S7 Ep38: FPL Pod: Best Free Hit Team for Blank Gameweek 29
Mar 12, 2025
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This week, the hosts analyze the best Free Hit team for an upcoming Blank Gameweek. They spotlight a surprising goalkeeper pick and emphasize the significance of Bruno Fernandes in midfield. Caution is advised with Haaland's selection. Key player strategies are explored, like budget-friendly forwards and hidden gems such as Joshua Zergzi. They also share insights on Liverpool's performance, discuss captaincy options, and reflect on the emotional rollercoaster of managing FPL teams amidst postponed fixtures.
The podcast emphasizes the strategic importance of using the Free Hit chip during Blank Gameweek 29 to navigate absent top teams effectively.
Bruno Fernandes is highlighted as a prime captaincy option for this week, showcasing his potential value against Leicester City following strong performances.
There is a cautionary note regarding transferring out high-value players like Mohamed Salah, despite his absence, due to his ability to deliver significant returns moving forward.
Deep dives
Free Hit Strategies for Blank Game Week 29
Blank Game Week 29 presents a unique challenge for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, particularly with top teams like Liverpool and Newcastle not playing due to the EFL Cup final. Many managers are considering activating the free hit chip to navigate this week effectively. The hosts discuss how nearly 200,000 managers have already activated their free hit but suggest that many teams might still manage to field a competitive eleven without it. This preparation is seen as particularly important due to the significance of the blank matches, urging managers to tactically assess their squads ahead of the upcoming fixtures.
Dominance of Key Players: Bruno Fernandes and Mohamed Salah
Bruno Fernandes is highlighted as a standout option for Blank Game Week 29, especially considering his performance against Leicester City, making him a prime captaincy choice for managers. Meanwhile, there’s a surprising trend where Mohamed Salah, who has broken numerous records this season, is among the most transferred out players despite not playing this week. The hosts emphasize the importance of retaining Salah in squads due to his continued potential for high returns in the weeks to come. Both players are considered essential, but the podcast urges caution regarding the decision to transfer out high-value players like Salah.
Reflection on Recent Game Weeks
The hosts reflect on their recent experiences in FPL, noting that many managers found Game Week 28 to be particularly challenging. Some players, including goalkeepers and forwards, underperformed significantly, leading to a general sense of frustration among the managers. Despite these setbacks, they acknowledge the importance of not overreacting to a single game week and maintaining a long-term perspective on their teams. This reflection serves as a reminder that FPL is unpredictable, and even seasoned managers can experience struggles during certain game weeks.
Player Picks for Game Week 29
Key player picks for Game Week 29 include several lower-owned differentials, such as Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White, who present viable options due to favorable fixtures. The discussion points towards how expensive players like Erling Haaland might not be the best option given their inconsistency lately, despite being a popular pick among many managers. The hosts also highlight the potential of players from teams that are considered less likely to perform, such as Bournemouth and Forest, whose attacking players may surprise opponents. This strategy reflects a shift towards considering the form and matchups rather than just historical data.
Captaincy Decisions: Risks and Rewards
With Salah and other top players absent, the hosts deliberate on different captaincy strategies, suggesting that this week might be an opportunity to think outside the box. Several options emerge, with Chris Wood and Bruno Fernandes as key contenders based on recent performances and fixture advantages. However, there's caution among the hosts about straying too far from the usual suspects, emphasizing the need for a strategic approach to captaincy this week. This discussion illustrates the balancing act managers face between playing it safe with reliable players and taking calculated risks with emerging talents.
With four teams absent from the Premier League this weekend because of the League Cup final, Kelly Somers and the FPL Pod team take a look at the best sides you can create if using the Free Hit chip to avoid the Blank Gameweek 🃏🤑🃏
They discuss an unusual goalkeeper pick, backing Bruno in the middle, and urge caution with Haaland. But, while focusing on a Free Hit side, these are of course good players to consider for this week even if you aren’t using the chip and are planning to play though.
LISTEN 👇
* Super Salah (06m 16s)
* Free Hit goalkeepers (19m 48s)
* Free Hit midfielders (24m 50s)
* Free Hit Forwards (29m 03s)
* Differential of the Week (39m 47s)
* Transfers and captains (43m 58s)
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