What’s the best FPL end‑of‑season strategy?

If you want to finish the Premier League season with a bang in Fantasy Premier League, the single most powerful move is to deploy the wildcard before Gameweek 19. That gives you the freedom to reshuffle your squad with fresh legs, while the new BPS rules let you reward goalkeepers for big‑chance saves.

The wildcard deadline is set for 13:30 GMT on Saturday 2 January 2027, the Gameweek 19 cut‑off. Deploying it before that date means you can drop injured or out‑of‑form players and bring in those on a run of good fixtures. The rule also states you cannot carry the first set of chips over, so timing is everything.

After the first wildcard, you have a second set of four chips to use from Gameweek 21 onwards. The Free Hit is ideal for double‑gameweek periods, while Bench Boost can turn a solid back‑five into a points‑machine. Triple Captain is worth a careful pick - a player in a high‑scoring fixture can deliver 12 or 15 points.

BPS has been tweaked for 2026/27 to reduce overlap with DefCon and to shift bonus potential toward 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 now applies for saving a big chance. This means a keeper who stops a clear‑cut opportunity can now earn that extra point.

Defensive Contribution points remain unchanged for the season. The system counts 10 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles (CBIT) for defenders and 12 defensive contributions (CBIRT) for midfielders and forwards, including ball recoveries. Each match caps at two points, so a defender with 20 CBIT still scores only two points.

The top DefCon scorers last season were Anderson (52), Senesi (50) and Tarkowski (44). All three are centre‑backs, and no forwards made the top ten, highlighting how defensive solidity can still pay dividends.

Up to five free transfers can be rolled, which is a useful buffer when you need to swap a single player after the wildcard. The price change predictor, now live, lets you see how a player’s cost is likely to move in the next 48 hours, helping you decide whether to buy early or wait.

Live features include projected bonus points that appear 20 minutes into each match, and a mini‑league that updates in real time. These tools give you a tactical edge if you stay on top of the latest data.

When building your end‑of‑season squad, focus on fixtures that cluster high‑scoring teams. Players such as Erling Haaland and Bruno Borges Fernandes have already amassed 239 and 235 points respectively, and their points per game sit around six and a half. Pairing a prolific striker with a playmaker who consistently provides assists maximises the chance of a high‑scoring captain.

Midfielders with high assists, like Antoine Semenyo who has 17 goals and 6 assists, or Morgan Gibbs‑White with 15 goals, bring both goal‑scoring and play‑making flair. Don’t forget the defensive midfielders who contribute to DefCon, such as Elliot Anderson who earned 52 points.

Goalkeepers are a safe bet for clean sheets and the new BPS bonus. David Raya has 19 clean sheets and 162 points, with a BPS of 11. A goalkeeper who can stop a big chance adds a cushion that can be decisive in tight gameweeks.

When a team has a double‑gameweek, the Free Hit chip can be a lifesaver. You can bring in a player who has two fixtures in a week, maximise points, and then drop them back to the bench for the following week. For a blank gameweek, the same chip allows you to keep your squad on a roll without losing points.

Bench Boost should be reserved for gameweeks where every back‑five is likely to score. A full‑back who is a goal‑scoring threat, such as Gabriel with 3 goals and 5 assists, can turn a bench boost into a 30‑point haul.

The second wildcard is a key tool for the final stretch. Use it to bring in a player like Harry Wilson who has 10 goals and 9 assists, or a striker like Ollie Watkins with 16 goals. Pair them with a strong midfield and a reliable goalkeeper, and you’ll have a squad that can hit double‑digits every game.

If you’re unsure which players to bring in, look at points per game alongside fixture difficulty. A player with 6.8 points per game such as Haaland, combined with a low‑budget defender like Truffert (4.3 points per game), can give you a good return on investment.

The price change predictor can also help you spot a player whose cost is likely to fall after a strong run. Buying just before the price rises can save you a few million and keep your budget healthy.

The final stage of the season is where small margins decide league positions. A 2‑point swing can move a team from 8th to 4th, so every chip, transfer and captain choice matters.

Key takeaways

• Deploy the wildcard before Gameweek 19 to reset your squad while the season still has plenty of fixtures.
• The new BPS rule rewards goalkeepers for saving a big chance, so a keeper who can stop a clear‑cut opportunity gains an extra point.
• DefCon points cap at two per match; defenders with 20 CBIT still score only two points.
• Use the Free Hit chip for double‑gameweeks or blank weeks to maximise points.
• Bench Boost shines when every back‑five is likely to score; pair a goal‑scoring full‑back with a solid goalkeeper.

FAQ

When is the last day to use the first wildcard? The deadline is 13:30 GMT on Saturday 2 January 2027, the Gameweek 19 cut‑off.

Can I use both wildcards in the same season? Yes, the first set must be used before the deadline and cannot be carried over; the second set is available from Gameweek 21 onwards.

What are the new BPS rules for goalkeepers? Goalkeepers earn +1 BPS for saving a shot from inside the box and a new +1 BPS for saving a big chance; the “save from outside the box” metric is removed.

How many free transfers can I roll? You can roll up to five free transfers per season.

The end‑of‑season period is a chess game. The right moves, timed properly, can transform a mid‑table squad into a title‑challenging contender. Keep your eye on fixture swings, use the chips to their full potential, and stay ahead of price changes, and you’ll walk away with a high‑scoring season.