Gaffr Scottish Fantasy Football: Boost & Double Gameweek Planning (GW4-12)
When to pull the trigger on your boosts, and how to crush DGW5
We’re heading into a crucial stretch of the Scottish Premiership fantasy season. GW4 brings the Old Firm derby, but the real story is what lies just ahead: a likely Double Gameweek in GW5, the only double before the first boost window closes.
With three powerful boosts to deploy between GW1-12, how you plan and time them could define your rank for the rest of the season. This guide covers when to play each boost, how to prepare your squad, and which fixtures to target, so you’re ready to maximise points when it matters most.
Big Caveat Up Top
At the time of writing, Double Gameweek 5 (DGW5) has not been officially confirmed by the SPFL.
Based on their own Q&A, postponed GW3 fixtures should be rescheduled for the next available midweek (just after GW5).
That means we expect DGW5 to feature Hibs, Aberdeen, Dundee Utd, Falkirk, Dundee, and Livingston.
I’m preparing my own team as if DGW5 will happen, but managers should plan with some caution until it’s officially announced (likely early September, before the international break).
📊 Make sure you have my Fixture Ticker open alongside this article. It’s kept updated with likely DGWs, fixture swings, and difficulty ratings.
Available boosts and strategy
You have 3 boosts to play across GW1-12. If you don’t use them, they expire.
A strong boost use can net you 30-50 extra points, far outweighing hits (-4 per extra transfer). This makes planning your boosts around fixture swings and doubles absolutely essential.
Here’s a rundown of what’s available in GW1-12:
Jeepers Keepers
(Both goalkeepers score points in that week and you effectively get a 12th player with multiple bonus routes to points)
This is often the most explosive boost if you set it up right. It rewards GKs facing lots of shots (saves are worth 3 points each).
Best GW5 Options
Prior (Livingston, £4.5m) - two away games projected (Aberdeen A, Dundee A). Already racking up saves, could hit double digits.
Kucherenko (Dundee Utd, £5m) - Hibs A + Aberdeen H. Save monster with tough ties.
Bain (Falkirk, £4.5m) – St Mirren H + Hibs H. Home games but lots of shot volume expected as Falkirk defence not great.
McCracken (Dundee, £4.5m) – Motherwell H + Livi H. Slightly fewer saves but decent option especially if you own already.
GW5 Jeepers Keepers strategy: Prior + Kucherenko looks the standout double up. Even if you take a -4/-8 to bring them in, this boost can return +40/+50 points.
Future Jeepers Keepers Windows
GW7 → Ward (Motherwell, at Celtic) + Bain (Falkirk, v Rangers). Perfect storm for saves.
GW8 → Kucherenko (at Rangers) + Prior (at Hibs). Another big shot-volume week.
GW12 → Stryjek (Killie at Celtic) + McCracken (Dundee v Rangers).
Away Days
(All away players score 2x points)
Away Days often works best when you can line up 9+ players playing away from home, especially if many also have doubles.
Why GW5 is Prime
Celtic (at Killie) - already in most teams.
Aberdeen (at Dundee Utd) - alongside their home game against Livi, so your assets double in one and have a good fixture in the other game.
Hibs (at Falkirk) - plus Utd at home. Bowie, Bushiri, Hibs Mid (Boyle/Mulligan) strong picks.
Livingston (at Aberdeen + Dundee) - double away games for Prior + others.
St Mirren (at Falkirk) – Mandron or a defensive punt.
Motherwell (at Dundee) - Just/Longelo perfect one-week plays.
With a few hits or overhaul, you can realistically field 11 away players in DGW5. My own plan is Away Days in GW5, Jeepers Keepers later (likely GW8).
Other Options
GW8 → Celtic (Dundee A), Hearts (Killie A), Aberdeen (St Mirren A). Very buildable for 8–9 away players that would be good picks in any case.
GW11 → Celtic (Utd A), Hibs (Motherwell A), Killie (Falkirk A). Riskier but still viable.
Triple-Triple
(Three captains, all on 3x points)
This boost shines when Celtic, Rangers + one other top team all have strong fixtures.
GW8 → Celtic (Dundee A), Rangers (Utd H), Hibs (Livi H). Nygren + Maeda + Bowie/Boyle could smash.
GW12 → Celtic (Killie H), Rangers (Dundee A), Hearts (Utd H). Shankland + Old Firm trio ideal.
I’d avoid it in DGW5 - rotation risk + uncertainty around nailed minutes for Hibs/Aberdeen attackers who you would have to target with the double, . Jeepers Keepers/Away Days are stronger that week.
Midfield Dynamos
(All 5 starting mids score 2x points)
Not the most explosive boost, but situationally powerful.
Best candidates:
GW8 → Maeda + Nygren, Gassama, Boyle, Just. All with strong home/away fixtures.
GW12 → Maeda + Nygren, Gassama, plus one of the emerging Hibs/Hearts mids.
Use if your midfield is stacked and you don’t fancy TT.
Old Firm
(All Old Firm players 2x points)
I don’t recommend this boost right now:
Rangers assets unreliable, rotation heavy in both first XIs.
Both clubs in Europe → lots of Sunday games = no lineup leaks.
Risk of your players being benched.
Only possible plays if both Rangers and Celtic start looking better:
GW7 (Celtic v Motherwell H, Rangers v Falkirk A).
GW12 (Celtic v Killie H, Rangers v Dundee A).
But Triple-Triple or Midfield Dynamos look stronger in those same weeks, as do other boosts if you still have them.
Overhaul (quick note)
(Unlimited transfers for one week, changes permanent)
I covered this in full in my separate article (with draft + structure breakdown).
Key takeaway:
If your team needs 9+ changes, GW4 is the best window.
If you only need 4-5 changes, hits are better value.
GW5 is too late - you’d block your explosive boost as you can only play one boost per week.
👉 Full article can be found here
Planning: Fixture Runs to Exploit
Aberdeen → Falkirk H (GW4), Livi H + Utd A in DGW5, then a strong run into GW12.
Motherwell → Killie H (GW4), Dundee A (GW5), rotate well afterwards.
St Mirren → great run GW5-12; budget-friendly differentials.
Hibs → fantastic for DGW5, but tough after (Celtic/Hearts/Aberdeen away + Rangers H). Plan your exits.
Are Hits Worth It?
Generally in the Gaffr game, yes. Boosts are so powerful that hits usually pay off:
A -4 is tiny when Jeepers Keepers or Away Days can net +40/+50 if played strategically.
Even -12 or -16 can be profitable if it gets you nailed DGW players in boost weeks.
Think of hits as an investment to unlock boost upside.
Final Thoughts
DGW5 (if confirmed) is the only double in GW1-12. A boost here is essential.
Jeepers Keepers and Away Days are the priority plays.
Triple-Triple/Midfield Dynamos = flexible for GW8/12.
Old Firm chip = low priority unless Rangers suddenly turn it around.
Overhaul viable in GW4 only - otherwise hits + boosts are stronger.
Plan backwards from DGW5 → decide which boost you’ll play → and shape your transfers this week to get there.
Good luck managers. For regular tips, strategy and advice on Scottish fantasy football don’t forget to follow me: SPFLfantasy on X