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Zophar’s FPL Blank Gameweek 34 Free Hit team + Q&A

23 April 2026 124 comments
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Eight-time top 10k finisher Zophar reveals his Gameweek 34 Free Hit team and explains each selection.

He also takes a handful of user questions as part of his weekly Q&A.

Q: Who would you 100% be picking on a Free Hit? Are there any non-negotiables?

(via SIMBOBIANTHEIII)

A: Gameweek 34 is the biggest ‘blank’ of the season, so it’s natural that most FPL managers will be activating their Free Hit chip this week, including myself.

This is the draft I am currently favouring:

 

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FPL pre-season: Malen + Watkins again, Xhaka debut, secretive Man City 2
124 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. HighestPeake
    • 2 Years
    3 months, 4 days ago

    Chasing ML 35 points behind top and he has no free hit left thoughts on this free hit (subject to lots of change)

    Raya
    Gabriel Mukiele Virgil
    Salah Bruno Cunha Ndiaye Le Fée
    Watkins Bowen
    Bench: Hermansen. Beto Heaven Digne

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    1. HighestPeake
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 4 days ago

      Bear in mind I don't like the Spurs options even if it's against wolves

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    2. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 4 days ago

      Dunno about le fee tbh, Gibbs white has more to play for, more nailed, and more talismanic too. Same for mukiele. Even ndaiye is iffy as an Everton fan, West ham have it all on the line, while our somewhat half-hearted push for Europe isn't exactly calling out for 15pt heroes.

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    3. Woking Wanderers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 4 days ago

      Prefer KDH (1st on my bench) to Ndiaye, and MGW+Rogers with Salah+Bruno in a 3-4-3

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  2. TorresMagic™
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    3 months, 4 days ago

    Last Man Standing GW33 (46 teams)

    Safety score = 109
    Top score = WVA with 137

    17 teams eliminated.
    Congrats to the final 29 - https://prnt.sc/hYYjHqQ2qaAs

    https://plan.livefpl.net//LMS is a bit out as it includes eliminated teams.

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  3. majorbriggs
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 4 days ago

    FH GW34. Right now, it all boils down to KDH and decent bench or Watkins and horrible bench. Already got Rogers as well. Any opinions?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      3 months, 4 days ago

      Bench less likely to be needed imo over last GW.

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  4. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 4 days ago

    Thoughts on potential transfers this week? My team looks decent all things considered. 3 FTs but 0.0m ITB

    Lammens
    Gabriel Saliba VvD Reinildo
    Fernandes Mbeumo Rogers Szobo KDH
    Thiago
    (Darlow Thiaw Haaland Pedro)

    Considering:
    A) Pedro + Mbeumo > Bowen + Rice
    B) Pedro > Havertz
    C) Mbeumo > Rice
    D) Roll?

    I kind of like trying out Havertz. I reckon he'll start most games here on out and he'll be a huge differential.

    I want to have at least 2 FTs next week to bring in NOR and Cherki.

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      3 months, 4 days ago

      I think Bowen might be needed this week fwiw but not sure on Rice.

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      1. Moon Dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 4 days ago

        Yeah been struggling with Rice too. I think he gets DefCon for sure against Newcastle. As he said after the City game: "It's not done". He's going to fight. He got DefCon in the reverse fixture too. Add a CS and that's already 5pts. All it takes is an assist and he could hit double figures. Relatively low ownership in top 100k too thanks to the 31 blank. I think I'm going to go there, Newcastle are so leaky atm...

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    2. Pompel
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 4 days ago

      Mbeumo -> Cunha ? Seems like he's the in-form player of the two

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    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 4 days ago

      Pedro to Bowen seems obvious enough.

      Everton are okay on their travels tho. West Ham have to pick up points and need a win or two.

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        3 months, 4 days ago

        Guessing a 2nd transfer is needed.

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        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 4 days ago

          They're both £7.7m in my squad but I was late on Pedro, to my detriment.

          Highlighting that money does still matter in FPL 2026.

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          1. Camzy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            3 months, 4 days ago

            I can't afford Bowen unless I sell Mbeumo also yeah.

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  5. Bluebulls
    3 months, 4 days ago

    Any suggestions:

    GK: Raya and Woodman
    Defense: Gabriel, VVD, Mavro, Porro
    Midf: MGW, Bruno, Cunha, Salah, and KDH
    Forwards: Bowen, Watkins

    Thanks

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    1. HighestPeake
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 4 days ago

      No Mavro

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      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 4 days ago

        This

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      2. Bluebulls
        3 months, 4 days ago

        you think? who else would you suggest?

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  6. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 4 days ago

    Morning all,

    What would you do here, currently playing 10 as no goalie:

    A) Move on a goalie for Raya / Roefs / Leno (saves a transfer down the line)
    B) Move Gordon on for any midfielder up to 11m (bench Munoz)
    C) Move on Hill to Porro and play 5 at the back this week.
    C) Roll

    Current team

    Munoz / Virgil / Mukiele / Gabriel
    KDH / Ferandes / Rogers / Wilson
    Thiago / Bowen

    Dubravka / Sanchez / Gordon / Haaland / Hill

    2FTs, 3.7 ITB

    Wildcard next week

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    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 4 days ago

      A immediately, then consider between other options.

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  7. Brimble82
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 4 days ago

    Subs? Who needs subs?
    FH34 - I'm chasing a little:
    Woodman
    Gabriel / VVD / VdV
    (S)alah / Bruno / Cunha / Rice / MGW
    Watkins / Bowen

    Kinsky // Reinildo / Heaven / Guiu

    £0.1 ITB (Hence Guiu not Mane!)

