With many players missing through injury or away at international tournaments, and a host of Fantasy Premier League managers activating their Wildcard, The Scout's panel of FPL experts offer advice on whether to use the chip now or save it for later in the season.
What the experts say
Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily)
If you can, keep your Wildcard and use it to maximise the potential points hauls from Double Gameweeks coming down the line. However, as I always say, Wildcarding is very team-dependent and those with multiple flags and issues in their teams might well choose to play it this week. I'm not a fan of anything more than an eight-point hit, so in those circumstances FPL managers should consider playing it.
Utkarsh Dalmia (@ZopharFPL)
I would really try to hold the Wildcard for later when we have more clarity. There is really so much we do not know this week with the Blank and Double Gameweeks to come. Most of the players we are selling will be gone for a period so the points hits are likely to be repaid over two or three weeks. Take the hits and save your Wildcard.
Ben Crabtree (@FC_CrabDogg)
It's better to Wildcard around Double Gameweeks. Taking an eight-point hit is fine if you have a lot of injuries but I wouldn't add more transfers just because of a bad fixture.
Gianni Buttice (@GianniButtice)
Many of us are seeing lots of flags this week and my advice is not to panic. It's not the end of the world if one of your budget bench players has to play this week, and of course hits are always an option. I would be open to a four-point loss or potentially even an eight-point hit rather than Wildcarding this week, knowing the Wildcard will be so valuable around the time we're activating our other chips.
Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily)
I haven't ruled out Wildcarding this week, but I think my team can be fixed by taking an eight-point hit and I am happy to do that.
Doing that would allow me to hold my Wildcard until we have greater understanding of who has progressed in the FA Cup, which teams have a Blank Gameweek because of the EFL Cup final, and which players are heading back from the Africa Cup of Nations and the Asian Cup early. That information is really valuable and therefore taking an eight-point hit this week might mean you can use the chip better later. My minimum requirement when it comes to hitting the Wildcard button is if you want to change five or six players.
Andy Park (@FPL_Sonaldo)
With so much uncertainty regarding potential Double Gameweeks, and who blanks in Gameweeks 26 and 29, holding onto your Wildcard for as long as you can will go a long way - especially as we will get a better picture of future Double Gameweeks and Blank Gameweeks before the Gameweek 22 deadline. As of now, Gameweek 30-33 seems like the perfect time to use the second Wildcard!
Harry Daniels (@FPL_Harry)
I will always recommend a late Wildcard from Gameweek 26 onwards, but there will always come a point where there are so many issues in a team that you should play it sooner. For me, I would play it if you have to take a 12-point hit and you are still left with a few players, maybe on your bench, who you would like to change as well.
View all the latest FPL tips ahead of Gameweek 21 in Fantasy Premier League
