In our brand new Fantasy Premier League newsletter you will find lots of our essential articles in the lead up to the deadline. We also share a ‘When is the best time to use the Wildcard’ EXCLUSIVE!

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What is a Wildcard?

As mentioned the wildcard is one of several chips provided by the game to give the user an edge.

The Wildcard allows its users unlimited transfers in one particular Gameweek. Those who activate it can make as many transfers as they like but before the deadline.

How many Wildcards do we get?

Fantasy Premier League will provide managers with two Wildcards this season. FPL managers start the season with one and have until Sun 29 Dec 13:30 to use it (Gameweek 19).

FPL managers then have access to the second wildcard after Sun 29 Dec 13:30 (Gameweek 19).

Why use a Wildcard?

There are several reasons FPL managers may decide to play a wildcard.

Starting a new season can be volatile. There are so many unknowns that we are basically guessing what is going to happen. So, using the wildcard early in the season after learning new information has its appeal.

Injuries and bans are another reason FPL managers wildcard. Some suffer multiple injuries in their team which can then mean having to use the wildcard to get back on track. This is common immediately after an international break.

Chips also play a huge part in when FPL managers use a wildcard. Many within the fantasy community like to set their team up with a wildcard in preparation to use another chip, i.e. the bench boost.

Another factor that could trigger a wildcard is fixture swings. If a team or teams you invest in at the start of the season has/have good fixtures that turn bad, or vice-versa, then changing our teams up could be a wise move.

Best times to use the first wildcard?

We can’t predict when and if injuries are going to strike and the lack of double and blank Gameweeks in the first half of the season makes wildcarding into another chip much less effective.

However, what we can plan for is fixture changes and fixture swings.

Should we wildcard in Gameweek 4?

Wildcarding early, as mentioned already, means we can react to what we have learnt early on.

Fixture swings are also crucial. Below we can see the Fantasy Football Scout Fixture Ticker.

We can see from the image above that using the wildcard in Gameweek 4 would mean:

• Avoiding Aston Villa assets early on and investing after the match against Arsenal.

• Buying Nottingham Forest assets early and then coming off them when fixtures worsen in Gameweek 4.

• Buying Fulham assets early and then coming off them when fixtures worsen after Gameweek 4.

• Filling up on Arsenal assets early on to then avoid their Gameweek 4 and Gameweek 5 clashes.

• Avoiding West Ham players early but then showing interest when fixtures ease in Gameweek 4.

• Investing more heavily on Chelsea in Gameweek 4 when the Manchester City fixture has passed and by then we would have also learnt more about their starting XI.

• The first international break also comes in early September so wildcarding when Premier League returns in Gameweek 4 could cover international injuries.

Is Gameweek 6 a better week to Wildcard?

Gameweek 6 could be another great opportunity to use the Wildcard.

Using the same fixture ticker but extending it slightly we can see that wildcarding in Gameweek 6 would mean:

• Starting the season with Liverpool assets and coming away from them in Gameweek 6 when fixtures worsen.

• Starting the season with Fulham assets and coming away from them in Gameweek 6 when fixtures worsen.

• Starting the season with Crystal Palace assets and coming away from them in Gameweek 6 when fixtures worsen.

• Avoiding going heavy on Manchester City assets but then stocking up when fixtures ease. The wait would also gives us more knowledge on Phil Foden and their starting XI in general.

• Avoiding Brentford until fixtures get considerably better in Gameweek 6.

• Coming away from Newcastle assets as their fixtures worsen significantly from Gameweek 6.

• Avoiding Arsenal assets until their fixtures improve in Gameweek 6 and onwards.

Is Gameweek 12 the right time to use the Wildcard?

Looking further afield Gameweek 12 could be another round to consider using the Wildcard.

Using the Wildcard in Gameweek 12 would mean we:

• Avoid Brighton’s tough early run to then invest when fixtures ease in Gameweek 12. By then we would have also learnt more about their starting XI.

• Come fully away from Fulham assets as their fixtures toughen considerably.

• Come fully away from Nottingham Forest assets as their fixtures toughen considerably.

• Avoid heavy Arsenal investment early on until their fixtures ease significantly in Gameweek 12 and onwards.

• Come away from Everton assets as their schedule worsens from Gameweek 12.

• Wolves assets could become considerably more appealing as their fixtures turn for the better in Gameweek 12.

• Coming away from Crystal Palace assets as they face Aston Villa, Newcastle, Manchester City and Arsenal shortly after Gameweek 12.

• The Chelsea schedule looks a lot more favourable after Gameweek 12 which could mean stocking up on their assets.

• Coming away from Tottenham and Manchester United players around Gameweek 12 also looks like a good play when considering their fixtures.

• Adapting to injuries when the football resumes immediately after the international break.

Conclusion

Gameweek 4 could be a interesting time to use the Wildcard but it also has a lot of similarities to using the Wildcard in Gameweek 6 other than the fact it’s immediately after an international break.

Gameweek 6 is a very good time to wildcard. By then we would have learned a lot of key information around the teams who have major fixture swings around that time, which there is a lot of.

Gameweek 12 could be the best time to use the wildcard. The ability to roll up to five transfers makes the the fixture swings more manageable in Gameweek 6, even more so if you have planned the start of your season well. The major fixture swings and international break in Gameweek 12 also makes for the perfect opportunity to wildcard.

Things however change in FPL very quickly. Gameweek 4, Gameweek 6 and Gameweek 12 could all be very good times to use the first wildcard.

Now take a look at some of our articles below to get you ready for the new season!

We picked out all of the best players to buy in each position for the first round:

@FPLReaction shares his team reveal and captain for Gameweek 1:

We take a look if Erling Haaland is essential this season:

Who is going to get the most points in Gameweek 1? Find out here:

Not sure on what to call your FPL team? Check out these team names:

FPL Challenge have made some brilliant new changes this season and we picked out some tips for managers playing:

Be sure to check out all of our latest articles over at Fantasy Football Community.