Here’s an FPL wildcard tips GW32 article where the FFGeek contributors show us their latest wildcard teams or talk through their current strategy as each is in a different position chips wise. This includes talking about their plans on navigating the double gameweeks and blank gameweek after double gameweek 34 was confirmed
FPL wildcard tips GW32 – the FFGeek contributors show us their updated wildcard teams and DGW plans
Background
Here’s the fixtures at team level between GW34- GW37 for those teams with at least 1 DGW. It’s a good reference point for the article. Remember the postponements in GW37 have yet to be confirmed.
You can also see my plans in 2 articles. The free hit lost team and the free hit intact team
Joseph Crilley’s team
Joe has activated his wildcard and has a free hit and bench boost left. He does not have the triple captain chip.
I spoke about my initial thoughts on my wildcard in the contributor’s article last week, but the unexpected change in scheduling has brought about my own changes. I won’t go into much detail as to why I have chosen those players that were in my previous team (marked by an asterisk) because that reasoning is in the previous article. I am still planning to bench boost in GW34 and use my free hit in GW35; the other option would be to bench boost in GW37, but I worry about rotation and it feels too far away from playing my wildcard as plenty could change before then.
Goalkeepers
De Gea* will be my premium goalkeeper as secure access into the United defence and he will instead be supported by Ryan now. He has a good GW33 fixture to cover the tough fixture for De Gea away to City and hopefully he’ll be able to pick up some points during his double gameweek which includes a trip to Palace and a home tie against Tottenham.
Defenders
I’m even more in favour of doubling up on the United defence now as their GW34 double looks particularly strong so Smalling* remains alongside Lowton* as my way into the Burnley defence. Surely there will be some attacking returns before the end of the season for Alonso* so I’ll be selecting him in spite of his expensive price tag.
Cash reasons have helped to define my other defenders as I was rather limited on funds, so I had to look into the pool of budget defenders. Leicester have some great fixtures for the rest of the season and Chilwell has started 7 of the last 8 games so he looks a good option at 4.3mil. I needed another defender for a similar price and with a limited selection, I have settled for Mariappa for now; he will be upgraded for the DGW34.
Midfielders
There has been very little change in my midfield; in fact, there has been no change in personnel at all. The only slight difference is that I’m strongly considering keeping Stanislas* as his double gameweek has been moved into GW34. He has arguably shown the best form in recent week of the cheaper midfielders and has a couple of great fixtures against Watford and Palace before his double. The other options in this bracket are Gross and Lingard, though if I opted for the United man then I would have to lose my double-up on their defence.
I’ve kept hold of Son* and Mahrez* who look like the key men for their sides during the season run-in and there was no way Salah* was ever leaving my team. I still like Willian* as a cheaper way into a top-6 attack; surely his form is too strong for Conte to consider not playing him.
Forward
There has been a development in the striker roles in my team as I have decided that Lukaku will be coming in; his fixtures in DGW34 look too enticing to resist. He is a strong captain option in that week and also has a good immediate fixture against Swansea.
Aubameyang* remains in my team despite losing his double gameweek, however my planning for him has significantly changed. He will be operating as a two-week punt with his strong home fixtures, but I will then be transferring him out for a double gameweek striker, most likely Vardy. The cash raised will later be used to upgrade Lukaku to Kane who will be the popular captain option in the later double gameweek.
Finally, my budget striker is still Barnes* who has two home games in the double, although these are against Leicester and Chelsea. However, I struggle to see any other cheap strikers besides Austin and Murray who I worry won’t be playing two games in a week, especially with January signings waiting to play at both clubs.
Summary
The remaining worry is the lack of City players, but I will be tripling on their assets when I use my free hit in GW35 and then I may look to bring at least one in for their double gameweek in GW37. The core of the team has remained similar from the first draft which is a good sign, so the decisions left for this week will be involving the cheaper players in my side such as Stanislas and Barnes. Overall, I believe that it’s a strong squad which will carry me up the rankings in the remaining weeks!
Rob Reid (the FPL Vet)
Rob has activated his wildcard but has all his other chips intact still
After a week of procrastinating and some surprises from the Premier League regarding the rearranged fixtures, I’m slightly closer to concluding my second Wildcard team.
First of all a reminder of where I stand. I’ve got all my remaining chips intact. My original plan had been to use my Wildcard this week after dead-ending my under-performing team in GW31. I’d then use this to maximise my players for GW34 where I would use my Bench Boost. I’d use my Free Hit in GW35 where there are several blank fixtures, with my remaining Triple Captain chip being used in Double GW37. This was on the basis that GW34 would feature the rearranged GW31 fixtures and would have the better fixtures for the Bench Boost chip.
