No one ever said navigating an FPL season was easy – and this year’s run-in might be one of the most chaotic yet, writes Fantasy Premier League expert Blake Hurst. Between the EFL Cup, FA Cup and European competitions, the Premier League schedule is heading for a minefield of blanks and doubles. But for savvy managers, chaos equals opportunity.
If you plan your chips right, you can turn fixture disruption into your biggest advantage. Here’s how to approach every chip – and how the schedule will influence those all-important decisions.
The Roadmap: Blanks, Doubles, and Key Fixtures
Before we dive into chip strategy, let’s set the stage. A lot hinges on upcoming cup results – but we can already predict certain patterns:
Gameweek 31: Expect four blanks due to the EFL Cup final. At present, Arsenal and Manchester City are favourites to reach it, meaning Arsenal (vs Wolves) and Man City (vs Crystal Palace) would blank.
Gameweek 26 potential double: If Arsenal reach the final, their postponed GW31 fixture could shift forward to GW26. That would give us our first Double Gameweek (DGW) of the season:
– Arsenal: vs Brentford & Wolves
– Wolves: vs Nottingham Forest & Arsenal
Gameweek 34: This could be the big blank if four Premier League clubs make the FA Cup semi-finals, resulting in up to eight teams missing that week.
Gameweek 33: Likely to host the largest Double Gameweek (6-8 teams) as rescheduled fixtures from GW34 slot in.
Gameweek 36: Could bring another double – especially for Manchester City if deep cup runs cause fixture delays. An appealing potential double of Brentford & Burnley is on the cards for them.
So, what do we do with that information? Let’s break it down chip by chip.
Wildcard: Timing Is Everything
The Wildcard can make or break a manager’s endgame. Here are the three best timings, depending on how you play your chips.
1. Gameweek 32 – The Power Move (Recommended)
This is the ideal Wildcard for most managers.
– You’ll have full clarity on the FA Cup outcomes (and thus Gameweek 33 and 34 schedules).
– You can build your team to target the big DGW33 for a potential Bench Boost.
– You can then Free Hit in GW34 when many of your DGW33 assets will blank.
It’s logical, powerful, and lets you attack the run-in with maximum information.
2. Gameweek 24 – The Early Swing
For the risk-takers. GW24 ushers in fixture swings for Chelsea, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Bournemouth, and Crystal Palace – potentially great for differentials.
If Arsenal’s predicted DGW26 happens, this setup puts you in perfect position for it.
It’s also an opportunity to shift funds and back a differential in Mo Salah for his high-upside attacking fixture
3. Gameweek 34 – The Late Reset
For those who like to ride the chaos. Use your free transfers to prepare for the DGW33 bonanza, then Wildcard out the mess in GW34 to target the final four Gameweeks (especially possible DGWs in GW36/37).
Free Hit: The Safety Net
Used best to take advantage of a one-week fixture anomaly – or to survive a major blank without wrecking your long-term team.
Best Weeks for the Free Hit:
1. Gameweek 34: Likely the biggest blank of the season. Perfect if you Wildcarded in GW32.
2. Gameweek 31: A smaller blank, but handy if as predicted Manchester City and Arsenal both blank and your squad’s exposed.
3. Gameweek 36: A big Double Gameweek, ideal for building a one-week super team full of players with two fixtures.
Bench Boost: The Points Explosion
Few chips can swing mini leagues like this one. The magic happens when you have 15 active players, ideally all playing twice.
Top Weeks to Bench Boost:
1. Gameweek 33: The super Double Gameweek – more teams, more fixtures, more points. Ideal if you’ve Wildcarded in GW32.
2. Gameweek 36: The second largest predicted DGW, with possibly City, Liverpool, or others doubling.
3. Gameweek 26: Smaller, but still viable if Arsenal’s and Wolves’ doubles materialise and want to back Wolves fixtures.
Bonus: If you have Martin Dubravka as your cheap second keeper, his GW33 fixture (Nottingham Forest) offers sneaky clean sheet potential.
Triple Captain: The Kingmaker
Timing your Triple Captain is all about maximizing fixture quality and player form.
Top Triple Captain Weeks:
1. Gameweek 36: The dream scenario – Erling Haaland potentially facing Brentford and Burnley in a double.
2. Gameweek 33: Another possible Haaland double if City’s fixtures land here instead.
3. Gameweek 26: If Arsenal double, a Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber or Gabriel triple captaincy could pay off handsomely – though you’ll want to brace for the Haaland DGW later.
The Blueprint: Putting It All Together
Based on current information, fixture probabilities and predictions, this is my personal opinion for the optimal chip outline for the rest of the season:
GW32 Wildcard: Set up your team for a Bench Boost in GW33, then Free Hit in GW34.
GW33 Bench Boost: Perfect time to maximise the season’s biggest double gameweek.
GW34 Free Hit: Ideal for covering the major blank week.
Triple Captain: Use in GW26 or GW36 – either back Arsenal early or go for Haaland late.
Final Thoughts
Keep in mind – all of this could shift depending on cup results and fixture moves. But smart FPL managers plan ahead, stay flexible, and understand probability as much as form.
As more information drops, we’ll update you week by week. A well-timed chip strategy is what separates a good finish from a great one, and the groundwork starts now.
This is where the season can truly be won.
