Key Takeaways
- Six Premier League sides play twice in gameweek 33, then blank in gameweek 34, forcing chip plans to change.
- Experts advise using Wildcard or Free Hit now; Bench Boost can wait for another double in gameweek 36.
- Leeds United, Bournemouth and Brighton offer cheap, in-form picks, while Erling Haaland stays the top captain choice.
Kenyan Fantasy Premier League bosses face a busy week. Gameweek 33 brings two matches for Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle, Leeds, Brighton and Bournemouth. Because those same teams sit out gameweek 34, managers must pick the right chip or watch their rank slide.
Gianni Buttice and the FPL Podcast crew say the Wildcard and Free Hit are the cleanest fixes. Both chips wipe your squad and let you load up on players who double up this week. If you still own a Bench Boost, save it for later; Manchester City and Crystal Palace are expected to double in gameweek 36.
Statman Dave told listeners he played his Wildcard in week 32, chose 15 starters who double now, and will Bench Boost instantly. Co-host Alistair Bruce-Ball missed that window, so he will Free Hit instead. “A Free Hit gives you 11 starters, but a Bench Boost gives you 15,” he reminded fans.
Budget picks are plentiful. Leeds, fresh from a loud win at Old Trafford, meet Wolves at Elland Road in one of their two games. Jayden Bogle (£4.4 m) storms forward like a winger, while Bournemouth and Brighton also carry kind fixtures. At the back, Udinese loanee Jaka Bijol (£3.9 m) continues to rack up blocks and clearances.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.6 m) has not scored in seven league outings, yet his expected-goes numbers look healthy. Dave backs the Everton striker to reward patient owners during the double.
Erling Haaland (£14.5 m) remains the standout armband choice. The Norwegian visits Burnley in one of City’s two fixtures, and Pep Guardiola’s side may chase goals with the title race so tight.
Further down the price list, Antoine Semenyo (£8.2 m) and Rayan Cherki (£6.3 m) offer different flavours of Manchester City mid-price midfields. Semenyo has completed eight full matches in ten league starts, giving him a stronger goal threat. Cherki, the craftier creator, still suffers early hooks and has only three 90-minute finishes all season. Either could shine as a differential, especially on a Free Hit.
Nico O’Reilly (£5.0 m) sits on the injury watchlist. The 21-year-old defender-midfielder has nine open-play goals, more than popular picks Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka, but a hamstring issue forced him off against Chelsea. Chris Sutton rules him out for the Arsenal clash, yet Guardiola may rush him back for the Burnley leg of the double. Kenyan managers should wait for Friday’s press conference before buying.
In short, use a full-reset chip now, target Leeds and Brighton value, captain Haaland, and keep an eye on O’Reilly’s medical bulletin. The next green arrow starts here.