When could be the best time to Wildcard?
FPL managers still with a Wildcard to use are wondering when to activate it. In particular, which fixture runs will allow maximum impact.
Wildcard usage
Amongst the top 10k, around 20% still have a Wildcard in their pocket. This number increases to 66% of overall managers, although many of these teams will likely be inactive.
When to Wildcard
Firstly, let’s rule out Wildcard usage during Blank Gameweek 30, where only eight sides participate. So there are eight more rounds of Premier League action until the summer – a fairly short period of time where riskier moves can be justified.
Whilst many have pencilled in Gameweek 31 as a starting point for the endgame, others will decide based on fixture swings.
In truth, fixtures remain consistently okay for many teams. The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City and Tottenham. Considering many of the most-wanted players play for these five, using a Gameweek 31 Wildcard to stock up makes sense.
However, squads that already possess seven or eight players from this quintet will likely decide based on the other teams – those assets that will determine squad depth.
These are the most highly-owned players amongst the top 10k. Gameweek 31 fixtures look strong and the only other teams with strong-looking matches that week are Brighton and West Ham, who may still be without Jarrod Bowen.
Gameweek 32 is when the tide turns for popular assets from Southampton, Aston Villa, Leeds and Wolves. This may tempt managers to bin Armando Broja, Tino Livramento, Raphinha, Philippe Coutinho, Raul Jimenez and a Wolves defender.
It coincides with the fairly nice run of fixtures for Leicester and Burnley, who both have three games-in-hand. Names like Wout Weghorst, Connor Roberts, Harvey Barnes and James Maddison will likely be popular replacements.
By that point, we should also have more information on when the postponed games of Gameweek 30 will occur. Those with a remaining Bench Boost can then use this knowledge to prepare a strong 15-man squad.
Saving a Wildcard for the last few weeks is a nice luxury to have but, of course, doesn’t give much time for an impact. To conclude, Gameweeks 31-33 is the best period in which to Wildcard.
