GW12, I will hope to have 2FT prior to GW12 so I can also take out a city player or two.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      you've got 11 strong players.

      Ditch Digne.

  16. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Hope Isak rests up nicely these 2 weeks.

    Not end of the world, have Perisic (ARS) or Andreas (NEW) who can come on if needed.

    Not really any ~4.7m DEFs who I could downgrade Peresic to, with a good fixture this week, plus GW12 & next few though are there? Fofana maybe but Paalce could score...

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Note: 4.7m DEF is so KDB > Salah & Isak > Toney needed to be done in next few. Just for flexibility.

      1. Futbol Heritage
        • 15 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Fofana didn't start the UCL game under Potter no?

        Do you still think he's a starter?

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          He's a starter but I admit that non-start gave me some initial doubls.

          However I feel like the selection was taken due to Azpi experience in that position, UCL experience etc - whereas Fofana had barely joined and Potter barely trained with him.

          Don't think Azpi had the best game and we spent loads on Fofana so he should start most if a back three.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      yeah, if you have Perisic you may as well play him for assists and occasional clean sheets when he starts and makes 60 on the clock.

      He's supposed to have goals in him too. Could well start scoring at Arsenal.

  17. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    I've got this team currently, is there any reason to wildcard or should I hold for gw12/13 pivots?

    Raya
    Trent, Cancelo, Trippier,
    KDB, Diaz, Martinelli, Gross
    Haaland, Jesus, Mitrovic

    Ward. Andreas, Patterson, Neco.

    1 FT, 0.9m itb.

    I'd like Pope, James and Maddison but just think I'll play that through, especially if I go Jesus to Toney to afford me to improve my midfield.

    What would you do next?

    1. TanN
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I'm in a similarly difficult position regards the WC.

      That teams fine for now I think.

      I would want to phase out Martinelli, Gross and Jesus over the next few weeks. As you say Toney is a good replacement for Jesus. I'd be tempted to do Martinelli to fodder then upgrade Gross to Zaha. Or Martinelli to Zaha if you can afford it.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        yeah, Zaha looks decent enough too. Just got to get lucky with the timing.

        The whole point of holding the wildcard is you can maximise Manchester City and Arsenal players over those who are phasing out to 2.

        Got to play it differently to gain an advantage here. They are the form teams too.

    2. mataave
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Wow, almost the same team as me. Apart from I have Walker, Kane & Jonny, over Cancelo, Mitrovic & Patterson.

      Let me know if you make a decision as I'm struggling too.

  18. FPL Daniel
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    WC Dilemma

    Pope/Guaita/Pickford and Trippier or

    Cancelo and Ward/Iversen

    ?

    Have in mind the blank in GW 12 as well

    1. TanN
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Guita and Trippier probably your best bet.

      I have Pope and Trippier but don't think double Newcastle defence is ideal on WC. Not sure on Pickford personally.

      Ideally you want Cancelo, but if it means having Ward/Iverson as your GK it's not worth it.

    2. Bring back Timmy
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Unless you’re a massive risk taker I would find a way to not rely on Leicester keepers

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        thanks both

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      what a miserable post to post.

      Shame on you.

      Celebrating a young player injury because you don't own him in a fantasy game.

      Or a Liverpool rivalry??

      1. The Knights Template
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        More likely sarcasm

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          oh,

          didn't read that tone.

          Guess it's difficult to do so sometimes.

          1. TanN
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 1 month ago

            yeah it is

        2. TanN
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          Great minds think a like and all that

          😉

      2. TanN
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        It's called sarcasm.

      3. Philosopher's Stones
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Or may be a ML rival own him? A miserable post anyways.

        1. Philosopher's Stones
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          The tone of sarcasm on the internet can be a bit tough to grasp at times it seems.

  19. FOO FIGHTER
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    From GW13

    Trippier Martinelli and one of Gabriel and Saliba on the bench

    Or

    Trent, Cancelo, Saliba as starters and Reed for bench

    Both will have Pope as GK + James

    1. Bring back Timmy
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      2nd option for me due to upside of Trent and Cancelo

  20. Bouncebackability
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Great article and always very detailed with Neale.

    But do we really have to post whole draft squads? At least leave something to the imagination for people to work out for themselves. There’s plenty out there that blindly copy, whether it be here, other sites or from the big pods. There’s enough spoon feeding on the FPL site as well.

    I know it’s about engagement and it’s a fantasy football site, but there’s little need for many to plan any more.

    Anyway, Victor Meldrew is retiring to his chair now

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      4291

  21. DeLaPena
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    On my WC now for GW 9, still more then a week to decide but this is starting to look pretty good

    Pope - Mendy
    Saliba - Cancelo - Trippier - Cucurella - Tsimikas
    Martinelli - Maddison - Sterling - Zaha - Andreas
    Toney - Haaland - Mitrovic

    Chelsea have good fixtures til the worldcup thus thinking about having 3 from them, Mendy and Pope could rotate, The main thought is too try and take as few tarnsfers as possible, only injurys or bans.

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Pope/Mendy seems unnecessary, I'd just play Pope every game

      1. DeLaPena
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        If Mendy is Healthy undur Potter with the game´s they have until World Cup, would you consider having him instead of Pope ?

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          No I prefer Pope actually

  22. Neeskens Under Matip
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    FIXTURES SORTED BY DIFFICULTY (‘EASIEST’ FIRST)

    Its a shame you can't do this easily anymore on this website?

    1. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Can do it via the members area

      1. Neeskens Under Matip
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        This visitors areas is like logging into AOL on dial up? I am (or was now) a paying member, can't I have the old style table functionality ?

  23. Byron16
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    nooooooooooooo 1st time poster, what a school boy error, forgot to press Free Hit have -32 lol

    1. MADCHESTER UTD
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Ouch! Definately not reversible?

      1. Byron16
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        yes, shame as i was top on a few of my leagues.... Not anymore