FPL Gameweek 4: Triple Chelsea Attack, Captain Picks & Wildcard Tips

Chelsea face Hull City at home and FPL managers are weighing a triple attack

FPL gameweek four is here and managers are getting itchy fingers with so many chips available. BBC Sport expert Holly Shand tackles the biggest dilemmas: whether to triple up on Chelsea's attack, who to captain, whether to buy Alexander Isak or Cody Gakpo, and which wildcard picks are worth the investment.

Best captain pick: Cole Palmer (£9.6m) is Holly Shand's top choice if you own him, with Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers as alternatives.
Most-owned player: Chelsea striker Joao Pedro (£7.7m) sits in 72.5% of sides.
Most-bought for GW4: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo (£7.3m) has over 500,000 new owners despite an adductor issue.
Standout fixture: Chelsea's home game against promoted Hull City is the one to target.
Defensive tip: Arsenal have two clean sheets and one goal conceded; Ezri Konsa (£4.4m) is a bargain.
Budget warning: Brighton's Maxime de Cuyper (£4.8m) may be pushed back to full-back when Kaoru Mitoma returns.

Is a triple Chelsea attack worth it?

Chelsea have scored eight goals already this season and host promoted Hull City next, which makes doubling up on their assets appealing. Joao Pedro (£7.7m) is the most-owned player in the game, sitting in 72.5% of sides, so he is the template forward.

Cole Palmer (£9.6m) and Morgan Rogers (£7.6m) both came on as half-time substitutes in the Carabao Cup against Leeds United on Wednesday. Palmer scored a double including a penalty, while Rogers chalked up three assists.

Shand says Palmer has the edge if you can afford him, given his greater goal threat and penalties. If you are wildcarding this week, a triple-up is on the table, but she warns that having three attacking players from the same team means they need to score two-plus goals every game to make it worth it.

Should you buy Isak or Gakpo from Liverpool?

Cody Gakpo (£7.3m) is the most-bought player for gameweek four, with more than 500,000 new owners for the home game against Fulham. However, he failed to make their Champions League squad against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night with an adductor issue and is now a doubt for this game.

Alexander Isak sits as the second-highest scoring forward in the game, with three goals in the past two gameweeks. When he hits a purple patch he is a formidable threat. The issue is his £9.1m price tag, making him tough to get to, plus Gakpo has assisted all of his goals, making him the best pick.

Hold or sell Man Utd players?

Shand admits she is a Manchester United fan and perhaps a little biased, but she is hopeful of a result against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. In Michael Carrick's first league game in charge in January, his side came out the 2-0 victors, with seven wins in eight home league games.

Bryan Mbeumo (£7.9m) was on the scoresheet on that day, with Bruno Fernandes (£12m) chalking up an assist for a 10-point return. Fernandes is top for shots among all players with 15, while Mbeumo's four big chances is the most of any midfielder in the game. Don't sell them lightly, they are long-term holds.

Who are the key players to buy on wildcard?

Shand believes we have seen enough from the Arsenal defence to invest for the season, with two clean sheets and just one goal conceded. They have conceded just one big chance on their goal, with Ezri Konsa (£4.4m) looking to be a bargain. Double up with David Raya (£6m), Gabriel (£8m) or Riccardo Calafiori (£5.7m).

She would look to at least double up on Chelsea attackers, with Joao Pedro (£7.7m) in the forward line template and Erling Haaland (£15.5m) perhaps enough from Manchester City right now. In terms of budget picks, Pascal Gross (£5.6m) could be one of the best to back in the midfield.

Who is the best captain for gameweek four?

If you own Chelsea's Palmer, then he looks to be the best pick given his routes to points, especially with confirmation in midweek that he remains first choice on penalties. He leads the way among midfielders for shots in the box with nine.

Chelsea's home game against Hull City is the standout one to target, so those without Palmer would be advised to look at Rogers or Joao Pedro as viable alternatives. However, Haaland — away at Manchester United — has five goals in his past three competitive matches and should never be far away from the debate.

