Early Wildcarding Maximizes FPL Chip Strategy and Fixture Swings

Key Quotes

"End-of-the-season chips are very different to first-half-of-the-season chips. First-half-of-the-season chips are essentially played when you want, right? I mean, there's not a lot to differentiate, and that means variance. For some people, triple-captained Haaland in Gameweek 13, he blanks. Some people did it in the other weeks where he got triple returns. So, you know, similar with bench boosts. But in double gameweek season, blank gameweek season, these things matter. How you play your chips matters, and those could mean gains."

The author, Pras, explains that the strategic value of chips like the Triple Captain or Bench Boost changes significantly between the first and second halves of the Fantasy Premier League season. Pras highlights that early-season chip usage is more about individual player form and luck, whereas later in the season, during Double and Blank Gameweeks, chip deployment becomes a critical strategic decision that can lead to significant point gains.

"The first week where something can happen is this first green that I have here, which is Double Gameweek 26 or 27. Now, those of you who remember last season, there were these proactive announcements by the Premier League that if this team wins and reaches the final, then their game will be brought forward, which was rare for them to do. But they did it because in Gameweek 26 and 27, you have these playoffs. And these playoffs are for teams that finish between 9th and 32nd or 24th, sorry, 9th and 24th in their respective European competitions."

Pras is detailing the FPL calendar, specifically identifying Double Gameweek 26/27 as the first significant opportunity for teams to have multiple fixtures. He references past Premier League actions of bringing forward games for cup-bound teams, explaining that these mid-season playoffs in European competitions create potential for these Double Gameweeks. This information is crucial for FPL managers planning their chip usage and transfers around these scheduled events.

"The Free Hit window is going to be probably Gameweek 34, and why I'm saying a blank gameweek Free Hit, it's because look, it's going to be hard to manage. Imagine, let's take Haaland itself, let's say Man City as an example. They have a Double Gameweek in 33, they probably have a Double Gameweek in 36. This is assuming Man City make the final of the Carabao Cup and the semifinal of the FA Cup. Pep does that, it's possible. So they have a double here, they have a double in 33, they have a double in 36, and they have a blank in 34. It's not easy to navigate, right?"

Pras is explaining the strategic use of the Free Hit chip, suggesting Gameweek 34 as a prime opportunity. He illustrates this by using Manchester City and Haaland as an example, noting that while they might have Double Gameweeks in 33 and 36, they are likely to blank in 34 due to FA Cup semi-finals. Pras argues that a Free Hit in Gameweek 34 allows managers to navigate these blanks and capitalize on potential doubles in other weeks without disrupting their core team structure long-term.

"So, you know, essentially for me, the most popular strategy is going to be, it should be 32, not 31. The most popular chip strategy is going to be Wildcard 32. So you've basically dead ended to 31, then you Bench Boost straight after in 33, you Free Hit in 34, and you Triple Captain in 36."

Pras outlines what he anticipates to be the most common chip strategy for FPL managers. He advocates for a Wildcard in Gameweek 32, followed by a Bench Boost in Gameweek 33, a Free Hit in Gameweek 34, and a Triple Captain in Gameweek 36. This sequence suggests a plan to "dead end" the team until Gameweek 31, then use the Wildcard to prepare for a series of chip plays in subsequent weeks, maximizing their impact during Double Gameweeks.

"I've got triple Liverpool home to Burnley, but I'm not expecting too much, but I got to play them, right? I mean, this is why I had them. Another reason why wildcard appeals to me that I've too heavily invested in Liverpool who have disappointed. Now they got me the clean sheet, Van Dijk got me the clean sheet against Arsenal, but against the easier team, they've done nothing. Against Wolves, I got nothing. Against Leeds, I got nothing. This is the last chance, so we will see. But as of now, I definitely want to get rid of the three guys after Gameweek 23."

Pras is discussing his current team composition and his rationale for considering an early Wildcard. He identifies an over-investment in Liverpool players who have underperformed, despite having favorable fixtures. Pras states his intention to remove these players after Gameweek 23, indicating that the team's current state is a significant factor pushing him towards using his Wildcard to rebuild.

"What I need to know to get comfortable with wildcard when I will wildcard? I need to see the Carabao Cup results. Ideally, the Carabao Cup results are clear. Like, we clearly know that Man City are way are are are are winning or losing their Carabao Cup game, a semifinal, like a three-nil or a two-nil kind of thing. Similarly for Arsenal, I'd like to see a clearer set of results. I'd want to see Palmer doing well. If I see Palmer doing well and if I see clear results, then I'll more shift towards Wildcard 24. As it stands, I'm 60/40, 60% going to do it."

Pras explains the conditions that would solidify his decision to use his Wildcard in Gameweek 24. He requires clarity on the Carabao Cup semi-final results for teams like Manchester City and Arsenal, as well as observing the performance of a specific player, Palmer. Pras indicates that seeing these outcomes would provide the confirmation he needs to proceed with an early Wildcard, currently leaning 60% towards that strategy.