Why you MUST play your Fantasy Premier League Wildcard this week if you haven’t already… and the BEST players to include in your teams ahead of GW20

The relentlessly busy December schedule is finally coming to an end in the Premier League, with this weekend marking the final round of 2023.

There's plenty to think about for Fantasy Premier League managers ahead of Saturday's 11am deadline, with Erling Haaland still in serious fitness doubt and Mohamed Salah preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations after GW20.

But for those who haven't yet played their first 'Wildcard' – the powerful chip that allows managers to rotate their 15-man squad for free – GW20 is even more important. The first Wildcard expires after GW20 and is replaced by an identical second chip from GW21, which runs until the end of the season.

This means that anyone who has yet to play their Wildcard in the first half of the campaign might as well do so before Saturday's deadline or they will lose the chance to make unlimited free changes to their squad.

With that in mind, Mail Sport looks at the best players to include on a GW20 Wildcard.

Mail Sport takes a look at the top picks for GW20 with the first Wildcard chipset set to expire

Goalkeeper shortlist

TO BUY

Arsenal's David Raya is a great goalkeeper in the FPL and should be considered

David Raya (Arsenal, £4.9m)

An excellent set and forget the goalkeeper for your second Wildcard, with the Gunners having one of the best defenses in the league. Has his spot nailed down over Aaron Ramsdale, so no worries.

Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa, £5.2m)

Great games between now and GW30 and number 1 goalkeeper for a top four side at the moment. A useful difference with an ownership rate of just 11% if you want to improve your rank or chase a rival in the mini-league.

Neto (Bournemouth, £4.6m)

Goalkeeper with a lot of saves who is performing well for one of the most in-form teams in the competition. Will have a double fixture week between now and the end of the season due to the Cherries' postponed clash with Luton in GW17.

Alphonse Areola (West Ham, £4.2m)

Offers extremely good value considering he has the whole season between the West Ham sticks. A sensational option if you want to play with rotating goalkeepers or simply pump as much money as possible into your outfield.

PREVENT

Martin Dubravka (Newcastle, £4.2m)

A fine choice if you already own him, provided you've paired him with another cheap goalkeeper, but his place could be threatened by a new signing in January. Not worth that risk.

Avoiding Martin Dubravka is probably the right thing to do as the January transfer window approaches

Shortlist of defenders

TO BUY

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool, £8.4m)

My number 1 choice in defense with Mohamed Salah off to AFCON and Son Heung-min away at the Asia Cup. Selling these two will give you extra money to play with, so why not treat yourself to Liverpool's premium, in-form defender.

Pedro Porro (Tottenham, £5.6m)

A positive defender under Ange Postecoglou and on set pieces until the return of James Maddison. Spurs' leaky defense is a minor problem, but the attacking potential is more than worth it. He was in the bonus despite conceding four against Brighton!

Trent Alexander-Arnold is back to his best and should be an absolute must on GW20 Wildcards

Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal, £5.0m)

Slightly cheaper than teammate William Saliba and clearly seen as first choice, despite the bizarre absences earlier this season. Part of a great defense and offers the occasional goal threat. You can't argue with Saliba if you have the money.

Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa, £4.6m)

Played more than 60 minutes in every match this season, both as a right back and as a central defender. Will continue to pick up points during Aston Villa's rosy fixture series, with Burnley next in GW20.

PREVENT

Kieran Trippier (Newcastle, £6.8m)

Too many leaky performances from Newcastle of late to justify his premium price tag. Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa then point to more problems for Eddie Howe's defense. Money that could be better spent elsewhere.

Ezri Konsa has played every game for Villa this season, both as a right back and as a centre-back

Shortlist midfielder

TO BUY

West Ham's Jarrod Bowen is currently the third highest scoring midfielder in the match

Cole Palmer (Chelsea, £5.6m)

Very committed, on penalties and perhaps Chelsea's best player this season. For such a cheap price, it's hard to ignore him as a set and forget about the midfielder. Although Christopher Nkunku is now available, this should not impact the youngster's minutes.

Jarrod Bowen (West Ham, £7.9m)

He continues to impress in his new forward position and deliver consistent returns. West Ham have excellent games until GW28, and he could even be a captain against Sheffield United in GW21 if Haaland doesn't recover in time.

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal, £9.0m)

Managers are losing confidence and patience in Saka after four clean sheets in a row, but the underlying numbers are still there for the Arsenal midfielder. 1.15 xGI (expected goal involvement) suggests he was unlucky not to contribute against West Ham.

Phil Foden (Man City, £7.6m)

A player you have to use at the right times, and this seems the perfect time with Haaland out injured and Sheffield United next. Started 16 of City's 18 games so far and could expect a double gameweek soon as a result of the GW18 blank.

PREVENT

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, £13.3m)

If, and ONLY if, you use a Wildcard this week, Salah is a smart sell. With only one match to go before he heads to AFCON, you're one step ahead of the FPL crowd, rather than wasting a transfer on him next week. The same also applies to Son Heung-min.

Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah will leave for the Africa Cup of Nations after GW20

Forward shortlist

TO BUY

Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth, £7.0m)

Hard to ignore a man who has scored eight goals in his last seven. A sensible set-and-get striker, regardless of the unfavorable matches coming up. That said, Tottenham have leaked plenty of goals ahead of Bournemouth's GW20 clash.

Julian Alvarez (Man City, £6.9m)

The choice I'm most jealous of this week. In good goalscoring form after the Club World Cup and Everton and City's most reliable scorer in Haaland's absence. Great captaincy choice for GW20 against the Blades and a potential double gameweek ahead.

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa, £8.8m)

Quiet of late with just one return in five games, he still has huge potential to lead the attack-minded Villa. Excellent games and a glorious clash with Burnley next. Keep the faith.

Julian Alvarez is back at his best in front of goal in the absence of star striker Erling Haaland

Dominic Solanke is one of the most in-form stars in the league, with eight goals in seven games

Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest, £4.9m)

Not someone who plays every week, despite his hat-trick heroics against Newcastle. But still a great eighth forward that you can call on when needed. Perfect option for those who want to deploy a 3-5-2 formation instead of a 3-4-3.

PREVENT

Erling Haaland (Man City, £13.9m)

With the Norwegian set to be out until mid-January at the earliest, Haaland is an easy Wildcard avoidance as his value is better spent elsewhere. Make sure you have a plan to bring him in once he gets back – don't spread that money too thin!