Setting up an FPL GW-28 Wildcard Team is one of the most strategic moves you can make as the season nears its climax.
With Blank Gameweek 31 on the horizon and potential Double Gameweeks in GW-33, choosing the right mix of consistency and differential picks is vital for climbing your mini-leagues.
This draft focuses on players with strong immediate fixtures, high expected goal involvement (xGI), and long-term viability for the upcoming schedule shifts.
Bart Verbruggen – Brighton (4.5m)
Brighton’s defensive rotations can be tricky, but
at just 4.5m, Verbruggen is becoming a standout value pick for your FPL Gameweek 28 Wildcard squad.
The Seagulls have a solid run of fixtures, crucially including a game in Blank Gameweek 31.
With a potential double in GW-33, he offers both short-term security and long-term upside for managers on a budget.
James Hill – Bournemouth (4m)
If you are looking for a “budget enabler” in your Wildcard team for GW-28, Hill is hard to ignore. Priced at a basement-level $4.0$m, he has remarkably returned points in each of his last six outings.
Bournemouth’s favorable upcoming schedule makes him the perfect third substitute or a cheap starter to free up funds for heavy hitters elsewhere.
Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool (6.0m)
Liverpool’s captain is back to his best, delivering double-digit hauls in two of his last three appearances.
As clean sheets become more frequent for the Reds, Virgil remains a dual threat thanks to his aerial dominance on “defcons” (defensive contributions) and set-piece headers.
He is a cornerstone of this GW-28 FPL Wildcard team, especially since Liverpool plays in GW-31 and likely doubles in GW-33.
Gabriel – Arsenal (7.1m)
Statistically the best defender in FPL this season, Gabriel averages roughly 4 points per start.
While Arsenal does blank in Gameweek 31, his goal threat and the Gunners’ league-leading defense make him “un-droppable.”
Simply bench him during the blank; his long-term points projection is too high to exclude from your FPL GW-28 Wildcard Team.
Ryan Gravenberch – Liverpool
Gravenberch is arguably the best pound-for-pound value in the Liverpool midfield right now. Averaging 4 points per game, he provides a cheap entry point into an elite attack.
His ability to link play and late runs into the box make him a savvy differential for those wildcarding this week.
Morgan Rogers – Aston Villa (7.7m)
Aston Villa faces bottom-of-the-table Wolves in GW-28, and they currently boast the highest expected goals (xG) percentage for the upcoming round.
Rogers is an exciting, explosive option who thrives in high-scoring affairs. Including him in your FPL GW-28 Wildcard Team allows you to capitalize on Villa’s attacking momentum.
Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United (9.9m)
Despite a few recent blanks, Bruno remains one of the most valuable assets in the game due to his underlying creative stats and penalty duties.
Manchester United faces Crystal Palace in GW-28—a fixture where Bruno historically thrives. He remains a high-ceiling pick for managers looking for consistent starts and assist potential.
Antoine Semenyo – Manchester City (8.1m)
Since his move to Manchester City, Semenyo has been a standout performer. While he blanks in GW-31, his potential double in GW-33 and City’s overall fixture swing make him a strong mid-priced forward or midfielder option.
His physicality and directness make him a constant threat against lower-half defenses.
Igor Thiago – Brentford (7.1m)
With 18 goal involvements already this season, Thiago is the focal point of the Brentford attack.
His GW-28 fixture against a struggling Burnley side is a mouthwatering prospect for those building an FPL GW-28 Wildcard Team.
With Brentford fighting to climb the table, expect Thiago to be at the heart of their offensive output.
Hugo Ekitike – Liverpool (8.9m)
Liverpool is projected to be the top-scoring side over the next five weeks. While Ekitike has lacked a bit of clinical finishing lately, his high volume of “big chances” created suggests a massive haul is imminent.
Bringing him in now as a GW-28 differential could see you catch his inevitable rise in form before the rest of the template catches up.
Erling Haaland – Manchester City (14.8)
No FPL GW-28 Wildcard Team is complete without the Norwegian marksman. Over the next three weeks, Haaland is the premier captaincy candidate.
With Manchester City likely doubling in GW-33, he is the essential “set and forget” captain who can single-handedly save or ruin an FPL rank.
