When is the best time to play your chips in Fantasy Premier League (FPL)? Our FPL Chip Strategy Guide for the 2024/25 season has the answers.
The <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/mystery-chip-fpl-revealed-assistant-manager">Assistant Manager</a> was added to the list of chips this season, which also includes the <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/what-is-the-fantasy-premier-league-wildcard-and-when-to-use-it">Wildcard</a>, <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/what-is-the-free-hit-chip-in-fpl-and-how-can-we-use-it">Free Hit</a>, <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/what-is-the-fpl-bench-boost-and-when-to-use-it">Bench Boost</a> and <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/what-is-the-fantasy-premier-league-triple-captain-and-when-to-use-it">Triple Captain</a>.
Regardless of which ones you have left, this guide will help you map out a strategy.
See our <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fpl-blank-double-gameweek-guide">Blank and Double Gameweek Guide</a> for detailed information about the upcoming fixture schedule.
Download fixture expert Ben Crellin&#8217;s <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/ben-crellins-fpl-transfer-planning-sheet">FPL transfer planning sheet</a> and check out our flagship My Team tool for more guidance in this crucial part of the season, including AI-recommended transfer tips tailored to your team.
Last updated: 07/04/25

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<h2>FPL chip strategy: When is the best time to play my chips?</h2>
There&#8217;s always countless chip strategies available &#8211; but three or four solutions tend to emerge as the most popular each season.
These often focus heavily on the blanks and doubles but with changes to the FA Cup schedule expected to lead to smaller doubles this season, chips like the Bench Boost and Triple Captain could be an option in normal gameweeks too.
For the purpose of this guide, we will focus on building your FPL chip strategy around the following blank and double gameweeks. See our <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fpl-blank-double-gameweek-guide">Blank and Double Gameweek Guide</a> for full details:
<ul>
<li>Double Gameweek 32: Newcastle and Crystal Palace</li>
<li>Double Gameweek 33: Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa</li>
<li>Blank Gameweek 34: Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa</li>
<li>Double Gameweek 36: TBC</li>
<li>Blank Gameweek 37: TBC</li>
</ul>
We will update this guide regularly as new information emerges.
<div id="attachment_70240" style="width: 730px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70240" class="wp-image-70240 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FPL-chip-strategy.png" alt="FPL chip strategy" width="720" height="377" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FPL-chip-strategy.png 720w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FPL-chip-strategy-300x157.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FPL-chip-strategy-610x319.png 610w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" />FPL chip strategy</div>
<h2>Possible FPL chip combinations</h2>
Chips are starting to dry up for many of the game&#8217;s top managers.
The vast majority of the world&#8217;s top 250,000 managers have used their Assistant Manager, Triple Captain and second Wildcard.
There are opportunities to climb the ranks as a result &#8211; but time is running out to use these chips if you want to use them in the doubles and blanks.
Managers who wildcarded in Gameweek 30 or 31 will likely be looking to follow one of these strategies:
<ul>
<li>Triple Captain 32, Bench Boost 33, Free Hit 34</li>
<li>Bench Boost 32, Triple Captain 33, Free Hit 34</li>
</ul>
If you are yet to play your Wildcard, you could follow an alternative path, such as:
<ul>
<li>Triple Captain 32, Free Hit 33, Wildcard 34, Bench Boost 36</li>
<li>Triple Captain 32/33, Wildcard 34, Bench Boost 36, Free Hit 37</li>
</ul>
There are two confirmed double gameweeks left this season and one blank, with a potential additional blank and double to follow.
If you have all the chips still in hand, including the Assistant Manager, single gameweeks will become a factor given the lack of time to squeeze them all in.
Playing the Bench Boost or Triple Captain in a free single gameweek &#8211; dependent on team make-up &#8211; is a possibility in this instance.
<div id="attachment_71968" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-71968" class="size-full wp-image-71968" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Chip-usage-gw31.jpg" alt="Top 250,000 chip usage" width="650" height="742" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Chip-usage-gw31.jpg 650w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Chip-usage-gw31-263x300.jpg 263w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Chip-usage-gw31-610x696.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" />Top 250,000 chip usage</div>
<h2>FPL chip strategy in depth</h2>
Here, we take a more in-depth look at our recommended options to play the FPL Triple Captain, Bench Boost, Free Hit, Assistant Manager and Wildcard.
