FPL Gameweek 24 Preview: Wildcard Temptation, a Captaincy Opportunity, and Clear DGW26 Planning

Gameweek 24 is one of the most important planning weeks of the season so far. The reason is simple: Double Gameweek 26 has now been confirmed, and with that confirmation comes a much clearer picture of how the next phase of the season should be approached.

Wildcard is extremely popular this week, but popularity and optimal strategy are not always the same thing. The right decision in GW24 depends on team structure, team value, and how aggressively you want to plan for what is now very likely to come in Gameweek 26.

Double Gameweek 26: The Landscape Is Clear

Double Gameweek 26 will feature either Arsenal or Chelsea, with Arsenal overwhelmingly the more likely outcome.

If Arsenal double, they will play:

• Brentford (A)

• Wolves (A)

In that scenario, Wolves would also double:

• Nottingham Forest (A)

• Arsenal (H)

If Chelsea progress instead, their Double Gameweek 26 would be:

• Leeds (H)

• Everton (A)

And Everton would double with:

• Bournemouth (H)

• Chelsea (H)

With Arsenal carrying roughly a 90% chance of being the DGW26 side, planning around Arsenal assets now is both sensible and low risk. Chelsea remains a secondary outcome, but the probabilities strongly favour Arsenal.

Wildcard in GW24: A Strong Option, Not a Requirement

Wildcard in Gameweek 24 is a good option for teams that need a reset. It aligns well with fixture improvements, role clarity following managerial changes, and the ability to aggressively target DGW26.

It allows managers to:

• Move away from expensive, underperforming assets

• Rebuild toward players with secure minutes and monopoly duties

• Lock in a preferred Arsenal structure ahead of the double

The trade-off is flexibility. Using Wildcard now means relying more heavily on free transfers later when additional blanks and doubles appear. Managers with stable teams are often better served by rolling transfers and building toward DGW26 more gradually.

In short, Wildcard is justified if your squad has multiple problems. If it doesn’t, patience is likely the higher-value play.

Arsenal: The Centre of Medium-Term Planning

With DGW26 now confirmed in principle, Arsenal assets become the priority.

Defensively, Gabriel (£6.9m) stands out. Clean sheet probability, set-piece threat, and nailed minutes make him one of the most reliable defensive picks in the game, particularly across a double.

Alongside him, Raya (£5.9m) and Jurrien Timber (£6.3m) are strong alternatives depending on budget and structure.

In attack, Bukayo Saka (£10.0m) is a key piece. Penalties, set pieces, and consistent involvement make him one of the best midfield assets to carry into DGW26, and he is a genuine candidate for chip consideration if the double lands as expected.

Tripling up on Arsenal is actively encouraged for teams that can do so without compromising balance.

Bruno Fernandes (£9.5m): The Best All-Round Asset Right Now

Bruno Fernandes stands out as the most complete FPL asset available.

He combines:

• Penalties

• Corners and free kicks

• Defensive contribution points

• Elite minutes security

• An advanced attacking role

For his price point, there are very few players who offer comparable coverage across so many scoring routes. Whether you are Wildcarding or using standard transfers, Fernandes is the standout midfield target.

Chelsea Assets: Fixtures Matter, Roles Matter More

Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures are very attractive, which naturally brings their players into focus.

Enzo Fernandez (£6.7m) is the most appealing option. While Cole Palmer (£10.4m) continues to manage an ongoing groin issue, Enzo has been operating further forward and is expected to take penalties. At his price, he works both as a budget enabler and as a genuine contributor rather than a placeholder.

Chelsea attackers beyond that require caution until roles and minutes become clearer, but Enzo offers the cleanest combination of price, role, and fixtures.

Ollie Watkins (£8.8m): Injury Watch Before Action

Ollie Watkins would normally be one of the standout forward options this week. Aston Villa’s fixture run improves and Watkins’ role had stabilised again.

However, Watkins picked up an injury last night, and his availability for Gameweek 24 is now uncertain. Until we hear from press conferences, any move for Watkins should be delayed. If he is declared fit, he becomes one of the strongest attacking options outside the premium midfielders. If not, alternatives should be explored.

Captaincy: A Rare Differential Opportunity

Captaincy is where Gameweek 24 offers genuine upside.

Erling Haaland (£15.1m) away to Tottenham is an obvious option. Spurs continue to allow chances, and Haaland is expected to return to the starting lineup and play heavy minutes.

However, the highest projected captain this week is Bruno Fernandes at home to Fulham. The gap in expected points is meaningful, and crucially, Fernandes will be captained by far fewer managers than Haaland.

This creates a rare situation where the best captaincy option is also a differential. For managers looking to gain rank rather than protect it, this is exactly the type of week where decisive captaincy pays off.

Selling Decisions: Discipline Over Emotion

A lot of movement this week is driven by frustration.

Phil Foden (£8.4m) is a clear sell. His minutes are uncertain, his role has shifted, and his price no longer reflects his expected output.

Hugo Ekitike (£8.8m) is another player whose underlying numbers and minutes risk do not justify his ownership.

There has also been a spike in managers selling Erling Haaland after a recent benching. From a data perspective, Haaland remains one of the highest expected points players in the game. Selling him purely as an emotional reaction rarely produces long-term gains.

That said, on Wildcard, team value matters. Lower team value squads can be built effectively without Haaland, while higher team value squads benefit more from keeping him.

The Strategic Takeaway

Gameweek 24 is about controlled planning, not panic.

Double Gameweek 26 is now clear enough to plan for, particularly around Arsenal. The best approach for most teams is to build toward that double using free transfers, avoid unnecessary hits, and keep flexibility for future blanks.

Wildcard is a powerful tool, but it does its best work when used with clarity rather than momentum.

Want This Applied to Your Team?

This preview outlines the broader landscape. The optimal move still depends on your squad, your team value, and how aggressively you want to play DGW26.

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