The Premier League season is well underway and with six matches done, FPL managers have started identifying some strengths and weaknesses in their squad.
Haaland, Sterling, Salah, Gross and many many other players are the subject of countless debates between managers.
The most important decision managers take between gameweeks is which player to replace to optimize their team for maximum points.
As a general rule, players are allowed one free transfer per gameweek, and two free transfers if none were made the week before.
If a manager wishes to make more than the allotted free transfers, they take a hit of -4 points off their score of the week.
Then there is the all-important “Wildcard” chip, which allows players to make unlimited transfers in a gameweek with no repercussions.
What is the difference between a Free Hit and Wildcard chip
At this point, it is imperative to solve any confusion between the “Free hit” chip and the “Wildcard” chip.
Both the chips allow you to make unlimited transfers for a gameweek, but the difference is, when the Free Hit chip is used, the team reverts back to the pre-Free Hit team after the gameweek, whereas the same does not happen when Wildcard is played.
In essence, Free Hit is a temporary change whereas Wildcard is permanent.
FPL managers can use the Wildcard two times in a season.
The first chip is available till Boxing Day and the second chip after Boxing Day.
The Wildcard is a great way to freshen up the team and chop and change as much as you like without being limited by free transfers.
Players can study upcoming games, player forms, and injuries and can include surprise players and differentials that they’d failed to spot before the season had started.
Best time to use a Wildcard
Gameweek 7-9 are when most managers start using their first Wildcard.
This is because this is the time when European football starts, and the international break comes up.
Real-world managers start rotating squads and FPL managers can get an understanding of who to keep and who to remove from their team to maximize points week in and week out.
An early wildcard can tie your hands for when player rotations start, whereas a late wildcard can lead to missed opportunities.
Read on for our thoughts on team building and the Wildcard chip in the upcoming gameweeks.
Teams to target based on the next 6 gameweeks:
Chelsea
Chelsea only faces one top-six sides (Liverpool) in the next six gameweeks, meaning the Blues players should rake in points.
Fofana, Reece James and Sterling can be the ones to keep your eyes on.
West Ham
The Hammers were unlucky not to come away with a point against Chelsea, thanks to VAR.
The next few fixtures should make up for that lost point as West Ham does not play a top-six team until gameweek 12.
Looking forward till Gameweek 16, they only play one more top six side, making West Ham players a good long-term hold option. Bowen and Emerson can be good picks going forward.
Newcastle
Three back-to-back easy fixtures mean FPL managers can lose some serious points if they do not own any Toon asset.
Nick Pope and Trippier should get a few clean sheets while new signing Alexander Isak, who already scored against Liverpool, should bag more goals.
Aston Villa
Chelsea is the only top 6 six team on their radar in the next six gameweeks, making Villa players very attractive for FPL managers.
Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey have already delivered for Steven Gerrard and will probably continue to do so in the upcoming matches.
Word of Caution:
Leicester City
Leicester has a good run-in barring Spurs, but if their current form is anything to go by, FPL managers would be wise to hold out on the Foxes for a couple of gameweeks and then decide on their inclusion.
Teams to avoid based on the next 6 gameweeks:
Wolves
Liverpool, Man City, West Ham and Chelsea in the next four gameweeks. Wolves will be aiming to get 3-4 points in these four matches.
FPL managers should take the first opportunity they get to remove Wolves players from their teams.
Tottenham
Spurs face Man City, Arsenal, Man Utd and high-flyers, Brighton, in the next six games. Managers face a tough call with Harry Kane, Son and other Spurs assets.
Liverpool
Three top 6 sides in the next five weeks do not make for an attractive viewing for Liverpool.
This, coupled with Salah’s under-performance and Klopp’s fullback rotation, does not bode well for Liverpool players in FPL.
Arsenal
Tricky fixtures with Everton and Brentford are followed by games against Spurs and Liverpool before welcoming Man City in week 12. This young squad will be stretched mentally and physically.
Given how the fixtures are shaping up, it seems like a good time to play the Wildcard and jump off the Big six teams to find value in other teams with better fixtures.