Chip Strategy
6 November 2025 105 comments
Lateriser 12 Lateriser 12
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In his latest article, three-time top 200 finisher Lateriser considers the best remaining Gameweeks to use the Free Hit.

FPL 2025/26 first draft team reveals: Triple Forest, Everton + Chelsea

We’re about to enter a world of chaos as the fixture pile-up is imminent. Once we get out of the November international break, we are looking at pretty much no empty midweeks right until mid-January.

It’s worth a reminder at this point about the free transfer top-up in Gameweek 16. In order to benefit from the maximum number of free transfers available, try and use all your existing ones by Gameweek 15.

In the middle of this, we (or rather I) need to plan our chips.

More specifically, in this article, I will be looking at the factors to consider when using the Free Hit.

THE DANGERS OF FREE HITTING

The numbers behind Salah’s poor FPL form

When using the Free Hit in the first half of the season, with no blanks or doubles, it can be a dangerous chip. We can lose points by trading out a player we own for a one-week-only punt.

However, I think we need to be opportunistic.

The key perception change that we need to have is ‘keeping a player and not moving for someone who scores is as likely to hurt as selling a player who might score’. Psychology is a weird thing, and almost always, we tend to worry and fret more about the latter.

While transfers can be accumulated and you’re almost always armed with more information if you make a move a week later, the same is not the case for a Free Hit. We just have to look at it from an optimistic, opportunistic lens and leave the outcome to fate.

FIXTURE TICKER OVERVIEW

Let us look at the Fixture Ticker and try to think of Free Hit windows as an opportunity.

IS GAMEWEEK 13 THE BEST TIME TO FREE HIT?

 

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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

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FPL pre-season: Malen + Watkins again, Xhaka debut, secretive Man City 2
105 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. waltzingmatildas
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Which do you prefer?
    A) Timber to Gabriel
    B) Raya, Gudmundsson to any GK, Gabriel

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      B

    2. Malkmus
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      B for sure. A is not good

    3. waltzingmatildas
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Cheers guys

  2. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    And I'm not even that bif of a Salah fan. Just thought I'd comment Salaah! to go with my username...

  3. iFash@FPL
    • 2 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    I’m currently weighing the GW13 FH option…

    1. iFash@FPL
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Who else could be worth the risk in the Man City team, other than Haaland?

      1. Shark Team
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Cherki Doku Foden in that order

        1. ryacoo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Gvardiol/Dias maybe too

  4. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    GW15 FH

  5. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    FH GW15 means you can deadend 5 of your players to GW14, FH experiment in GW15, then use 5 transfers to fix any issues in GW16

  6. Defcons are for Kinnear
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Remind me. We need to use all our chips by GW18 right?
    We'll get a new set of chips from GW19?

    1. Drizzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      By GW19

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      This year

      1. Haa-lala-land
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        So 19 is the last GW to use the chip?

        1. Haa-lala-land
          • 5 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Copied from the rules :
          The first set of these chips will be available from the start of your season until the Gameweek 19 deadline of Tue 30 Dec 18:00. The second set of these chips will be available after Tue 30 Dec 18:00. These chips can be cancelled before the Gameweek deadline.

          1. Sheffield Wednesday
            • 5 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            That's only BB & TC that can be cancelled btw.

    3. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      The first set of chips are available until the Gameweek 19 deadline of Wed 31 Dec 07:00.

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        *NZ time - the rules vary according to your time zone.

    4. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Cheers lads

  7. dansmith1985
    • 3 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    G2G?

    Sels
    Calafiori Gabriel Munoz
    Semenyo Enzo Saka Kudus
    Mateta Haaland Welbeck

    Dub Senesi Gud Reijnders

    1. DandyDon
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Kudus a doubt after missing midweek?

  8. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Start:
    A) Senesi
    B) Woltemade
    C) Woltemade to Thiago and start him

  9. Over Midwicket
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Who on earth do we prioritise from:

    Szobo
    Sarr
    Caicedo
    Rice
    Bruno

    Plus all the template guys that everyone has (Semenyo, Mbeumo etc.)

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      The player with no midweek European fixtures and mutliple routes to points looks good to me

    2. Rhysd007
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      If you have Mb I wouldn't pick Bruno.

      Rice takes up an Arsenal slot but is excellent value. It's between him and Caicedo for me since I have no Chelsea coverage.

      I feel Rice plays enough minutes to not worry about midweek.

