Chip Strategy

FPL Gameweek 4 Free Hit: Pros, cons + best team

3 September 2025 107 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
Share:

This season, Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have been given twice as many chips, which includes two Free Hits.

As the first of these must be used before Gameweek 19’s deadline, they’re now about more than simply waiting for one of the final months’ Blank or Double Gameweeks.

For those managers considering a Gameweek 4 Free Hit, we look at the potential pros and cons of using it now and have put together a couple of team drafts to consider.

GAMEWEEK 4 FREE HIT: THE PROS

FPL Gameweek 4 Free Hit: Pros, cons + best team

FPL managers have traditionally favoured using the Free Chip in a Blank or Double. But it seems unlikely we will get either in the first half of 2025/26, unless there is a postponement for bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

As a result, there isn’t really a standout moment to play it, so why not activate now, in Gameweek 4?

It could help you navigate a weekend in which several key players encounter difficult matchups. Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m) must visit Manchester City, while Nottingham Forest assets such as Chris Wood (£7.7m), Elliot Anderson (£5.5m), Matz Sels (£5.0m), Murillo (£5.5m) and Nikola Milenkovic (£5.5m) are away at Arsenal.

Combine this with injured or doubtful players like Cole Palmer (£10.4m), Bukayo Saka (£9.9m), Matheus Cunha (£8.1m) and Jorgen Strand Larsen (£6.5m), and it could be a wise time to select a temporary team.

Ismaila Sarr (£6.5m) is also hurt, but Free Hitters can instead turn to other Crystal Palace options versus Sunderland. It’s also a chance to go heavy on Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle United names, against Forest, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively.

GAMEWEEK 4 FREE HIT: THE CONS

 

1



The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

1

FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

107 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 3 days ago

    Wibble

    Open Controls
  2. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 3 days ago

    I'm a little bit against the idea of holding Chris Wood until SUN(H)

    - This week he plays ARS(A) which is really not a good game to play him
    - Next week he plays BUR(A), the only game that I like him as an option
    - In GW6 he plays SUN(H) which looks like a good fixture on paper but that game is sandwiched between two European ties and Forest have options to rotate

    Might just sell him this week itself instead of holding him until GW6/7

    Open Controls
    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      Makes sense to sell. Burnley away doesn't necessarily scream a lot of goals.

      Open Controls
    2. theshazly
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      They actually might lose to Burnley

      Open Controls
      1. Mother Farke
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 3 days ago

        Cagey written all over it.

        Open Controls
      2. Bobby Digital
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        Yeah I'm planning to play Esteve in that game

        Open Controls
    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      I might sell this GW - don’t like this week’s fixtures, is a minutes risk with the new signing and even more so once UEL starts up

      Open Controls
  3. putana
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 3 days ago

    why has there been no official update on Sarr yet?

    Open Controls
    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      Official by who? The Senegalese Football Federation posted about his grade 2 injury a few days ago.

      Open Controls
      1. putana
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        no they didnt. It was a journalist who said that. Why wouldnt Palace post something?

        Open Controls
        1. x.jim.x
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          Yes they did

          https://fsfoot.sn/forfait-ismaila-sarr/

          Open Controls
          1. Baps Hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 3 days ago

            My French isn't good, but I didn't need Google translator to understand that. Sarr is no longer an option to buy anytime soon. One month the absolute minimum, could be even 12 weeks out. Form after injury is always a question mark also.

            Open Controls
    2. Modest Bob
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      There's no why to anything. Life just IS.

      Open Controls
      1. Thicksolidtight
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        Welcome back

        Open Controls
  4. Luis Suarez Ate My Homework
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 3 days ago

    How likely is Ekitike to start on the left ahead of Gakpo?

    Open Controls
    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      A non-specialist for a specialist? You know the answer.

      Open Controls
      1. Luis Suarez Ate My Homework
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        @Dark Side
        The answer is no. Will Slot instead opt for a front two of Ekitike & Isak? Surely he starts.

        Open Controls
        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          All wait and watch. One of the reasons I am not using my WC yet. Might be two up top. Might be rotation between Ekitike and Isak. Lets see how it plays out in the next couple of games. I currently have Salah and Gakpo in my team.

