Pro Pundits - Lateriser
26 September 2025 411 comments
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Three-time top 200 finisher Lateriser discusses the pros and cons of various Wildcard windows, his Gameweek 6 transfers, the Triple Captain – and a contingency Wildcard if Erling Haaland (£14.3m) misses out.

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FPL 2025/26 first draft team reveals: Triple Forest, Everton + Chelsea

WHEN TO WILDCARD: GAMEWEEK 6 v 7 v 8 v 13

This is quite an important week for FPL managers who haven’t played the Wildcard yet.

So, when should you do it? We did a very elaborate discussion of the pros and cons of the Wildcard windows in Gameweeks 6, 7, 8 and 13, which you can watch on The FPL Wire, but here’s a snapshot that you might find useful:

MY OWN PLANS FOR GAMEWEEKS 6 + 7

When it comes to my team personally, I decided not to pull the Wildcard (as of yet!) and provided I can help it, I’m looking to delay it for a couple of weeks. There are some reasons for the same.

Let me showcase my team first.

On Sunday, I brought in Erling Haaland (£14.3m) and Bryan Mbeumo (£8.1m) for Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) and Ollie Watkins (£8.8m) to catch some price changes. I took the view that, if things don’t work in my favour during the course of the week, I will Wildcard anyway.

This was my team after that:

 

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FPL pre-season: Malen + Watkins again, Xhaka debut, secretive Man City 2
411 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    1 day, 26 mins ago

    Some crazy team values?

      1. Moon Dog
          23 hours, 35 mins ago

          Over 103m is pretty wild. As is his Raya - Vicario rotation 😆

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 10 Years
      1 day, 5 mins ago

      Last two spots in wildcard:

      A) Mbuemo, Romero
      B) Ndiaye, Gvardiol

      Not a fan of Tark at 5.5, Really like Mbuemo and stats back him up, but would be double with Bruno for 2 weeks…

      Raya (Dubr)
      Gabriel, ____, Senesi (Andersen, Alderete)
      Bruno, ____, Semenyo, Reijnders (Stach)
      Haaland, Gyok, Pedro

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 10 Years
        1 day, 4 mins ago

        I’ve also considered Saka over Gyok but Isak aside there are no other strikers I really want in that slot.

      2. A Trout
          1 day, 1 min ago

          Arsenal had one more clean sheet than Everton last season. Tarkowski way ahead for defensive points. Better value than Gabriel.

          B.

      3. Gazza2000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 day, 2 mins ago

        Best combo on a WC?

        a) Tarkowski, NDiaye, Gyokeres
        b) Richards, Saka, Richarlison

        1. Drizzle
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 2 Years
          1 day, 1 min ago

          I've gone with A because there's no imminent risk of rotations. Don't want to book in transfers after a WC.

          1. Gazza2000
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            23 hours, 58 mins ago

            Yeah that's the save route, perhaps not overthink it and go with the template.

        2. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          23 hours, 57 mins ago

          B,

          1. Gazza2000
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            23 hours, 55 mins ago

            The spicy pick, Richarlison a short term pick though with Solanke coming back don't you think?

            1. g40steve
              • 7 Years
              18 hours, 36 mins ago

              On it

      4. Drizzle
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        1 day, 2 mins ago

        On a wildcard. Just sorting the last 2 midfield positions. Other mids are Bruno, Semenyo and Reijnders.

        A) Ndiaye
        B) Kudus
        C) Xavi

        1) Stach
        2) Xhaka
        3) Anderson

        1. Dutchy FPL
          • 2 Years
          23 hours, 59 mins ago

          A3

        2. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          23 hours, 58 mins ago

          C 1

        3. TheBiffas
          • 4 Years
          23 hours, 50 mins ago

          B3

        4. Quality Quality Qualit
          • 16 Years
          16 hours, 32 mins ago

          B1

      5. The Tinkerman
        • 10 Years
        1 day ago

        A) Gvardiol, Bruno, Gyokores
        B) Richards, Saka, Isak

        On wildcard. Richards would rotate with Andersen and Senesi, all the others would start every week.

