Best Free Hit Team for FPL Gameweek 23 (GW23 Draft & Picks)
Constructing a Free Hit squad for FPL Gameweek 23 should revolve around favourable fixtures, secure minutes and players with genuine upside. This round offers clear opportunities to attack weak defences, target reliable clean sheet potential, and load up on premium attackers in strong home matchups.
The recommended Free Hit XI below is built using fixture analysis, clean sheet probabilities, set-piece responsibility, and projected FPL returns to maximise both floor and ceiling for the week.
- Check out RotoWire's updated FPL GW23 rankings and full FPL strategy guide for this week.
- For injury updates on key players, visit our FPL Gameweek 23 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 GW23, updated throughout the week up to 75 minutes before kickoff.
How This FPL GW23 Free Hit Team Was Built
This Free Hit squad prioritises
• Teams with the best fixtures in Gameweek 23
• 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
Goalkeeper
Caoimhin Kelleher is a strong budget choice for Gameweek 23. He tends to rack up save points, which adds a useful extra route to returns. A home fixture against Nottingham Forest is ideal, especially with only Wolves having scored fewer goals than them this season. Clean sheet potential combined with save volume makes him an excellent pick.
Defenders
Pedro Porro offers the type of upside that suits a Free Hit perfectly. He shares set-piece duties, pushes high up the pitch, and now faces a Burnley side that has produced the lowest expected goals in the league.
James Tarkowski continues to be one of the most reliable picks for defensive contributions, ranking second among defenders this season. He regularly hits a four-point floor through clearances, blocks and interceptions (defensive contributions). Playing in a disciplined Everton defence at home to Leeds, he combines safety with some threat from set pieces.
Nordi Mukiele is another value pick who has quietly been delivering. He's reached the defensive contribution threshold in each of his last four starts and also carries attacking upside, as shown by his assist at the weekend. With Sunderland defending well and playing West Ham, he looks well placed for steady points.
Midfielders
Mohamed Salah returns from AFCON as a huge differential. He's expected to start, remains on penalties and faces a Bournemouth side missing several key players, making him one of the most explosive picks on the slate.
Phil Foden should start and even with Wolves improving, a home fixture against them is still one to target for Manchester City attackers. Minutes are the only concern for Foden, but if he plays, the upside is obvious.
Antoine Semenyo is ineligible for Champions League, which is encouraging for his league minutes. Triple City attack against Wolves brings serious ceiling, and he fits perfectly into that aggressive approach.
Kevin Schade is another high upside differential. Brentford at home to Forest is a fixture to target, and Schade has been their most threatening attacker outside of Thiago in recent weeks.
Iliman Ndiaye returns from AFCON and should walk straight back into the starting XI due to other absences in the squad, most recently to Jack Grealish. Ndiaye is on penalties, offers defensive contributions and has a home fixture against Leeds.
Forwards
Erling Haaland remains non negotiable. Even in a quieter spell, his history, penalties and volume of chances make him the standout captain again.
Igor Thiago continues to look like the best second striker in the game. His consistency and a favourable home fixture against Forest make him outstanding value on a Free Hit.
Best Captain
Erling Haaland stands out once again as the best captain option for Gameweek 23.
Mohamed Salah is the main alternative for managers looking to chase upside. Returning to a favourable matchup and retaining penalty responsibility, he offers genuine double-digit potential if minutes are managed carefully.
For those seeking a differential captain on a Free Hit, Antoine Semenyo carries appeal since he seems like a lock for City's XI after not playing midweek.
Final Thoughts for GW23
Gameweek 23 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 23 Free Hit team
