Metrics

Significant Free Hit usage among top 10k FPL managers for Gameweek 36+

The latest decisions made by the top 10,000 Fantasy Premier League managers look like the perfect ingredients for significant movement at the higher end of the worldwide rankings in Gameweek 36+.

Not only was there no clear consensus for the captaincy, the chip deployment means there is more squad variety among the top 10k than has been seen thus far into the Premier League’s restart.

The most recent battle for the armband is likely to be the biggest deciding factor in how this round pans out though, creating some incredibly polarising results at this level.

As you can see, there were four assets who came into Gameweek 36+ with more than 10% backing for the captaincy among the top 10k.

Raheem Sterling (£11.8m) emerged with the largest support but his 20% support can hardly be described as much of a majority, only 3.2 percentage points higher than the number of top 10k managers who placed the armband on Christian Pulisic (£7.3m). 

The fact that he managed only an assist against Norwich on Tuesday evening certainly opens the door for those who looked outside of the American.

Plenty of attention will settle on Manchester United as they travel to Selhurst Park, because Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m), who has registered attacking returns in every away match since the Premier League restart, has been backed by 16.6% of the top 10k for the captaincy.

Despite a loss of 55,000+ owners in Gameweek 36+, Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m) is still in the picture with 11.5% support for the armband with Bournemouth preparing for a trip to the Etihad Stadium.

With both of those statistics in mind, Fernandes (108.3%) and De Bruyne (87.2%) remain the top two players for effective ownership among the top 10k FPL managers for this round.

The 7.9% of such bosses who captained Gabriel Jesus (£9.8m) for Gameweek 36+ may feel a lot more comfortable in having done so now that they have seen the split for the armband in the top 10k. While he has the fifth-highest support for the armband at this level, the gap between the Brazilian and Sterling stands at just 12.1 percentage points.

Meanwhile, Gameweek 36+’s fixtures convinced a sizeable number of managers inside the top 10k to deploy the Free Hit chip.

16.8% were convinced to trade in their current crop of players for a temporary selection, one of the largest swells of support for the chip this season.

Not many others were considered for Gameweek 36+ either, 1.7% of the top 10k going with the second Wildcard, 2% on a Triple Captain and 3.41% opting to Bench Boost.

That means 3.6% at that level are still waiting to use the second Wildcard in the final two Gameweeks, just over 10% want to use the Triple Captain in that time and just under 13% are saving the Bench Boost.

Most importantly, a large number of top 10k managers are looking to use the Free Hit either in Gameweek 37+ or 38+, specifically 34.6% of them.

As you can imagine, most of this season’s best managers in the world have played the majority of their chips, with 47.1% of them exhausting their supply as of Gameweek 36+.

Of great interest is the small number of bosses at this level who buck the trend. 6.8% of them are likely to play a chip in each of the remaining Gameweeks, having deployed only two of them so far.

Meanwhile, at least 0.8% at this level have wasted the opportunity to use all their chips this season, 0.1% of the top 10k in a position where none of those available in the second half of the campaign have been played.

It is no surprise to see Manchester City and Chelsea assets were the main reason for Free Hitting among the top 10k in Gameweek 36+ with their favourable fixtures against Bournemouth and Chelsea respectively.

These managers were largely unequivocal in their verdict on the best options from Pep Guardiola’s squad, with Jesus and Sterling both selected by more than 70% of top 10k Free Hitters, while Phil Foden (£5.5m) was in just under 40% of such squads.

That means De Bruyne was unable to squeeze into the top five midfielders in terms of popularity, somewhat interesting compared with how many at this level captained the Belgian for Gameweek 36+ and what his effective ownership stands at.

Meanwhile, there were a number of Chelsea options considered in both defence and midfield with at least 40% going for Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.1m) and Marcos Alonso (£6.1m), who both kept a clean sheet against Norwich.

