We’re 32 gameweeks in, and if you’ve still got chips left in the tank, you need to be ruthless about when you deploy them. I’ve seen too many managers waste a Bench Boost on a gameweek where their bench scores 8 points total, or burn a Triple Captain on a player who blanks. The difference between a thoughtful chip strategy and panic-driven button-pushing? It’s often 30-40 points by May. Let’s talk about where we are and what you should actually do.
Understanding Your Remaining Chips in GW32
By this stage of the season, most managers should have used their Wildcard and Free Hit already. If you haven’t—we need to talk. But for those of you still holding chips: you likely have Bench Boost, Triple Captain, Free Hit, and potentially an unused Wildcard kicking around.
The fixture congestion from here until the end is real. You’ve got European knockouts affecting rotation, injury pileups from international breaks, and teams fighting for Champions League spots. This isn’t the time for timidity.
When to Use Bench Boost: The Real Case for GW32-35
Most guides tell you to use Bench Boost when your bench is stacked with premium players. That’s rubbish advice. Your bench will never have premium players—that’s why they’re on the bench.
The honest truth? Bench Boost works when you have four players who will definitely play and have reasonable fixture difficulty. Look at the coming fixtures: GW32 has most teams in action, meaning rotations are less likely. Gameweek 34 onwards, you’ll see more midweek fixtures and squad rotation headaches.
Your ideal bench for a Bench Boost in the next few weeks should look like this: a budget defender on a clean sheet roll (someone like Van Hecke at Brighton—125k transfers in this week, by the way), a midfielder with minutes guaranteed even if not starting, and two rotation-prone players who just happen to be first in line. If your bench contains players averaging 6+ points over their last five, you’re ready to activate.
Check the Fixture Difficulty tool for GW33-35. If multiple teams are facing bottom-six sides, that’s your Bench Boost week. You’re looking for fixtures where even bench players can accumulate assists or clean sheets.
Don’t use it this week (GW32) if you’ve got rotation concerns in your starting XI. You want to Bench Boost when you’re confident your best players are playing, so your bench points are pure bonus, not replacement points.
Triple Captain: Only for Absolute Certainties
This is where I see the most damage. Managers Triple Captain because a player scored last week, or because they’re facing a weak team. That’s emotion, not strategy.
Triple Captain only makes sense when three conditions are met: (1) the player is nailed on to play 90 minutes, (2) the fixture has genuine attacking opportunity (not just a game a big team should win), and (3) the player has form—I’m talking 10+ points in their last three outings.
Right now, Haaland (197 points, 55.2% owned, but form 2.0) is facing Man Utd in GW33 after a quiet spell. Even though he’s in a big game, his form doesn’t scream “Triple Captain me.” Bruno Fernandes (189 points, 11.5 form) is actually hotter, but he’s midfield, so cap ceiling is lower. Semenyo at 2.0 form? Absolutely not—he’s been quiet.
The best Triple Captain week is usually GW36-38, when promoted sides are vulnerable and elite players have clinical form established. If you can hold it that long, do. But if you must use it in the next three gameweeks, save it for when a player has both form (6+ points per game) and a bottom-six fixture. Use the Captain Impact tool to model the difference—you need to see a 15+ point gap to justify the chip.
Free Hit vs Wildcard: Which One Now?
If you still have both chips, you’re behind most managers. But here’s the strategic decision: Free Hit or Wildcard?
Free Hit is perfect for a single bad gameweek—maybe your team has three big rotations or injuries hitting at once. It resets your squad for one week only. Wildcard, of course, permanently changes your squad for the final stretch.
At GW32, I’d lean toward Wildcard. Here’s why: injuries and rotations are piling up. You want flexibility for the final eight weeks, not just one. Free Hit is better saved for a chaotic midweek GW where European rotations are predictable.
Look at the transfer trends: Chalobah (Chelsea, 297k out), João Pedro (132k out), and Enzo (122k out) are bleeding out. Chelsea’s rotation is a nightmare. If you own any of these, Wildcard now lets you escape without panic-selling at a loss. Check the Price Changes page—players dropping in price are often first to be benched.
