Pro Pundits

FPL Gameweek 26 Wildcard tips: Maddison, Kane + the Free Hit

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Here, two-time Indian FPL champion Lateriser talks us through some Wildcard thoughts.

The FFS Pro Pundits 34

So just like most managers, I’ve deployed the Wildcard. It is just how the chips fell for me, having no players from Brighton and Hove Albion or Brentford. Owning players like Eddie Nketiah (£6.7m), James Tarkowski (£4.4m) and Hugo Bueno (£3.9m) didn’t help either and for my team, it just made sense to hit the Wildcard button.

THINK BEFORE WILDCARDING

FPL review: Bueno benched, Tete terrific, "never" sub Mitoma

I do want to mention that every team doesn’t need to Wildcard in Gameweek 26. Just because you see a ton of Wildcards being deployed elsewhere, it isn’t fully necessary to activate the chip. Managers who already have two to three players from Brighton and Brentford and maybe have a Harry Kane (£11.7m) in place can very much postpone using the Wildcard to a later stage (anywhere between Gameweek 28 to 33, based on your team).

THE TEDIOUS TEMPLATE?

FPL review: Goals for Martinelli, Salah, Saka + Odegaard 4

Now while building my Wildcard squad, one thing I didn’t enjoy was that I very much felt handcuffed as my team was dictated by how the schedule landed. That said, there are a few places to get creative or keep an open mind.

When we’re long-term planning, we make a lot of assumptions about how things will be one month down the line. Simply put, it just isn’t going to be the case. As my fellow Pro Pundit Pras pointed out on the excellent Burning Questions stream this week, only a month ago, people were selling Gabriel Martinelli (£6.5m) for Nketiah and here we are today potentially looking to reverse the same move. Things change in FPL and it is a very dynamic game. If it was so predictive that you can smoothly plan until later in the season, we wouldn’t enjoy it as much and wouldn’t be playing it.

There are a lot of ways in which the chalk FPL Gameweek 26 Wildcard squad picks itself and there are really not many reasons to divert in a different direction. Just because of how the cards have fallen with fixtures, the route pretty much sorts itself. But there are a few important things I want to point out.

MADDISON + UNDERREPRESENTED CLUBS

Which Leicester players should we have?

When I look at people forward planning their team in Gameweek 29, there isn’t much representation from Manchester United, Chelsea, Leicester City or West Ham United – and all of those teams, on paper, have very strong-looking Double Gameweeks. We might instead be handcuffed by players from Brentford and it is worth weighing up whether in the quest to optimize the ‘volume’ of players until Gameweek 29, are you giving up on some obvious quality and upside? That is the decision for you to make, especially when you consider that Manchester United have a likely double in Gameweek 34 in addition to Gameweek 29. Leicester also have good follow-up fixtures before and after Double Gameweek 29.

Keeping that in mind, I am trying to find a way to shoehorn James Maddison (£8.1m) into my team, as the England international has pretty much been averaging a return a game in the last year. I do think that Leicester City have found the right balance with Maddison, Harvey Barnes (£6.7m), Kelechi Iheanacho (£6.2m) and Tete (£5.5m) as their front four and if they play together, there are goals in that team. It comes at the cost of an Arsenal midfielder or an extra transfer, though, so this is something I am going to have to weigh up.

KANE A NO-BRAINER

FPL Gameweek 19: Wednesday's goals, assists, bonus and statistics

The likes of Marcus Rashford (£7.3m), Ivan Toney (£7.6m), Kane, Erling Haaland (£12.2m) and Bukayo Saka (£8.5m) pick themselves, for me, given the immediate fixtures. I really wanted to punt on a Chelsea attacker given their next four home matches (Leeds United, Everton, Aston Villa and Liverpool) but I’m not willing to chance and roll that dice against Kane, who plays travel-sick Nottingham Forest at home in Gameweek 27 and Southampton away in Gameweek 28. It might be a blessing in disguise, though, as we can monitor potential strikers from Leicester City, Chelsea and West Ham United before jumping on the right one, should we feel like doing so in Gameweek 28 or 29.

FREE HIT IN GAMEWEEK 32?

FPL Gameweek 22 Scout Picks:

Given that Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion probably won’t play in Gameweek 32, it is very likely that we might deploy the Free Hit chip in that round of matches. In Gameweek 32, Arsenal play Southampton at home and Liverpool face Nottingham Forest at Anfield, so there are some attractive picks up for the taking.

