FPL Gameweek 4 Wildcard Guide 2026/27: Best Picks And Captaincy Options

Planning an FPL Gameweek 4 wildcard? This guide assesses transfer targets, Chelsea captaincy options and DEFCON defenders, compares Igor Thiago with Thierno Barry, and sets out a 15-player draft built around Haaland, Palmer and João Pedro.

Gameweek 4 of the Fantasy Premier League arrives with the picture still forming after Gameweek 3.

Three games have passed, and the sample size is still relatively small.

But we have gained 270 minutes of information, and the underlying numbers are starting to tell a story.

Manchester United And Man City: Fernandes And Haaland’s FPL Form

Fig. 1: Top 10 shots after the first three gameweeks (Source: FFHub)

Ahead of the blockbuster fixture at Old Trafford on Sunday, the numbers suggest we can expect goals from both sides.

Manchester United lead the league for shots (68) and have an xG of 7.30 after three games.

With seven goals added to their tally, it shows a good correlation with the data.

They are clearly generating chances and taking them.

Manchester City are close behind, with an xG of 6.95 and seven goals to their name.

They have accumulated 46 shots, with 19 shots on target - joint most in the league.

Bruno Fernandes (15 shots, 8 key passes, 2.26 xG) and Erling Haaland (14 shots, 8 on target, 2.47 xG) are fully justifying their premium price points and will likely continue to do so.

Arsenal Defence: Why Ezri Konsa Is An FPL Value Pick

Arsenal's xGC sits at 0.92 through three games.

They're nearly three goals clear of the next best defensive unit (Manchester City, 2.68 xGC).

And they have conceded just once all season.

Ezri Konsa started against Chelsea last weekend, played the full 90 minutes and secured DEFCON points.

Likewise, in Arsenal’s opening Champions League fixture away at Napoli, he played the entire game.

His xMins (expected minutes) keep going up, and at his price, there’s very little reason not to have him in your FPL team.

Chelsea Vs Hull: Palmer’s Captaincy Appeal And Attacking Picks

Fig. 2: Best projected triple captaincy weeks (Source: Solio)

Chelsea were 2 goals down after 48 minutes on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge in their 3rd round Carabao Cup tie against Leeds United.

They won the match 6-3.

Cole Palmer scored 2 goals, and Morgan Rogers got four assists.

João Pedro did not feature, which is a positive because his legs will be well rested for their upcoming fixture against Hull City at home.

Hull City haven't conceded a single goal all season despite an xGC of 5.05.

The floodgates will open at some point, and maybe this potent Chelsea attack will be the first to take advantage.

The fixture may even present a differential triple captaincy opportunity for the daring FPL managers.

Igor Thiago And Thierno Barry: FPL Forward Watchlist For GW4–7

Fig. 3: Projected points for Igor Thiago and Thierno Barry GW4-7 (Source: FFHub)

Igor Thiago (Brentford) has racked up an xG of 2.30 from nine shots and has nothing to show for it.

Thierno Barry (Everton) has an almost identical xG of 2.31 with one goal to his name.

The models show promising predicted points over the next four gameweeks.

And at £7.9m and £5.6m respectively, they're worth monitoring even if you don't rush to bring them in for Gameweek 4 itself.

Fig. 4: Attacks To Target Over The Next Three Gameweeks (source: TFA FPL Maps)

FPL Gameweek 4 Transfer Targets

Considering the fixture ticker, price points and underlying numbers, here’s where I’d be looking to invest (if you haven’t already):

Cole Palmer (£9.7m, MID)

Elite shot volume, an exciting run of fixtures and his price tag are likely to keep ticking up.

You could argue he is an underpriced premium FPL asset that will compete with the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Erling Haaland.

Ezri Konsa (£4.4m, DEF)

Playing in an Arsenal side that has only let in an xGC of 0.92.

At his price and improving xMins, he is simply an asset too good to ignore.

Morgan Rogers (£7.6m, MID)

Leading the division for key passes with an elite xA and a good eye for goal himself.

João Pedro (£7.7m, FWD)

There are few engaged FPL managers who are yet to have him in their squads.

But if you are in the minority yet to own João Pedro, bringing him in before the home fixture against Hull City is as good a time as any.

Igor Thiago (£7.9m, FWD)

Not a Gameweek 4 must.

But his underlying numbers suggest his fortunes are about to change. One for the watchlist.

Malick Thiaw (£5.0m, DEF)

Malick Thiaw is good at gaining DEFCON points, possesses a decent attacking threat in deadball scenarios, and Newcastle United have the best run of fixtures between GW4-9.

FPL Gameweek 4 Wildcard Draft: Haaland, Palmer And João Pedro

GK: Antonín Kinský (£4.5m)

GK: Benjamin Lecomte (£4.0m)

DEF: Riccardo Calafiori (£5.8m)

DEF: Ezri Konsa (£4.4m)

DEF: Joško Gvardiol (£5.6m)

DEF: Malick Thiaw (£5.0m)

DEF: Nobel Mendy (£4.1m)

MID: Cole Palmer (£9.7m)

MID: Morgan Rogers (£7.6m)

MID: Dominik Szoboszlai (£7.0m)

MID: Martin Ødegaard (£6.7m)

MID: Pascal Groß (£5.6m)

FWD: Erling Haaland (£15.5m)

FWD: João Pedro (£7.7m)

FWD: Thierno Barry (£5.6m)

TOTAL: £98.8m

FPL GW4 Alternatives: Fixtures, DEFCON And Injury Watch

Tarik Muharemović (Leeds United, £5.0m) - great DEFCONs but a tough run of fixtures ahead.
Lewis Hall (Newcastle United, £5.1m) - slightly more expensive than teammate Malick Thiaw, but has shown good attacking involvement and can get the odd DEFCON.
Cody Gakpo (Liverpool, £7.2m) - flagged with a slight injury doubt, but if he starts versus Fulham this weekend, I expect him to be involved in the goals.
Marcus Tavernier (Bournemouth, £6.0m) - he leads his side for shots, shots on target and xG, and also has set-piece involvement.
Alexander Isak (Liverpool, £9.1m) - two well-taken goals at Ipswich last weekend, Liverpool’s talisman, but minutes and fitness remain a concern.