Best Free Hit Team for FPL Gameweek 18 (GW18 Draft & Picks)
Building the best Free Hit team for Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 18 is about targeting favourable fixtures, secure minutes, and players with genuine explosive upside. With rotation risks increasing and several premium attackers in strong matchups, GW18 presents an excellent opportunity to maximise returns with the Free Hit chip.
Below is the recommended FPL GW18 Free Hit XI, informed by expected goals data, clean sheet odds, set-piece involvement and projected Fantasy Premier League returns.
- Check out RotoWire's updated FPL GW18 rankings and full FPL strategy guide for this week.
- For injury updates on key players, visit our FPL Gameweek 18 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 GW18, updated throughout the week up to 75 minutes before kickoff.
How This FPL GW18 Free Hit Team Was Built
This Free Hit squad prioritises
• Teams with the best fixtures in Gameweek 18
• 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 18 (GW18)
David Raya remains a very safe Free Hit option. Arsenal continue to set the standard defensively, conceding the fewest goals in the league, and they head into Gameweek 18 with the second best clean sheet odds at around 44 percent. Raya may not rack up huge save points, but the reliability of Arsenal's defence gives him a strong base for steady returns.
Best Defenders for a Free Hit in FPL Gameweek 18 (GW18)
- Arsenal and Everton both rank among the teams with the strongest defensive fixtures in Gameweek 18, making this a natural week to invest at the back.
Piero Hincapie has quietly impressed during his recent run in the Arsenal back line. With Gabriel sidelined, he's stepped in seamlessly and has done well for defensive contributions and bonus accumulation. Arsenal's structure suits his game, making him a solid value pick with a respectable points floor. He missed Tuesday's EFL Cup game with a shoulder issue, though it's not believed to be serious.
James Tarkowski looks tailor made for Gameweek 18. Burnley sit in the bottom three for expected goals conceded and have allowed the highest expected goals from set plays this season. Tarkowski is among the most reliable defenders for defensive contributions and always carries genuine goal threat from dead ball situations, making him one of the best defensive picks this week.
Michael Keane is selected for similar reasons. He offers a strong aerial threat, consistent defensive contribution numbers and a favourable matchup. With Burnley struggling at both ends of the pitch, Keane provides upside at a reasonable price.
Best Midfielders for a Free Hit in FPL Gameweek 18 (GW18)
Bukayo Saka is being sold by many managers after not taking the last Arsenal penalty, but the situation remains unclear. He's still Arsenal's talisman, continues to post strong underlying numbers and plays at home against Brighton. Even without guaranteed penalties, his role, minutes and involvement make him a perfectly viable Free Hit pick.
Matheus Cunha stands out as an ideal Bruno Fernandes replacement. He's nailed for minutes and has become the main attacking outlet with Bruno, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo unavailable, and is likely on penalties. His fixtures are attractive not just this week but beyond, making him one of the strongest midfield options available.
Florian Wirtz could benefit significantly from Wolves' defensive struggles. Since Liverpool are dealing with injuries and absences, his minutes should remain secure. While returns have been limited this season, the underlying threat is there and he offers a lower owned alternative to the more popular attacking picks.
Alexis Mac Allister is another appealing differential. In the absence of Dominik Szoboszlai, he's expected to take penalties and handle set pieces, and there is a chance he operates higher up the pitch. A home fixture against Wolves gives him real potential for returns.
Best Forwards for a Free Hit in FPL Gameweek 18 (GW18)
Erling Haaland needs little explanation. His penalties, volume of chances and consistency make him an automatic inclusion.
Hugo Ekitike is the standout forward in Gameweek 18. With Alexander Isak injured, he has become Liverpool's focal point and arrives in red hot form with five goals in his last three starts. Facing a Wolves defence that has conceded the most goals in the league only adds to his appeal.
Igor Thiago may have cooled slightly in recent weeks but remains a strong option. He should play close to 90 minutes, is on penalties and comes at an affordable price. A home fixture against Bournemouth is a good opportunity for him to get back among the returns.
Best Captain for FPL Gameweek 18
Erling Haaland is the standout captaincy option in Gameweek 18. Nottingham Forest continue to allow a high volume of chances and Haaland's combination of penalties, shot volume and goal involvement gives him the highest ceiling on a Free Hit.
BigMan Bakar's Best FPL Gameweek 18 Free Hit Team (GW18 Draft)
Final Thoughts on the Best Free Hit Team for GW18
Gameweek 18 is well suited to deploying the Free Hit chip, with clear fixture advantages and multiple premium options worth targeting. This squad balances reliability with upside by combining strong defences, penalty takers and high-ceiling attackers.
As always, monitor predicted lineups and late injury news ahead of the deadline to maximise returns.