The Premier League then threw us a curve-ball this week by going against all our predictions in favour of more desirable TV games; after all – money talks. We therefore have no double gameweek in GW34 for Swansea and Arsenal and instead Bournemouth have a difficult double of Liverpool and Man United in GW34 instead of a double in GW37. Losing Swansea and Arsenal options is a bit of a blow. The Jacks have some nice cheap options and a good 2nd goalie option for Bench Boost in Fabianski. Arsenal may have some rotation issues, but have lovely GW32 & 33 fixtures and do have a guaranteed good forward option in Aubameyang, who is cup-tied for the Europa League.
So does this change anything for me? I have the option to switch my chips and play TC in GW34 and BB in GW37 instead. I would also have the option so use TC in another week such as GW36 or 38 where there are favourable fixtures for some of the big teams and there is potentially a lower scoring ceiling enhancing the potential profitability of the chip. There are some good options here.
I have several concerns however. First up GW37 is a week that is potentially fraught with rotation issues. There will be more teams who have nothing to play for compared with GW34 and also teams who will be potentially saving players for domestic and possibly European finals. The team Chelsea put out against Watford in GW37 last season is a prime example of what managers are capable of in this gameweek.
Next up, I’m not liking the Triple Captain options for GW34. The standout choices are a steady but unexplosive Lukaku, an out of form (though potentially explosive) Sanchez, the enigmatic Mahrez or home-loving Hazard who unhelpfully has 2 away fixtures. Doesn’t fill you with confidence really. GW37 certainly has more TC options. Spurs have a double, one of which is away at the likely by then relegated West Brom. Spurs will also likely still be chasing a top 4 finish. If fit, Kane looks a good option; if not then Son. City and Arsenal will also have plum double fixtures, though granted with potential rotation issues. Either way, it’s the more appealing set of TC options for me.
So to answer the initial question, nothing has changed – I’m sticking with Plan A. It has made things slightly more tricky though!
Current thoughts
Ok, so here’s where my thinking is at currently. First of all, I have to build a team for GW34, that will also score well in GW32 and 33. GW35 takes care of itself with the Free Hit chip, and my GW34 team should also leave me in good shape for GW36 if I plan correctly. I will then have 2 transfers for GW37 to get the optimum 11 DGW players and a Triple Captain, most likely Kane for the latter chip.
Looking at the fixtures, I’m drawn to 2 teams initially. First up is Man United. They unquestionably have the best GW34 fixtures. Jose does like to rotate his pack a little bit, but De Gea looks a good option and Lukaku is also fairly rotation-proof. The other team rather bizarrely is Burnley. They have little to play for, but great fixtures. A nice GW32,33 and 36 and a double in GW34, albeit with a couple of tricky fixtures. They have cheap assets in all position, even if the attacking players don’t return as highly.
In terms of long term planning, Chelsea and Spurs cover looks sensible. They both have 2 doubles and a good chance of still being competitively active in GW37. I’ll also add Leicester to this list. They don’t have much to play for, but have a smaller squad so in theory are less prone to rotation. Looking at these teams, Son looks a must at the moment. Mahrez and Vardy are good slightly cheaper attacking options and there are some good cheap defensive options. Chelsea attack coverage is more problematic with players in and out of form, but Alonso is a good alternative with the added bonus of clean sheets on top.
Next up there’s the teams without doubles to consider. Salah will be staying in my team until the end of the season (injuries or suspensions permitting.) It may also be worth temporarily holding Firmino, at least until the double. Arsenal also have some great fixtures and Aubameyang should be rotation-proof due to his Europa League ineligibility. Finally there’s Man City. They have potential to thrash anyone at any time which can equal big scores for any of their attackers. The downside is that they will probably have won the league by GW34, notwithstanding the season long Pep rotation gametime issues.
Finally, there’s the rest. Brighton, Southampton and Bournemouth are the others with a GW34 double. All have cheap options and I have to say that all are very unappealing! All have form and fixture issues, but it’s likely I’ll use their cheap assets to plug the gaps and hope for some returns!
Second draft
Ok this is less a second draft, more a core of players now. I’ll then work my budget to fit the rest around here:
Goalkeepers – DDG and Ryan. I’m fairly settled on these 2, Ryan has the bonus of a better fixture when DDG has City in GW33 though after GW34 he’ll be bench fodder.
Defenders – Lowton and Morgan/Chilwell are my only certainties at the moment. For the Leicester cover, I’m favouring paying the extra 0.1m for Morgan for gametime security. The other 3 places will likely be filled with premiums, I’m not settled on this but Spurs and Chelsea players are likely to feature here.
