When should FPL managers use Wildcard 1?

The new Unlimited transfer Window runs between the 12th of November and the 26th of December. This will impact the strategy of FPL managers, especially in terms of when they play their first Wildcard. We assess when FPL managers should use Wildcard 1.

Wildcard 1 can be used anytime between the Gameweek 1 deadline and 13:30 on the 12th of November. However managers are likely to want to play the chip early in the window to ensure maximum impact.

For some FPL managers like FPL Family‘s Sam this will be a change in stretegy:

I normally like to hold my first Wildcard for as long as possible. This allows me to then delay the second Wildcard and use that in and around the Double and Blank Gameweeks. Playing Wildcard 1 later also gives me the opportunity to see players and teams establish form and hit changes in fixture runs.
However, the World Cup and the Unlimited Transfer Window will mean that I play my first Wildcard earlier. I want to ensure that I get the most value out of the Wildcard team. Therefore playing it earlier will mean more weeks for the Wildcard to be a success ahead of the unlimited window opening.
Sam Bonfield FPL Family

So when could be a good time to play Wildcard 1?

Option 1 – After Gameweek 5

Between Gameweek 1 and Gameweek 5 Arsenal sit top of the Fantasy Football Scout Fixture Ticker.

Courtesy of the Fantasy Football Scout Members Area

However, between Gameweek 6 and Gameweek 10 the clubs at the top of the Fixture Ticker are very different.

Managers could therefore start the season with teams focused on Arsenal, Man City, Wolves, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Chelsea. They can then Wildcard between Gameweek 5 and Gameweek 6. This Wildcard team could then focus on Newcastle, Forest, Leicester, Bournemouth, Leeds and Brentford.

By playing the first Wildcard here FPL managers can target the fixture swings. Doing this gives good opportunity for FPL points returns.

Option 2 – Between Gameweek 8 and Gameweek 9

There is an International Break scheduled for between Gameweek 8 and Gameweek 9. FPL managers could target this as a Wildcard window. Playing the Wildcard here will give FPL managers eight Gameweeks worth of knowledge about the players and teams to target. It also allows managers to target fixture swing clubs.

Gameweek 1-8 Fixture Ticker

Gameweek 9-16 Fixture Ticker

A Wildcard here therefore has multiple benefits. Managers can target the fixture swings. They are also able to react to injuries over the international matches. Finally managers have a longer period of time in which to have the Wildcard chip active and tinker with their teams.

Option 3 – In or around Gameweek 11

Just ahead of Gameweek 11 also feels like a good time to potentially Wildcard. FPL managers who wait for this moment will have likely targeted Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City for their earlier fixture runs. However in Gamweeks 11 and 12 they have difficult fixtures against one another.

Indeed between Gameweek 11 and Gameweek 16 Man City sit bottom of the Fixture Ticker. Liverpool are fifth from bottom. Owning less of these players is not something managers would want to continue for a long time. Therefore Wildcarding now means managers could sell for the difficult fixtures and bring back as part of the Unlimited Transfer Window when the fixtures improve.

At this stage mangers can also target clubs that would otherwise not necessarily have been on their radar.