The Free Hit chip removes all squad constraints, so the GW3 build is entirely fixture-driven. Total cost lands at £113.3m across 15 players, with the Man City home game against Coventry and Arsenal’s home tie with Chelsea doing the heavy lifting.
Starting XI
Formation: 3-4-3
In goal, Pickford (£5.5m, xP 4.67) starts. He hosts Manchester United and carries 8.8% ownership, making him a low-ownership differential with solid underlying numbers.
The back three is Gabriel (£8.0m, xP 4.87), Guéhi (£6.0m, xP 4.76) and Gvardiol (£5.5m, xP 4.69). Gabriel is the standout defensive asset at 4.87 xP hosting Chelsea. Guéhi and Gvardiol both benefit from City’s home fixture against Coventry, with Gvardiol’s form rating of 7.0 the highest of the three defenders in the starting side.
The midfield four is Cherki (£7.6m, xP 5.44), Saka (£9.5m, xP 5.35), Semenyo (£8.5m, xP 4.98) and Palmer (£9.6m, xP 4.96). Cherki leads the midfield on expected points at 5.44, with a form rating of 11.0, the highest of any player in this squad. Saka brings 5.35 xP from Arsenal’s home game. Palmer away at Arsenal is the fixture risk of the XI, but his 4.96 xP and 6.5 form justify inclusion.
The front three is Haaland (£15.5m, xP 9.18), Havertz (£7.5m, xP 6.40) and Thiago (£8.0m, xP 6.17). Haaland’s 9.18 xP is the highest in the squad by a distance. Havertz and Thiago both post xP above 6.0, with Thiago hosting Sunderland at Brentford on a form rating of 0.0, meaning GW3 is his first real data point of the season.
Bench Order
- GKP: Tzolakis (£4.5m, xP 4.52) at Hull, home to Aston Villa. Budget keeper cover.
- DEF: Tarkowski (£6.0m, xP 4.56) at Everton, home to Manchester United.
- DEF: De Cuyper (£4.6m, xP 4.55) at Brighton, home to Leeds.
- MID: Foden (£7.0m, xP 4.63) at Man City, home to Coventry. Strong bench option given the fixture, but surplus to the starting spot given Cherki and Semenyo already cover that game.
Captain: Haaland
Haaland is the captain. His 9.18 xP is comfortably the highest in the squad, he is home to Coventry, and 68.3% of FPL managers already own him. On a Free Hit, there is no reason to look elsewhere. Vice-captain goes to Cherki, whose 5.44 xP and 11.0 form make him the clear backup choice.
Key Fixtures to Watch
- Man City vs Coventry (home): Haaland, Cherki, Semenyo, Gvardiol, Guéhi, Foden (bench).
- Arsenal vs Chelsea (home): Gabriel, Saka, Havertz. Palmer is the away asset from this fixture.
- Brentford vs Sunderland (home): Thiago at 6.17 xP.
- Everton vs Manchester United (home): Pickford and Tarkowski (bench).
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