How and when to target low-ranking clubs with assistant manager chip in FPL

There are two possible strategies with the assistant manager chip: you can play it safe by choosing a top manager for fixtures against struggling clubs, or you can take a risk and aim for the “table bonus” points by choosing a manager who faces clubs ranked at least five places higher.

Fantasy managers using the FPL app should verify they have the latest version of the app, or download the latest version, to ensure they can use the chip.

FPL expert here Harry Daniels explains how and when you could adopt the safe play approach.

One of the obvious ways to play the assistant manager chip is to play it on a manager and team with easier fixtures to try to maximize points for wins, goals scored and clean sheets. Therefore, trying to isolate the periods when the best teams and managers have a strong run and don’t have to use many transfers could be key.

I think using it around Double Game Week 24 (DGW24) or doubles that could come later in the season is still the best strategy, whether you’re looking to take advantage of the table bonus or not.

When to choose the slot

The first option would be to play it in harness slot (£1.5m) in DGW24 for trips to AFC Bournemouth and Everton, followed by Wolves at home in Gameweek 25. Three Liverpool props are expected to win, score goals and potentially keep some clean sheets.

In Gameweek 26, however, the Reds travel to Manchester City. You could keep him in the slot, since they are likely favorites to win this game, or use a transfer to bring in a different assistant coach. The most obvious options would be Mikel Arteta (£1.5m) at home to West Ham United or Andoni Iraola (£1.1m) for AFC Bournemouth’s home fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Assistant Principals, GW24-26

With the EFL Cup Final taking place on the same weekend as GameWeek 29, and the FA Cup semi-finals coinciding with GameWeek 34, it is expected that there will be more double gameweeks later in the season.

Between gameweeks 31-33, Liverpool have trips to Fulham and Leicester City, sandwiching a home game against West Ham.

So, if the Reds progress to the EFL Cup final, forcing their visit to Aston Villa to rearrange, and this match is rescheduled to form a double gameweek between gameweeks 31-33, this could be another window tempting to use the chip in Slot.

Likewise, Newcastle United have away games against Leicester and Villa and a home meeting with Manchester United over gameweeks 31-33.

So, if the Magpies progress to the EFL Cup final, forcing their Game Week 29 fixture at home to Crystal Palace to be rearranged, and this fixture is rescheduled to form a double gameweek between Gameweeks 31- 33, Eddie Howe (£1.5m) would be another strong option.

Howe Accessories, GW31-33

It is also possible to play the chip through Game Week 33-35, provided Newcastle do not progress to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Howe Accessories, GW33-35

FA Cup impact

Manchester City have a fixture run to finish the season, hosting Wolves and Bournemouth and traveling to Southampton and Fulham during gameweeks 35-38.

Then, if City reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup, which would force Villa’s 34th home game to be rearranged, and if it were rescheduled during this period, creating a double gameweek, selecting Pep Guardiola (£1.5m) could provide the potential for big points.

Guardiola’s accessories, GW35-38

Maresca in a single game week

Outside of double gameweeks, there’s another obvious opportunity where you could use the assistant manager chip.

Chelsea have plum home fixtures against Southampton and Leicester City in Game-Weeks 27-28, making enzo maresca (£1.5m) A tempting option. The only problem here is that they face Aston Villa and Arsenal either side of these games. You could stick with Maresca for the three game weeks and hope Chelsea win or potentially use a transfer. For example, as mentioned above, you could start Arteta in Gameweek 26 for a starting fixture against West Ham before switching to Maresca for those two attractive home fixtures versus promoted sides.

Assistant Principals, GW26-28

Risk V Reward

Playing it safe with the assistant manager chip doesn’t mean you can’t get a lot of points – a high-scoring win and a clean sheet could produce dozens of 10+ points for your assistant manager every game.

There is talk of targeting catches with the most lucrative table bonus if executed well, which is true, however, it could also backfire and see you rivals who played it safe.

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