What To Do With My FPL Wildcard and other FPL Chips? FPL Chip planner

This article was written by our contributor FPL Analyst (here you can follow him on Twitter and read his blog here : ) His personal best rank is 8256; currently ranked 1,10,977. I’ll be taking you through the FPL wildcard and chip planner for the rest of the season and also how team’s fixtures are put up until the end of the season.

Hi guys, thanks for the invitation. It’s a pleasure for me to share my thought with the readers of  AllaboutFPL. It seems to me that this year the strategy to play chips this is much harder than I used to. If you still have your second FPL wildcard in your pocket, most likely you are an experienced player that is waiting for double game weeks at the end of the season, what’s obviously a very reasonable move. So let’s start from what we already know, what is more than sure and we can plan around that further.

BGW 31 – it’s a blank game week, there will be only 5 games:

Tottenham vs West Ham

Burnley vs Watford

Norwich vs Everton

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

Wolverhampton vs Bournemouth

MGW 34 – this could be a mixed game week (MGW?), for some teams (those that will be involved in FA Cup quarter-finals) definitely a blank game week, for other could be a double game week (especially those that already have two games postponed so AVL & SHU but possibly other too – again depends on FA Cup quarter-finals results, that will be played March 21st and 22nd). So we don’t really know yet which teams will be involved. We only know that all teams that are already out of FA Cup will play their games, so:

Brighton vs Liverpool

Everton vs Southampton

West Ham vs Burnley

Watford vs Norwich

Bournemouth vs Tottenham

As you see, this might be another big blank game week, with similar teams as in BGW31 involved (the same teams are bolded: Burnley, Watford, Norwich, Liverpool, West Ham, Tottenham)

DGW 35 – most likely will be another double game week, because literally there are no other dates available. From today till the end of the season each midweek is busy – because of FA Cup / UCL / UEL – except this one between GW34 & GW35. So it’s not sure, but jolly likely.

DGW 37 – it’s a double game week, as always at the end of the season, after semi-finals of all other competitions (FA, UCL, UEL)

Ok, this was a word about a calendar that is still ahead of us; let’s take a look at teams’ fixtures difficulty. I admit that I’m a big fan of looking for fixtures turnover (a moment when at least a few teams end their good run of fixtures and other teams start their good run of fixtures). With a wildcard in the pocket, this is might be a very powerful strategy that could allow you to gain a significant rank boost over very few game weeks.

Let’s go through all teams:

Arsenal (*) – they have a very good run of fixtures now DGW29 – GW32. If they still dream about Champions League this is the last moment to gain 9 points (GW31 is confirmed blank). They will also have a very good end of the season because they will play in GW37 vs Aston Villa and one of Sheffield United/Southampton as a part of their double game week and Watford at home in GW38.

When you should consider Arsenal assets?

GW30 – GW32 & DGW37 – GW38

Aston Villa (*) – the easiest way would be to say that we all just should avoid The Villains till the end of the season. But surely there are plenty of us who really like Jack Grealish and rate him very high (as myself). So the question is probably when it’s worth to have Jack rather than when we should consider Villa’s assets.  And there might be a decent moment to have him because The Villains have 2 games overdue and could have 3! It means they will have surely two double game weeks (maybe three), so it means Jack Grealish will have at least two double chances to (single-handedly) help Aston Villa gain some points. But, this won’t happen earlier than in GW34 (most likely in GW35) so this could be the right moment to consider him once again.

When you should consider Aston Villa assets (Jack Grealish)?

Depends on DGW’s but most likely only from GW35

Bournemouth – they won’t have any DGW and they won’t have any good fixtures run anymore. Forget the Cherries and if you’re a fan just wish their luck, they will surely need it to avoid relegation.

When you should consider Bournemouth assets?

Never again this season, if you own them sell asap

Brighton – they have one postponed game vs Leicester away, which means they won’t have any very encouraging DGW. Depends on to which date this game will be rescheduled and their form, it MIGHT be worth taking an interest in Brighton assets before/after GW36.

When you should consider Brighton assets?

Most likely there won’t be a good moment anymore. If their postponed game will be rescheduled to GW37 than it might be worth taking a look at them again before/after GW36.

Burnley – they won’t have any DGW, but heir fixtures run from GW31 looks decent and they have guaranteed game in GW31 & GW34. So it’s worth considering their assets soon for the first BGW31 and then keep them even until the end of the season. Surely Nick Pope looks like a very solid goalkeeper to set and forget for the rest of the season.

When you should consider Burnley assets?

Starting from GW31

Chelsea (*) – The Blues have one postponed game vs Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. This isn’t obviously good information from FPL perspective because this game seems to be difficult and their games already planned for potential DGW’s are Sheffield United (away) in GW35 and Liverpool (away) in GW37. So I wouldn’t consider Chelsea assets as strong candidates for DGW’s. But, until then their fixtures run looks very good and the perfect moment to gamble on Chelsea players is already lasting.

