What is the Fantasy Premier League Wildcard and when to use it

 

What is the Wildcard in FPL and when is the best time to use it? 4-time top 1k and 5-time top 5k finisher Abdul Rehman talks you through everything you need to know about the wildcard and tips on how best to utilise it.  

 

What is a Wildcard on FPL? 

 

In the Official Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, the Wildcard is the most powerful chip we have at our disposal. A Wildcard allows you to make unlimited changes to your team without incurring any point hits. All FPL managers are given one free transfer per week and two free transfers if you 'roll over' a transfer. 

 

You cannot roll over more than two free transfers so you would effectively ‘lose’ a transfer if you don’t make a single change across two gameweeks. Every additional transfer you make on top of your initial free transfer(s) results in a four-point hit per transfer. 

 

For example, if you have one free transfer and you make three transfers, you will be deducted eight points from your total score. However, with a Wildcard, you can make as many changes to your team as you want without losing any points. 

 

The FPL Wildcard gives you unlimited transfers and it cannot be cancelled once activated. 

 

When can I use the Wildcard in FPL? 

 

Users are provided with two Wildcards throughout the season. 

 

The first can be used for the start of the season right up until the end of December, usually Gameweek 20. The second one becomes available immediately after the first one expires and you can use it from then right up until the end of the season. It is important to note that if you do not use your first wildcard before the expiry date you will lose it. You cannot carry it over. 

 

To use the Wildcard you have to make your transfers. Upon confirming these changes, the option to play the Wildcard will appear. After finalising these transfers, the chip is now active and you can transfer in as many players as you want before the upcoming deadline. 

 

When should you use your first FPL Wildcard? 

 

The beauty of the Wildcard is that there are no rules on when you have to play it, bar the aforementioned expiry of the first one at your disposal. 

 

The key to a successful season often hinges on your Wildcard selection and when you decide to use it. However it’s important to avoid being reactionary and not use the Wildcard after one bad Gameweek. 

 

I would advise using the first Wildcard to target fixture swings. These could be identified when picking your Gameweek 1 squad. 

 

For example, you can identify certain teams’ fixtures picking up after Gameweek 5. You can pick your initial team for the opening 5 Gameweeks, then Wildcard after Gameweek 5 to take advantage of these fixture swings.  

 

Using the Wildcard during international break 

 

Another popular time to use the wildcard is during an international break. The reason for this is that sometimes the international break throws up some surprises in the form of injuries, and even players returning back late from duty, which means they might miss the following Gameweek. 

 

Using a wildcard during this time is a good way to prepare for anything untoward. I think this is even truer this season due to COVID still being at large and with players travelling to different countries ranging from Amber to Red list.  

 

 

We have already seen numerous times over the last 18 months players missing out due to catching the virus, having to isolate and even some instances of players missing a few weeks due to the effects of COVID. 

 

There is a myth that using the wildcard over the international break is good for building team value. This is not necessarily true and overstated. It is not worth using the wildcard for this reason alone. 

 

I would advise using the wildcard over the international break only if your team needs it (i.e too many injuries and out of form players, for example) or due to a fixture swing. 

 

The best time to play the second Wildcard in FPL 

 

The second Wildcard is a different ball game. Since the introduction of additional chips, mainly the Bench Boost and Triple Captain, the way we use the second Wildcard has changed drastically. 

 

A popular strategy is to use the Bench Boost in a double Gameweek where certain players will have two fixtures within a Gameweek. 

 

The second Wildcard can be used to load up on 15 double Gameweek players a week or two in advance. This sets your team up in a really strong position to maximise these double Gameweek opportunities. 

 

There has been a debate among fantasy football purists about whether this is the optimal strategy. You can gain huge scores from this method in a short period of time, but on the other hand may be sacrificing long term gain by using it earlier.  

 

There is also the potential issue of using the Wildcard too late in the season and not gaining more points in the long-term by using the chip earlier. Each season is different, so it’s always good to adapt your strategy and bear in mind that its always team dependant.  

 

Price changes and your FPL Wildcard 

 

Another advantage of using the Wildcard is you can jump on players who are rising in price which boosts your team value. This tactic is only eligible on the first Wildcard, early on in the campaign when price changes are more volatile.  

 

It can boost your season and give you a slight advantage for your second Wildcard as you have more money to buy the players you want. Although I would advise not to fixate on team value too much, it certainly is handy having a more valuable team and it’s still important to be aware of price changes. 

 

If you plan to get rid of a player with a lot of money tied up in them, make sure you are 100% certain as you can’t buy them back at the same price. You will have to buy those players at their current price which will either leave you short or cause your team value to decrease. 

 

It’s essential to think of your Wildcard as a long-term solution rather than a short-term fix. Plan your Wildcard, be patient, and do not use it on a whim or as a knee-jerk reaction. 

 

The Wildcard is the strongest chip available to us and using it well will likely define your entire season. 

 

You can follow Abdul on Twitter and Instagram for more FPL insight

What is the Fantasy Premier League Wildcard and when to use it