  10. DandyDon
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    i literally came on the site to check about when is regarded as best for the chip! i am still thinking i might use it this week as I have a lot of uncertain players who don't have great fixtures anyway, Gakpo, Reijnders, Kudus etc. Only Saliba as an Arsenal defender as well whilst i fancy WH at home, maybe Grealish, maybe Forrest asset as they are also looking more secure.
    I'm not sure there is anyone i would captain over Haaland though which is putting me off!

  11. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    The trade off with FH13 is TC13 on Haaland.

    We all need to find our own path.

    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Great minds

  12. x.jim.x
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Not a mention about GW12? https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/27398758

    Also neglected to mention that a downfall of using FH in GW13 is that you can't then TC Haaland, which I imagine many will be doing.

    1. Gubby-Allen
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I am not planning on using the FH but will go to the last week just incase of winter weather and a couple of games called off.

      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Good plan, but I think the Xmas period is a bit of a pain with the surprising lineups

  13. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Is Munoz Szobo better than Virgil Sarr?

  14. OverTinker
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    I am more worried about my BB chip

    1. OverTinker
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      And TC also

  15. OneTeamInBristol
    • 2 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Pope
    Gabriel Timber Munoz
    Mbuemo Sarr Saka Semenyo Enzo
    Haaland Woltemade

    Subs: Dub, Senesi, Rodon, Guiu

    1ft, 0.8itb

    a) Wolt to Mateta
    b) roll

    1. Rhysd007
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I don't think Wolt out is the shout just yet. Keep 2FT for IntBreak

    2. Gubby-Allen
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      That is fine for this week.

      I am playing Sensei, not really any fixture where I would not. It is over Isidor.

      Hard to know who to drop him for but it would be one of the midfielders.

  16. Rhysd007
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    I have Gordon, Reindeers and Gyokeres. Money no issue. 1FT

    A) Lose Reijnders
    B) Gyok
    C) Gordon
    D) Free Hit

    Bench of Rodon King Esteve. Would have to play two of those if none of the above. Free hit perhaps? Would I then have 2FT next week?

    Thanks

    1. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      gordon to rogers

    2. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      and only 1f/t ,free hit counts ad 1 t/f

    3. Haa-lala-land
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Thats a great looking bench for this week, almost BB territory! You could easily play them, or B or C, I wouldnt FH here

  17. ryacoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Which would you start?

    A) James (WOL)
    B) Minteh (cry)

    Worried about James playing 90 last night in the UCL

    1. Egg Fried Reus 69
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A

  18. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    I am thinking of free hit this week after I saw a video in which someone is doing it. Week 15 has more rotation risk with the midweek round before it. I was going to use my 4 free transfers this week but if I can wait until after the break, that would be better. It changes those transfer choices because now I can play quite short term, given we will get 5 free transfers soon. For example, by free hitting, I can avoid buying Pedro this week, so I have fewer Chelsea players in week 13. Also, I can go straight into Liverpool's good run with those free transfers.

    FT draft for this week
    Raya, Dubravka
    Gabriel, Chalobah, Tarkowski (Cash, Rodon)
    Saka, Rogers, Enzo, Sarr (Onana)
    Haaland, Pedro, Bowen

    Captain Haaland or Bowen?

    1. Gubby-Allen
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      How far is that from your usual team?

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Only 5 remain: the goalkeepers, Gabriel, Rodon and Haaland.
        So Salah, Gyokeres, Reijnders, Minteh, Kudus amongst those free-hit out.

        and realised I could get Reece James instead of Chalobah if I cheapen Onana.

    2. Haa-lala-land
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I really think Sunderland score one at home this weekend, Id switch Raya to Sels or even Gabriel to Milenkovic or Diouf (sacrilege!)
      Paq instead of Sarr
      Man utd Mid instead of Saka
      Start Cash ahead of Tark
      Garnacho instead of Enzo
      Its a good FH team, just some thoughts!

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Thank you

  19. Egg Fried Reus 69
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Worth the 4 point hit to go from woltemade to mateta?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Nope

    2. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Yes

    3. Rhysd007
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      No, it's close for a free - but still wouldn't at the moment as you may have other bits of team that a transfer may be better used on?

  20. Gubby-Allen
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    The problem this season with so many chips and so few good players to pick from isvthatcmy free hit team in any week would have at least nine of the players that I already have.

    Anyone I change for a week say Isidor would probably score anyway and my one week signing say Woltemade would blank.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      The gains with FH this half of the season with no BGW/DGW have reduced, your original team may outscore your FH team.

