Previous week lessons
It’s hard to apply many lessons from last gameweek given the unique nature of this weekend’s set-up so we’re going to skip right through to some of the best options.
There’s those players who will use their free hit chip and grab the best available line-up and there’s those who’ve planned for this round and have close to adequate cover. It’s worth considering how much luck will come into play, with no double games, so identifying the optimal fixtures will be key if you’re trying to land a free hit.
Wolverhampton being at home to leaky Leeds United is tempting for midfielders and forwards, along with Leicester City against Brentford, who have pulled away from the drop zone lately. Tottenham have a tough home clash with West Ham, while Arsenal going to Aston Villa doesnt shout big points.
New Options
Among the Wolves attackers to consider are Raul Jimenez who is 7.6m but only scored once in their past six games. Midfielder Ruben Neves is an option at 5.3 with a goal and an assist in his past two.
Leicester are slightly unpredictable with a few issues, but Harvey Barnes could be a differential option, with scores of 2, 10, 6 and 4 in his past four gameweeks.
Fellow Foxes midfielder James Maddison should be considered but hasnt played much lately, getting 30 minutes off the bench in the Conference League. That’s a worry.
If you’re using the free hit chip, Tottenham pair Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane seem important to own, along with a Spurs defender such as Sergio Reguilon. Aston Villa’s Matty Cash has been a revelation too.
Leeds’ Raphinha, Brentford’s Christian Eriksen or Ivan Toney (who has scored five goals in two games against the bottom two sides) and Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney and Bukayo Saka are cheaper options to beef up your free-hit side.
Who to captain?
If you own Harry Kane, he seems an obvious choice after seven goals in Spurs’ past six gameweeks, totalling up to 53 points.
Son is an alternative, while a left-field choice could be Jimenez against Leeds, or Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette who has five assists and one goal in their past six games.
Injuries
Wolves forward Hwang Hee-Chan looms as the ideal cheap forward but he picked up a leg knock, yet boss Bruno Lage says he has been cleared.
Any cheapie up front is Leeds’ Joe Gelhardt, who scored a late winner last time, but he’s battling a lower back problem.
Leicester’s Jamie Vardy is another potential option gone missing due to a knee injury, while the aforementioned Maddison hasnt had many minutes lately after returning from a back/hamstring injury which seems to be dogging him.