Elite FPL Manager Insight: Is the Free Hit Worth It in Blank Gameweek 29?

Blank Gameweek 29 is fast approaching, and for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, the debate around using the Free Hit chip is heating up.

To get an Elite XI: Team Reveal perspective, we spoke with Craig—better known as Copenhagen Wednesday—a top-tier FPL manager with six top 10k finishes, including an impressive 80th place in 2018/19.

Craig, who is currently sat just outside the top 100k, has been assessing his options carefully, and while the FA Cup results have provided some insight, he admits that uncertainty still looms over the best way to navigate the upcoming fixtures.

With double gameweeks on the horizon and fixture rescheduling no longer avoiding European football midweeks, the strategic landscape is shifting. So, does he think it's worth activating the Free Hit in Gameweek 29?

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FPL Blank Gameweek 29: Free Hit or Not? Craig’s Thought Process

Craig is still refining his overall chip strategy, but one thing is clear—he is targeting Gameweek 31 for his Wildcard. That leaves the Free Hit as an open question, especially with Blank Gameweek 29 potentially offering only a small upside.

Here's his current squad in the Elite XI: Team Reveal tool, and he breaks his thought process down like this:

If he doesn't use the Free Hit, he plans to use his two free transfers in Gameweek 28 and roll one into 29, allowing him three total moves before the blank.

His likely transfers:

João Pedro → Haaland (captain)

Palmer → Gibbs-White or Elanga

Alexander-Arnold → Kerkez

This strategy would also leave him well-positioned for Gameweek 30, though he acknowledges that bringing in Kerkez would block a move for Evanilson in 30. However, he’d be able to save a free transfer going into his Wildcard 31 setup, which could be crucial.

The Free Hit Draft: Is It Worth It?

Craig has put together a potential Free Hit draft for Gameweek 29, in the Future Planner tool which looks like this:

Given that he already owns a good portion of these players (or viable alternatives), he questions the upside of the Free Hit. His estimate? A 10-point gain, at best.

"That doesn’t feel sufficiently beneficial for me to play the chip," Craig explains.

Who Should Consider the Free Hit in Gameweek 29?

While Craig is leaning toward holding the chip, he acknowledges that for some managers, it’s an optimal play.

• If you have heavily invested in Crystal Palace and Newcastle assets (who do not play in Gameweek 29), a Free Hit is likely the best way to field a competitive squad.
• Many Free Hit teams will heavily target Manchester City, a side whose key players may still have relatively low ownership despite the influx of Free Hits being played.
• There is still uncertainty around double gameweek rescheduling, making it difficult to know when the best time to Free Hit will be in the weeks ahead.

Final Verdict: A Case-by-Case Decision

Craig's current plan is to navigate Blank Gameweek 29 without the Free Hit, relying on transfers instead. He sees only marginal gains from playing the chip and prefers to save it for a future gameweek with greater upside.

However, for managers heavily reliant on blanking teams, the Free Hit in 29 could be too good to resist. It’s a decision that depends on your team structure, transfer plans, and risk appetite.

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