Meanwhile, Pulisic was the most popular midfielder in top 10k Free Hit squads, chosen by a whopping 81.5% of them, even more than Fernandes (79.3%) and Sterling (70.1%). Willian (£7.4m) was the comparatively differential option on Pulisic, chosen by just 48.2% of such managers at this level, while 38.7% have Foden lined up for the Bournemouth game.

Also of interest is the fact that Lucas Digne (£5.8m) is the most popular defender on Free Hits, while Danny Ings (£7.5m) pulled in considerably more support than Olivier Giroud (£6.7m), who scored against Norwich.

Naturally, the Wildcard squads take a much more long-term view, as much as that is possible with the end of the season edging ever closer.

As a result, Pulisic is the only Chelsea player to find a place in such selections among the top 10k managers, considering that, after Norwich, they face Liverpool (away) and Wolves (home).

The Gameweek 36+ Wildcarders were much more interested in the two Manchester clubs, with Fernandes taking up space in 93.5% of these squads, Anthony Martial (£8.4m) in 65.9% and Mason Greenwood (£4.9m) in 81.2% of them.

As has been the case with Wildcards and Free Hits recently, there is not too much consensus about the best options in defence, John Egan (£4.6m), Digne, Charlie Taylor (£4.4m) and Romain Saïss (£4.7m) all pulling in at least 34% backing by Gameweek 36+ Wildcarders in the top 10k.

With Free Hits so popular this week and Wildcards still used only sparingly, the overall top 10k template has not shifted too much.

Jesus has broken into the top three most popular forwards but Sterling still sits outside the top-five midfielders which, when you consider his captaincy backing, makes him still an incredibly effective weapon at this level in Gameweek 36+.

1,294 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any Burnley mids/forwards for the last 2 gws you recommend?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No, only defenders for me.

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      JRod

    3. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      J Rod

      1. Pulisic 4 President
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        J Rod against Norwich, yum

  2. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Nketiah anyone?

    I can afford Auba, but considering getting Nketiah instead. Auba will be involved heavily in the FA Cup after the FPL deadline on Saturday, while Nketiah is banned and due back for the PL game on Tuesday (Villa).Seems a cert to start with Lacazette also likely to play 90 mins or more in the FAC. I could then upgrade Nketiah, Greenwood or Rashford to Auba for the final GW if it seems right at that time.

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Do you have Greenwood?

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Its not a one or the other choice. Forget the pricetag

    2. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Lacca

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        He could play 120 mins on Saturday though

    3. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I never sold. Greenwood Giroud Nketiah 4.8 itb

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Playing Nketiah in GW37?

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Freehitting by the looks of it so anything goes, but probs

    4. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Already have him but he will be on my bench

    5. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Rather get Jesus. Arsenal vs Spurs looks like their assets will start trolling again.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Fair enough. I have 3 City and United already, and Arsenal look to be the next team to look at for GW37. Nketiah seems to be an opportunity, since he's the only attacker we can predict to start quite confidently, I think.

    6. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I already have him. Tempting to keep and then do Vardy > Auba to end the season.

  3. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best defences to consider for GW37 only?

    Excluding United and Burnley

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

      Wolves imo

    2. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      wolves

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dunk for attacking returns.

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wolves

    5. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Big Doherty haul incoming in GW37 🙂

    6. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      The mighty Egan

    7. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      My GW37 and 38 defence

      Patricio
      TAA Dunk Doherty

    8. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      VVD against Kepa

  4. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best one week punt for GW 37 before FH in GW 38?

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pieters

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Golden boot chasers

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Pogba

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I have gone Armstrong as a differential

  5. BigDaveSaves
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    As much as it’s a killer when they don’t start, I love Pep roulette - it’s so exciting waiting for the team sheet every week. Mahrez Jesus C and KDB for me tomorrow and I genuinely couldn’t say who will start!

