Planning your FPL Wildcard? Let's dive into how to 'future-proof' your Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team, especially when using your Wildcard in Gameweek 8. This is what Lateriser, a three-time top 200 finisher, is doing, and we'll explore his strategy.
I'm using my Wildcard in Gameweek 8, as discussed in a recent article. The goal here is to look ahead and anticipate future needs, assess if my current team is prepared, and make necessary adjustments.
Gameweek 13 and Beyond: The Fixture Outlook
The next significant Wildcard window is around Gameweek 13. I examined the fixture schedule for six gameweeks, considering the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will influence our transfer decisions.
The standout fixtures belong to Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Manchester City. These teams have incredibly favorable schedules. This might mean we need to field a lean squad and invest heavily in key players like Erling Haaland (£14.5m), Mohamed Salah (£14.4m), and/or Alexander Isak (£10.6m).
Currently, my Wildcard draft includes only Nick Pope (£5.1m) and Haaland from these teams, although I'm considering Isak.
The Primary FPL Implication: Don't Overextend Your Funds
I like that I have a budget-friendly defender, Joe Rodon (£4.1m), and goalkeeper, Martin Dubravka (£4.0m). This approach keeps my funds flexible.
If I had already used my Bench Boost, I'd have a budget forward/midfielder as my eighth attacker, maximizing my on-field spending. While not immediately necessary, this strategy will be helpful around Gameweek 13.
Bench Boost Before Gameweek 13 or When Salah Leaves for AFCON?
To maximize our on-field funds, we have two options:
a) Use the Bench Boost before Gameweek 13 when these teams have favorable fixtures.
b) Wait until Salah departs for AFCON and then redistribute funds.
The challenge with the latter is the unpredictability of injuries and rotations eight gameweeks later. Do we want to spend free transfers during AFCON on a Bench Boost? I think it's better to use those transfers to target favorable fixtures and save them for later.
Pope: A Solid Long-Term Choice
Considering Newcastle United's fixtures from Gameweek 13, my faith in Pope as a pick is reinforced. He plays behind a reliable defense and isn't solely reliant on clean sheets for points.
Bournemouth and Palace Fixtures
It's beneficial that Bournemouth and Crystal Palace have good runs from Gameweek 13 onwards. I'll already have Antoine Semenyo (£7.9m), Ismaila Sarr (£6.5m), and Marcos Senesi (£5.0m) in my Wildcard team, and I expect to keep them for a while.
The Palace fixtures make me consider my Chris Richards (£4.5m) vs. Joachim Andersen (£4.5m) dilemma. For these appealing matches, do I stick with Richards, or do I opt for the potential of someone like Daniel Munoz (£5.6m)?
Free Hit in Gameweek 13?
If you exclude Gameweek 13, when Chelsea and Arsenal play each other, they still have decent fixtures. Instead of immediately selling my Arsenal and Chelsea players (five from both teams), I might use a Free Hit in Gameweek 13. Both teams have favorable fixtures before and after Gameweek 13.
I can assess whether to use transfers to sell players from these teams for those from Liverpool and Manchester City later.
Looking solely at Gameweek 13, there are opportunities to get players from Man City, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspur. Tripling up on City long-term might not be ideal, but I could use a Free Hit for their players instead.
Final Thoughts
I like that I have time to decide my approach. This glimpse into the future has validated my current draft, as I don't see Arsenal or Chelsea players as 'must-sells' in Gameweek 13.
However, I'll want some Liverpool attack players at that point, so doubling up on Arsenal's defense and having Bukayo Saka (£9.9m) helps structurally. He's the easiest way to get to Salah if I want him.
I hope you found this article helpful. What do you think about this strategy? Do you agree with the plan to hold onto Arsenal and Chelsea players, or would you take a different approach? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