          Open Controls
          1. Baps Hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 3 days ago

            Isak is also able to play left. In case of Gakpo injury for example I can see Liverpool being quite fluid and Isak and Ekitike changing places even inside a game, so that marking them would cause problems to opponents defence.

            Open Controls
    2. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      he only started 4 out of 100+ matches not as a CF, so probably unlikely...maybe it's safe to say wait and see

      Open Controls
      1. Luis Suarez Ate My Homework
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        Top 5 new EPL forwards signed this summer that will get the most points this year?

        1. Gyokeres
        2. Ekitike
        3. Woltemade
        4. Sesko
        5. Igor Jesus

        Any thoughts?

        Open Controls
    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      Ekitike can start in the centre then switch left when Isak comes on

      When Isak starts though, you'd think that Gakpo and Salah are secure ...

      Open Controls
    4. theplayer
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      It's not like it's going to be the same lineup every game. Most players will rotate, especially when Champions League starts.

      Open Controls
      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        On which

        Liverpool play Burnley in 11 days and home to Atlético Madrid in 2 weeks from today.

        Open Controls
  5. Wet Bandits
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 3 days ago

    Wildcard for me this week.

    Who would be your 1 'essential' Def, Mid & Fwd?

    Open Controls
    1. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      Munoz, Salah, Haaland

      Open Controls
      1. Feanor
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        Salah has been in poor form for months

        Open Controls
    2. F4L
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      lacroix
      mbeumo
      gyokeres

      Open Controls
      1. F4L
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        *actually probably bruno still over mbeumo

        Open Controls
    3. Cold Palms
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 3 days ago

      Salah TC v Burnley for me

      Open Controls
    4. Bobby Crush
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      VVD, Semenyo, Haaland

      Open Controls
    5. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      Munoz, Grealish, J Pedro

      Open Controls
  6. adstomko
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 3 days ago

    Is Calafiori nailed?
    Is there a possibility Lewis-Skelly just plays in the UCL?

    Open Controls
    1. TafOnTour1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 3 days ago

      Seems nailed for now, would be shocked if he was dropped as he's been our best player this season so far.

      Open Controls
    2. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      No.

      Open Controls
    3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      Only Gabriel and Saliba are nailed.

      Open Controls
      1. adstomko
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        I don't even think Gabriel is nailed due to Hincapie arriving.

        Open Controls
        1. Pep Roulette
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          He's the captain

          Open Controls
    4. Bobby Crush
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      I think only Raya, Saliba and Gabriel are truly nailed.

      Open Controls
  7. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 3 days ago

    Play King vs LEE(H) & BRE(H) over Reijnders vs MUN(H) & ARS(A)

    Open Controls
    1. ITS AMAD WORLD
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      Yeah

      Open Controls
    2. Mr Turnip 1
        3 months, 3 days ago

        100%

        Open Controls
    3. dparran
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      Any word on Wan-Bissaka? Horrible season so far and did not play in last match. Not a high player but still highly known. Or, not worth the trade / WC out at a later point?

      Open Controls
      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        I would leave him on the bench till WC, unless there were no other pressing matters to attend to.

        Open Controls
    4. FDMS All Starz
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      Which option is better?

      A) Watkins & Sarr —> Haaland & KDH (-4)
      B) Sarr & Guiu —> Mateta & Semenyo (-4)
      C) Guiu —> Mateta (free)

      1FTs, 4.0itb
      Sanchez
      Muñoz Andersen Rodon
      Salah Bruno Reijnders Kudus Sarr*
      Watkins Wood

      Dubravka Guiu Dorgu Williams

      Open Controls
      1. ball c
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        B

        Open Controls
    5. ITS AMAD WORLD
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      I need help.

      Say I wildcard in GW4, then I save a transfer in GW5 and then free hit in GW6 will I then have 2 free transfers in GW7 or just the 1 transfer?

      Open Controls
      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        You will have two

        Open Controls
    6. F4L
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      rumours now cunha could be fit for gw4? good news i guess

      Open Controls
      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        It is if you still own him

        Open Controls
    7. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 3 days ago

      Play King(LEE) over

      A. Reijnders(MUN)
      B. KDH(AVL)
      C. Don't

      Open Controls
      1. TafOnTour1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 3 days ago

        C for me.

