FPL Wildcard Strategy for GW35 | Build Around the Double

Wildcard GW35: Building Around the Double

If you are wildcarding this week, your squad should be built around three teams: Arsenal, Manchester City, and Crystal Palace. Here is how to think about it.

The Core

Arsenal have the best fixtures of any team from GW35 to GW38. Fulham at home, West Ham away, Burnley at home, and Palace away on the final day. Triple Arsenal defence is viable. Even double Arsenal defence plus Declan Rice in midfield is a strong foundation.

Manchester City are doubling in GW36. Haaland is almost mandatory. O'Reilly is the best defender in that price range. Cherki is your budget attacker option if you cannot afford Haaland.

Crystal Palace are also doubling in GW36. Henderson in goal is the most likely to start both games. Munoz and Lacroix are the best outfield options. Richards is the budget choice.

Palace Uncertainty to Factor In

Palace are in a European semi-final. Depending on how the first leg goes, there could be rotation in GW35. And in GW38, if they have reached a European final, they may rest players against Arsenal. That is worth keeping in mind for the final day.

The double gameweek is GW36 regardless. If they lose the first leg, rotation becomes more likely in GW35. If they win, the second leg could go to extra time, affecting GW36 minutes.

The Case Against Triple Palace Attackers

Sarr is almost a no-go. Mateta is the preferred option but minutes are not guaranteed with European commitments. Without a clear 90-minute nailed attacker, it is hard to justify triple Palace in attack. Use those attacker slots on City or Arsenal assets instead. You can always hide Palace defenders on the bench in bad gameweeks.

Bench Boost Implications

This squad structure works for bench boosting in GW36. You have already loaded up on doublers. Your bench is your doublers' bench, which means bench boost in GW36 plays itself. GW37 becomes a free hit or wildcard week to pivot if needed.

If you are not wildcarding, you can still set up for the double by using transfers wisely. Rolling transfers into GW36 and making one well-timed move is often better value than burning a wildcard.

**Set up your wildcard now** with the FPL Companion squad planner and lock in your double gameweek players.

Internal links: [Squad planner](/compare) | [GW36 fixtures](/fixtures)