The Scout explains why Fantasy Premier League managers might want to consider using their Wildcard chip in Gameweek 12, if they haven't already used it.
The Wildcard is a valuable chip that allows UNLIMITED free transfers to overhaul your squad without incurring any points hits.
If you are thinking of using the Wildcard in Gameweek 12, it is a good idea to do so TODAY so that you can benefit from as many price changes as possible.
By transferring in your top targets before they RISE in price, and selling your unwanted players before they DROP, you can make a big difference to your squad value.
Should you use a Wildcard in Gameweek 12?
When to play the chip is very much dependant on the state of your squad, but if there are a number of changes you wish to make, the Wildcard offers an immediate solution.
For example, there is a growing trend of managers owning three premium midfielders in Mohamed Salah (£12.9m), Cole Palmer (£10.9m) and Bukayo Saka (£10.1m) in order to have multiple captaincy options, with the sale of Erling Haaland (£15.2m) helping bring about a more balanced approach to their squads.
Fixture swings
Many managers have planned towards a Gameweek 12 Wildcard for some time now due to the change in schedules for a number of clubs.
Using the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR) helps identify the clubs you should build a Wildcard squad around.
AFC Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers are among those who have the kindest upcoming runs of opponents. According to the FDR, five of each those clubs’ next seven matches score a mere two.
While Palmer is the obvious pick from those clubs, players such as Brighton’s Georginio Rutter (£5.6m) and Wolves’ Matheus Cunha (£6.7m) can offer great value in attack and appear to be rotation-free picks.
Four of Aston Villa’s next five matches score just two in the FDR, giving you the option of investing in budget midfielder Morgan Rogers (£5.4m) or forward Ollie Watkins (£9.0m).
If you don’t fancy Watkins, then Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak (£8.4m) is a fine alternative. The Swede has scored in three successive Gameweeks ahead of matches against West Ham United and Crystal Palace. If you are going without Haaland, then retaining a premium forward slot up front still allows you to play the fixtures, with Nicolas Jackson (£7.9m) and Kai Havertz (£8.0m) also options in this price bracket.
The Scout's Wildcard squad
Elsewhere up front, Brentford’s Yoane Wissa (£6.1m) offers a significant saving over his team-mate and Fantasy midfielder Bryan Mbeumo (£7.9m). Since returning from injury and regaining a starting role in Gameweek 9, Wissa has outscored Mbeumo by 25 points to 23.
At the back, Arsenal have the schedule to improve upon their run of seven matches without a clean sheet. Indeed, all of their next nine matches score no more than three in the FDR.
Goalkeeper David Raya (£5.6m) is less expensive than centre-back Gabriel (£6.1m), allowing you to invest in budget defenders with attacking potential from other sides, such as Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri (£4.7m) and Ipswich Town’s Leif Davis (£4.5m).