When you should consider Chelsea assets?

Now – GW36 / or GW37 depends on DGW’s calendar

Crystal Palace (*) – their good fixtures run are yet and is getting to the end soon. They have guaranteed GW31 so if you have their assets I would keep them and sell after GW31 or GW32.

When you should consider Crystal Palace assets?

Prepare for sell after GW31 or GW32

Everton – The Toffees will play blank GW31 – what’s a big disappointment for all DCL & Richarlison owners – but play in GW34 so if you have their assets – everything depends on your chip strategy. If you plan to play Free Hit in GW34 or a Wildcard before, than I would probably sell them… On the other hand if you don’t I would probably keep them in the line-up, having in the mind GW34. On the other hand they will have one DGW with Norwich away. Their fixtures run looks decent until the end of the season, and their last games proof that they play good regardless from the opponent difficulty.

When you should consider Everton assets?

One of these teams that are hard to clearly judge, but could pay off to keep them if you already have or plan to buy before GW34…

Leicester (*) – The Foxes have one game postponed vs Brighton at home and they have unbelievably good run of fixtures (probably best in the league). The only problem is their current form. From fixtures perspective it’s a no-brainer to keep their assets if you have them or even to consider buying if you don’t. But if you’re the latter, you should hold on because 1) they have BGW31 2) so there are better options to buy from a short-term perspective 3) you will have a chance to watch them whether they improve

When you should consider Leicester assets?

If you have – keep them. If you don’t have – hold on. Their fixtures run is perfect but their form leaves much to be desired.

Liverpool – The Reds are sure of playing both GW31 & GW34 so from this perspective it’s definitely worth keeping them. IMO it’s also too early to start worrying about their form and honestly, I can’t imagine selling any of their assets I currently have with these amazing fixtures run. BUT it might be worth seriously consider selling ALL / most of their assets after GW34 because they won’t have any DGW and their fixtures between GW35-GW38 aren’t that good to keep them when we will have plenty of better alternatives…

When you should consider Liverpool assets?

Keep them until GW34 but seriously consider selling all of them after GW34!

Manchester City (*) – The Citizens have DGW29 so they will be left with two other game week postponed (Chelsea away and Newcastle home). This could have been better but anyway it looks very tasty, especially with their amazing fixtures run starting from GW33.

When you should consider Manchester City assets?

Especially starting from GW33 when they start an amazing run of fixtures (considering they have BGW34)

Manchester United (*) – The Red Devils have one postponed game vs Sheffield United at home, which means their amazing run of fixtures that begin in GW32 is getting even tastier.

When you should consider Manchester United assets?

Starting from GW32 when their amazing run of fixtures begins.

Newcastle United (*) – they have two games postponed vs Aston Villa at home and vs Manchester City away, which means they could potentially have a decent double game week in GW35 & GW37. Their fixtures run looks also decent and with this information, it might be worth keeping their assets even until the end of the season.

When you should consider Newcastle United assets?

Let’s be honest, Newcastle’ assets won’t be the core of any team, so we are considering them only as a backup. It all depends on your needs but it might be worth to have their defender even until the end of the season.

Norwich (*) – they are guaranteed to play 34 so from this perspective might be worth to consider their assets. Their fixtures run isn’t very encouraging, but depends on 1) how you are going to navigate chips 2) what will be Norwich situation in the table, their GW33-35 run might be interesting.

When you should consider Norwich assets?

Most likely forget about The Canaries unless your WC/FH strategy would allow you to gamble on them between GW33-35

Sheffield United (*) – The Blades similar to Aston Villa have two games postponed (and could have three) with The Villans away and Manchester United also away. But their fixtures run looks bad, and their potential DGW’s configuration doesn’t seem to tasty.

When you should consider Sheffield United assets?

Their good fixtures run is coming to the end. I would prepare to sell their assets after GW31. If nothing changes I wouldn’t really look to buy them back anymore this season.

Southampton – They have a gap in their good fixtures run between GW33-35, but their current games are one of the easiest on the paper. They have one game postponed vs Arsenal at home, so from the attacking perspective their potential double game week could be tasty – if will be rescheduled to GW37. We have to wait and see, if it happens might be worth to buy their assets for GW36. They are also guaranteed to play in GW34 what could make selling their assets a little more difficult…

When you should consider Southampton assets?

Keep until GW32 and than see weather their postponed game will be rescheduled to GW37. If it happens keep/buy their assets for GW’s 36-38

Tottenham – Spurs doesn’t have any game postponed and they won’t be involved in any double game week this season… Their good fixtures run is already on, but at the moment I’m not convinced to invest in their players.