        1. Dutchy FPL
          • 2 Years
          23 hours, 58 mins ago

          A, more secure for now. Might be B in a few weeks

          1. The Tinkerman
            • 10 Years
            23 hours, 57 mins ago

            Yeah I think Isak and Saka both start this week, Isak may get another rest before the next IB though, if it weren’t for that I’d be pretty tempted. Prefer Saka to Gyok.

        2. Gazza2000
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          23 hours, 57 mins ago

          A, Isak too much a rotation risk for me

          1. g40steve
            • 7 Years
            23 hours, 56 mins ago

            This, avoid injured, injury prone players

          2. The Tinkerman
            • 10 Years
            23 hours, 55 mins ago

            Yeah, probably right, I think after IB, based on slot comments he should be at the start of a long run in the team. At the back of my mind also is that he is quite injury prone historically. Still tempted to take the risk though.

            Biggest weakness of WC template is no Liverpool imo.

            1. Cold Palms
              • 1 Year
              23 hours, 13 mins ago

              Which ones from Liverpool are worth the risk right now tho and Salah way off form

      6. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        1 day ago

        Made my moves last night, TC Haaland or not?

        Sanchez
        Porro/Neco/Dorgu
        Bruno/Foden/Semenyo/Kudus/Reijnders
        Haaland/Pedro

        Dubravka/Munoz/Gudmundsson/Kroupi

        1. Gazza2000
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          23 hours, 58 mins ago

          Do it

        2. aleksios
          • 10 Years
          23 hours, 58 mins ago

          Why not.

        3. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          23 hours, 55 mins ago

          Got for it while the non owners rip teams up to get him in

        4. OneTeamInBristol
          • 1 Year
          21 hours, 37 mins ago

          This will be the last week for a while where you will gain rank rise with Haaland triple captain. 100% do it.

      7. Swerve
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        1 day ago

        Another Pro Pundit wildcard draft. Jesus. I think I’ll stop coming on this site except to look at team news and members area. The articles - even by someone who is a good writer like LR - are almost exclusively worthless filler now.

        1. mookie
          • 12 Years
          23 hours, 41 mins ago

          I enjoy reading the thought processes leading to decisions. Couldn't care who they sell and who they buy, only care about the thought process behind it. Might steal some ideas and use them in my decision making process.

          I know most on here see things differently, as in "A or B?" Which basically means the answer is 100% vs 0%, but most decisions are something like this: 55% vs 45%, or 40% vs 30% vs 30%.

          1. The Knights Template
            • 11 Years
            23 hours, 18 mins ago

            I don’t make any decisions before two glasses of fine Semillon!

        2. Naatie
            23 hours, 39 mins ago

            just as worthless as these posts. No one is forcing you to read the articles or are you one of those serial ranters blinded by cc hate

            1. Swerve
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              22 hours, 44 mins ago

              I pay - unlike you - for the content that used to be good here. Its not anymore. Paying customers are allowed a view.

        3. SARRFACE
          • 14 Years
          23 hours, 58 mins ago

          On WC, would you do this:

          Semenyo to Enzo & Pedro to Gyok

          Or just leave it?

          Breaking the template a bit

          1. aleksios
            • 10 Years
            23 hours, 57 mins ago

            Keep Semenyo.
            Get Gyok next week.

          2. Swerve
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            23 hours, 57 mins ago

            What are the other moves?

            I don’t rate Pedro even though I own him.

            1. SARRFACE
              • 14 Years
              23 hours, 55 mins ago

              Raya (Dub)
              VVD Senesi VDV (Gudmundsson, Guehi)
              Mbuemo Kudus Reijnders Semenyo (Stach)
              Pedro Halaand Richarlson

              4.7 ITB

            2. g40steve
              • 7 Years
              23 hours, 53 mins ago

              Sword & Shield 😉

          3. Gazza2000
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            23 hours, 57 mins ago

            leave it

          4. Ausman
            • 2 Years
            23 hours, 55 mins ago

            Leave

          5. g40steve
            • 7 Years
            23 hours, 54 mins ago

            Do you watch the games?

            1. SARRFACE
              • 14 Years
              23 hours, 52 mins ago

              I watch when possible but definitely not enough for the eye test.

        4. aleksios
          • 10 Years
          23 hours, 53 mins ago

          Gtg here? Anything worth a hit?
          3.1itb.

