Fixtures

The Gameweek 35 Free Hit

With just 12 teams set to play in Gameweek 35, many Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have pinpointed this round of fixtures as the ideal time to play their Free Hit chip.

While this has long been an accepted strategy among a sizeable section of the FPL community, there continues to be some confusion about the mechanics behind the chip.

With that in mind, we’ve put together this initial guide to the chip, before we start to look at player targets and squad building later this week.

First of all, let’s look at the problem solved by the Free Hit chip in Gameweek 35.

With the semi-finals of the FA Cup also taking place next weekend, we are limited to the following fixtures.

Gameweek 35 schedule

West Brom vs Liverpool
Watford vs Crystal Palace
Arsenal vs West Ham
Stoke vs Burnley
Man City vs Swansea
Everton vs Newcastle

That obviously means that squads could be almost decimated, with managers struggling to field a full XI, let alone one that can compete strongly.

Replacing last season’s All-Out Attack chip, the Free Hit chip can address this problem.

It affords us a chance to temporarily freshen up our 15-man squads for a single round of fixtures.

The Free Hit chip can be used just once in the season – just like the Wildcards, it can’t be cancelled when you hit confirm.

Similarly, any saved transfers carried over from the previous Gameweek will be nullified – effectively, then, we are back to a single free trade for the following round of fixtures.

As mentioned in this Premier League article at the start of the season, the Free Hit chip cannot be used to play the market – although you can replace every member of your squad for the Gameweek concerned, you do not benefit from any price changes from the new recruits.

This was an area of much discussion in our Hot Topic here.

Essentially, you should think of the Free Hit chip as a mini-wildcard, but one that you do not benefit from in terms of budget.

So if you want Raheem Sterling – the most bought player since last week’s deadline – in your Free Hit squad for the weekend encounter with Swansea City, get him in now and activate the chip to avoid missing any further price rises, particularly if you’re struggling for budget.

On the downside, though, even if he rises by 0.2, you can forget about making a 0.1 profit.

Once the Gameweek 35 deadline has passed, we will then revert to our original squad set-ups. Any price rises or falls that hit our original set of players in the previous Gameweek will then be reflected.

So, for example, if you traded out Romelu Lukaku on your Free Hit chip prior to a price fall, that subsequent drop will still be factored into your squad value on his return.

As mentioned, there is no way to play the market.

Also, when playing the Free Hit chip, any transfers already made prior to activation are included so any transfers costs or “hits” spent to this point will be refunded.

This kills the possibility that we can profit by bringing in players early as “standard” transfers, waiting until Saturday morning, pre-deadline, before confirming the Free Hit chip.

Every trade made in the Gameweek will be classed as part of the Free Hit chip, regardless of when it is made.

An early transfer only helps to avoid paying that little bit more for a player with your Free Hit funds should that player enjoy a likely price rise over the next few days.

With many Wildcards played ahead of Double Gameweeks 34 and 37, it’s perhaps likely, in terms of the current setup of our squads, that levels of interest in the Gameweek 35 big-hitters will centre on Mohamed Salah, who boasts an ownership of 57.6%.

Indeed, the Egyptian is one of a host of well-owned picks set to feature this upcoming weekend.

The likes of Kevin De Bruyne (21.9%) and Sterling (18.5%) joins Salah in the top three most owned midfielders, Nicolas Otamendi (26.1%) is the most popular defender, while Roberto Firmino (38.1%) is the number one forward, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (12.4%) among the top six strikers.

With FPL interest in Gabriel Jesus and the Liverpool defence on the rise, the likes of Kevin Long (4.0), Luka Milivojevic (5.1) and Ayoze Perez (5.3) are also among the main targets for managers. All three offer in-form solutions for those with low team value scanning for budget buys.

Indeed, Free Hit managers will likely be spending big funds on a spread of heavy-hitters while filling at least three of the four bench slots with budget fodder and inactive players.

Our coverage of the Gameweek 35 Free Hit will continue over the week as we look to the best options in defence and attack. There will also be a members article which turns to our Opta data for further insight into possible solutions.

346 Comments Post a Comment
  1. xRedArrow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    RMFH35:

    Pickford
    TAA-PvA-Baines
    Salah(C)-Sterling-Sane-Arnie-Zaha
    Jesus-Auba

    3.9GK-Firmino-Long-Masuaku

    Thinking making game day decision (Anfield Express) whether to start Firmino or Zaha

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I don't like double Everton defence myself, I would consider Butland instead of Pickford.

      1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Thiss

      2. xRedArrow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        True Butland is better for BAPS and save points but Stoke rarely keep CS and I don’t like expecting 4 CS (Stoke/Eve/Liv/Palace) when I can increase the odds by a double up on one team

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Like it. Firmino benched?

