Starting XI
The Free Hit build for GW37 is straightforward, load up on Manchester City and Chelsea, then back the standout captaincy. The strongest XI from this squad is Donnarumma; Guéhi, O’Reilly, Matheus N.; Semenyo, Enzo, Cherki, Foden; Haaland, João Pedro, Richarlison.
That gives you six attackers with strong upside and a triple City defence against Bournemouth, which is where the projection model is clearly leaning. Haaland is the headline play at 7.58 xP, comfortably the best number in the squad, away to Bournemouth. João Pedro follows on 5.75 xP at home to Spurs, while Semenyo is the top midfield pick on 4.60 xP.
At the back, Guéhi leads the defenders with 4.38 xP, then O’Reilly on 4.11 and Matheus N. on 4.02. That makes the City defensive stack hard to argue with on a one week punt. Donnarumma also narrowly edges Sánchez for the starting goalkeeper spot, 3.98 xP versus 3.96 xP.
Bench order
GK: Sánchez
1st bench: Chalobah
2nd bench: James
3rd bench: Doku
Doku is the highest projected of the bench outfielders at 3.48 xP, but bench order should still reflect likelihood of minutes. Chalobah, 3.95 xP, and James, 3.62 xP, look safer first reserves from the Chelsea defence, while Doku remains the classic high variance bench option. Sánchez is simply the backup because Donnarumma has the marginally better projection.
Captain
Captain: Haaland
This is one of the easier captaincy calls of the season. Haaland’s 7.58 xP is well clear of every other option in the 15, and his ownership at 62.5% means going against him on Free Hit is an unnecessary risk. If you want the safe and optimal route, captain Haaland.
Vice-captain: João Pedro
João Pedro’s 5.75 xP makes him the clear backup armband choice. He also has strong ownership at 34.8%, so he fits both the projection and game theory angles.
Key fixtures
- Manchester City away to Bournemouth, this is the fixture the squad is built around. Haaland leads the projections, and the defensive picks all sit above 4.0 xP, Guéhi 4.38, O’Reilly 4.11, Matheus N. 4.02. In midfield, Semenyo 4.60, Cherki 3.71, Foden 3.64 and Doku 3.48 give multiple ways into the upside.
- Chelsea at home to Tottenham, the second major target. João Pedro is the standout at 5.75 xP, with Enzo a useful value midfield pick on 3.73. Chelsea defenders are viable but just miss the starting XI, Chalobah 3.95 and James 3.62.
- Tottenham away to Chelsea, mostly a one player spot. Richarlison comes in as the best third forward at 3.50 xP, enough to start in this squad structure.
Total squad cost is £101.2m, which is irrelevant on Free Hit beyond showing just how aggressively this draft attacks the best projected teams in GW37.