Four gameweeks in 13 days. That’s the load waiting for managers between Boxing Day and 7 January. These Fantasy Premier League winter tips are built for that squeeze, because one lazy deadline can undo weeks of climbing. Meanwhile, the first set of chips runs out around New Year, so timing matters more than usual.
Here’s what this guide covers. First come the rules that trip people up, then the fixtures, the bench and the January window. Even so, treat every kick-off time as provisional, since the league can still move games for TV.
Why the Festive Gameweeks Feel Different
Normally, you get a full week to read press conferences and tweak your squad. Over Christmas, that breathing room vanishes. The league has reportedly set at least 60 hours between rounds, but deadlines still arrive fast. As a result, planning before Boxing Day matters more than reacting once the games start.
Here’s the calendar as it stands. Seven matches are set for Saturday 26 December, with three more on Sunday. After that come midweek rounds on 29 and 30 December, then the New Year games. For every date and time, our guide to the Premier League Christmas fixtures 2026 has the full list.
The Four Gameweeks at a Glance
- Gameweek 17 covers Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 December.
- Next, Gameweek 18 runs on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 December.
- Then comes Gameweek 19, from Friday 1 January to Sunday 3 January.
- Finally, Gameweek 20 runs from Tuesday 5 to Thursday 7 January.
Chip Rules to Know Before the New Year
Fantasy Premier League gives managers two sets of chips in 2026/27. Each set holds a Wildcard, a Free Hit, a Triple Captain and a Bench Boost. However, the first set must be played before the Gameweek 19 deadline, which falls at the start of January. Check the exact time in the app, because it’s easy to miss.
Here’s the part that catches people out. An unused first-half chip is lost, and it doesn’t roll over. The second set opens at Gameweek 20. Still, only one chip can be played per gameweek, and the Free Hit can’t be used in back-to-back weeks. The Assistant Manager chip has also been scrapped this season.
How the Wildcard Behaves
A Wildcard gives you unlimited permanent transfers. It also removes any points hit from moves you made earlier that week. Better still, your banked free transfers stay put. Because of that, plenty of managers treat the Wildcard as a pre-Boxing Day rebuild rather than a panic button.
Fantasy Premier League Winter Tips for Free Transfers
You can bank up to five free transfers, and each extra move costs four points. That ceiling shapes most festive plans. For example, saving a transfer in the week before Boxing Day leaves you more options across four deadlines. As a result, you can reshape a big part of the squad without taking a hit.
Hits are rarely worth it over a short run. A four-point cost needs a clear payoff within a gameweek or two. If a player is injured or stuck on the bench, though, moving early is smart. Banking at least two transfers is a sensible default while your squad stays healthy.
When the Free Hit Makes Sense
With no blank gameweeks expected before January, the Free Hit has less obvious work in the first half. Even so, it can rescue a week when injuries pile up. Because it can’t be used in consecutive gameweeks, plan it around one bad round rather than a long rough patch. And remember, an unused Free Hit expires with the rest of the first set.
Reading the Festive Fixtures
On paper, a few clubs have patterns worth noting. These come from the TV selections announced in September, so kick-offs may still change. Here’s what five popular sides face across the four gameweeks:
- Arsenal: Crystal Palace away, Fulham away, Ipswich Town at home, Brentford at home.
- Liverpool: Hull City away, Aston Villa away, Coventry City at home, Sunderland away.
- Manchester City: Newcastle United away, Everton away, Tottenham Hotspur at home, Leeds United away.
- Chelsea: Coventry City away, Ipswich Town away, Newcastle United at home, Crystal Palace away.
- Manchester United: Nottingham Forest at home, Sunderland at home, Brighton away, Newcastle United at home.
Notice the pattern. Liverpool, City and Chelsea each have three of their four games away, while United get three at home. That said, away games aren’t automatically harder, since plenty of sides travel well. In fact, opponent quality should carry more weight than venue. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s split of two away and two home looks balanced.