<h3>Best time to play the FPL Triple Captain chip</h3>
Nearly 500,000 FPL managers used their Triple Captain on Erling Haaland in Gameweek 2, when he earned 17 points against Ipswich.
And another 1.13m activated it in Double Gameweek 24, mostly on Mohamed Salah.
One of the upcoming double gameweeks &#8211; 32, 33 or 36 &#8211; could be a good alternative for those who have not already played it.
Alexander Isak has Manchester United (H) and Crystal Palace (H) in Double Gameweek 32.
Jean-Philippe Mateta&#8217;s double looks less strong in Double Gameweek 32 &#8211; against Manchester City (A) and Newcastle (A).
Mateta will play Bournemouth (H) and Arsenal (A) in Double Gameweek 33. Bukayo Saka and Omar Marmoush are also options in this week &#8211; but expected minutes for Saka remain unclear.
Alternatively, you could settle for a good single gameweek fixture instead, such as Cole Palmer against Ipswich (H) or even Salah and Liverpool against Palace (H) in Gameweek 38.
The Reds may not have much to play for by then though and could rotate.
<div id="attachment_70497" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70497" class="size-full wp-image-70497" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Isak-player-graphic.jpg" alt="Alexander Isak" width="798" height="650" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Isak-player-graphic.jpg 798w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Isak-player-graphic-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Isak-player-graphic-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Isak-player-graphic-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px" />Alexander Isak</div>
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<div class="mceTemp"></div>
<h3>Best time to use the FPL Bench Boost chip</h3>
Gameweek 32, 33 and 36 are our recommendations for the Bench Boost as things stand.
Each of these are double gameweeks &#8211; with 33 seeing more teams playing twice than 32.
But with the doubles smaller this year, don&#8217;t rule out playing it in a single gameweek later in the season if your bench looks like it will be strong.
<div id="attachment_70263" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70263" class="size-full wp-image-70263" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Bench-Boost.jpg" alt="FPL Bench Boost" width="650" height="411" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Bench-Boost.jpg 650w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Bench-Boost-300x190.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Bench-Boost-610x386.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" />FPL Bench Boost</div>
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The opportunities will vary significantly from team to team, so we recommend checking out our <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/my-team/pick">My Team tool</a>, <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fixture-ticker">customisable fixture ticker</a> and <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/predictions">predicted points</a> tool for guidance on your bench strength week to week.
If benched players have home games against weaker teams, have good expected minutes and you&#8217;re struggling to choose who to start, these are all good signs that the Bench Boost could be used.
Playing your Bench Boost as close as possible to your Wildcard is a good strategy in order to minimise injury issues.
<h3>Best time to use the FPL Free Hit chip</h3>
Some FPL managers will have used their Free Hit already, with Blank Gameweek 29 having recently passed.
But there is another blank in Gameweek 34 &#8211; created as a result of the FA Cup semi-finals &#8211; coming soon.
And there&#8217;s a good chance of a Blank Gameweek 37 too, when the cup final is due to be played.
<div id="attachment_71706" style="width: 870px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-71706" class="size-full wp-image-71706" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Crellin-fixture-schedule.png" alt="Ben Crellin's fixture schedule" width="860" height="551" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Crellin-fixture-schedule.png 860w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Crellin-fixture-schedule-300x192.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Crellin-fixture-schedule-768x492.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Crellin-fixture-schedule-610x391.png 610w" sizes="(max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" />Ben Crellin&#8217;s fixture schedule</div>
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If you&#8217;re heavily targeting Double Gameweek 33, a Free Hit in Blank Gameweek 34 will be probable given the schedule.
While using the Free Hit in one of the blanks could prove very helpful, FPL managers have had great success using it in double gameweeks too.
Activating it in Double Gameweek 33 or 36 would allow full focus on doubling teams.
<a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fpl-gameweek-34-review-part-two">Gameweek 34</a> last year was a prime example of the potential of playing the Free Hit in a double, with some huge scores.
In contrast, those using it in <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/gameweek-29-review-free-hit-stats">Blank Gameweek 29</a> were massively disappointed, with a record low FPL average of just 12 points.
