2025/26 FPL Chip Strategy Guide – First Half of the Season

The 2025/26 Fantasy Premier League season has forced managers into fresh strategic thinking. Alongside the two traditional Wildcards, this year brings double the number of Free Hits, Triple Captains, and Bench Boosts. The crucial twist is that the first of each must be used by Gameweek 19 – otherwise, they simply expire.

This structural change alone transforms the game. Historically, managers have sat on their chips, waiting for blank and Double Gameweeks in the second half of the season. Those periods usually presented the biggest opportunities for explosive chip usage. But the “use it or lose it” nature of this year’s setup means holding chips for too long is no longer an option. Planning has to shift forward, with managers forced to think creatively across the opening months.

Adding another wrinkle, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off in late December and runs into mid-January. FPL has provided a safety net: all managers will receive the maximum five free transfers in Gameweek 16 to handle absences. This essentially functions as a mini-Wildcard at a time when several key assets, notably Mohamed Salah, will be missing.

Taken together, these changes mean the first half of 2025/26 may be the most chip-heavy stretch we’ve ever seen. The goal is to identify when to deploy each chip for maximum gain while still maintaining flexibility for unexpected developments. Below, we’ll break down each chip in detail – possible blank and double weeks, Triple Captain timing, Free Hit opportunities, Wildcard slots, and Bench Boost options – before tying it together into potential pathways.

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2025/26 FPL Chip Strategy Explained for First Half of the season

Possible Blank and Double Gameweeks

Blank and Double Gameweeks typically shape chip strategy. This year, even before Gameweek 19, the possibility of a small double and small blank exists. If Crystal Palace reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, then Gameweek 16 could become a Double Gameweek for Palace, immediately followed by a Blank Gameweek 17.

A Double Gameweek 16 would open up opportunities to attack Palace players or whoever their second fixture is against. A Blank in GW17, however, could quickly undo that momentum if you’re overloaded on Palace assets. Normally, this setup would scream out for a Free Hit or even a Wildcard to balance the short-term chaos. But the twist this year is that all managers will be handed five free transfers in GW16 as part of AFCON cover.

Those five transfers essentially act like a free Wildcard, giving managers flexibility to adjust squads for both the double and the blank without spending an actual chip. That means the DGW/Blank pair is still important, but less disruptive than in previous years. Managers can adapt without panic.

The real decision is whether to layer a chip on top of those free transfers. Using a Triple Captain in DGW16 could be lucrative if a Palace attacker or defender looks appealing. Alternatively, some may choose to save the Free Hit specifically for that window to maximise short-term gains, although the presence of the free transfers makes this less of a necessity.

In short, the blank/double window is something to keep in mind, but the AFCON-related transfers blunt its impact. Managers should still watch for official confirmation by GW13, as planning transfers and chip timing around it could pay off massively.

FPL Chip Strategy- Triple Captain Options

The Triple Captain chip is often saved for a Double Gameweek. Yet with no guarantees of a major double before GW19, managers may need to look at strong single fixtures. Let’s break down the leading candidates.

Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah offers fixtures such as Burnley (A) in GW4, Sunderland (H) in GW14, and Leeds (A) in GW15. On paper, these are tempting. But Salah’s start to the season has been underwhelming: just one goal and one assist in the opening three matches, compared to three goals and three assists by the same point last season. Using the Triple Captain chip on him in GW4 may feel premature, especially with limited data on how promoted teams will adapt.

Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland is the standout option. City play Burnley (H) in GW6, Leeds (H) in GW13, and Sunderland (H) in GW15. Not only are these home fixtures against newly promoted sides, but Haaland is already showing dominant underlying numbers. He leads the league in expected goal involvement (xGI) and has already scored three times. If you’re going to risk an early Triple Captain, GW6 against Burnley at home looks ideal.

Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer enters the conversation thanks to Chelsea’s run between GW8–12. Sunderland (H) in GW9 and Burnley (A) in GW12 stand out. Chelsea’s fixtures in this stretch are so appealing that many managers are planning a GW8 Wildcard specifically to bring Palmer back and load up on Arsenal assets. Using the Triple Captain chip on Palmer in GW9 against Sunderland could be a clever differential play.

