Pro Pundits - Zophar

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

23 April 2026 124 comments
zøphar zøphar
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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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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
124 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Thursday's Press Conference Times
    Skonto Rigga
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    23 hours, 47 mins ago

    Morning, all! I'll be leaving you in the capable hands of Tom today but here are the day's press conference times that have been posted so far (in BST, via Sky):

    1.30pm - Le Bris (SUN), Nuno (WHU)
    2.30pm - Pereira (NFO)
    5.30pm - Carrick (MUN)

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    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      23 hours, 42 mins ago

      Hopefully Neale is back to do the predicted line ups tomorrow. Not much point reading them if he's not 🙁

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  2. Zenith UK
    • 9 Years
    23 hours, 43 mins ago

    Why did Van Hecke lose a bonus a day later?! Just cost me a 150 point week. Absolutely gutted!

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    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      23 hours, 41 mins ago

      Are your diamond shoes too tight as well? Is your wallet too small for your 50 pound notes? 🙁

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      1. Zenith UK
        • 9 Years
        23 hours, 36 mins ago

        I've never had a gameweek that high and knowing I was on 150 to then have a point removed from a game from the day before is, you have to admit, gutting

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        1. EDEN THE MAN
          • 9 Years
          23 hours, 33 mins ago

          Not that deep fella

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          1. Zenith UK
            • 9 Years
            23 hours, 26 mins ago

            Never had a gameweek where I've ranked that high or even scored that much. It's not deep but you can imagine the minor disappointment of falling just shy of that goal from a removed point surely?

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            1. St Pauli Walnuts
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              22 hours, 17 mins ago

              Nope, would be happy with a mammoth score.

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    2. Naatie
      • 1 Year
      22 hours, 59 mins ago

      Sounds like you had one of those "season over" gameweeks, stay humble wise guy yeah

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      1. Zenith UK
        • 9 Years
        22 hours, 37 mins ago

        I'm still outside the top 1m after this gameweek. It's been a tragic season

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    3. Conners
      • 7 Years
      22 hours, 39 mins ago

      If it makes you feel a bit better, 2nd place in my ML forgot to activate his BB this week after WC32 (42 points on his bench).

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      1. Zenith UK
        • 9 Years
        22 hours, 37 mins ago

        Blimey that is gonna hurt a lot! Would it have taken him top?

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        1. Conners
          • 7 Years
          22 hours, 32 mins ago

          No, but would have been 10 or so points behind 1st instead of 30-40.

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          1. Zenith UK
            • 9 Years
            22 hours, 31 mins ago

            Jesus, that sucks!

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  3. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    23 hours, 40 mins ago

    Thank you for taking my question, Zoph-meister-General.

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    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      23 hours, 8 mins ago

      Brown noser!

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      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        23 hours, 7 mins ago

        Thy nose is as brown as a 1970s HQ Holden!

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  4. Zenith UK
    • 9 Years
    23 hours, 33 mins ago

    No love for MGW @ Zophar?

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    1. EDEN THE MAN
      • 9 Years
      23 hours, 32 mins ago

      I thought as much too

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  5. EDEN THE MAN
    • 9 Years
    23 hours, 33 mins ago

    Ekitike + JP > Watkins + Bowen? With 2 FT’s.

    Would allow me to field:

    Roefs
    VVD-Thiaw-Gabriel-Alderete*
    Wilson-Bruno-Mbuemo-Wilson
    Watkins-Bowen

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  6. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    23 hours, 30 mins ago

    2 Bench boost s per season and in the 2 weeks I played them I got 2 of the lowest bench scores of my season!

    Petrovic - 2
    Pedro - nil
    Gabriel - nil
    Bruno - 6

    And Sarr 1pt jus to rub it in when the alternative for that slot was Tavernier!!

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  7. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    23 hours, 20 mins ago

    I have Heaven and Alderete
    Do you think I should use FTs only to change if any of them is not about to start or attack this GW?
    As I WC next GW

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  8. Bavarian
    • 8 Years
    23 hours, 18 mins ago

    Cunha or Mbeumo?

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    1. HighestPeake
      • 2 Years
      23 hours ago

      Cunha

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    2. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      22 hours, 58 mins ago

      Cunha more in form.