      1. Gubby-Allen
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        I don't think that I will play FH unless either injuries or bad weather with some games off.

    2. Haa-lala-land
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I think thats okay, because you could still use FH well, even if you only change three or four of your usual starting eleven.
      A good FH use, doesnt necessarily have to mean changing all eleven - i know its obvious, but I always fall into that trap every year

      FH this week for example might just be switching
      Wolt to Bowen
      Thiago to Joao Pedro
      VVD to Cucurella
      and maybe one or two more, that should still gain more points than what I have if I left it

  21. Gubby-Allen
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Who would be the Top 3 players by ownership who will be at Afcon?

    Does anyone have a squad without any Afcon players?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Here you go, you can work it out yourself

      https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4g8nrpx7njo

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Even the BBC can't seem to spell Bryan Mbeumo's surname correctly.

        1. I have no Wirtz
            3 months, 22 days ago

            My autocorrect can!

        2. Gazwaz80
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Cheers Tony…

      2. Gubby-Allen
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        How do Chelsea not have a single African player in their squad? You would think impossible from the amount of players they have

    2. user.n
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Woltemade to Thiago?

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Probably stick if Gordon is ruled out (on pens) unless you need to downgrade for funds

        1. user.n
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Thanks all

      2. how now brown cow
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        I'm considering a complete u-turn to pedro...

    3. Nespinha
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Who to replace Kudus:

      A) Szoboslai
      B) Minteh
      C) Sarr
      D) Enzo

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Depends on your short and long term plans

        Short term - Enzo
        Long term - Szoboszlai (not a great entry point this GW), Sarr (AFCON GW16) and Minteh (Gambia have not qualified for AFCON)

      2. I have no Wirtz
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Personally, (had Sarr already), I decided Kudus>Enzo, that’s purely for gw11 and gw12; and Enzo is earmarked to make space for a Liverpool mid for gw13. If Enzo blanks gw11 I might bring Liverpool in gw12! I have IB to contemplate that.

      3. IvanGeorgiev
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Joao Pedro

      4. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Good morning all !!

        Who to start here folks??

        A- Caicedo(Wolves home)
        Or
        B- Sarr(Brighton home)

        Have J-Ped and Mateta

        Cheers everyone!!

        1. Sheffield Wednesday
          • 5 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          It's compulsory to start anyone playing against Wolves this season, unless new manager bounce is a thing this week.

          1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Haha good advice mate!!!!

        2. Cojones of Destiny
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Id start all 4 tbh

          1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Definitely mate!! Could bench Mbeumo that’s my only
            Other choice

            1. Cojones of Destiny
              • 7 Years
              3 months, 22 days ago

              so bench him then not like he is scoring evry game

              1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                3 months, 22 days ago

                Think I might mate!! Tottenham usually beat United there too

                1. Ausman
                  • 2 Years
                  3 months, 22 days ago

                  You're crazy if you bench Mbeumo who is in good form. Spurs coming off a midweek game while ManU were resting at home.

              2. I have no Wirtz
                  3 months, 22 days ago

                  Interesting! That’s definitely food for thought.

                  Who would you bench between

                  A)Woltemade
                  B)Mbeumo
                  C)Semenyo

                  1. Ausman
                    • 2 Years
                    3 months, 22 days ago

                    Woltemade. Newcastle are garbage away from home.

          2. Mother Farke
            • 2 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Surely Caicedo will revert to type soon? Sarr on the other hand is a threat throughout a game.

        3. Cojones of Destiny
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Start one in each
          a. Tark (FUL)
          b. Senesi (Avl)

          1. Dub (Whu)
          2. Petrovic (Avl)

        4. Letsgo!
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Will u bb this?
          Dub foster senesi gudmunsson

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 7 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Yes assuming they all start - may need to check Foster

        5. andymck
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Gyokeres Stach and Kudus > Guiu Saka and Minteh for free? Have already used bench boost and am 0.1 short of doing the first two moves alone.

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 7 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Yes

        6. Joyce1998
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Best captain?

          A- Haaland
          B- Mateta
          C- Saka
          D- Gabriel

          1. Ignasi M
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Not Saka. He's been poor this season, mainly because defences know how to defend against him. Gabriel will win more points than Saka this season. Arsenal's points will be coming from their more defensive players. Haaland captain. Mateta as differential.

        7. Sandy Ravage
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Gordon to (max. 9.8 MID)?
          A - Mbeumo
          B - B.Fernandes
          C - Another player

          1. Ausman
            • 2 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            A