Best Free Hit Team for FPL Gameweek 21 (GW21 Draft & Picks)
A successful Free Hit strategy for Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 21 revolves around targeting strong fixtures while prioritising secure minutes and high-upside players. This Gameweek offers clear avenues across premium attackers, clean-sheet-friendly defenders and mid-priced assets in good form.
The Free Hit XI below has been selected using expected goals metrics, clean sheet odds, set-piece involvement and projected returns.
- Check out RotoWire's updated FPL GW21 rankings and full FPL strategy guide for this week.
- For injury updates on key players, visit our FPL Gameweek 21 Injury News page, updated daily.
- Use our Fixture Difficulty Ranker to compare upcoming FPL fixture runs and plan transfers during AFCON.
- Visit our Predicted Lineups page for GW21, updated throughout the week up to 75 minutes before kickoff.
How This FPL GW21 Free Hit Team Was Built
This Free Hit squad prioritises
• Teams with the best fixtures in Gameweek 21
• Players with secure minutes and defined roles
• Penalty and set-piece takers
• Defenders with strong clean sheet odds
• High-upside attackers capable of double-digit hauls
Best Goalkeeper for a Free Hit in FPL Gameweek 21 (GW21)
Jordan Pickford is the clear choice in goal this week. Everton carry the best clean sheet odds of any team in Gameweek 21, facing a Wolves attack that has scored the fewest goals in the league.
Best Defenders for a Free Hit in FPL Gameweek 21 (GW21)
James Tarkowski forms part of a deliberate double-up on the Everton defence. He's been consistent for defensive contributions all season and has been unfortunate not to register an attacking return in recent weeks. Tarkowski combines a strong four-point floor with genuine upside from set pieces in a fixture where Everton should be on top.
Lewis Hall is included for his all-round profile. He's on set pieces, plays at home and offers potential at both ends of the pitch. Newcastle's defensive numbers remain solid, and Hall's involvement in dead-ball situations gives him a route to bonus points even if the clean sheet is not secured.
Nathan Collins completes the back line. He comes into the Gameweek off the back of a 12-point haul and benefits from Brentford having the second best clean sheet odds of the Gameweek after Everton. A home fixture against a Sunderland side ranked in the bottom three for expected goals makes this a strong spot. Collins is also reliable for defensive contributions, which adds to his appeal.
Best Midfielders for a Free Hit in FPL Gameweek 21 (GW21)
Bukayo Saka remains the Arsenal attacker of choice. A fixture against a porous Liverpool defence gives him a strong chance of returns, and he should be first in line for penalties.
Kevin Schade is a high-upside differential. He has a great home fixture, is secure for minutes and sits under five-percent ownership. In a week where chasing upside matters, Schade offers real explosiveness.
Phil Foden has not delivered recently, but his minutes remain strong and a home game against Brighton feels like a good opportunity for Manchester City to score freely. His underlying involvement remains encouraging, producing 10 shots and eight chances created the last three matches.
Rayan Cherki is a pure differential play. He's getting good minutes in a City attack that continues to produce goals and comes with extremely low ownership, making him ideal for a Free Hit.
Matheus Cunha is the Manchester United attacker to target. His minutes are secure, he's likely on penalties and he comes into this fixture on the back of a goal. Burnley have conceded the highest expected goals in the league, which sets up perfectly for Cunha.
Best Forwards for a Free Hit in FPL Gameweek 21 (GW21)
Erling Haaland is the standout captain. His explosive ceiling and consistency make him unavoidable.
Igor Thiago rounds out the squad. He's the second highest scorer in the league behind Haaland and arrives in red-hot form after a hat trick, making him an easy inclusion this week.
Best Captain for FPL Gameweek 21
Erling Haaland is the clear standout captaincy option in Gameweek 21, home against Brighton. His combination of penalties, elite shot volume, home matchup and consistent goal involvement gives him the highest ceiling on a Free Hit. In a fixture where Manchester City are expected to dominate territory and chances, Haaland offers both safety and explosive upside, making him the optimal captain choice.
Final Thoughts on the Best Free Hit Team for GW21
Gameweek 21 sets up well for a Free Hit approach, with clear fixture advantages and several players offering both security of minutes and genuine upside. This squad is built to capitalise on those conditions by targeting reliable defences, penalty takers, and high-ceiling attackers capable of delivering decisive hauls.
Keep a close eye on team news and predicted lineups before the deadline, as late changes can still influence optimal Free Hit construction.
Best Gameweek 21 Free Hit Team