        Open Controls
      2. Mr Turnip 1
          3 months, 3 days ago

          A

          Open Controls
      3. TafOnTour1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 3 days ago

        A or B? Tempted to wildcard, currently on A.

        A) Calafiori, Salah, Ekitike, Gyokeres

        B) Munoz, Gakpo, Isak, Haaland.

        Open Controls
        1. Bobby Digital
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          A

          Open Controls
        2. Pedersen
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          B with Grealish or something over Gakpo

          Open Controls
        3. F4L
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          think theres too much uncertainty in both options to consider for a WC team imo

          b if necessary

          Open Controls
      4. Round Ball In Net
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        A) Eze and Isak
        B) Gakpo and Mateta

        Open Controls
        1. Bobby Digital
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          B

          Open Controls
        2. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          B

          Open Controls
        3. FDMS All Starz
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          It will eventually be A but for now B

          Open Controls
      5. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        Gakpo and Ekitike owners, are you just sitting tight for now? My plan is to give them Burnley and Everton then reassess.

        Open Controls
        1. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          If I had them, I would reassess after every game. Surely they can't be sold before Burnley.

          Open Controls
        2. Pedersen
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          Just waiting. No reason to panic twice. I will wait with that to after Burnley.

          On another note. Feels refreshing to schedule a fpl panic to later instead of being in the middle of one...

          Open Controls
        3. Warby84
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          I’m going from Ekitike straight to Isak after Burnley, but yes holding this GW

          Open Controls
        4. Bobby Digital
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          Good plan. I will probably drop Wirtz after the Everton game.

          Open Controls
        5. FDMS All Starz
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          Don’t see Isak walking into the team for the next 2 considering he’s not had pre season or adapted to Liverpool training, ekitike also inform, expect the same lineup against Burnley and if Gakpo Ekitike impress again they will stay. Isak will slowly be introduced

          Open Controls
      6. Warby84
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        Team gtg??

        Sanchez
        Tarkowski Munoz Romero (Cash Gudmundsson)
        Salah(c) Grealish Reijnders Kudus Semenyo
        Ekitike Pedro (Wood)

        1 transfer made Bruno to Grealish leaves 2.4m itb for Isak In GW5

        Open Controls
        1. Pedersen
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          Definitely good. Good to go

          Open Controls
      7. Pedersen
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        Ekitike is 1 percentage from raising on livefpl... Someone please buy him so I can panic sell with the +0.1m when he doesn't play

        Open Controls
      8. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        A,B or C?

        A) Kudus and Reijnders
        B) Grealish and Elliott
        C) Xavi and KDH

        Open Controls
        1. Pedersen
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          Kursus and Grealish option?
          I rate them in Grealish > Kudus > Reijnders > Xavi > Elliott > KDH

          Might change but I tried to take minutes over next few gws, and uncertainty by joining a tougher league (Xavi) into account

          Open Controls
      9. Bobby Crush
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        Is Gakpo the best option in that price range?
        Already have Semenyo.

        Open Controls
        1. Pedersen
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          Rotation risk with Isak joining.
          They have paid big money for Wirtz, Ekitike and Isak, so they would want them to play to recoup money (even if they are worse). That is capitalism.
          Salah is last one which makes their entire front. This leaves Gakpo as the unknown

          Open Controls
          1. Feanor
            • 16 Years
            3 months, 3 days ago

            That is not capitalism lol

            Slot will play the players he thinks gets him the best results

            Open Controls
          2. Ghost Ship
            • 15 Years
            3 months, 3 days ago

            This isn’t logical.

            Open Controls
            1. Ghost Ship
              • 15 Years
              3 months, 3 days ago

              But Gakpo is now a risk, as is Etikete. Doubt even Slot knows 100 percent his long term line up but my guess is etikete will be spending a lot of time leading the line for the cup team.

              Open Controls
          3. Seanigula
            • 16 Years
            3 months, 3 days ago

            That is capitulism

            Open Controls
        2. Khalico
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          Short term yes

          Open Controls
          1. Bobby Crush
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 3 days ago

            Thx!

            Open Controls
      10. FDMS All Starz
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        What’s a better combination going forward?

        A) Paqueta & Gyokores
        Or
        B) Semenyo & Mateta

        Open Controls
        1. Amartey Partey
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          B

          Open Controls
      11. Mother Farke
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 3 days ago

        Isak starting and scoring in both games for Sweden would set the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons.