The safer approach is to wait until after GW13. At that point, more data is available, Chelsea’s run is clearer, and we’ll likely know whether GW16 will be a Double. If the DGW16 scenario happens, then that becomes the prime Triple Captain slot. With five free transfers handed out in GW16, managers can load up on the right players without hits. A DGW Triple Captain would also offer the ceiling managers usually seek.s

In conclusion, Haaland in GW6 or GW13 feels like the most obvious Single-Gameweek option, but holding out for GW13–16 provides more flexibility and upside. The structure of this season means patience could pay off, even if it feels uncomfortable to delay the chip.

FPL Chip Strategy- Free Hit Options

Fixture Ticker from GW4-GW19:

The Free Hit chip is usually reserved for blank gameweeks, but with two available this season and the need to use one early, alternative timings open up.

GW4 Free Hit

GW4 is an early candidate. Many teams face tough fixtures but have better ones on either side. Nottingham Forest, for example, travel to Arsenal, but play West Ham (H) and Burnley (A) around it. If you lack Liverpool players, a Free Hit could let you load up for Burnley (A). Still, it feels early and reactive unless your team is badly positioned.

If you are on GW4 Free Hit, Do check out our Detailed article covering the Best GW4 Free Hit Drafts with Pros & Cons:

FPL GW4 Free Hit Guide – Tips, Players to Target and Best Drafts

GW6 Free Hit

GW6 looks far stronger. This round is packed with standout fixtures. City host Burnley, Forest host Sunderland, Spurs host Wolves, and Chelsea play Brighton at home. Meanwhile, Arsenal travel to Newcastle and Liverpool visit Palace — tricky games for big assets. A Free Hit in GW6 would let managers stack City attackers without worrying about long-term rotation or Pep roulette. It also provides a clean exit from Arsenal/Liverpool assets for a single week without losing them permanently.

Another benefit of GW6: City don’t have a midweek European game before it, meaning reduced rotation risk for Haaland and other key starters. That certainty makes GW6 arguably the prime Free Hit week.

GW11 Free Hit

GW11 is another option. City and Liverpool clash, which reduces the appeal of Salah and Haaland for that Gameweek. Meanwhile, Arsenal play Sunderland (A), Chelsea host Wolves, and Forest, West Ham and others have strong fixtures. A Free Hit here allows you to temporarily move off the big premiums without losing them.

GW16/GW17 Free Hit

GW16/17 could also be Free Hit candidates if the Palace blank/double scenario plays out. However, since every manager gets five free transfers in GW16, the need for a Free Hit here is significantly reduced. It could still be used for aggressive short-term upside but isn’t essential.

Overall, GW6 stands out as the strongest Free Hit slot. GW11 offers another option, while GW16/17 may become relevant depending on fixture announcements.

FPL Chip Strategy- Wildcard Windows

The Wildcard remains the most powerful chip, and with two available, timing becomes everything. Managers usually want enough data to make informed decisions, but this season’s fixture swings mean different entry points all carry merit.

Fixture Ticker from GW4-GW19:

Teams with Good and Bad Fixtures in Wildcard Windows:

GW4 Wildcard:

– Falls after the first international break, providing a reset if your initial squad is underperforming.
– The downside is limited data: only three weeks to assess form and nailedness.
– Still, early consistency can be spotted. Last season, six players were in both the top 10 after GW3 and the final top 10 by GW38 (Salah, Palmer, Mbeumo, Haaland, Diaz, Wissa). So while small, the sample isn’t useless.
– If you’ve been hit by bad picks, injuries, or missed key players like Haaland, GW4 could be the reset button.
– However, teams like Villa and Forest, despite poor early form, have favourable fixtures ahead. Holding onto those players might make more sense than cutting bait.