Changes to cup scheduling will make the doubles smaller this year however, so the swings should be less severe.
The positive for those without the Free Hit is that Blank Gameweek 34 is fairly small, with Palace, Villa, City and Arsenal the only teams likely to be without a fixture.
<div id="attachment_70262" style="width: 661px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70262" class="size-full wp-image-70262" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Free-Hit-graphic.jpg" alt="FPL Free Hit" width="651" height="458" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Free-Hit-graphic.jpg 651w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Free-Hit-graphic-300x211.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Free-Hit-graphic-610x429.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 651px) 100vw, 651px" />FPL Free Hit</div>
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<h3>Best time to play the FPL Assistant Manager chip</h3>
The Assistant Manager chip could be the most powerful of all.
Just one win for your chosen manager&#8217;s team is worth up to 16 points, not including goals and clean sheet extras. That&#8217;s the equivalent of Haaland&#8217;s hat-trick haul in Gameweek 2.
Playing this chip in a three-week window which includes a double gameweek therefore looks appealing.
Some remaining options include:
<ul>
<li>Gameweek 31-33 (ongoing)</li>
<li>Gameweek 36-38</li>
</ul>
Gameweek 31-33 offered the chance of using the Assistant Manager over two double gameweeks.
Choosing the manager of a team fighting for points when their opponents have nothing to play for could prove powerful.
Double Gameweek 36 onwards could be a way to target table bonus gains.
Please note that like the other chips, you cannot combine the Assistant Manager with other chips.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fpl-assistant-manager-chip-tips-for-success">Top tips for Assistant Manager chip success and predicted points</a></li>
</ul>
<div id="attachment_69994" style="width: 829px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69994" class="size-large wp-image-69994" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Assistant-Manager-prices-819x1024.jpg" alt="FPL Assistant Manager chip prices" width="819" height="1024" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Assistant-Manager-prices-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Assistant-Manager-prices-240x300.jpg 240w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Assistant-Manager-prices-768x960.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Assistant-Manager-prices-610x763.jpg 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Assistant-Manager-prices.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" />Assistant Manager chip prices</div>
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<h3>Best time to use the second FPL Wildcard</h3>
The second Wildcard is a useful tool to help you navigate through the blanks and doubles.
Timing its use depends on the chips you have left.
If you&#8217;re already well set up for Double Gameweek 32 and 33, saving it until Blank Gameweek 34 could be wise.
This will help you to deal with Blank Gameweek 34, particularly if you&#8217;re without a Free Hit.
Gameweek 35 follows Blank Gameweek 34 and comes just before the potential Double Gameweek 36.
Using the Wildcard and Bench Boost close together allows squads to be easily set up for the latter chip, so this strategy could appeal if you have both in hand.
Alternatively, it could set your team up for a late Assistant Manager play.
<div id="attachment_70258" style="width: 663px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-70258" class="size-full wp-image-70258" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Wildcard-chip.jpg" alt="The FPL Wildcard" width="653" height="527" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Wildcard-chip.jpg 653w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Wildcard-chip-300x242.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Wildcard-chip-610x492.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px" />The FPL Wildcard</div>
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<h2>New Hub feature: Fixture projections included in our tools</h2>
Ben&#8217;s fixture projections are now built into all our tools, helping FPL managers plan their way through the blanks and doubles.
Our <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fixture-ticker">fixture ticker</a> includes potential doubles and blanks, with information provided about the likelihood of them going ahead.
As seen below, Liverpool and Everton&#8217;s Double Gameweek 24 was included in the projections before it was announced.
This will impact predicted points and our AI-recommended transfers.
Please note, you can turn off the predicted fixtures mode using the toggle at the top of the page.
<div id="attachment_69787" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69787" class="size-large wp-image-69787" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Predicted-fixtures-1024x543.jpg" alt="Predicted fixtures change the ticker" width="1024" height="543" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Predicted-fixtures-1024x543.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Predicted-fixtures-300x159.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Predicted-fixtures-768x408.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Predicted-fixtures-610x324.jpg 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Predicted-fixtures-1080x573.jpg 1080w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Predicted-fixtures.jpg 1106w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Predicted fixtures change the ticker</div>
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FPL Chip Strategy Guide 2024/25: Best time to play Triple Captain, Free Hit and more

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