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    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 4 days ago

      Love it, close to mine. Dunno about vdv is the only one, Danso more defcon but spurs defence is really quite bad.
      Here's mine right now

      Woodman
      Gabriel Porro Neco
      Salah Bruno Cunha Xavi MGW
      Watkins Gyokeres

      Pecsi, I. Jesus, H. Bueno, Diouf

      Considering Igor Jesus on for Cunha.

      What do you reckon? I'm going without Bowen/vvd for now but may swing back...

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      1. Brimble82
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 4 days ago

        VdV is eye test for me.
        He has the ability to mega-haul if the stars align (GW9 vs Everton).
        Possibly a little heart led too - my boy is a Spurs fan (for his sins) and his fave player is VdV.
        Not very statistical, but F the AI generation!!!

        Not a lover of the Gyokeres pick, and think Bowen's ownership could hurt if you don't have him.
        Xavi was in my previous draft though, so am a fan of that differential.

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  8. Moon Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 4 days ago

    Thanks Zoph.

    Just got to go with my gut on a FH week then. My gut says Liverpool are going to struggle against Palace. It's also telling me I want pancakes.

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    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 4 days ago

      I want pancakes too!

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  9. Bavarian
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 4 days ago

    Wirtz or Gakpo? on FH

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  10. marpy016
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 4 days ago

    Best option for my 1FT before WC35:

    A) Salah
    B) Simons
    C) Watkins
    D) Porro
    E) Anyone else?

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    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 4 days ago

      Salad

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  11. TorresMagic™
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    3 months, 4 days ago

    Best way to fix team before WC35?

    Raya
    Gab VVD Muk
    Gordon* Wilson Szob Bruno Dango
    Bowen Thiago

    Dub Hall Hill Haaland*

    Gordon and Haaland out for Salah + Watkins/Solanke seems decent?

    Cheers.

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    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 4 days ago

      Yes but benching issue?

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        3 months, 4 days ago

        Would bench Dango if needed probably.

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    2. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 4 days ago

      If you're WCing next week I think I'd only use 1FT. Making a luxury move right before a WC feels a bit of a waste. That FT might be more useful in the final few weeks.

      In that case you could punt on anyone bar Salah. Watkins/Solanke, or Rogers/Cunha/Rice/Xavi/MGW. Gut pick for 1 week only!

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        3 months, 4 days ago

        Shouldn't need to make many transfers in 36-38. Treating them like a hit this week but upside is a factor.

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  12. Holmes
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 4 days ago

    Expect all of them to concede but in what order would you rate their CS chances

    A) Wolves
    B) Spurs
    C) Forests
    D) West Ham
    E) Everton

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    1. andy78
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 4 days ago

      D,E
      C
      B
      A

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  13. hazza44
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 4 days ago

    Best DEFs for rest of year not including Gabriel?

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    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 4 days ago

      Van Dijk and Lacroix

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    2. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      3 months, 4 days ago

      The ones not at the beach, Man City, Brighton, Leeds, West Ham, Arsenal and Palace is a decent start.

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    3. Pompel
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 4 days ago

      Timber , when everyone has sold him
      Mavropanos
      Leeds defender
      VVD
      Mukiele
      Munoz , but rotation?

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  14. I have no Wirtz
    3 months, 4 days ago

    Are Watkins and Rogers pretty much same potential for a good result gw34 at Fulham? Or is one stronger than the other?

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    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 4 days ago

      Well, Fulham are stronger at home so both could blank.

      But both can also be streaky players. Go Watkins as midfield has more options.

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  15. Pompel
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 4 days ago

    Your thoughts on the following WC team ? Planning for BB GW35, so would like players with a decent chance of return then. Not getting one GW punts like Salah, Solanke, Porro,

    Roefs
    Gabriel Timber Mukiele Lacroix
    BrunoF Rogers Rice Summerville
    Bowen Thiago

    Subs: Darlow O¨Reilly Semenyo Haaland

    Timber would become Saliba if the former is not declared fit

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    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 4 days ago

      I think Raya for the run in.

      Maybe ditch Rice?

      Roefs has been great for the season until recently, not withstanding Gw32.

      Mind, you can play him Gw34+35 then switch to Darlow.

      So it works.

      Other than that I like it.

      Switch Semenyo to Cherki tho.

      BB35 works. I think Arsenal will be solid at home to Fulham, albeit unlike in Gw33 they wouldn't be your BB players.

      I'm doing the same thing with WC32 selections.

      Good luck

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      1. Pompel
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 4 days ago

        Raya a safe choice, but I prefer Timber if fit due to higher ceiling. But Raya vs. Saliba is much of a muchness'.

        Rice is not mandatory, but difficult to find midfielders who have good matchups both for gw34 and gw35, and I think he'll give some returns, at least cs + defcons

        Agree about Semenyo -> Cherki

        In hindsight I think BB33 would have given the better total, much because of Brighton results over last three games

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    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 4 days ago

      The only thing with the BB35 is it points you away from Beto and KDH etc who may well be good picks.

      But you could still include one of them?

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      1. Pompel
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 4 days ago

        Both of those good choices for gw34, and if Everton scores against City one of them would be involved. So KDH not out of the question

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  16. bigbudgie
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 4 days ago

    Hello
    This week I am pointsmaxxing
    Thank you

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