          --Petrovic
          --Timber--Saliba--Konsa--VDV
          --Palmer--Semenyo--Reijnders
          --Rich--Haaland--Gyokeres

          --Dubravka--Ndoye--Dorgu--King.

          Thanks guys.

          1. Onanawhatsmyname
            • 2 Years
            23 hours, 48 mins ago

            Palmer to Salah? Konsa to Esteve to facilitate.

        5. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          23 hours, 52 mins ago

          TC this week?

          Sels
          Cucu, Senesi, VDV,
          Salah, Semenyo, Kudus, Reijnders,
          Pedro, Haaland, Richarison

          Dubs, Statch, Gudmund, Guehi,

          .5

          1. Weasel Boy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            23 hours, 46 mins ago

            If fit then yes

          2. Gazza2000
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            23 hours, 45 mins ago

            I would

          3. Jönny
            • 16 Years
            23 hours, 38 mins ago

            Aye

        6. Onanawhatsmyname
          • 2 Years
          23 hours, 50 mins ago

          On a WC;

          A) Wirtz, Grealish Mitoma
          B) Bruno, Ndiaye, Minteh

          1) Gvardiol, Gabriel
          2) VVD, Timber

          1. Moon Dog
              23 hours, 34 mins ago

              B1

            • Drizzle
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 2 Years
              23 hours, 33 mins ago

              B2

              1. Drizzle
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 2 Years
                23 hours, 32 mins ago

                Sorry I meant B1!

          2. Kodap
            • 8 Years
            23 hours, 47 mins ago

            I know Haaland is flagged but how does this look? Adequate bench cover if he is indeed out..

            Donnaruma
            VVD - Romero - Gabriel
            Semenyo - Kudus - Gakpo - Grealish - Reijnders
            Haaland (c) - Joao Pedro

            Dubravka - Wood - Munoz - Gudmondsson

            1. Weasel Boy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              23 hours, 45 mins ago

              Nice team

              1. Kodap
                • 8 Years
                22 hours, 45 mins ago

                Thanks mate

          3. Powers106
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            23 hours, 44 mins ago

            I have 1 FT and was thinking one of the following, just wonder which you would do or hold? I have VdV already. Thanks!

            Cucurella to
            A. Porro
            B. Romero
            C. Timber

            Or Bowen to:
            A. JP
            B. Richarlison

            1. Powers106
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              23 hours, 42 mins ago

              My Team for info:

              Sels (Dubravka)
              Cucurella - VdV - Senesi (Rodon - Guehi)
              Rejinders- Semenyo - Anderson - Salah - Ndiaye
              Bowen - Haaland c (Guiu)

              1. Four Letter Wirtz
                • 9 Years
                22 hours, 51 mins ago

                Cucurella to ARS defender sounds good, especially because you have a Salah+Haaland team, so cash is probably tight and Cucu>Timber will free up some funds.

                But maybe just leave it for next week when ARS fixtures turn.

          4. FC Hakkebøf
            • 8 Years
            23 hours, 43 mins ago

            A) Saka, Ndiaye and Reijnders
            B) Bruno, Ndiaye and Kudus
            C) Foden, Cunha and Ndiaye

            1. Powers106
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              23 hours, 40 mins ago

              They all look like good options, probably A.

          5. Jönny
            • 16 Years
            23 hours, 40 mins ago

            Got my defence right for this week?

            Starting: VDV, VVD, Munoz
            Bench: Gudmondson, Truffert

            1. HaffNanner
              • 8 Years
              23 hours, 38 mins ago

              Yes

              1. Jönny
                • 16 Years
                23 hours, 36 mins ago

                Ta!

          6. Philosopher's Stones
            • 5 Years
            23 hours, 38 mins ago

            Pick one

            A: WC
            B: TC Haaland(and wildcard during IB)

            1. HaffNanner
              • 8 Years
              23 hours, 38 mins ago

              B

            2. antis0cial
              • 9 Years
              23 hours, 25 mins ago

              B unless your team is horrible.

