Optimal Chip Strategies for Fantasy Premier League Success

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In this blog, we investigate when the most successful Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers used their three key chips: Bench Boost, Triple Captain, and Free Hit. Our goal is to determine the optimal times to play these chips for maximum benefit.

Bench Boost

Double Gameweeks present an excellent opportunity to use the Bench Boost chip, as players participate in two matches instead of one. This strategy allows managers to potentially field 15 players for a total of 2,700 minutes (15 players x 180 minutes each), compared to the standard 990 minutes from 11 players.

An impressive 98% of the ‘Top 50’ and 96% of the ‘All Time Top 50’ groups used their Bench Boost chips in Gameweek 37, where six teams (Brighton, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle, and Spurs) had two fixtures each. This aligns with the trend of using Bench Boost during Double Gameweeks in previous seasons.

In contrast, only 46% of the ‘All FPL’ group used their Bench Boost in Gameweek 37. Their usage was more dispersed across various Gameweeks, with Gameweek 38 (26%) being the second most popular, likely because it was the last opportunity to use it.

Given this data, it is clear that using the Bench Boost chip during Double Gameweeks is the optimal strategy.

Free Hit

The Free Hit chip allows FPL managers to bring in players for one Gameweek only, typically used to navigate blank Gameweeks and postponements.

In Gameweek 29, 12 teams had no fixtures, including Arsenal, Bournemouth, Brighton, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle, Sheffield United, and Wolves. To manage this, 42% of the ‘Top 50’ and 44% of the ‘All Time Top 50’ managers used their Free Hit chips. In comparison, 50% of the ‘All FPL’ group used their Free Hit chip in Gameweek 29.

However, diverging from previous seasons, this season saw the peak use of the Free Hit during a Double Gameweek. The majority of the ‘Top 50’ (58%) and ‘All Time Top 50’ (54%) managers used their Free Hit chips in Gameweek 34, when seven teams had two fixtures each.

Based on these findings, saving the Free Hit chip for significant blank and Double Gameweeks later in the season appears to be a sensible strategy rather than using it too early.

Triple Captain

In Gameweek 25, 96% of the ‘Top 50’ and 96% of the ‘All Time Top 50’ managers used their Triple Captain chip on Haaland, who faced Chelsea (H) and Brentford (H) in a Double Gameweek. The Norwegian forward returned a modest 10 points over the two fixtures, with one goal and two bonus points in addition to his appearance points.

Similarly, 50% of the ‘All FPL’ group used their Triple Captain in Gameweek 25, making it the most popular time for this chip. However, by this point in the season, 28% of the ‘All FPL’ group had already used the chip.

Given that many managers play FPL casually and make up a large percentage of the ‘All FPL’ group, it is advisable to consider the chip strategies of the ‘All Time Top 50’ and ‘Top 50’ groups when planning your own strategy.

Conclusion

By analysing the chip usage of top Fantasy Premier League managers, you can optimise your own chip strategy and enhance your chances of success in the Fantasy Premier League. Keep these insights in mind as you plan your transfers and chip usage throughout the season.

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