· Gameweek 9 · 2026/27
Planning Your Wildcard Strategy Post-GW9: Squad Structure and Transfer Targets
Use your Wildcard around GW9 to GW13 by focusing on players in form with favourable fixtures. Building a balanced squad anchored by reliable attackers like Haaland, and defenders with clean sheet potential such as Gabriel or De Cuyper, can maximise points during this crucial period.
By bal simpson
Timing Your Wildcard Around GW9 to GW13 Fixtures
The period from Gameweek 9 to 13 offers a clear window to activate your Wildcard, as it coincides with several teams having relatively favourable fixture runs. Targeting this stretch allows you to capitalise on form players while avoiding the disruption of blank or double gameweeks later in the season.
Erling Haaland is a prime example, with matches against Brighton, Nottingham Forest, and Fulham offering manageable difficulty ratings (3, 3, and 2 respectively). This fixture run supports his continued inclusion as a premium forward.
However, managers should watch for potential fixture shifts or squad rotation risks during this busy period.
Man City · Forward
Erling HaalandUpcoming fixtures
2026/27
GW 9
Brighton
Home
GW 10
Nott'm Forest
Away
GW 11
Fulham
Home
Building a Balanced Squad Around In-Form Key Players
Maximising your Wildcard impact means structuring your squad with a blend of premium and budget options who are in good form and have suitable fixtures.
In defence, Gabriel dos Santos Magalhães and Ezri Konsa Ngoyo both have solid form (each with a 9 rating) and upcoming fixtures against Hull City and Newcastle, which are relatively favourable. Their clean sheet potential is enhanced by Arsenal's strong defensive record.
Midfield options like Marcus Tavernier and Pedro Lomba Neto offer a balance of attacking returns and decent fixtures, with Tavernier facing Leeds, Ipswich Town, and Nottingham Forest—teams with manageable difficulty ratings. Including such players can add depth and points potential beyond the premium picks.
Considering Budget Forwards with Good Form and Fixtures
While premium forwards anchor your attack, incorporating in-form budget forwards can provide value and flexibility. For instance, Francisco Evanilson and Nicolas Jackson have shown promising form with 8.3 and 8 respectively, combined with favourable fixtures including Leeds, Ipswich Town, Fulham, and Sunderland.
These players offer a chance to strengthen your front line without sacrificing funds needed to secure top defenders or midfielders. Their involvement in goals and assists makes them viable differential picks during this fixture block.
One risk is that budget forwards can be more rotation-prone; monitor team news closely around your Wildcard activation.
- Season points
- 43
- Minutes
- 678
- FPL form
- 8.3
- Selected by
- 8.7%
- Points per game
- 5.4
- Goals
- 3
- Assists
- 4
- Clean sheets
- 4
Prioritising Defenders with Clean Sheet Potential
Defensive solidity is crucial for consistent FPL returns. Players like Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton) and Benjamin White (Arsenal) have strong form and clean sheet records, with De Cuyper boasting 5 clean sheets and a 7.5 points per game average.
Their upcoming fixtures include matches against Brentford and Hull City (for De Cuyper) and Hull City and Newcastle (for White), which are opportunities for clean sheets and attacking returns through assists or goals.
Including such defenders in your Wildcard squad offers a balance between reliability and attacking threat from the back, complementing your premium attacking assets.
FPL data captured .
Updated .