This article is part of our Top 50 Series, analysing how the best-performing Fantasy Premier League managers from 2024/25—and the All-Time Top 50—navigated the season.
With a major rule change for 2025/26 allowing FPL managers to use two of each chip, it will be fascinating to see how strategies evolve.
Will we see earlier plays, riskier moves?
But before looking ahead, it’s worth studying how the top managers approached their chips last season.
We’ve analysed when the Top 50 managers from 2024/25—and the All-Time Top 50—used their Bench Boost, Triple Captain, and Free Hit.
The patterns are clear—and the best know exactly when to strike.
You can access an interactive and more detailed version of the graph in the Preseason Pack on our website. It includes 10 unique tools and features designed to prepare you for the 2025/26 season.
Double Gameweeks remain the go-to time for Bench Boost, and 2024/25 was no different. A huge 72% of the Top 50 and 60% of the All-Time Top 50 activated their Bench Boost in Gameweek 33, when Arsenal, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, and Man City all had two fixtures.
This chip lets managers unlock up to 2,700 minutes of potential pitch time (15 players x 180 minutes), compared to the standard 990 minutes from a starting XI—so the upside is massive if you time it right.
GW33 was the standout week for Bench Boost. GW32 was also popular with the All-Time Top 50 (32%), due to a smaller double involving Palace and Newcastle. GW38 saw 10% of the Top 50 use it—likely those who hadn’t found a strong opportunity earlier.
Verdict: Save the Bench Boost for a major Double Gameweek—it’s still the smartest play.
The Free Hit chip allows a total squad overhaul for one Gameweek, making it perfect for navigating blank Gameweeks—and the top managers used it exactly that way.
100% of the Top 50 and 98% of the All-Time Top 50 played their Free Hit in Gameweek 34, when four teams (Arsenal, Villa, Palace, and City) blanked after just doubling in GW33.
The strategy was simple and effective: load up on double players in GW33, then Free Hit in GW34 to avoid the fallout of their blanks. It’s textbook chip planning—and the uniformity in usage shows just how clear the best path was.
Verdict: Use your Free Hit to cover big blank Gameweeks—especially those that follow double-heavy weeks.
The Triple Captain chip is often the hardest to time, and this season provided a mix of successes and near misses.
Key Moments:
GW32 (Double) – 60% of the Top 50 and 40% of the All-Time Top 50 went with Isak (vs. Man Utd & Palace at home). He delivered 11 points (goal, assist, appearance points) but no bonus.
GW24 (Double) – 22% of the Top 50 and 18% of the All-Time Top 50 Triple Captained Salah (vs. Bournemouth and Everton, both away). He produced a season-high 29 points (3 goals, 1 assist, 6 bonus, clean sheet point, appearances).
GW9 (Single) – Interestingly, 24% of the All-Time Top 50 used their chip on Haaland vs. newly promoted Southampton. He scored just once and managed only 6 points.
Verdict: Stick to the doubles. Two bites at the cherry is almost always better than one.
Top FPL managers continue to show that chip discipline and fixture planning go hand in hand. Whether it’s maximising double Gameweeks or protecting against blanks, their timing is no accident.
Looking ahead to 2025/26? Bank your chips until the schedule gives you a reason—then strike when the doubles and blanks align.
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