If your squad is relatively clean (no injury scares, no three deadwood players), hold both chips and reassess at GW34.
Fixture Difficulty and Chip Timing: The Numbers Matter
Arsenal (difficulty 5 vs Bournemouth) is the standout fixture this week, but it’s only one game. Bench Boost shines when multiple gameweeks offer soft fixtures. GW34-35 typically see more injuries and rotations, making them worse for Bench Boost. GW36-38 often compress fixtures, also increasing rotation risk.
The sweet spot is usually a GW where the top six all play midweek-free fixtures against weak opposition. That hasn’t happened yet this season in my memory. So be patient. Hold your Bench Boost until you see it on the Fixture Difficulty tool—a full gameweek where every team has a difficulty rating of 2 or 3.
Brighton (Welbeck, 176k in) and Everton (Tarkowski, 122k in; Garner, 139 points) are getting heavy investment because their fixtures ahead are relatively kind. If you’re building a bench, stack players from these teams.
Common Chip Mistakes to Avoid Right Now
Mistake 1: Chipping because you’re behind in your league. I understand the panic. But a premature Bench Boost or Free Hit won’t close a 40-point gap. You need discipline and a long-term transfer strategy. Use the FPL360 Dashboard to track your rank and see if you’re really behind or just having a bad GW.
Mistake 2: Triple Captaining a player with bad form. Haaland scored 22 goals but his recent form is 2.0. That’s a red flag. Form is stickier than you think. I’d rather Triple Captain a 7+ form midfielder than a 2.0 striker, even if the striker has more ceiling.
Mistake 3: Bench Boosting without checking your bench strength. If your bench is Ward, Timber, Van Hecke, and some £4.5m defender, you might get 15-18 points total. Is that really worth a chip? You need bench players averaging 6+ each.
Mistake 4: Using your last chip too early. You’ve got eight gameweeks left. Don’t blow your last Free Hit on GW32 just because two players are injured. You might face a worse gameweek later. Chips are insurance—use them only when the payout is obvious.
The Next Three Gameweeks: Conservative Chip Strategy
GW32 (this week): Hold all chips. Arsenal’s fixture is tasty, but it’s one match. Monitor injuries over the next 48 hours.
GW33: Still hold. This is when United and City rotations could bite. Wait for team news before deploying anything.
GW34-35: This is when you’ll likely use Bench Boost or Free Hit, depending on fixture congestion. Check the Live Table closer to the deadline to see how injuries and form have shifted.
For now, focus on sensible transfers. The transfer market is active (B.Fernandes 167k in, Welbeck 176k in, Haaland 105k in), but don’t chase. Use the Stats page to find overlooked players with good fixtures and form—that’s where edge lives in GW32, not in chips.
When Should You Sell for Chips?
One final thought: chipping doesn’t mean you need to knee-jerk your squad. If you’re holding two Chelsea players (João Pedro, Palmer, Enzo), yes, get them out. Rogers at Aston Villa (88k out) is being sold because of form and rotation concerns, not because a chip will save you.
Use chips to amplify a strong team, not to fix a broken one. That’s the difference between the top 100k and the rest.
FAQ: Your Chip Questions Answered
Can you use Free Hit and Bench Boost together?
No. Free Hit replaces your entire squad for one week. Bench Boost amplifies your existing bench. You can only play one chip per gameweek. Many managers waste both on the same week by accident—don’t be that person.
When is the best time to Wildcard?
If you still have it, use it before a gameweek where multiple injuries/rotations are confirmed. GW33-34 is ideal for this reason. Don’t save it past GW35—you need the flexibility for the final stretch. At GW32, if your squad is 80%+ healthy and happy, you can wait one more week. If you’ve got three problem players, Wildcard now.
Should I Triple Captain this week?
No. Haaland’s form is cold (2.0), and while Arsenal’s fixture is nice, it’s one match. Triple Captain in a gameweek where a player has form 8+, is definitely playing 90 minutes, and faces a bottom-six team. That’s not GW32. Hold it.