The fixtures for the Gunners after Gameweek 32 are Manchester City (away), Chelsea (home) and Newcastle United (away), so it’s worth thinking about the (ballsy/risky) strategy of losing some Arsenal assets from Gameweek 29 onwards, knowing that you’ve got coverage for their very attractive Gameweek 32 fixture against Southampton at home.

Manchester United and Brighton are likely to have attractive doubles in Gameweek 34, which means you want to hold onto them during Gameweek 32 when they blank.


These are perhaps a few strategic factors to consider while you build your Gameweek 26 Wildcard draft. I hope it helps and I wish you all the best with your tinkering.

We discuss the Wildcard in a monster pod which stretches to almost two hours in our current episode of The FPL Wire, which you can view below:



892 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Lucky Z
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Kepa
    Trippier • Zinchenko • Mee • Pinnock • Estupinan
    Saka • Martinelli • Rashford • Maddison • Mitoma
    Haaland • Kane • Toney

    With 0.4ITB any advises on this WC team?

    1. Lucky Z
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Sanchez is 2nd keeper

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Just Royal over Pinnock for me (start him with Estupinan and Zinch in GW26), and it's perfect

  2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Which keeper, both playing away:

    A) Pickford vs Forest
    B) Ward vs Southampton

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Pickford or sell him

      Ward hasn't passed 3 points since the World Cup. He's firmly a backup, or an easy sell for a DGW-chasing upgrade

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Reassured. My thinking too. Thanks.

  3. Gazzpfc
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Kepa
    Zinchenko Mee Estupanan
    Maddison Martinelli Saka Rashford
    Haaland Kane Toney

    Ward Mitoma James Trippier

    -20 for this lot no wildcard anything to change?

    1. M2.0
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I think you’re all hit’d out mate. g2g and good luck

  4. Nailed Jesus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Best Villa defender if money not an issue?

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Tricky. FBs all rotating. Not sure whether Carlos displaces Mings/Konsa.

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Their rotation risks plus big chances and goals conceded under Emery scream "None" to me

      1. M2.0
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        agreed

  5. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Current squad:

    Kepa
    Estupinan Tripp Tark
    Saka(c) Rashford Salah Martinelli Mahrez
    Haaland(vc) Toney

    Ward Nketiah Botman Bueno

    0.2m itb and 1ft

    Tempted by WC but not sure it's essential yet?
    All bonuc chips remaining...

    Any advice appreciated, cheers

    1. Lucky Z
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Can wait

    2. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Your squad is decent enough. Save WC

  6. frenchfries
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A) Mac Allister
    B) March

    1. M2.0
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I have both but no idea who to start….

    2. DonAkolab
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Mac Allister

  7. cutch
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Bench one:

    A) Saliba
    B) Mings
    C) Tarkowski
    D) Trippier

    1. mrelpea
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      D

  8. C0YS
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Final touches on my WC team, your votes are appreciated!

    A) Botman
    B) Schar

    1) Dier
    2) Royal

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B2. Attacking threat

      1. M2.0
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        this

    2. mrelpea
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Yes,B2

  9. el polako
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Speaking at a press conference on Friday, De Zerbi said, "Pervis and Solly are able to play tomorrow and that's good news for us. Danny Welbeck is back in very good condition. We are ready."

  10. YoungPretender
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    GTG? 3.3ITB if any changes needed?

    Kepa
    Zinchenko Estupinan Mee
    Saka Odegaard Maddison Rashford
    Haaland(C) Toney Watkins

    Sanchez Mitoma Henry Trippier

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I'll take Royal over Henry and start him over Mee this week

      Otherwise very good. Only major absentee is Kane

  11. R.C.
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    I'm getting Duffy vibes

  12. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    I might live a little and captain Saka. Erling vice.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I've done that.

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Cool

  13. M2.0
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Asked before sorry, what actually happened to March injury-wise?

  14. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Should I WC?

    Kepa / Ward
    TAA / Trippier / White / Tarko / Bueno
    Salah / Saka / Rashford / Mitoma / Andreas
    Kane / Haaland / Watkins

    I have all my chips

  15. Lucky Z
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Martinelli vs Odegaard ni WC:

    Don't you think when Jesus is back, there will be more competition between Martinelli and Trossard on left flank woth ocassional benchings of former?

    1. Rex Lapis
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      any news when Jesus back?

      1. Lucky Z
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        3 games maximum left

      2. King Carlos
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Some say in 3 days

    2. boc610
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      no, martinelli undroppable right now.

