fpl-wildcard-team-reveal: Plan your FPL wildcard smartly
By Arasi Rex · Updated 14 August 2026 · 8 min read
You can reveal your wildcard any time before the Gameweek 19 deadline - 13:30 GMT Saturday 2 January 2027 - but the real trick is to plan it around the new scoring tweaks. DefCon points stay capped at 2 per match for the 2026/27 season, so a defensive haul no longer guarantees a points bonanza. Instead, focus on players who can swing points through clean sheets, assists or penalties, and use the BPS changes to your advantage.
When to Switch On the Wildcard
The wildcard is a powerful tool that resets your transfer budget and allows you to swap up to seven players without incurring a negative point penalty. In 2026/27 the chip calendar stays the same: two sets of four chips - Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain, Bench Boost - each set must be used within a half of the season. The first set, which includes the Wildcard, has to be played before Gameweek 19. Once the deadline passes, you lose the chance to use that first set again, so timing is everything.
The key question is when you should play the wildcard. If you plan to jump on a transfer window that has a lot of good bargains, or if you’re heading into the Christmas fixture list where teams often drop players, that’s a prime spot. Conversely, if you are already stacked with high‑value players and a few free transfers are available, you might hold the wildcard until the second half of the season when the price change predictor shows a clear drop in a target’s cost.
Understanding the 2026/27 Chip Calendar
The chip set is split into two halves:
| Chip | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wildcard | GW 1-19 | Must be used before GW 19 deadline |
| Free Hit | GW 1-19 | Unlimited use within the half |
| Triple Captain | GW 1-19 | Limited to one per half |
| Bench Boost | GW 1-19 | Limited to one per half |
| Wildcard | GW 20-38 | Same rules as first half |
| Free Hit | GW 20-38 | Unlimited within the half |
| Triple Captain | GW 20-38 | Limited to one per half |
| Bench Boost | GW 20-38 | Limited to one per half |
The fact that you cannot carry a wildcard over means you need to decide whether you want to reset early for a fresh start or wait until the second half when the season’s dynamics have shifted.
DefCon and BPS Tweaks - What It Means for Your Squad
DefCon points, which reward clear‑cut defensive contributions, have been unchanged for 2026/27. The rule is that each player can score a maximum of 2 points per match regardless of how many clearances, blocks, interceptions or tackles they record. A centre‑back with 10 CBIT actions still only gets 2 points, not 4.
Last season’s top DefCon scorers were Anderson (52), Senesi (50) and Tarkowski (44). All three were centre‑backs, and the top ten were evenly split between centre‑backs and defensive midfielders - no forwards benefited.
On the BPS side, several changes aim to reduce overlap with DefCon and sharpen bonus potential:
- Goalkeepers now receive +1 BPS for saving a shot inside the box; the save from outside the box metric has been removed.
- A new +1 BPS is awarded for saving a big chance.
- Attacking midfielders, forwards and full‑backs have a wider range of bonus‑eligible actions, meaning high‑volume playmakers can now be more lucrative.
Because the scoring cut‑off has been extended, more post‑match Opta data feeds into BPS and DefCon calculations, so you’ll see the real impact of a player’s performance a little later in the match day.
Player Spotlights: Who Can Deliver Value
When you plan a wildcard, you need to know which players can give you the best return on investment. Below is a quick snapshot of some of the top performers, each linked to their player page for quick reference.
| Player | Cost | Total Points | PPG | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | 155 | 239 | 6.8 | 13 |
| Bruno Fernandes | 120 | 235 | 6.7 | 7 |
| Gabriel | 80 | 209 | 6.5 | 18 |
| Semenyo | 85 | 202 | 5.5 | 12 |
| Morgan Gibbs‑White | 80 | 188 | 5.1 | 10 |
Even a midfielder like Semenyo delivers a solid points per game of 5.5 while also contributing 17 goals - an unlikely return for a midfielder. If you can slot him into a starting XI, the extra goal potential can outweigh a defender’s clean‑sheet haul.
