{"id":522876,"date":"2026-04-10T06:50:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T06:50:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/522876\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T06:50:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T06:50:11","slug":"the-ultimate-fpl-chip-strategy-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/522876\/","title":{"rendered":"The ultimate FPL chip strategy guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since Double Gameweek 33 and Blank Gameweek 34 were finalised<\/a>, we\u2019ve published several articles aiming to help Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers lock in a chip strategy.<\/p>\n

Now, it\u2019s time to bring together everything under one roof. You might have one chip remaining. You might have all four. Or, something in between.<\/p>\n

However many chips you have remaining, we thought we\u2019d run down your options. Naturally, a lot of this is \u2018team dependent\u2019 \u2013 but we thought we\u2019d offer some general guidance in this piece.<\/p>\n

This article does, it should be said, assume that the outstanding, as-yet-unassigned Manchester City v Crystal Palace fixture will form a small Double Gameweek 36 for both clubs.<\/p>\n

WHAT\u2019S YOUR SITUATION?<\/p>\n

Some people are sitting on all four chips: Wildcard (WC), Free Hit (FH), Bench Boost (BB) and Triple Captain (TC).<\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

Alternatively, there are four combinations of three chips, six ways to have two of them, plus each by itself. There\u2019ll even be some nervous managers without any remaining at all!<\/p>\n

With seven rounds remaining, and nothing particularly special about Gameweeks 35, 37 or 38, the default idea is to Wildcard now so that it maximises a Double Gameweek 33 Bench Boost. That leaves Blank Gameweek 34 looking grim \u2013 a perfect reason to Free Hit.<\/p>\n

Should Man City v Crystal Palace create a Double Gameweek 36, you can use Triple Captain at that moment.<\/p>\n

Wildcard, Free Hit + Bench BoostSuggested strategies: (a) WC32, BB33, FH34 or (b) FH33, WC35, BB36<\/p>\n

Many managers are in this situation and, following Arsenal\u2019s shock FA Cup defeat, an alternative idea to the standard strategy above (sans Triple Captain) is gaining momentum.<\/p>\n

Wildcarding in Gameweek 35 allows more time for information regarding the title chase, European progression and being \u2018on the beach\u2019. Although, in exchange, a poor-looking Bench Boost gets assigned to Gameweek 36, while the Gameweek 33 Free Hit becomes about rank protection rather than excitement.<\/p>\n

As many of the \u2018solvers\u2019 will say, option (a) probably just about remains the statistically optimal one for a lot of managers \u2013 even though a Wildcarded Gameweek 32 team might not be too palatable this weekend.<\/p>\n

Crystal Palace\u2019s likely progression to the Europa League semi-finals also means the Eagles might not be worth Wildcarding into as much in Gameweek 35. Those semis take place on either side of that Gameweek.<\/p>\n

Wildcard, Free Hit + Triple CaptainSuggested strategy: WC32 or 35, FH33, TC36<\/p>\n

If the big Double Gameweek 33 can\u2019t be Bench Boosted, the next best option is probably to go all-in on the Free Hit.<\/p>\n

With Arsenal now playing in Gameweek 34, many Fantasy managers will be able to traverse that week with Gunners representation (whether they have them in their existing FPL team or a Wildcarded one), and not use a Free Hit then.<\/p>\n

Your current Gameweek 32 team may look okay for Gameweek 34, indeed, meaning you can Wildcard in Gameweek 35.<\/p>\n

The Triple Captain then gets saved for the smaller Double Gameweek 36.<\/p>\n

Wildcard, Bench Boost + Triple CaptainSuggested strategy: TC33, WC34\/35, BB36<\/p>\n

Using a Gameweek 35 Wildcard, managers will have to softly approach Double Gameweek 33, taking into account the Blank Gameweek that follows. As a consolation, by using the Triple Captain wisely that week, your chosen skipper could outscore some four-man benches.<\/p>\n

Then, it\u2019s about picking a squad heavy on Man City and (maybe) Palace, as well as teams with good end-of-season fixtures like Newcastle and Arsenal, in preparation for Double Gameweek 36\u2019s Bench Boost.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, you can go with as many doublers as your free transfers will allow for Gameweek 33 and Wildcard a team for Blank Gameweek 34 onwards (perhaps with triple City on the bench).<\/p>\n