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      All of then won't start and you will be surely more excited

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Haha

      2. BigDaveSaves
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ha - I wouldn’t be surprised if they all got a cameo. Quietly confident about Jesus and KDB but the nature of the beast teaches us to never be quietly confident about any of Peps teams lol

    2. DIMITRIS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm feeling exactly the same. Pep roulette makes game more fun. If it were standard 11 all the time, everyone would have them and it would most definitely kill the excitement before the team news arrival.
      I have DSilva, Foden and Jesus (C) for this GW.
      Wishing you luck.

      1. BigDaveSaves
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Would much rather have your lot tomorrow - good luck!

        1. DIMITRIS
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Cheers!

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      What if none of them start?

  6. mrodgers91
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Early thoughts, could change over the next few days
    A) Azpi > Tark
    B) Vardy > Auba
    C) both for a hit

  7. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Plan is to bring Dilva in for GW38, what do I do with Pulisic in the mean time? Keep him to face Liverpool or move on for someone else for a week?

    1. suddenorgan
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm keeping I think, looked pretty good tonight

  8. DIMITRIS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So happy that Willian blanked and that Pulisic got only one assist as I don't own them. It was to be or not to be with Chelsea tonight.

    1. MillsAU
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      50/50

  9. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Early thoughts for FT next week before FH in GW38+:

    A) Lascelles > Taylor
    B) Vardy > Jesus

    1FT 0.1itb
    Pope
    TAA, Doherty, Lascelles*
    Salah, Sterling, Dilva, Bruno
    Vardy*, Ings, Greenwood
    (Martin) (Pulisic, Kiko, Simpson)

    Cheers

  10. suddenorgan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    As fun as it is being on free hit, seeing the top 10k ownership of all the players you got rid of for a week looming over you is worrying

  11. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I ended up captaining Bruno instead of Sterling and I feel like I’m gonna flop as ML rival has captained Sterling

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

      Atleast you know Bruno starts mate!!

      1. JURGENAUT
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I guess

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling might not start

  12. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best replacement for Pulisic up to 7.9?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dilva

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        cheers.I have 3 ManCity players.

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          You could get Antonio if you do not have him.

          1. wulfrunian
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            I can have him in gw38 but against ManUtd away it's a risk.It's tough.I can't find a descent pick.

            1. FOO FIGHTER
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Westham vs Villa GW38

            2. FOO FIGHTER
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              What does your team look like?

              1. wulfrunian
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                Pope/McCarthy
                Taylor/Alonso/VVD/Fredericks/Boly
                Sterling/Foden/Martial/Fernandes/Pulisic
                Jesus/Greenwood/Ings

                1ft 0.6itb

                1. FOO FIGHTER
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  You may as wel save the ft, bench Pulisic and have 2 ft's. Then you can make two changes for GW38 if need be.

                  1. wulfrunian
                    • 7 Years
                    3 years, 8 months ago

                    Cheers.I am thinking of that but Foden mainly and maybe Greenwood could get a rest or a cameo.

                    1. FOO FIGHTER
                      • 4 Years
                      3 years, 8 months ago

                      Tough mate, follow your gut...

      2. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Keep him

  13. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which GW 37 combination scores more?

    A) AWB + Salah + Greenwood
    B) Tarko + Martial + Rashford

  14. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CCofNRbpDjy/

    Bib theory says Sterling Mahrez Jesus start, KDB benched no?

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      lol what about foden and cancelo?

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Scenes!!!

    3. pitstop1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Or other way around?

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Who plays as striker if Sterling and Jesus are benched?

        1. Chucky
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Bilva

        2. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Bilva can play a striker. He has played previously

        3. The Mighty Hippo
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Ederson, just for the lols.

          1. pitstop1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Gundogan - Pep mentioned he could do the job a couple of weeks ago ... not that I had the balls to put him in the FH team

    4. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      As long as Foden starts

    5. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Or KDB starts and mahrez jesus sterling benched no?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        looks more unlikely

    6. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No chance. Lol

    7. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      What is said bib theory?

    8. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      And Dilva? Too cool for training school

  15. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Foden (C) is going to be magical

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dilva (C) here, Foden vice.

      I seem to be the only one.

