FPL Wildcard season is officially open. Gameweek 24 marks the start of the second half of the campaign – when ranks are made, chips are organized and fixture swings force big decisions. The chaos of GW23 – after United’s thrashing of Arsenal, Haaland’s benching setback and Bournemouth’s last-minute Liverpool heist – the manager now has a perfect window to reset, Fantasy Premier League expert Blake Hurst writes. Whether you’re chasing the Green Arrows, setting up for a potential double Gameweek 26, or overhauling a tired squad, this is the moment to draft smart, find the right balance between template protection and explosive differences, and take back control of your season.

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At 15.1m, it’s easy to question Haaland’s value, especially after missing out on GW23. But here’s the reality – selling it rarely ends well. He defines a “Make or Break” Assets, capable of pulling 15-points at any given moment. Yes, holding onto it means you can’t have everyone, but you also avoid the weekly dread that comes with not owning it. Bonus? Its silent patch allows you to assign the armband to other assets. If you’re on a wildcard, the best play is probably still to keep it and build around that premium slot smartly.

Finding Your Second Striker:

It’s a tough position this week with no standout second forward.

– Thiago Sitting second in the Premier League scoring charts and in penalties, continues to deliver, although his fixtures are not ideal in the short term. GW27 it will be back on our watchlist.

– Jarrod Bowen Also gets back to the penalty and always carries a goal threat, although his wider role limits big gaps.

– Hugo Ekitike Offers potential as a punt, but minutes remain a concern for the 8.8m asset

If you want pure value, Evanilson The standouts are: three returns in four, superb fixtures, and perhaps on penalties with Bournemouth’s other attackers. At just 2.5% ownership, it is the differential forward of the moment.

Triple Arsenal – No-Brainer:

With a possible double Gameweek 26, you’ll want three gunners in your wildcard.

– Declan Rice Is first choice – elite value, at set pieces, goal involvement and an average of 10.85 DEFCON per 90.

– Bukayo Saka Continues to post strong underlying numbers and fines remain possible despite some turnover.

– Gabriel While the set-piece is a defensive favorite thanks to threat and DEFCON William Lintasa, Jurin Timber and David Raya Offers varying degrees of reliability versus upside.

Arsenal Be at the top of the league for a reason, pick Gabriel, Rice and one of Saka, Timber, Saliba or Rai as your third.

Budget Forwards:

with Holland On your team, you’ll need enablers elsewhere.

– Eli Crupi Jr (4.6m, Bournemouth) Provides steady minutes with potential attacking involvement.

– Matthew Mane (4.5m Wolves) is potentially a better choice – nailed, physical and possibly faces the double in GW26.

Not flashy, but both all-important.”Starting every week” Perfect bench options in box packed fixture periods.

Joao Pedro – Risk vs Reward:

Chelsea’s fixtures scream potential, and Joao Pedro’s latest goal involvement only adds to the temptation. But circulation is the elephant in the room. Playing in multiple competitions, Pedro is not guaranteed consistent starts. Its ceiling is high; Its structure is brutal. If you can afford the risk, go for it – but make sure your bench is playable. That’s the definition of bonus gambling: exciting when it works, painful when it doesn’t.

The Resurgence of Manchester United:

Michael Carrick’s United look reborn – disciplined, confident and full of attacking intent. His performances against City and Arsenal showed real pace.

– Bruno Fernandes On penalties, playing in attacking midfield and brimming with confidence. He is the heart of any wildcard midfield and as essential as they come.

– Brian Mbeumo Remains reliable but is overshadowed by others due to his counter-attacking style of play.

– Mathews Cunha A stark difference now appears after Patrik Dorgu’s injury opened up more attacking spots. He is a differential punt who likes to play in the pocket of the defense

Avoid the Bournemouth defence:

Despite their impressive attacking output, Bournemouth continue to lag behind. They rank 15th for xGC And 18th to concede a goalDespite a good fixture on paper, it makes their defenders a tough sell. If you want clean sheets, target other teams – Chelsea, Arsenalor else SunderlandWho are quietly posting excellent defensive numbers.

In short: Bournemouth for attack, not defence.

Wildcard Summary:

This is the week to reshape your team for the long term. Fixture swings, doubles and injuries mean balance is everything – a combination of solid premiums, reliable nailed picks and a bold differential or two can set you up for big green arrows throughout February and March.

Example Wildcard meets Draft – Template Maverick

Here is the balance Wildcard 24 A squad that mixes core template players with sneaky differential value. It is designed for upcoming fixture runs and doubles:

Goalkeepers:

Robert Sanchez, Martin Dubravka

Rescuers:

Gabriel, Anderson, Timber, Chalobah, Collins

Midfielders:

Cunha, Fernandes, Fernandes, Rogers, Andia

Forwards:

Haaland, Mateus Mané, Evanilson

If you prefer to run a three-forward setup, you can upgrade Mateus Mané for someone like João Pedro and free up funds by downgrading one of your midfielders to a value option like Enzo Le Fee, Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall, James Garner or Elliot Anderson. It’s a simple tweak that leans toward attacking depth without compromising balance or flexibility.

This draft is a great starting point and nails the essentials – Haaland, Bruno and Arsenal coverage – while weaving in form/differentiated picks like Morgan Rodgers and Evenilsson. It offers budget flexibility, DEFCON potential and enough rotation cover to last several weeks. Play it smart, roll your transfers when needed and head into that crucial Double Gameweek 26.