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    3. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      22 hours, 54 mins ago

      C

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    4. bigbudgie
      • 11 Years
      22 hours, 36 mins ago

      Cunha. Mbueumo has been dog poo since AFCON basically

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  9. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    23 hours, 8 mins ago

    Not the best free hit but we move. Team looks okay but which option is better

    A) move out Gordon for free and hope Iwobi and rest start w/c 35
    B) take out Gordon/iwobi/bench player for -4 w/c 35
    C) wildcard now

    Raya
    Gabriel, Andersen, VVD
    Bruno, Wilson, Dango, Iwobi *, Gordon*
    Bowen, Thiago

    Non playing bench
    Dubravka, Haaland, NOR, Rodon

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  10. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    23 hours, 5 mins ago

    Still got WC & BB, could there be any better gameweeks to play these except for GW 35 & 36?

    Don't really fancy Palace players too much for the double

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  11. Bleh
    • 9 Years
    23 hours ago

    Best move? Currently have no playing GK.
    Will WC next week.

    A. Dubravka > Woodman
    B. Timber > Porro
    C. Both for -4

    —
    Gabriel, Timber*, Thiaw, Mukiele
    Bruno F, Rogers, Szobo, Wilson
    Bowen, Thiago

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    1. Sarri-ball
      • 16 Years
      22 hours, 56 mins ago

      Im in same postion.

      I think im going 2 go no keeper.
      Wouldnt be keen on a -4 for a keeper.

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  12. Sarri-ball
    • 16 Years
    22 hours, 57 mins ago

    Is gyokeres a good 1 week punt before a wildcard?

    Fell like every chance this title could be decised on goal difference

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    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      22 hours, 50 mins ago

      Not really because Havertz could start there.

      If there's an indication that he starts then you could punt on him against Newcastle.

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    2. bigbudgie
      • 11 Years
      22 hours, 35 mins ago

      Arsenal are not good at scoring goals. Period

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  13. HighestPeake
    • 2 Years
    22 hours, 56 mins ago

    Who are we backing more for the FH:
    Forrest or Sunderland players
    Everton or West Ham players
    Additionally I would almost back wolves players over spurs I keep seeing drafts with 3 spurs players on a FH and I dont see it happening

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    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      22 hours, 51 mins ago

      Forest aren't great away

      So Sunderland defenders but you could bench them

      West Ham and Everton attackers, West Ham need the points but Everton are decent on the road so avoid defensive picks there?

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    2. bigbudgie
      • 11 Years
      22 hours, 34 mins ago

      staying away from both those fixtures
      And I disagree about the Spurs game

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  14. Bullet Eder
    • 10 Years
    22 hours, 56 mins ago

    Bringing Salah in this week and one other mid with a free transfer. Which one is best:

    A. Casemiro (BRE)

    B. Summerville (EVE)

    Already have Bruno and Maguire from MUN but no WHU, if that helps.

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    1. Sarri-ball
      • 16 Years
      22 hours, 55 mins ago

      Summerville for me more to play for and feel got good united covwr we bruno

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  15. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    22 hours, 55 mins ago

    Best option to complete the final mid/ striker spot?

    Raya
    Gabriel vvd Porro
    Salah Bruno Xavi rice xxxx
    Watkins Bowen xxxx

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    1. Cheeky Reijnders
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      22 hours, 47 mins ago

      MGW & Thiago

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      1. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        22 hours, 34 mins ago

        Need to pick one of those

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    2. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      22 hours, 46 mins ago

      Wilson/mgw and go 3-5-2

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      1. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        22 hours, 34 mins ago

        Cheers

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  16. Slitherene
    • 8 Years
    22 hours, 53 mins ago

    RateMyFreeHitTeam?

    Raya
    Gabriel Virgil Porro
    Salah Bruno Cunha MG-W Xavi
    Watkins Bowen
    X Alderete X X

    0 ITB

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    1. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      22 hours, 45 mins ago

      Same as mine apart from i am going Wilson over xavi

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    2. bigbudgie
      • 11 Years
      22 hours, 33 mins ago

      play around with a different goalkeeper to free up more money? we could have kinsky or Woodman in the frame both with good fixtures

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  17. Al-Chemy
    • 6 Years
    22 hours, 51 mins ago

    On a wildcard:

    A) Hincapie, Bruno, Bowen
    B) Saliba, Cunha, Watkins

    Thanks!

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  18. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    22 hours, 49 mins ago

    Mukiele best def under 4.5m or fh34? Will be 1st sub.

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    1. Cheeky Reijnders
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      22 hours, 45 mins ago

      Diouf or Heaven worth consideration perhaps..