      1. Boberella
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I'm on same.
        Dilva C was the first thing I selected on my FH team

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Amen to that!

  16. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ok very early but..

    Vardy and Willian ➡️Auba and Dsilva -4?

    Or get Salah instead?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah

  17. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    When can Nketiah play in the PL again considering arsenal have an FA cup match?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Week 37+ against Villa

  18. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Doherty and Mahrez good replacements for Azpi and Puli?

    Got 2 freebies and 2.5m itb... Open for ideas. Cheers.

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Let em play first, Bobby.

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Decent moves on paper though.

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Cheers. Will wait for the games to be over.

  19. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    for gw37 -- Vardy > Ings, right?

    Pope
    Trent, Doherty, Saiss
    Salah, Pulisic, Bruno, KDB
    Vardy, Jimenez, Greenwood
    (Martin; Douglas Luiz, Aurier*, Holgate*)

  20. michaelington
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How are Pulisic captainers feeling?

    I am expecting a lot of benching this week so don’t know whether to be happy with the returns. Was hoping for a lot more.

  21. I Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Maguire + Pulisic -> Doherty + Martial -4 sound okay? For next week only, FH in 38. Would probably captain Martial.

  22. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Giroud/Willian OUT
    Aubameyang/Armstrong IN -4

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Imo yes

  23. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling (c) - big moment in ML with main rival I am chasing captaining Pulisic. Need him to start really and minimum goal and assist

  24. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Front 3 for City tomorrow?

    Sterling, Jesus, Foden?

    1. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dilva (c), Foden, Jesus

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

        Il take either of those asking as Jesus and Foden are In there for me and not Mahrez coz my Dad has him!!! Haha

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think so.

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mahrez, Jesus, Foden

    4. pitstop1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dilva, Gundogan, Foden

    5. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden Jesus KDB

      1. Baron Penguin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Those are the three I got, so definitely hope so!

    6. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yep, those are my thoughts as well.

  25. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this Bench Boost 37 team

    Pope
    TAA Taylor Boly
    Sterling Martial Fernandes Foden Salah
    Greenwood Ings

    Martinez Rodriguez Doherty Egan

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

      That’s awesome mate!!

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      How many hits did you take to get that team lol? With a hit I will get this:

      Dubravka
      TAA Digne Boly
      Sterling KDB Fernandes Martial
      Jesus Jimenez Greenwood
      ____
      Martinez Traore Tarkowski Taylor

      1. Bruno Bruno!!
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        -8 t get rid off Giroud Azpi and Aurier

        1. FC Hakkebøf
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Not quite sure removing Giroud and Azpi for a -8 is worth it

  26. Alnair
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ofc Alonso loses a bonus point

  27. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Good night lads. See you tomorrow at the City carnage and Pep's lottery. Sleep well

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Night bro

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      8-0 Foden hatrick, Jesus hatrick, sterling brace with 4 Foden assists and 3 Dilva assists

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This pls. Going to come back and link this when this happens

    3. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Night g

    4. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Good night

  28. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Rashford leading the way for potential fallers is surprising.

  29. vincentwsho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope
    VVD TAA Doherty
    Sterling Foden KDB Martial Bruno
    Ings Rashford

    Martin Taylor Ritchie Connolly

    What to do with this lot? Have 1 FT but will free hit in week 38, so don't want to waste it. But even the bench seems well placed for week 37...

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nothing to do really.. Your set

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don't feel pressure to use it if it will upset your team, will kick yourself if it doesn't pay off. Something might need sorting as this GW unfolds.

    3. vincentwsho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks. Was thinking of changing Richie to a Wolves or Sheffield defender, but Ritchie against Brighton isn't too bad as well... guess I will wait till near the deadline to decide

  30. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who scores more this week:

    A) Justin Boly | Salah (c) Foden Son Greenwood
    B) AWB Doherty | Pulisic Foden (c) Silva Ings

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hard to say really.. Much will depend on Salah's performance

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B