The Scout's panel of Fantasy Premier League experts give their thoughts on how the FA Cup fifth-round matches on Tuesday and Wednesday will impact their transfer plans and chip strategies.
What the experts say
Pranil Sheith (@lateriser12)
I am very open to an early Wildcard, but it all depends on the FA Cup results. I do think the value of the Wildcard diminishes the deeper we go into the season, so I will be absolutely switched on in the latter half of this week to see if an opportunity presents itself.
See: How midweek FA Cup ties will affect FPL managers
Geoff Dance (@GeoffreyDance)
So much will change this week, in terms of FPL managers' strategy for playing their chips. I still have my second Wildcard, Bench Boost and Free Hit to play.
My current thinking to maximise all three chips is to Wildcard in Gameweek 26, Bench Boost in Double Gameweek 27 and Free Hit in Blank Gameweek 28.
Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily)
The FA Cup is going to be all important in my chip strategy. In my current team, I have seven players who will definitely be available in BGW28. If the FA Cup fixtures are kind, I plan to play my Free Hit in Double Gameweek 29, when 12 teams play twice.
However, if the FA Cup means a number of my players don't have a fixture in BGW28, I will Free Hit in that week and then Wildcard into DGW29, to maximise my team.
Utkarsh Dalmia (@Zophar666)
If Leeds United beat Fulham in the FA Cup, I would have my Liverpool trio and Andreas Pereira (£4.4m) available for BGW28, which would save me Free-Hitting that week.
I am currently planning on using the Free Hit around Gameweek 32 and then Wildcard in Gameweek 33.
Holly Shand (@HollyShand)
If Liverpool and Fulham end up with a BGW28, I'll plan to Wildcard this week, Free Hit in BGW28 and potentially Bench Boost in the big DGW29.
Gianni Buttice (@GianniButtice)
If Liverpool and Fulham Does not go ahead due to the latter's participation in the FA Cup, I may be forced to Free Hit in BGW28. This would allow me to concentrate my transfers on those doubling in Gameweek 27 and Gameweek 29, which could become a Bench Boost option for me.
I'm planning to Wildcard in Gameweek 33 to set myself up well for the Doubles at the end of the season.
Jamie Pigott (@Futbolislifefpl)
I'm trying to weather the storm between Gameweeks 27-29 with free transfers and deploy my chips later.
This worked well for me last year and while every season is different, I like the upside. Currently planning to Wildcard in Gameweek 33, Bench Boost in Gameweek 34 and Free Hit in Gameweek 37.