          7. HaffNanner
            • 8 Years
            23 hours, 38 mins ago

            Need to free up some cash for Arsenal players GW7

            A. Salah > Xavi this week
            B. Salah > Fernandes next week

            Petrovic
            VVD Porro Munoz
            Salah Semenyo Reijnders KDH
            Haaland Pedro Mateta
            Dubravka Gudmunsson Ekdal King

            1. Moon Dog
                23 hours, 34 mins ago

                B

            2. timPgoodwin
              • 11 Years
              23 hours, 37 mins ago

              Foden or Fernandes for Palmer? I like Foden, I think his ability to haul is better than Bruno

              1. x.jim.x
                • 11 Years
                23 hours, 33 mins ago

                Bruno is one missed pen away from 3 double-digit scores in 5 weeks

              2. Gizzachance
                • 10 Years
                23 hours, 23 mins ago

                Fodens ability to be benched or reduced minutes is also greater than Bruno’s

            3. FantasyClub
              • 4 Years
              23 hours, 36 mins ago

              What’s the news on Doku?
              Not injured is he?

            4. The Tinkerman
              • 10 Years
              23 hours, 35 mins ago

              So tempted by this top heavy WC 😀

              Just don’t think I can trust Isak enough, albeit he definitely starts this week, and I think post-IB I’ll want him. Injury prone though.

              Raya
              Gab, Senesi, Andersen
              Bruno, Semenyo, Ndiaye, Reijnders
              Haaland, Isak, Gyok

              Dubr; Stach, Alderete, Rodon

              1. HaffNanner
                • 8 Years
                23 hours, 31 mins ago

                Like it. Go for it

            5. korojmeister
              • 14 Years
              23 hours, 34 mins ago

              A) Bruno & Gyokeres
              or
              B) Eze & Isak

              1. antis0cial
                • 9 Years
                23 hours, 24 mins ago

                A

                1. korojmeister
                  • 14 Years
                  23 hours, 17 mins ago

                  thx mate

            6. hnmfm
              • 13 Years
              23 hours, 34 mins ago

              Why is Isak not expected to start?

              1. The Knights Template
                • 11 Years
                23 hours, 14 mins ago

                Where did you hear this?

                1. hnmfm
                  • 13 Years
                  22 hours, 19 mins ago

                  Predicted line ups page

            7. afsr
              • 9 Years
              23 hours, 32 mins ago

              1) Gakpo -> Bruno/Mbeumo/Kudus for a -4, yay or nay?

              2) If nay, bench one out of:
              Grealish, KDH (WHU)
              Gyokeres (new)
              Gakpo (cry)

            8. afsr
              • 9 Years
              23 hours, 31 mins ago

              Oh 1 could also be Foden

              1. afsr
                • 9 Years
                23 hours, 31 mins ago

                Sorry, reply fail

            9. Fernandito
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              23 hours, 25 mins ago

              On WC:
              A Gyokeres Kudus Petrovic
              B Richarlison Foden Raya

              1. denial
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                23 hours, 22 mins ago

                B is more fun for next few weeks

            10. Gizzachance
              • 10 Years
              23 hours, 22 mins ago

              Not seeing many spurs def on wc,s, still have some good fixtures

            11. antis0cial
              • 9 Years
              23 hours, 20 mins ago

              Which mid to add to this midfield please; Semenyo Gakpo Grealish Reijnders

              A) Bruno
              B) Foden
              C) Mbuemo
              D) Doku
              E) Kudus
              F) Saka + Doku/Kudus (means a -4 and losing Gakpo)

            12. BobB
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              23 hours, 19 mins ago

              Is Haaland ok to play?

              1. The Tinkerman
                • 10 Years
                23 hours, 18 mins ago

                He has been pictured in training as normal

            13. The Tinkerman
              • 10 Years
              23 hours, 19 mins ago

              A) Stach, Gyokores (343)
              B) Foster, Saka (352)

              Both the cheapies are bench fodder and work for BB8… B is 0.3m more expensive.

            14. Fernandito
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              23 hours, 17 mins ago

              Who do you bench out of these?

              Bruno Foden Reijnders Semenyo Ndiaye
              Haaland J Pedro Richarlison

              1. Four Letter Wirtz
                • 9 Years
                22 hours, 40 mins ago

                It"s tough... so many good fixtures this week. But I'd bench Ndiaye, only because "competent" West Ham might show up.