A Simple Plan for Each Gameweek
Gameweek 17: Protect Your Bank
Seven games land on Boxing Day, so the deadline arrives before many managers have recovered from Christmas dinner. Because of that, set your squad early. Use one free transfer at most, unless an injury forces your hand. Meanwhile, avoid chasing last week’s points, since festive form can flip quickly.
Gameweek 18: Watch the Midweek Rotation
Games on both Tuesday and Wednesday evening make this the busiest planning window. Most kick off at 19:30, with a handful at 20:15. Because of that, late team news can swing your captain choice. Still, keep a free transfer in hand for a late injury.
Gameweek 19: Make Your Chip Call
This is the last gameweek for first-half chips. If a Bench Boost or Triple Captain is still unused, now’s the moment. For instance, a captain facing a weak opponent at home suits the Triple Captain. Otherwise, the chip expires for good.
Gameweek 20: Reset With Fresh Chips
The second set opens here, along with a second Wildcard. January signings will be arriving by then. As a result, this is a natural time to rebuild a tired squad. Even so, don’t rush a Wildcard if your team is healthy.
Rotation, Midweek Games and Your Bench
Congested rounds bring rotation. Managers often rest key players in the second game of a short week, and that can hurt your returns. So bench quality matters. A bench of four regular starters protects you from blanks, which means a cheap non-playing defender is a real risk.
Following team news live helps too. Our guide to Premier League broadcasters 2026-27 explains which games are on Sky and TNT. Still, the Saturday 3pm games aren’t shown live in the UK, so check the lineups on the club accounts instead.
Planning Around the January Window
The transfer window opens on Friday 1 January and closes at 11pm on Monday 1 February. New signings can change a team’s attack overnight, so it pays to watch the reports. Our look at the Premier League January transfer window 2027 covers the early targets. Meanwhile, the second Wildcard opens at Gameweek 20, which suits anyone who wants to react to winter business.
Captaincy Over a Short Run
Captain choices matter more when four rounds arrive in 13 days. A single blank can sting, so favour reliable starters with decent fixtures. For instance, a player who’s likely to play every minute beats a flashy pick at risk of rotation. Even so, don’t ignore home advantage when two options look equal.
Your vice-captain deserves equal thought. If your captain doesn’t play, the armband passes to the vice-captain. Because of that, pick someone from a different match and a different kick-off slot. That way, one late scratch won’t wreck your round.
Common Festive Mistakes to Avoid
Most damage comes from panic. Managers take needless four-point hits after one poor Boxing Day, then regret it a week later. Others forget the Gameweek 19 deadline and lose a chip for good. Meanwhile, some captain a player on kick-off time alone, ignoring the opponent entirely.
A calm routine beats a clever trick. Check injuries before each deadline, keep a spare transfer, and pick captains on fixture quality. Because the schedule is so tight, small errors compound fast. So write your plan down before 26 December arrives.
Key Takeaways
- Chip deadline: The first set expires at the Gameweek 19 deadline, so use it or lose it.
- Free transfers: You can bank up to five, and a Wildcard keeps them intact.
- Fixtures: Liverpool, City and Chelsea each play three of four away.
- Bench: Four regular starters give the safest cover through midweek rotation.
- January window: It opens on 1 January, and the second Wildcard arrives in Gameweek 20.
FAQs
When do the first-half FPL chips expire?
They expire at the Gameweek 19 deadline at the start of January 2027.
How many free transfers can I bank?
You can bank up to five free transfers.
Does a Wildcard use up my saved transfers?
No, a Wildcard keeps your banked free transfers intact.
Can I use the Free Hit two weeks in a row?
No, the Free Hit can’t be used in consecutive gameweeks.
How many gameweeks are played between Boxing Day and 7 January?
Four gameweeks are played, running from Gameweek 17 to Gameweek 20.
Conclusion
Good Fantasy Premier League winter tips come down to preparation. Know your chip deadline, bank your transfers and respect the bench. Because the festive run is short and brutal, calm planning usually beats clever gambles. Get those basics right, and the New Year should start with your team in good shape.