        Open Controls
        1. Khalico
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          For sure

          Open Controls
        2. Feanor
          • 16 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          So would him limping off with a groin strain

          Open Controls
      12. Feanor
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 3 days ago

        Do we know what % of FPL have played the first WC so far this season? Like 15%

        Open Controls
        1. Captain Mal
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 3 days ago

          https://plan.livefpl.net/chips

          Open Controls
          1. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
              3 months, 3 days ago

              This hurts my head

              Open Controls
        2. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          #LFC have named a 22-man squad for the Champions League opening stage. Federico Chiesa is not included

          Open Controls
          1. St Pauli Walnuts
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 months, 3 days ago

            Serves him right for not passing to Salah

            Open Controls
        3. FDMS All Starz
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          Is this worth a BB in gw5?

          Sanchez (mun A)*
          Dubravka (nfo H)

          Dorgu (che H)*
          Williams (bur A)
          Rodon (wol A)
          Munoz (whu A)
          Andersen (bre H)

          Salah (eve H)
          Bruno (che H)
          Kudus (bha A)
          Rejinders (ars A)*
          Semenyo (new H)

          Watkins (sun A)
          Mateta (whu A)
          Wood (bur A)

          Open Controls
          1. Mother Farke
            • 1 Year
            3 months, 3 days ago

            No. GW5 looks a nightmare on paper. There will be better weeks.

            Open Controls
            1. Miguel Sanchez
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 3 days ago

              It really does - can’t even tell who I would want to captain. Thinking Mateta (whu) currently

              Open Controls
              1. Mother Farke
                • 1 Year
                3 months, 3 days ago

                Joao Pedro for me, but I'm very hesitant.

                Open Controls
                1. Miguel Sanchez
                  • 9 Years
                  3 months, 3 days ago

                  Yeah I did consider that but Chelsea haven’t won at OT since 2013 in the PL, not that it necessarily matters

                  Open Controls
            2. FDMS All Starz
              • 10 Years
              3 months, 3 days ago

              Cheers

              Open Controls
        4. Khalico
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          Best Sarr replacement? Already have Grealish. Maybe Kudus?

          Open Controls
          1. g40steve
            • 7 Years
            3 months, 3 days ago

            I have Kudus but no Grealish.

            I’m either punting on Elliott/Pino or going cheap to upgrade fwd

            Open Controls
        5. Meta12345
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 3 days ago

          A) caicedo for saka, palmer to salah, captain salah, for -4
          B) caicedo for saka, keep palmer, captain haaland, and bring isak for gw5 and captain, no hit

          Open Controls
        6. Feanor
          • 16 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          Salah has 3 goals and 2 assists in his last 12 PL games

          Open Controls
          1. Seanigula
            • 16 Years
            3 months, 3 days ago

            Then don’t own him and don’t Captain him vs Burnley

            Open Controls
            1. Feanor
              • 16 Years
              3 months, 3 days ago

              I don't and I won't

              Open Controls
        7. BerryMaze
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          How is this WC team?

          Raya (Dubravka)
          VvD LaCrois Senesi (Tosin, Rodon)
          Salah Semenyo Grealish Paqueta Elliot
          Haaland JP (Foster)

          Better cheap options instead of Foster for 5.0 million? Other suggestions?

          Open Controls
        8. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 3 days ago

          Isak on the bench?

          The big question will be to what extent new record signing Alexander Isak will be involved having not featured at all for Newcastle this season.

          If deemed fit enough to start, Isak would be down the centre of the attack in plaec of Ekitike with Slot unlikely to alter his usual 4-2-3-1 approach immediately, although pairing Isak and Ekitike could become an option at a later date.

          https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/arne-slot-faces-difficult-alexis-32399975

          Open Controls
          1. Pedersen
            • 7 Years
            3 months, 3 days ago

            Likely gets a cameo to get his debut
            Ekitike could be moved to wing instead of Gakpo. But as I think Isak gets cameo I think Ekitike will get around 80min

            Open Controls
        9. Mr.K
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          What are some of the PL starting lineup decisions that happened and were crazier than it would be for Slot to start Isak already against Burnley?

          Open Controls

        You need to be logged in to post a comment.