FPL Christmas Schedule Strategy: Maximise Your Chips
By Arasi Rex · Updated 14 August 2026 · 5 min read
The crunch of the Christmas period
The Christmas swing‑period is the most expensive stretch for FPL managers, so deploying your Wildcard before GW19 is the only way to stay ahead. The first set of chips must be used before the GW19 deadline, 13:30 GMT Saturday 2 January 2027, and it cannot be carried over. This deadline forces a decision that will shape the rest of the season.
Timing your Wildcard
The Wildcard is a once‑per‑season lifeline that allows you to reshuffle your squad without paying transfers. Because the first set is bound by the GW19 deadline, you should plan your overhaul around the fixtures that will pile up during the holiday period. The key is to keep your core players where they are most likely to pick up points and then free up spots for players whose fixtures are more favourable.
What to keep stable
Players who have already amassed a strong points base and that are in good form should stay put. For example, Erling Haaland has 239 total points and a goals‑scored tally of 27, making him a safe bet to carry forward. Likewise, Declan Rice offers 184 points and 9 assists, proving that a defensive midfielder can still be a high‑value asset.
Who to replace
Players with heavy fixture congestion or who are out of form are prime candidates for replacement. A defender like Morgan Gibbs‑White has 188 points but only 80 million in cost; if his upcoming fixtures are tightly packed, moving him to a cheaper alternative can open space for a more stable performer.
Free Hit and Bench Boost
The second set of chips becomes available after GW19, allowing you to make unlimited changes for a single gameweek. This is especially useful for the Christmas period because you can field a completely different squad for a match‑week where most of your players are rested or injured.
- Free Hit: Use this to play a squad that perfectly matches the fixture list. For example, if you have a lot of away matches, you can replace away players with home‑only favourites.
- Bench Boost: Deploy this on a game‑week where you have several high‑scoring players on the bench. It can turn a mediocre week into a point‑heavy haul.
Triple Captain for the festive swing
The Triple Captain chip is another powerful tool, but it should be applied with caution. Because the chip gives you three times the captain’s points, you should pick a player who is guaranteed to play and is in a fixture that offers a high probability of points. A forward such as Thiago with 181 points and 22 goals is a candidate, but you must weigh the risk of a congested fixture list.
Defensive contributions and BPS changes
DefCon points remain unchanged for 2026/27, confirming that a defender with 10 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles still earns only 2 points. Midfielders and forwards also have 12 defensive contributions capped at 2 points. The top DefCon scorers last season were Anderson (52), Senesi (50) and Tarkowski (44), and the top ten included five centre‑backs and five defensive midfielders.
BPS has been tweaked to reduce overlap with DefCon and improve bonus potential for goalkeepers, full‑backs, attacking midfielders and forwards. Goalkeepers still earn +1 BPS for saving a shot from inside the box, but the “save from outside the box” metric is removed. A new +1 BPS applies for saving a big chance.
How to pick defenders
- Gabriel: 209 points, 80 cost, 18 clean sheets.
- Guéhi: 179 points, 60 cost, 14 clean sheets.
- O’Reilly: 160 points, 65 cost, 14 clean sheets.
| Player | Points | Cost | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel | 209 | 80 | 18 |
| Guéhi | 179 | 60 | 14 |
| O’Reilly | 160 | 65 | 14 |
The table shows that a mid‑priced defender can offer similar clean‑sheet returns to a higher‑priced option.
Using free transfers strategically
Up to five free transfers can be rolled, meaning you can move a player in and out of your squad without incurring a cost as long as you stay within the five‑transfer limit. During the holiday period, you can use these free transfers to rotate out injured players or players on a difficult run of fixtures.
Live features and price changes
New live features now feed projected bonus points 20 minutes into each match. Mini‑league standings and overall ranks update live, allowing you to see how your squad is performing in real time. An official Price Change Predictor tool also exists, giving you an early warning of price swings so you can adjust your strategy.
The gameweek scoring cut‑off has been extended, which means more post‑match Opta review data is now incorporated into BPS and DefCon calculations. This creates a more accurate reflection of a player’s contribution.
How to finish the season strong
After the Christmas period, the season tends to slow down slightly. Use the second set of chips to fine‑tune your squad for the final push. Keep an eye on the price change predictor and be ready to buy or sell players who are on the cusp. Remember, the chips are limited; use them when the return on investment is highest.
Key takeaways
- Deploy the Wildcard before GW19 to secure a solid base for the Christmas fixtures.
- Use Free Hit for a single game‑week to match the fixture list precisely.
- Triple Captain should be reserved for a player with guaranteed playtime and a favorable fixture.
- DefCon points are capped at 2 per match, so look for cost‑effective defenders.
- BPS changes reward goalkeepers for saving a big chance, not just a box save.
FAQ
When does the first set of chips have to be used? The first set must be used before the GW19 deadline, 13:30 GMT Saturday 2 January 2027.
What is the maximum number of free transfers per transfer window? Up to five free transfers can be rolled, meaning you can perform five changes without a cost as long as you stay within that limit.
How does DefCon work in 2026/27? DefCon points remain unchanged: a defender with 10 CBIT actions earns 2 points, and a midfielder or forward with 12 CBIRT actions also earns 2 points, capped per match.
What are the new BPS rules for goalkeepers? Goalkeepers still receive +1 BPS for saving a shot from inside the box, but the outside‑box metric has been removed. A new +1 BPS now applies for saving a big chance.