This season there will be TWO Bench Boost chips, with the first needing to be played by Gameweek 19. Here, The Scout's panel of Fantasy Premier League experts explain whether they would suggest playing it during the opening weeks of the season.
Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily)
I was originally planning to Bench-Boost in Gameweek 1 and use my Free-Hit in Gameweek 2. However, I don't like the idea of not being able to catch price rises or avoid falls, when players change in price the day after the deadline of the first Gameweek, until Gameweek 3.
I also think with doubts over the fitness of Martin Dubravka (£4.0m) and Marc Guiu (£4.5m), there is too much risk in playing it now. I do like the idea of using my Wildcard in Gameweek 7 and Bench-Boost in Gameweek 8 though, as it allows me to target the fixture swings for Arsenal and Manchester City, where they face easier teams from Gameweek 8 such as promoted sides Burnley, Leeds United and Sunderland.
Utkarsh Dalmia (@ZopharFPL)
I think the Bench Boost chip is a bit overrated and often it can cripple your squad in planning for it, because you have to mop up injuries and suspensions in your squad rather than focus on buying emerging players.
I quite like Guiu and Dubravka at their price points for long term team structure, but it appears that neither will be starting in the first few weeks, which has made me shift my original plan to Bench Boost early to a Gameweek 8 strategy, when Sunderland and Burnley both have a good fixture.
Gianni Buttice (@GianniButtice)
A £4.0m goalkeeper and £4.5m attacking enabler are key to my draft, so while I'm not ruling out an early Bench Boost, but not bookmarking one in. I am happy to play week to week and see if/when the opportunity arises. Minutes for Dubravka and Guiu could be the key and we will know more about them a couple of weeks in.
Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily)
I'm unlikely to use the Bench Boost chip early, as I don't want it to effect my early-season strategy. I've been solid in my view on this ever since the original chips announcement. The Bench Boost feels like the chip least likely to bring a big return, so I'll simply use it when I think my bench could get me a handful of points.
Pras (@Pras_FPL)
With Dubravka and Guiu not yet 100 per cent fit, I am going to try and stay flexible regarding when to play the chip. When (or if) these two enablers are fit and starting, I will play it. Ideally if everyone is fit and playing, I like the look of Bench Boost in Gameweek 2 a lot since Dubravka and Maxime Esteve (£4.0m) play Sunderland at home.
Pranil Sheth (@lateriser12)
Dubravka, Esteve and Guiu all seem like good options at their price points and should enable a good Bench Boost squad. This is why I'll likely Bench-Boost when Guiu becomes a reliable starter.
Nick Harris (@WGTA_Nick)
I remain a strong proponent of using the Bench Boost early, possibly in Gameweek 1, and then you don't need to worry about maintaining a strong bench going forward and can start disinvesting and moving more of your budget back into your starting XI, either through transfers or an early Wildcard.
Holly Shand (@HollyShand)
I have gone off Bench Boost in Gameweek 1 due to concerns around the potential minutes for budget enablers Dubravka and Guiu. However, I'll keep them on my bench in case an opportunity arises in Gameweek 2 or Gameweek 3, as I am not opposed to an early Bench Boost.
Andy North (@FPLMode)
An early Bench Boost is an option this season, but I would want to link it with an early Wildcard to redistribute my funds. Personally, I'm happy to wait until Gameweeks 16-19, when we have our Free Transfers topped up for AFCON and use it then. We will have also accumulated far more team value by this point, which should help.
Az Phillips (@FPLBlackbox_Az)
I don't hate the early Bench Boost at all, but I do have some concerns that teams may not be quite as settled as we might think, and the odd benching for a supposedly "nailed on" player can always strike.
I am going to keep mine and probably use it around the time we get the extra transfers for AFCON, as I can distribute the Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) money around my team and hopefully have a stronger 15-man squad than if I used it now.