The Bench Boost chip lives or dies on the quality of your bottom four. In GW2, the principle is simple: stack cheap players with credible expected points against favourable fixtures, so every bench slot contributes rather than wastes a chip. The picks below are built around that logic, using xP figures and current fixture data.
Bench Boost principles for GW2
Target players priced £6.0m or below who have a defensible xP floor. Prioritise fixtures where clean sheet probability or attacking returns are realistic. Ownership is largely irrelevant for bench picks, since differential upside is a bonus rather than the goal. The goal is floor, not ceiling.
Goalkeepers
The standout fixture for the goalkeeper position in GW2 is Arsenal away at Aston Villa. Both of Arsenal’s main goalkeeper options carry an xP of 3.04, making either a solid bench slot.
- David Raya (£6.0m, 37.6% ownership) is the obvious first choice. He carries the same xP of 3.04 as the alternatives but comes with the backing of heavy FPL community selection. Last season he demonstrated consistent involvement throughout the campaign.
- Arrizabalaga (£5.0m, 0.1% ownership) shares that 3.04 xP at a full pound cheaper. At this price point, if playing time materialises, the value is considerable. Form is listed at 0.0, reflecting no GW1 minutes yet.
- Meslier (£5.0m, 0.0% ownership) is in the same position, also carrying an xP of 3.04. Virtually unowned and priced at £5.0m, he offers maximum budget efficiency if selected.
- Martinez (AVL, £5.0m, 4.5% ownership) flips the fixture, offering a home match against Arsenal with an identical xP of 3.04. If you want coverage on both sides of this fixture, Martinez at £5.0m is an efficient route in.
The Arsenal versus Villa clash is the key goalkeeper battleground this week. Any of these four can do a job on the bench at their respective prices.
Forwards
Three Chelsea forwards and one Bournemouth option provide the bench forward options for GW2, all carrying an xP of 2.56.
- Evanilson (BOU, £6.0m, 2.3% ownership) hosts Everton at home. At £6.0m he is the priciest of the group but brings a home fixture and an xP of 2.56.
- Liam Delap (CHE, £5.5m, 0.5% ownership) plays at home against Brighton. At £5.5m he offers an accessible price point with the same 2.56 xP.
- Marc Guiu (CHE, £5.0m, 0.5% ownership) is a pound cheaper than Delap with the same fixture and the same xP of 2.56. Strong value if minutes arrive.
- Mheuka (CHE, £4.5m, 0.4% ownership) is the cheapest forward option in this group. An xP of 2.56 at £4.5m makes him the most budget-efficient bench forward available, freeing funds elsewhere in the squad.
Squad-fit notes
If budget is tight, the combination of Meslier or Arrizabalaga at £5.0m and Mheuka at £4.5m frees up £1.5m compared to Raya and Evanilson, which can be reinvested into the starting eleven. The Chelsea trio all share the same fixture and the same xP, so the choice between Delap, Guiu and Mheuka comes down purely to how much you want to spend. For maximum bench efficiency across GW2, prioritise the xP floor these picks offer rather than chasing ownership percentages.
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