Almost 500,000 managers activated the chip this weekend with Bruno Fernandes the most popular pick
Nearly 500,000 Wildcards have been played in Gameweek 32 of Fantasy Premier League, the biggest number since Gameweek 6.
Eight of the 10 most-popular picks have two matches ahead in Double Gameweek 33 (DGW33), as managers look to take advantage and potentially play their Bench Boost chip that gameweek.
The two exceptions are Manchester United‘s Bruno Fernandes (£10.3m) and Arsenal‘s Gabriel Magalhaes (£7.2m), who both only play once in DGW33.
Fernandes, found in more than 94 per cent of Wildcard squads, has amassed more points since Michael Carrick took charge of Man Utd in Gameweek 22 than any other player in Fantasy. Across those 10 matches he’s totalled 83 points and six double-figure hauls.
Such outstanding form means that he’s almost impossible to leave out, while an appealing home fixture against Leeds United on Monday has seen him captained in record numbers.
GW32 top 10 Wildcard picks
Player
Selected by
Pts
Fernandes (MUN)
467,057
–
Semenyo (MCI)
453,240
–
Haaland (MCI)
448,579
–
O’Reilly (MCI)
391,704
–
Van Hecke (BHA)
373,439
–
Joao Pedro (CHE)
344,103
–
Gabriel (ARS)
340,452
–
Verbruggen (BHA)
337,516
–
Palmer (CHE)
296,334
–
Tavernier (BOU)
294,744
2
Antoine Semenyo (£8.2m), Erling Haaland (£14.4m) and Nico O’Reilly (£5.0m) feature in the popular, “template” Wildcard squad, with FPL managers in no doubt about the ideal Manchester City triple-up.
Following their trip to Chelsea this Sunday, Pep Guardiola’s side play twice in DGW33, hosting title rivals Arsenal before travelling to Burnley.
All three players have been among the goals of late, with O’Reilly scoring twice as Man City lifted the EFL Cup courtesy of a 2-0 win over Arsenal, while a Haaland hat-trick and a goal from Semenyo saw them beat Liverpool 4-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finals last weekend.
Brighton & Hove Albion players are the most-bought overall in Gameweek 32 but, unlike Man City players, there was less agreement among managers over the best ones to get.
Jan Paul van Hecke and Bart Verbruggen (both £4.5m) make the top 10, however, with Verbruggen the only goalkeeper included. Improved performances have seen them concede just three goals in their last five matches, the fewest of any team.
The Seagulls travel to Burnley on Saturday before playing Tottenham Hotspur in north London and Chelsea at home in DGW33.
Joao Pedro (£7.8m) and Cole Palmer (£10.6m) are the top representatives from Chelsea, despite the tricky-looking encounter with Man City this Gameweek. And Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier (£5.4m), another player with two matches in DGW33, completes the top 10.