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      1. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        22 hours, 44 mins ago

        Yeh got heaven as 2nd sub. Thought sun more likely to get cleansheet to whu

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        1. Cheeky Reijnders
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          22 hours, 41 mins ago

          Hammers have more clean sheets since GW25 than anyone. Guess that's why the BUS team has Hermansen.

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          1. Stranger Mings
            • 5 Years
            22 hours, 24 mins ago

            Yeh true

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    2. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      22 hours, 33 mins ago

      Mavropanos

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      1. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        22 hours, 24 mins ago

        Thanks

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  19. Danstoke82
    • 11 Years
    22 hours, 43 mins ago

    Which one to lose for Porro this week to have 11 playing?

    A) Hill
    B) Van Hecke

    1FT

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    1. HighestPeake
      • 2 Years
      22 hours, 26 mins ago

      Don't get Porro

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  20. Junks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    22 hours, 42 mins ago

    Im using WC next GW shall i stick with the below or use my 1FT for a one week punt to sort Thiaw/Timber/Alderete? Or anything else worth doing?

    1FT 1.5ITB
    Kelleher
    Gabriel Cash Thiaw
    Wilson Rogers Dango BrunoF KDH
    Bowen Thiago

    Dubravka / Haaland / Timber / Alderete

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    1. Conners
      • 7 Years
      22 hours, 37 mins ago

      I'd save, but start Alderete over Thiaw unless he's confirmed out.

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  21. jeffa79
    • 12 Years
    22 hours, 36 mins ago

    Who is the better long-term hold, Gross or Rayan?

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    1. Conners
      • 7 Years
      22 hours, 34 mins ago

      Speaking as a Rayan owner of several weeks of blanks, I'd prefer Gross.

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    2. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      22 hours, 33 mins ago

      Gros

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  22. Zebscity
      22 hours, 34 mins ago

      pickford

      gabriel, vvd, thiaw
      gordon, bruno f, dewsbury hall, wilson
      thiago, guiu

      dubravka, semenyo, haaland, senesi

      Have 1 FT with wildcard in 35 the plan. Should I take -4 this week? Guiu and gordon out for:
      - Watkins + garner
      - Bowen + Casemiro

      Open to any other suggestions to maximize this week

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    • Atimis
      • 9 Years
      22 hours, 31 mins ago

      Chasing 20 points in my ML, thoughts on the FH below?

      Raya
      VVD/Porro/Marv
      Salah/Bruno/Cunha/Rogers/MGW
      Bowen/Watkins

      Or Gab over Marv, Beto over MGW? Thiago?

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      1. Cheeky Reijnders
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        21 hours, 42 mins ago

        Currently I have Gab over Marv (Diouf instead of Marv on bench) and Thiago over Cunha. The rest of the 11 same as you.

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    • jeffa79
      • 12 Years
      22 hours, 30 mins ago

      Who is the better pick, Heaven or Kayode?

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    • hazza44
      • 13 Years
      22 hours, 29 mins ago

      Who to replace for Pedro for remainder of season?
      A) Watkins
      B) Bowen
      C) Solanke

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      1. Zenith UK
        • 9 Years
        22 hours, 14 mins ago

        Probably best in that order, but if AVL secure UCL then Watkins might get rested for UECL which tips to Bowen's favour (considering we need to play really well to stay up still)

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    • Ronnies
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      22 hours, 29 mins ago

      On FH34.

      Best option?

      A)Watkins in a 433
      B) Cunha in a 352

      Cheers.

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    • Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      22 hours, 28 mins ago

      Need a few punts to catch up.

      2FT

      Ekiteke, Stach -> Beto, Simons?

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    • Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      22 hours, 17 mins ago

      Have no GK this week..Sanchez > Raya for a hit?

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      1. basilfawlty
        • 4 Years
        22 hours, 7 mins ago

        I'd rather go without than take a hit for a GK.

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    • UTFB
      • 9 Years
      22 hours, 12 mins ago

      Rogers and Solanke

      OR

      Xavi and Watkins

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    • Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      22 hours, 10 mins ago

      Who would you rather this week, Porro (wol) or Wilson (AVL)?

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      1. andy78
        • 3 Years
        21 hours, 54 mins ago

        Porro

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      2. Moon Dog
          21 hours, 51 mins ago

          I don't want to take Wilson on.

          His ownership 74% minimum amongst managers in the top 100k who aren't FHing this week. He's at home, on more set pieces if Iwobi is out, and Villa have been leaky. He's a shield for me. I'll attack in other ways.

          Source:
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx7oi9248JA&t=3274s

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