Free Hit, Bench Boost + Triple CaptainSuggested strategy: BB33, FH34, TC36<\/p>\n

Without a Wildcard, perhaps just collect as many Double Gameweek 33 players as possible with free transfers, knowing that this Bench Boost has the safety net of no blanks immediately afterwards.<\/p>\n

Wildcard + Free HitSuggested strategy: FH33, WC35<\/p>\n

Again, those who\u2019ve already Bench Boosted can use the second-best idea for Double Gameweek 33 \u2013 a Free Hit. Surrounding this are two sets of fixtures that look fairly favourable for the current \u2018template\u2019, so activating a Wildcard can wait until the final four-match run.<\/p>\n

Wildcard + Bench BoostSuggested strategy: WC34\/35, BB36<\/p>\n

Similar to the route of three entries ago, but without the consolation of a Triple Captain in the big double. Missing out on any sort of Gameweek 33 chip joy might hurt, but your time to shine comes shortly after.<\/p>\n

Wildcard + Triple CaptainSuggested strategy: (a) TC33, WC35 or (b) WC35, TC36<\/p>\n

With a Triple Captain instead of Bench Boost, there\u2019s some choice about which player\u2019s double looks more appealing across these two opportunities.<\/p>\n

Free Hit + Bench BoostSuggested strategy: BB33, FH34<\/p>\n

Allows a bunch of Man City, Chelsea, Brighton and Leeds players, who each play twice in Gameweek 33, alongside precious non-doublers from Arsenal and Manchester United.<\/p>\n

Free Hit + Triple CaptainSuggested strategy: FH33, TC36<\/p>\n

With no Bench Boost to influence decisions, the standard team of recent times has a solid run between now and the season\u2019s end. There\u2019s just the oddity of Double Gameweek 33, which the Free Hit can capitalise on.<\/p>\n

Bench Boost + Triple CaptainSuggested strategy: BB33, TC36<\/p>\n

As these two chips are usually used in Double Gameweeks, the better one gets assigned to 33, while the other goes to 36.<\/p>\n

Wildcard<\/p>\n

A tough decision, but there\u2019ll need to be a balance between Double Gameweek 33 and Blank Gameweek 34. The deeper you dive into one, the worse the other will go.<\/p>\n

Try using transfers to build a decent double, before a Gameweek 34 Wildcard that gets rid of Bournemouth assets, minimises blanks and adds some Arsenal etc.<\/p>\n

Free Hit<\/p>\n

A good Gameweek 32 squad is likely good for Gameweek 34 as well, keeping Arsenal and Newcastle United players for the final weeks. But there\u2019s the pesky Double Gameweek 33 in between, which is the opposite of Gameweek 34 \u2013 using the Free Hit on either of these two occasions is recommended.<\/p>\n

Bench Boost<\/p>\n

Logically, a Bench Boost should be used when some teams play twice, meaning Gameweeks 33 or 36. But as you\u2019re not likely to have 15 doublers (if you did, you\u2019d be in trouble for Gameweek 34!), the fixture difficulty of \u2018single Gameweek\u2019 players is going to be a big factor.<\/p>\n

Triple Captain<\/p>\n

Same as above. Players like Erling Haaland (\u00a314.4m), Antoine Semenyo (\u00a38.2m) and Cole Palmer (\u00a310.6m) then have two opportunities to score double points.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s more choice in Gameweek 33, although the fixtures for the doublers themselves aren\u2019t too inspiring. The danger with leaving it till Gameweek 36, of course, is that the league may be done and dusted by then.<\/p>\n

Zero chips remaining<\/p>\n

Finally, for those without any chips left, it\u2019s going to be a balancing act between getting a handful of players from Gameweek 33 doublers whilst thinking about Blank Gameweek 34.<\/p>\n

Coverage of the most-owned players in Gameweek 33 would be ideal (ie City assets) but you could likely overlook Bournemouth, Chelsea and Burnley, given the trickier fixtures on either side of the double.<\/p>\n

Having lots of free transfers, of course, helps!<\/p>\n

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