How to Plan for a Blank Gameweek in FPL

How to Plan for a Blank Gameweek in FPL

Avoiding a blank gameweek is the backbone of a competitive FPL season. The answer is simple: use your chips wisely, focus on players whose matchups carry high injury or suspension risk, and keep your squad depth sharp enough to cover fixture congestion. When you combine those pillars with the new 2026/27 scoring tweaks, the probability of a zero‑point week drops dramatically.

Understanding the Blank Gameweek

In FPL a blank gameweek occurs when every player in your squad is unavailable for at least one match. The risk spikes during international breaks, fixture congestion, or when a team faces a long stretch of away games. The Premier League’s new DefCon rule caps defensive contribution points at 2 per match, meaning a defender’s CBIT or CBIRT figures no longer translate into extra points beyond that ceiling. This change makes it easier to pick defenders with high CBIT but also forces managers to balance defensive value with clean‑sheet potential.

DefCon in Numbers

• Defenders: 10 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles (CBIT) in a match = 2 points.
• Midfielders & forwards: 12 defensive contributions, with ball recoveries included (CBIRT).
• Cap: 2 points per match, regardless of how many actions.
• Top scorers last season: Anderson 52, Senesi 50, Tarkowski 44 points.

Because the cap keeps defensive points predictable, managers can now use CBIT data more strategically, focusing on defenders who also bring clean‑sheet bonus potential.

Chip Allocation Strategy

The 2026/27 season still offers eight chips, split into two sets of four: Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain, and Bench Boost. The first set must be deployed before the Gameweek 19 deadline of 13:30 GMT on Saturday 2 January 2027, and cannot be carried over. The second set remains available later in the campaign.

When to Trigger Each Chip

• Wildcard (first set): Use when a team’s fixture list dips into a congested period or when you need to rebuild after a series of injuries.
• Free Hit (first set): Ideal for a single‑week blitz, such as covering a blank week or a stretch of matches where your core squad is injured.
• Triple Captain (first set): Reserve for a high‑point potential double‑header or a fixture where your captain’s team faces a weakened defense.
• Bench Boost (first set): Deploy when you can secure a clean‑sheet bonus from all bench players, often during a week with a single double‑header.

The second set of chips can be used later in the season, giving you flexibility to adapt to late‑season injury crises.

Transfer Planning: Rolling Free Moves

You can roll up to five free transfers each gameweek. However, the cost of a transfer can be offset by the Price Change Predictor tool, which now gives live price forecasts 20 minutes into each match. By timing transfers to coincide with price drops, you can maximize your budget and reduce the risk of a blank week.

Example: Managing a Congested Fixture

Suppose your squad contains a midfielder who is set to play two matches in a single weekend. If that player has a high risk of injury, consider transferring him out before the first match and using a free transfer to bring in a backup who is not playing that weekend.

Fixture Analysis: Targeting High-Risk Matches

Use the live mini‑league standings to spot teams with back‑to‑back away games. Players in those squads often see increased injury risk. For instance, look at a player like Erling Haaland (/players/haaland), priced at 155, who has 239 points, 27 goals, and 8 assists. If his team is scheduled for a tough double‑header, that could be a prime candidate for a free hit or a bench boost.

Another example is B. Fernandes (/players/b-ferns), 120 cost, 235 points, 9 goals, 24 assists. His team’s fixture list shows a stretch of away games; if he misses one, you can bring in a backup forward who is available.

Defensive Depth

Defenders like Gabriel (/players/gabriel) at 80 cost, 209 points, 3 goals, 5 assists, and 18 clean sheets, can be a solid pick if his team is facing a weak offensive side. However, if his club has a congested schedule, consider swapping him for a defender from a team with a lighter fixture list.

Managing Goals and Assists

The BPS tweak for 2026/27 removes the “save from outside the box” bonus for goalkeepers and adds a +1 BPS for saving a big chance. This encourages managers to choose goalkeepers who play against teams with high‑quality shots. For example, David Raya (/players/raya) at 60 cost, 162 points, 19 clean sheets, still earns a strong bonus potential, especially if his team faces a ball‑heavy opponent.

Midfielders such as Declan Rice at 75 cost, 184 points, 4 goals, 9 assists, 18 clean sheets, and Anton Semenyo at 85 cost, 202 points, 17 goals, 6 assists, 12 clean sheets can be valuable. Their high expected goal and assist numbers make them worth keeping even if they face a higher‑risk fixture.

Budgeting: Keeping Your Squad Flexible

With the new price change predictor, you can anticipate price swings and buy low. For example, if a forward like Igor Thiago at 80 cost, 181 points, 22 goals, 1 assist, 10 clean sheets dips in price after a weak week, you can lock him in before the dip and then roll a free transfer to bring in a cheaper forward during a congested period.

Defenders and midfielders with high CBIT but capped points can be bought at lower prices without sacrificing value. A defender with 10 CBIT still only earns 2 points, making it easier to find bargains.

Example Lineup for a Blank‑Risk Week

Position	Player	Cost	Points	Notes
GK	David Raya	60	162	Strong bonus potential, faces a high‑scoring side
DEF	Gabriel	80	209	Solid clean sheets, but team has double‑header
DEF	Virgil van Dijk	65	175	6 goals, 1 assist, 10 clean sheets
MID	B. Fernandes	120	235	9 goals, 24 assists
MID	Declan Rice	75	184	4 goals, 9 assists
MID	Anton Semenyo	85	202	17 goals, 6 assists
FWD	Erling Haaland	155	239	27 goals, 8 assists
FWD	Igor Thiago	80	181	22 goals
SUB	Morgan Gibbs‑White	80	188	15 goals
SUB	Marcel Guéhi	60	179	3 goals
SUB	Nico O'Reilly	65	160	5 goals

In this lineup, the bench includes players with high goal potential who are unlikely to be injured during a double‑header, providing a safety net.

Risk Mitigation Checklist

• Check injury updates for every squad player the day before a gameweek.
• Monitor fixture congestion for each club; avoid players who face 3+ away games in a month.
• Use the Price Change Predictor to buy low before a price drop.
• Reserve a free hit for weeks with multiple double‑headers.
• Keep at least one defender from a club with a light fixture list.
• Track BPS changes for goalkeepers to maximise bonus points.

Key takeaways

• DefCon is capped at 2 points per match, so focus on clean‑sheet value as well as CBIT.
• Use the first set of chips before GW19 or you lose the chance to rebuild.
• Rolling five free transfers each week can be a lifesaver in a congested schedule.
• BPS tweaks reward goalkeepers who save big chances, not just shots from inside the box.
• Price Change Predictor lets managers buy low and avoid paying full price for a player who is likely to drop.

FAQ

What is a blank gameweek and why does it matter? A blank gameweek happens when every squad player is suspended, injured or otherwise unavailable. It results in zero points, which can derail a title‑chasing campaign.

When should I use the Free Hit chip? Deploy it during a week with a double‑header or a congested fixture list where your core squad is at risk of missing matches.

How does the DefCon cap affect my defender selection? Because DefCon points are capped at 2, a defender with high CBIT does not earn extra points beyond that, so you should also consider clean‑sheet probability.

Can I transfer a player on the same day as a transfer deadline? Yes, you can roll transfers up to five per week, but the deadline for the first chip set is 13:30 GMT on Saturday 2 January 2027.

Is there a benefit to using the Bench Boost chip? Bench Boost grants points from all bench players, so it works best when you can guarantee clean sheets or goal contributions from the backup lineup, often during a single double‑header week.