The Best FPL Gameweek 17 Free Hit Team

With the 2nd round of chips just round the corner, the time has come to make sure you use all of your chips before the gameweek 11 deadline. Free Hitting in 17 is made even better by the fact that in form teams such as City have one of the best fixture of the year. So it’s an excellent route to capitalise on the triple up.

A free hit strategy could also be useful if you still have your wildcard or are planning a an overhaul in the coming gameweeks, as it allows you to punt on a few players for this gameweek specifically. Either way, if you still have your free hit this is as good a week as 18 or 19 to use it.

Alternatively, if you are on Wildcard this week, or looking to do a more long term overhaul, then make sure you check out our Gameweek 17 Wildcard draft.

Also, with all the rotation approaching, make sure you check out our Predicted Line-Ups hub for all the latest team news.

Anyway, without further ado, let’s get stuck into the Best Gameweek 17 Free Hit team.

Goalkeepers

Dorde Petrovic – £4.5m

This one picks itself. Burnley currently sit bottom 3 for both goals scored and xG. What’s even more encouraging, is Bournemouth’s incredible defensive record at home. They have conceded the 2nd least goals at home in the league this year and also have the 2nd lowest xGA. A stark contrast to their away form, where they have conceded the most. So given this fixture is Burnley at home, Petrovic gets the green light.

 

Martin Dubravka – £4m

£4m and starting. enough said.

 

 

Defenders

Nathan Collins – £4.9m

This week’s edition of whose playing Wolves’ attack brings us to Brentford. Honestly there is not a huge amount between Collins and Van Den Berg, and given one will likely be starting on the bench we personally lean more towards starting Collins. He averages 10.61 Defensive contributions per game to Van Den Berg’s 8.88, however of late it has been a much closer affair. Either way Collins hit that sweet spot between clean sheet and DefCon potential which is normally the recipe for points.

 

Chris Richards – £4.6m

Speaking of that exact combo, the next man up is Richards. Now this could easily be a Lacroix or Guehi if you have the funds but given the fixtures the rest of the defence have, we will likely be benching Richards as well. Currently 5th among all defenders for DefCons,  and facing a Leeds side who are bottom 7 for goals scored this season. He presents a great opportunity for a clean sheet and DefCon points. Also, given the hectic schedule and events like AFCON taking place, the amount of chopping and changing in squads will be rife. So good bench is essential on Free Hits.

 

Nico O’Reilly – £5.3m

Speaking of players who may be rested, Nico O’Reilly is up next. O’Reilly has managed an attacking return or clean sheet in 7/10 starts so far this season. He is super attacking and averages an xGI per 90 of 0.25. With West Ham sitting 4th lowest for xG, and 2nd highest for xGA, this fixture profiles as a fantastic one for an attacking minded defender. With points possible on either end.

 

Marcos Senesi – £4.9m

There’s no denying that from a production standpoint Senesi has been a little disappointing. However, the underlying numbers still do remain good. 2nd in the entire league for Defensive contributions, averaging a whopping 13.21 per 90. He profiles as one of the safest floors in the league. He also has great attacking potential, leading the league in passes into the final 3rd and balls over the top. Which was on full display against West Ham. Bournemouth’s colossal defensive record at home lands Senesi as one of the stars of the gameweek 17 free hit draft.

 

Sepp Van Den Berg – £4.5m

Either Van Den Berg or Collins can be first of the bench and honestly whoever you choose is down to you.  Both are great options considering Wolves have only scored 9 goals in the league this year. With 2nd last Forest scoring 17, nearly double. In his last 9 he has averaged 9.5 DefCons per game so he is not that far off Collins for DefCons.

 

 

Midfielders

Antoine Semenyo – £7.5m

The Ghanaian was back to scoring ways against United, and now finds himself facing Burnley at home. With 7 goals and 3 assists already this season, Semenyo has already proven his capacity for big returns. Burnley have the highest xGA this season at a crazy 35.99. Nearly 10 higher than struggling Wolves. I will be very surprised if Semenyo doesn’t haul here. A genuine captaincy shout.

 

Harry Wilson – £5.6m

With a whopping 7 returns in his last 4, it is all aboard the Wilson train. Forest still sit in the top 4 for highest xGA and Fulham’s attack ae coming into this game with plenty of momentum following putting 3 past Burnley. A great option this week, especially at his cost.

 

Phil Foden – £8.8m

Foden will probably be £10m next week at this rate. But with good reason. Like Wilson he also has 7 returns in his last 4 and has some great fixtures. West Ham have the 2nd highest xGA this season and have conceded the 3rd most after Burnley and Wolves. City’s attack is absolutely purring right now so this could get ugly.

 

Bruno Fernandes – £9.3m

Are Aston Villa a great team? Absolutely, and we would never dream of starting a Man United defender, or indeed any defender against them at the moment. But are they a good defence? The jury remains out. Man United have scored 8 goals in their last 2 games, with their attack absolutely cooking right now. Villa’s defence has conceded the 7th most xGA this season and is far from on par with their attack. As a result, this game profiles to be a high scoring bloodbath, which are the exact sort of fixtures that Fernandes thrives in. Not just for goal involvements but also DefCons.

 

Emile Smith-Rowe £5.6m

This will be our final bench spot so we’ve just gone with a punt. 2 returns in his last 3 and some serious involvement against Burnley has landed ESR here. This can be whoever you like though.

 

 

Forwards

Thiago £7.2m

The idea that around 90k managers have transferred him out this week ahead of Wolves is an absolutely farcical skill issue. I mean it, if you are reading this and did so, you are points chasing beyond belief. He is the Premier League’s 2nd highest scorer coming up against the worst team in the league. If this is not the sort of match up you play FPL for then what’s the point. Apologies that was more of a personal rant but you get the idea.

 

 Erling Haaland – £15.0m

Honestly, this is triple-captain-able. If you have not played your TC yet, then this is the week. West Ham just shipped 3 at home to Villa, imagine what the Robot could do.

 

Hugo Ekitike – £8.6m

Spurs have conceded 13 goals in their last 6 games and have only 1 win in their last 7. To say they’re in a stretch of bad form would be an understatement. Ekitike has already shown his goal scoring capabilities when called upon, so with injuries across the front line for Liverpool he should be given the nod to start. A must start for anyone on Free Hit, or indeed wildcard given the fixtures.

Final Thoughts

Again, the ever present risk of rests and rotations means we need to ensure we have ample bench cover. The teams to target this week were definitely City, Bournemouth and Brentford so this line-up also ensures their coverage is maximised.

Also, this line-up leaves plenty in the bank so it provides a solid foundation with enough budget that you can still tinker and upgrading accordingly based on your individual objectives and preferences.

 

Make sure you stay up to date with our Game Week Tips section for more Game Week 17 Tips.