For defenders, the trade‑off between cost and points is crucial. Gabriel, at 80m, nets 209 points with 18 clean sheets, giving a PPG of 6.5. Guéhi, at 60m, has 179 points and 14 clean sheets for a PPG of 5.1. The cheaper option can be a strong value pick if you pair him with a high‑scoring striker to keep the bench boosted.
Building a Balanced Squad
A wildcard gives you the chance to re‑balance the squad. Here are a few principles to keep in mind:
- Cover all positions - you still need a starting XI of 3‑4 defenders, 3‑4 midfielders, 2‑3 forwards and a goalkeeper. Don’t leave a position empty.
- Focus on point‑heavy roles - forwards that score goals and assist, midfielders that combine goals and assists, defenders with clean sheets and occasional goals.
- Capitalize on price drops - use the Price Change Predictor to spot players whose cost is about to fall. A 20‑30% drop on a 70m midfielder can save you 11m, allowing you to upgrade elsewhere.
- Use free transfers wisely - you can roll up to five free transfers each season. A wildcard gives you a fresh slate, but you still have to plan how you will use those five every transfer window.
Example Build
| Role | Player | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Raya | 60 |
| DEF | Gabriel | 80 |
| DEF | Guéhi | 60 |
| DEF | Truffert | 55 |
| MID | Haaland | 155 |
| MID | Fernandes | 120 |
| MID | Semenyo | 85 |
| FWD | Gibbs‑White | 80 |
| FWD | Watkin | 80 |
| FWD | Thiago | 80 |
Total cost: 1,085m - within the 1,000m budget thanks to the five free transfers you can roll. This squad mixes a top‑tier striker, a high‑scoring midfielder and solid defenders, giving you a good spread of potential points.
Transfer Strategy & Free Transfers
Every wildcard reset gives you a clean budget, but you still have a limit of five free transfers per season. The trick is to use the wildcard to clear out a few high‑priced players that are underperforming, then use the free transfers to add players who have a clear price drop or a favorable fixture list.
- Target price drops - the cost of a player can fall at the end of a matchday. If you notice a 70m striker falling to 55m, that’s a good candidate for a transfer.
- Plan around fixture congestion - a player with a string of tough games in their next five fixtures might be a better transfer target than one with a lighter schedule. The live mini‑league standings can help you spot those shifts.
- Avoid over‑investment in a single position - you can’t field more than three outfield players from the same club. Make sure you keep a spread.
Live Tools and Price Predictions
The 2026/27 season introduced a few new live features that can help you make better decisions:
- Projected bonus points appear 20 minutes into each match, giving you an early indication of a player’s bonus potential.
- Mini‑league standings update live, allowing you to see how your squad stacks up against others.
- Official Price Change Predictor shows the probability of a player’s price moving up or down in the next transfer window.
Combining these tools with the DefCon cap and BPS tweaks can give you a competitive edge, especially when you’re deciding whether to use a wildcard early or wait.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Playing the wildcard too early | You miss out on price drops that happen later in the season |
| Over‑loading on high‑cost players | You run out of transfers and can’t adjust for injuries |
| Ignoring the DefCon cap | Expecting a defender to bring in 4 points when only 2 are possible |
| Forgetting free transfer limits | You end up paying a transfer fee that could have been avoided |
By keeping these pitfalls in mind, you can preserve your squad’s flexibility and maximise points.
Key takeaways
- The wildcard must be used before Gameweek 19 and cannot be carried over.
- DefCon points are capped at 2 per match, making clean sheets more valuable.
- BPS changes reward goalkeepers for big‑chance saves and broaden bonus potential for attacking players.
- Use the Price Change Predictor and live bonus projections to time transfers.
- Plan for five free transfers each season, using the wildcard to reset your budget.
FAQ
Q: Can I use the Wildcard after Gameweek 19? A: No. The first set of chips, including the Wildcard, must be played before the deadline on Saturday 2 January 2027.
Q: How many free transfers can I roll? A: Up to five free transfers can be rolled each season.
Q: What happens to DefCon points after the new season? A: DefCon points remain unchanged; each player can still earn a maximum of 2 points per match.
Q: Does the new BPS system affect defenders? A: Yes - defenders can now earn +1 BPS for a big‑chance save, but the main change is the removal of the outside‑box save metric.