      1. xRedArrow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        If he’s benched based on Anfield Express I will bench him otherwise Zaha will be bench.

        1. EmreCan Hustle
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Ok. What about Aguero? If he is fit?

          1. xRedArrow
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Nothing we can do till Pep presser on Friday

    3. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Why on earth is Firmino on the bench

      1. xRedArrow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        If he’s benched based on Anfield Express I will bench him otherwise Zaha will be bench.

        1. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          If you playing PVA then you must be expecting Palace attacking returns therefore benching Zaha is also very risky imo

      2. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Cashed up innit.

    4. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Firmino and Zaha are too good to be benched imo.

      1. xRedArrow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Choose from then:

        Arnie (ars)
        Zaha (wat)
        Firmino (wba)

        1. Zladan
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Or just sell Arnie and upgrade PVA.

    5. Khalid J
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      what about Perez ? Jay R ? Wood? west brom & swanse will be fighting for their lives

  2. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Bottomed.

    On WC this week.

    RMWCT

    Dubravka Fabianski
    Robertson Tomkins Fernandez Morgan Masuaku
    Salah Eriksen Sterling Zaha Kenedy
    Kane Auba J.Ayew

    This week, Kane and Eriksen will be either;
    A) Mane and Jesus(assuming Aguero injured)
    B) D.Silva and Firmino

    DGW 37 (Bench Boost)
    Salah to Hazard
    Zaha to Arnie

    Thoughts?

    Thanks.

    1. christoff
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      B if ahead, A if chasing

  3. 1zverGGadeM
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Score predictions tonight?

    WHU 1-2 STK here

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      2-2

    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      1-0. Masuaku goal, Arnie assist.

    3. lugs
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      3-2 . Arni hattrick hopefully 🙂

    4. 1zverGGadeM
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Naah, it's Big Small Shaq's night

      1. 1zverGGadeM
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        "Jesus" Allen will assist at least one of the goals 😀

  4. RUUD!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    What do you think of this WC team? Finding it very tough to get good balance. Using BB in 37.

    Ederson Fabianski
    VVD Long Lowton (Vertonghen, Fernandez)
    Salah Sane Sterling Mili (Eriksen)
    Auba Tosun Barnes

    2.5 in bank to bring Kane I’m using FT in 36

  5. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Free hit team:
    DubDub
    Ota, Long, Tark
    Mane, Salah, Sterling, Townsend, Zaha
    Aguero (C if fit), Auba

    Barnes of the bench for in Aguero if not fit, 2 Jags, Glen Johnson.

  6. UnitedWeStand
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Quick question about player value with free hit.

    Let's say Sterling is brought in by 100k people and rises 0.2 in price, and 50k of the people that brought him in are using their FH. When the free hitters go back to their original team, and Sterling leaves 50k teams overnight, will his value then drop 0.1?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Free hit transfers don't count.

  7. Raxmuz
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Can one chop and change a free hit team up until game week dead line?

    Much obliged

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      yes

  8. LegendFrankie
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Once i activate my FH, can i change my team as many times as i want to until the dealine? thanx

    1. Surfeit of Lampteys
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

      1. chriskirky1981
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        if i use my free gameweek transfer today and then tomorrow use my free hit to change the full squad will the transfer i made today be lost into the free hit process and revert back to who it was before?

        1. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          It's lost

  9. mattieboy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Any thoughts on my initial FH team?
    Playing 3-5-2

    EDERSON
    BAINES MUSTAFI LONG
    ZAHA MANE STERLING SALAH SHAQIRI
    AUB JESUS

    Subs: pickford lascelles robertson perez

  10. Arsène Around
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Ederson the most nailed City player this weekend surely? Don’t fancy De a rhyme / Silva / Sterling (already actually on the beach according to his Instagram). Also Kompany is a surety to play the 90 mins and lead the celebrations ...

    1. Arsène Around
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      *De Bruyne

  11. Sheatside
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Information require please,

    If I use my 1 free transfer this week and then select not to to use the freet hit. Can I then go back into the transfers, make several and select the free hit? Will the 1 free transfer I made first be part of my squad after the free hit GW ends? Thanks.

    1. chriskirky1981
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      i want to know that too!!

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Yes and no.

  12. chriskirky1981
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    if you make a free transfer and then a day later activate your free hit and change the whole squad does the free transfer you made initially this game week get lost too into the free hit and revert back to the person at the start of the game week?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Very wordy, no, you get your gw34 team back.

      1. chriskirky1981
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        many thanks for the clarity. apologies 50 words is overwhelming for you lol