Midfielders – Salah, Son, Mahrez. Son and Mahrez for their double doubles. The other 2 places could go to a cheapie and a mid-range or 2 cheapies.
Forwards – I’m not really settled on anyone yet to be honest but I’m leaning towards Murray or Barnes for a cheap enabler at the least.
So as many questions as answers at this stage but I’m getting there. 7 of the 15 positions filled and lots of ideas on the others. I’ll assemble the other pieces of the puzzle this week, finalising on Saturday morning once all the team news is in but with a write-up to come on Friday night.
Alex Ball
Alex has his wildcard and all other chips still intact except the triple captain
On the latest of the excellent Fantasy Football Surgery podcast, Peter Blake advised to make a decision on how to tackle the remaining game-weeks and stick to it whilst being flexible on some decisions. Well, i’m pleased to say I have finally done that! I’ll tell you in GW38 whether it was the correct plan!
So onto my chips. Unfortunately I blew my triple captain on Mr Kane. However, without the TC to play it has allowed me to break from the strategy a lot of other managers are using of WCing in 32 or 33, BB in 34, FH in 35 and TC in 36 (TC and BB may be switched). The route I am taking has some pluses and minuses over the other strategy.
I plan to; FH in 34, WC in 36 and BB in 37. The big plus over the other strategy is that I will have two ‘new’ teams for both the DGW’s and have the latest information before I use my BB. The big minuses are using my WC very late in the season and thus not maximising its use and having to take a few hits to get 11 out for GW35.
The big tipping point for me was that my current team (after a -4) was not a lot worse than the draft wildcard team I put together. I’m a little lucky with some of my current team as they play in 35.
Good luck with your decisions to come, and remember Peter’s excellent advice; make a plan and stick to it.
Here’s Alex’s team now after a -4 for Aubameyang and Mahrez. I’ve used my team as a template to illustrate it btw.
Here’s his current thinking on a free hit GW34 team. Again it’s done on my team template. I think it’s obvious who will be on the bench.
Here’s his transfers spreadsheet:
Mikael L. Danielsen
Mikael has his wildcard activated and all chips in place
Feeling ok to be on WC. My GW31 team was NOT good going forward so I had to pull the trigger.
Already gained 0.5 on price rises 👍 A lot of my players are season keepers so I’m pretty happy with my team.
Went with Azpi over Alonso and McCarthy over Ryan to leave room for Austin in DGW34. I’m behind in my ML and have to find a differential.
Jordan Sadler
Jordan has used his 2nd wildcard but has the other chips intact
I unfortunately do not have my WC left so I have to navigate these GWs differently to others. Currently I am OR: 128k with a TV of 106.0 (or TV of 104.6 and 1.4 itb).
This is my team for GW32: (Again on my teams template)
With the DGW fixtures being reversed it’s really thrown my original strategy off and has made my DGW34 quite a bit weaker than it would have been previously. It has however made my GW37 slightly stronger with us now having the option of City players for that GW. I am attempting to catch someone in my cash mini league who is 59 points ahead so getting my tactics right is very important therefore I have put a lot of time and thought into my strategy.
So currently this is my plan for transfers assuming Kane is fit for GW37:
GW33: Walcott > Willian
GW34: Sanchez > Smalling, Zanka > Chillwell (-4)
GW35: FREE HIT
GW36: Save
GW37: Firmino > Kane, Salah > Sterling (yes you read that right)
GW38: Mahrez > someone with a better fixture
This would give me 7 DGW players in GW34 with the 4 remaining players being Salah and Firmino vs BOU and Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan vs New. To me these 4 are all very good options even with only 1 fixture so I don’t think it’s worth it for me to take hits to bring in DGW players for those respective players. Following this plan would also give me 11 DGW players for GW37 which is perfect.
In terms of my chips I’m 99% sure I’ll be using my FH in GW35 and my TC in GW37 on Kane or Sterling but right now I’m undecided on my bench boost. I’m considering either GW33 or GW34. Remember I won’t have a bench of double gameweekers for 34
These are my options: GW33: Lossl vs Bha, Sanchez vs Stk, King vs Wba, Chilwell vs NEW GW34: Lossl vs WAT, Van Dijk vs BOU, King vs EVE, Wilson vs Liv/MUN
To me it’s pretty much a flip of a coin. The most likely way I’ll decide is through clean sheet and scoring odds.
So to summarise the most likely use of my remaining chips is BB: GW33/34, FH: 35 and TC: 37.
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