Should you replace Calvert-Lewin?

Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6m) has been a frustrating hold in FPL, with just one goal from the opening three gameweeks, despite having had three big chances. It's fair to say that he has under-performed, but he has the potential to improve with upcoming home games against Newcastle United and Crystal Palace.

He scored from the bench in the Carabao Cup in midweek so Shand will be holding, but there is momentum in the transfer market for other budget picks such as Yoanne Wissa (£6.2m) and Thierno Barry (£5.6m). She personally doesn't think there is much to pick between them so would not use a free transfer to swap.

Is De Cuyper a cheat code?

When it comes to budget defenders, Brighton's Maxime de Cuyper (£4.8m) remains a key pick. He has started the season playing out of position as a winger, where he has racked up one goal and two assists in the opening three gameweeks.

The Seagulls attacking line-up might change, which could see De Cuyper pushed back to full-back, especially when Kaoru Mitoma returns from a hamstring injury. Shand thinks De Cuyper was the one to own in gameweek one, but she would prefer to buy Arsenal's Konsa at this price point now.

The numbers

Joao Pedro (£7.7m) — owned by 72.5% of FPL managers.
Cody Gakpo (£7.3m) — over 500,000 new owners for gameweek four.
Alexander Isak (£9.1m) — three goals in the past two gameweeks.
Bruno Fernandes (£12m) — 15 shots, the most of any player.
Bryan Mbeumo (£7.9m) — four big chances, the most of any midfielder.
Cole Palmer (£9.6m) — nine shots in the box, the most among midfielders.
Erling Haaland (£15.5m) — five goals in his past three competitive matches.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6m) — one goal, three big chances.
Maxime de Cuyper (£4.8m) — one goal and two assists in three gameweeks.
Arsenal — two clean sheets, one goal conceded, one big chance conceded.

Why the triple-up is a trap and Konsa is the real bargain

Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers in one team is a huge commitment. Three attackers from one club means every blank hurts three times over, and Shand's warning about needing two-plus goals a game is the key tactical insight. Chelsea's eight-goal start and a home fixture against promoted Hull City make it tempting, but the risk is real.

In defence, Ezri Konsa at £4.4m stands out because Arsenal have conceded just one big chance on their goal. Pairing him with one of David Raya, Gabriel or Riccardo Calafiori gives you exposure to a defence that has kept two clean sheets.

For captaincy, Palmer's penalty duty and nine shots in the box make him the clear pick. For those without him, Rogers and Joao Pedro offer viable alternatives, while Haaland's five goals in three competitive matches keep him in the conversation despite a trip to Old Trafford.

Talking points

Is a triple Chelsea attack worth the risk when Hull City at home is the only fixture in the plan?
Gakpo has over 500,000 new owners but an adductor issue — is buying him now reckless or a bargain?
Should FPL managers hold Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo through the Manchester derby?
Is Ezri Konsa at £4.4m the best-value defender in the game right now?

What happens next

FPL gameweek four fixtures take place this weekend, with Chelsea hosting Hull City, Liverpool entertaining Fulham and Manchester United welcoming Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. Managers weighing a Free Hit or Wildcard must decide before the deadline, and Gakpo's adductor issue is the key fitness call to monitor.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the best Chelsea player to buy in FPL gameweek four?

Holly Shand says Cole Palmer has the edge if you can afford him, given his greater goal threat and penalties, but Joao Pedro is the most-owned option at 72.5%.

Should I captain Cole Palmer or Erling Haaland in gameweek four?

Shand backs Palmer as the best captain if you own him, citing his penalty duty and nine shots in the box, while Haaland — away at Manchester United — should never be far away from the debate.

Is Cody Gakpo fit for Liverpool's game against Fulham?

Gakpo failed to make Liverpool's Champions League squad against Atletico Madrid with an adductor issue and is now a doubt for the home game against Fulham.