When you should consider Tottenham assets?

Their good fixtures run is already lasting but they aren’t convincing now. Another team that is difficult to judge and say what to do with their assets…

Watford (*) – They showed some signs of a good form and they are guaranteed to play both BGW’s 31&34. So these are two good reasons to buy their assets. Another one is very decent run of fixtures up until GW37.

When you should consider Watford assets?

Considering BGW’s and their good run of fixtures the right time is definitely now.

West Ham – West Ham is another team that gave us some signals of rising form, but their current fixtures are difficult, so if you’re interested you should hold on and observe. Wait up until GW33 and than if they keep doing good go for someone you like. You might want also to gamble on them in BGW31 so you could hold their players for a good fixtures run.

When you should consider West Ham assets?

Starting from GW33

Wolverhampton (*) – Wolves are looking great at the moment and they are sure of playing BGW31, so you should definitely secure your team by having their assets especially up until GW32. What to do later depends on their form and form of the other teams, as on FA Cup semi-finals results. I wouldn’t say they have a good run of fixtures after GW32 in comparison with other teams.

When you should consider Wolverhampton assets?

Keep or buy now and have them up until GW32, than see what happens.

Teams marked with (*) might have another blank game week in GW34, which would mean that they would have another double game week (GW35&GW37). That depends on their or their GW34 opponents FA semi-final clash results.

This is the fixture difficulty schedule based on my own FDR algorithm. I provide an update each week:

Summary:

Arsenal (*) – Until GW32 & DGW37 – GW38

Aston Villa (*) – depends on DGW’s but most likely only from GW35

Bournemouth – never again this season, if you own them sell asap

Brighton – most likely there won’t be a good moment anymore to have Brighton’ assets

Burnley – starting from GW31

Chelsea (*) – from now until GW36 / or GW37 depends on DGW’s calendar

Crystal Palace (*) – prepare for sell after GW31 or GW32

Everton – one of these teams that are hard to clearly judge, but could pay off to keep them if you already have or plan to buy before GW34…

Leicester (*) – if you have – keep them. If you don’t have – hold on. Their fixtures run is perfect but their form leaves much to be desired.

Liverpool – keep them until GW34 but seriously consider selling all of them after GW34!

Manchester City (*) – especially starting from GW33 when they start an amazing run of fixtures (considering they have BGW34)

Manchester United (*) – starting from GW32 when their amazing run of fixtures begins.

Newcastle United (*) – all depends on your needs but it might be worth to have their defender even until the end of the season.

Norwich (*) – most likely forget about The Canaries unless your WC/FH strategy would allow you to gamble on them between GW33-35

Sheffield United (*) – I would prepare to sell their assets after GW31. If nothing changes I wouldn’t really look to buy them back anymore this season.

Southampton – keep until GW32 and than see weather their postponed game will be rescheduled to GW37. If it happens keep/buy their assets for GW’s 36-38

Tottenham – their good fixtures run is already lasting but they aren’t convincing now. Another team that is difficult to judge and say what to do with their assets…

Watford (*) – considering BGW’s and their good run of fixtures the right time is definitely now.

West Ham – starting from GW33

Wolverhampton (*) – keep or buy now and have them up until GW32, than see what happens.

And this is how I see fixtures turnover – based on my FDR (gray column is when I suggest to play a FH):

Conclusions:

The most key moments are looking to be:

1. GW31 – FA quarter-finals will be played, so we will know a bit more about BGW34 & both double game weeks.
2. GW33 – when Arsenal’s good fixtures run comes to the end and Manchester City, Tottenham and West Ham all start they good run of fixtures. This is a time when Manchester United’s perfect run of games already last since GW32. This MIGHT be also a good moment to sell Wolverhampton and Southampton players. So definitely big fixtures swing.
3. GW34 – this could be a mixed gameweek (MGW?), for some teams a BGW, for other could be a DGW. So we don’t really know yet which teams will be involved. It’s also impossible to navigate through it, if you don’t start now, and now most of us are focused on GW31. So I think this might be a perfect moment to use FREE HIT.
4. GW35 – in my personal opinion, if you expect or need a significant rank boost you should definitely consider selling ALL or most Liverpool players you have. This will be a double gameweek for most teams except Liverpool and this is the main reason to back this craziness… Most likely all DGW37 will be already revealed, so we will be able to play FPL Wildcard that way, to have 15 playing players benefiting from BB chip.

So many things are uncertain now, but for the moment most reasonable strategy seems to me to be FPL Free hit in GW34, FPL Wildcard in GW35, Bench Boost in GW 37 and 99% I’m going to follow it.

I encourage you to follow me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/analyst_fpl) and sometimes to take a look also on my blog for updated data & FDR. (http://fplanalyst.com/).

Wish you all best guys, plenty of green arrows!