    3. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      It depends how long you plan to keep them, if long term then go with Odegaard but If you plan to move onto Maddison/Fernandes in gw29 then go Martinelli

  16. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Two places have left on my WC

    Do I do March or Madds In

    Watkins or Kane In

    1. M2.0
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      March Kane

    2. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      March Watkins for me

    3. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      March

      I've gone with Watkins over Kane

      1. C0YS
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        March Kane

  17. Hazardous1983
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    What changes to.do.here

    Raya (ward)
    Estuparian henry zinchenko (trippier botman)
    Saka odegard mitoma rashford (march)
    Toney kane haaland

    3.1m in bank

    1. M2.0
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Botman and Ward to Schar and Kepa

      1. Hazardous1983
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Iv.kept.3.1.for ode.to bruno.and zinch to shaw

        1. M2.0
          • 4 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Downgrade Odegaard to Martinelli and you can still do it. Martinelli is also on fire atn

  18. GE
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Wildcard this team?

    (1FT, 0.7 itb)

    Kepa (Ward)
    Trippier/Shaw/Mings (Tark, Bueno*)
    Saka/Mahrez/Rashford/Ødegaard/Martinelli
    Haaland/Kane (Darwin)

    1. M2.0
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      yes

    2. GK
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Yes, you are looking at 6+ transfers

  19. StoneMountain
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A) Odegaard and Henry

    B) Martinelli and Mee

    1. M2.0
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      b

    2. GK
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

    3. StoneMountain
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Thanks chaps. B it is

  20. Aaa
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A - Zinc & Barnes/March

    B - White & Maddison

    Raya/Kepa
    Trippier/Henry/Estu/Botman/*
    Saka/Rash/Ode/Mitoma/*
    Haaland/Kane/Toney

    1. M2.0
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      a

  21. focaccia
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Captain Saka or Haaland?

    1. boc610
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      saka

  22. ZeBestee
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Start 2

    1) Tark
    2) Robbo
    3) Pinnock
    4) Castagne

    1. GK
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      1& 4

    2. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      3&4

  23. GK
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Start one:
    A)Trippier
    B) Estupiñán

    1. M2.0
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      b

    2. PaladinVargas
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

  24. kanuforpresident
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Kepa Ward
    White Trip Shaw Bueno Myko
    Saka Bruno Rash Gakpo Mitoma
    Nketiah Kane Haaland
    Subs: Ward, Gakpo, Trippier, Bueno

    A) Gakpo, Nketiah out for Martinelli, Watson (-4)
    B) Gakpo to Marti
    C) WC (likely change 5-6 players)

  25. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    No WC….Nketiah>Mbeumo with the FT?

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Not enough money for Toney?

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Sadly not

        1. Milk, 1 Šuker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Go Mbeumo then

          1. DannyDrinkVodka
            • 5 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Cheers

  26. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Wow the RMT model says Martinelli slight captain over Saka who’s vice. Tempting!

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      The captain article breaks it down but Saka still edges it with his stats, minutes and on penalties too.

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I think I’ll go Saka. You?

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Yeah.

          I've been on him all week and the stats support it too.

          But Kane as a differential but Bournemouth at home is a good opportunity.

          1. Milk, 1 Šuker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Agreed

    2. PaladinVargas
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Saka the choice of many.

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Great

  27. Old Bull
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Bench one please.
    Trent Tripps Shaw

    1. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Trippier

  28. Simon69
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    No WC. Rashford a legitimate captaincy open to claw rank back?

    Ederson

    TAA - Tarkowski - White

    Rashford - Saka - Mitoma - Odegaard

    Haaland - Darwin - Toney

    Subs: Willy - Mahrez - Kilman - Trippier

    1. Simon69
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      *captaincy option

    2. GK
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Go for it!

  29. PaladinVargas
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A - Zinch & March?
    OR
    B - Saliba & Mitoma?

    Funds tied up in Saliba since GW1 and not enough to make the Zinch & Mitoma move. Thanks in advance for any replies.

    Kepa Sanchez
    Royal Saliba Trippier Henry Estup
    Rash Ode Saka Maddison March
    Kane Haaland Toney

    1. mrelpea
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

  30. Lionel Fellaini
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    On a WC

    Kepa
    Henry Gabriel Estu
    Salah Saka Martinelli Rashford
    Toney Haaland Felix

    Raya March Trippier Botman

    A couple of changes to the template wish me luck!

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Good luck