If you are on GW4 Wildcard, Do check out our Detailed article covering the Best GW4 Wildcard Drafts with Pros & Cons:

FPL GW4 Wildcard Team – Tips, Players to Target and Best Drafts

GW7/GW8 Wildcard:

– The second international break lands before GW8, making this a natural window. By then, we’ll have seven weeks of data — enough to judge who’s real and who was a GW1 mirage.
– Arsenal’s fixture swing starts here, with a kind run including Burnley and Sunderland in GW10 and 11. Chelsea also rank highly for fixtures in GW8–12, with home ties against Sunderland and Wolves and a trip to Burnley.
– At the same time, Villa, Forest and Palace see their schedules worsen. Transitioning away from them at this point makes sense.
– A GW8 Wildcard also syncs with Bench Boost plans. If you’ve used a Bench Boost earlier (GW5), you can strip the bench here and reinvest cash into your XI.
– By this point, we’ll also know whether new signings like West Ham’s Diouf or Chelsea’s attackers are worth holding. This timing feels like the most balanced option — enough data, fixture upside, and good squad reset potential.

GW13 Wildcard:

– From GW13 onwards, fixture swings favour Liverpool, Man City, and Newcastle. This opens the door to restructuring around premium assets.
– Liverpool face West Ham (A), Sunderland (H), and Leeds (A). City play Leeds (H), Fulham (A), and Sunderland (H). Newcastle take on Everton (A), Spurs (H), and Burnley (H). All three runs make stacking their players attractive.
– A GW13 Wildcard allows you to load up just before AFCON, giving maximum benefit from your squad before losing Salah and others.
– Combined with the five free transfers in GW16, it’s almost like playing back-to-back Wildcards — one in GW13, then another “mini-WC” in GW16.

In summary, GW8 looks the most popular and logical slot, but GW4 and GW13 both have their merits. Team context will decide which one fits best.

FPL Bench Boost Options

The Bench Boost chip divides opinion. Some managers like to use it late with a strong squad, others prefer an early play before a Wildcard. This season, the forced chip usage means the latter route has strong appeal.

GW5 Bench Boost

GW5 is a leading candidate. Fixtures align nicely: Burnley play Forest at home, Liverpool face Everton at Anfield, Villa go to Sunderland, and Palace play West Ham away. These present decent opportunities across the board. Managers can use two free transfers before GW5 to spread funds into their bench, then Wildcard in GW8 to reset back to a leaner squad. This creates a smooth path: BB5 → FH6 → WC8.

GW8 Bench Boost

GW8 is another option, with Burnley hosting Leeds. However, many popular assets face each other that week (Liverpool v Man United, Spurs v Villa, Forest v Chelsea). That overlap reduces ceiling, making GW5 stronger in comparison.

A later play, post-GW13, is also possible. With Salah away at AFCON, managers can spread his funds into a stronger bench and then deploy the Bench Boost in a favourable fixture week.

Still, GW5 looks optimal because it aligns with early fixture spreads and leads neatly into a GW8 Wildcard.

Conclusion: Possible Chip Strategy Combinations

The first half of 2025/26 forces managers to rethink everything. With chips expiring at GW19, planning ahead is vital. While there’s no single “correct” route, several pathways stand out.

Path A: Bench Boost GW5 → Free Hit GW6 → Wildcard GW8/13 → Triple Captain GW13/15/16.
Path B: Bench Boost GW8 → Triple Captain GW12/15 → Wildcard GW13 → Free Hit GW16/17.
Path C: Bench Boost GW5 → Wildcard GW8/13 → Triple Captain GW12/15 → Free Hit GW16/17.

Ultimately, chip usage will remain team dependent. Injuries, form swings, and fixture confirmations will dictate exact timing. But going into the season with a framework – BB early, FH in GW6, WC in GW8, TC later on – provides a roadmap that can be adapted as needed.

This first half of the season is unlike anything we’ve seen in FPL. Chips can’t be hoarded, and opportunities arrive earlier. Managers who embrace that shift and plan proactively will give themselves the best shot at pulling clear in the rankings before Christmas.

Further reads from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL GW4

FPL GW4 Free Hit Guide – Tips, Players to Target and Best Drafts
2025/26 FPL Chip Strategy Guide – First Half of the Season
FPL GW4 Ultimate Guide: Tips, Differentials, Captaincy & More
FPL GW4 Wildcard Team – Tips, Players to Target and Best Drafts

Link to all our FPL GW4 blogs including buy, hold, sell analysis, differentials, captaincy metrics, transfer targets, and more. Completely free to access as well!

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