FPL has become more strategic this year. You now have two of each chip (read more about the new rules here) – one in the fall (GW1-19) and one in the spring (GW20-38). Only one chip per round. Free Hit cannot be used in GW1 and cannot be played in both GW19 & GW20. In addition, we get an extra five free transfers in GW16 to handle AFCON. All this opens up new ways to time your chips.

At the same time, defensive contribution points (“DEFCON” in community slang) have been introduced, so players can earn up to 2 points per game for defensive actions. Defenders earn at 10 contributions (CBIT), while midfielders/forwards have to reach 12 (including ball recoveries). This makes cheap backs/defensive centers more interesting – and makes an early Bench Boost less of a lottery.

Triple Captain (TC)

Principle: Decide it last so it doesn’t block the other chips – and aim for either a strong single game (preferably at home against the promoter) or a double gameweek later.

Concrete “single round” spots that make sense now:

  1. GW14: Salah (LIV) at home against Sunderland.
  2. GW15: Haaland (MCI) at home against Sunderland.
  3. GW9: Palmer (CHE) at home against Sunderland as a cheeky outsider.

However, keep the flexibility to move TC to a Double Gameweek in the spring if the calendar opens up.

Free Hit (FH)

Principle: The most flexible chip. Use it as a “rainy day” chip – or offensively to break the captain rotation between Salah and Haaland.

Three simple directions depending on your starting point:

  • Do you have Salah but not Haaland? Consider FH in GW6 to squeeze Haaland in against Burnley and go hard for the captaincy advantage.
  • Do you have Haaland but not Salah? Consider FH in GW14 for Salah at home against Sunderland.
  • Do you have both? Consider FH in GW11 to squeeze in three Chelsea and (possibly) give Palmer the tie at home against Wolves while City and Liverpool face each other.

Feel free to save your second FH for a Blank Gameweek later in the season when many teams are missing games.

Remember: FH cannot be played in GW1 and you cannot FH in both GW19 & GW20.

Bench Boost (BB)

Community take: get it done early (GW1-3) and create the optimal structure faster. If you don’t run it early, don’t plan it too far into the future – play it when it’s “reasonable”.
General advice: BB is fine in GW1 (you have 15 players anyway), or right after a Wildcard. The second BB is typically best in a Double Gameweek. The new DEFCON points also make budget benches more useful.

Wildcard (WC)

Good windows – choose a direction by temperament:

  • GW2: BB1 synergy and early optimal structure
  • GW4: Transfer window closed; reaction to starting 11s
  • GW13: “Haaland time” – City get a nice block (Leeds (H) in GW13, Fulham (A) in GW14, Sunderland (H) in GW15 etc.) Good point to restructure against City.
  • GW16-19: Safe and prepare the spring calendar – and remember, GW16 gives five free transfers due to AFCON, which can be smartly combined with WC plan.

There is no one right path – but choose a path and be disciplined.

Two ready-made roadmaps (choose style and adjust later)

1. Balanced (safe)

  • BB: GW1 or unplanned early if the bench looks strong
  • WC1: GW13 for jumping heavy on City
  • TC1: GW14 at Salah – with the option to stay open for a DGW
  • FH1/FH2: Save at least one for Blank round

2. Slightly aggressive

  • WC1: GW4 (after the window)
  • TC1: GW6 at Haaland against Burnley
  • FH1: GW11 (Palmer captain, City v LIV neutralized)
  • BB1: When the bench is ready (early), BB2 aims for a spring DGW

BB in GW11 can be a real pivot if the form/rotation is right – keep an eye out and be ready to swing.

DEFCON changes the meta (map)

  • Higher floor for cheap defense/defensive mid ⇒ stronger benches ⇒ BB earlier is less risky
  • Points are capped at 2 per game, so still chase clean sheets and offensive threat – DEFCON is the sprinkles, not the cake

Checklist before locking a chip

  • Double-check fixtures & injuries/rotation close to deadline
  • Plan around AFCON: Use five free transfers in GW16 smartly (and make sure you have 0 banked FT after GW15 to get all five)
  • Only one chip per GW – and no FH in GW1 / not both in GW19 & GW20

Bottom line: Choose a common thread that suits your playstyle – e.g. a balanced WC13 path or a slightly aggressive WC4 path – and use Free Hit and Triple Captain to hit the biggest captain-edges (Salah GW14, Haaland GW15, Palmer GW9; or save them for a spring DGW). With the new rules (eight chips + DEFCON + AFCON transfers), early structure and late flexibility are rewarded more than ever.