Best FPL Free Hit Team GW4 2026/27: Post-GW3 Draft

The short answer

GW4 remains a playable Free Hit week, but the best draft has changed after GW3.

The original idea was simply to overload Chelsea against Hull. That is now too crude because Hull have kept three consecutive clean sheets.

A stronger Free Hit approach spreads the upside across Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle, then decides whether Haaland's derby ceiling is worth the premium slot.

Use the OneFPL Transfer Planner to test both structures before activating the chip.

Core players

The current Free Hit core is:

• Cole Palmer — main Chelsea captaincy route.
• Alexander Isak — two GW3 goals and Fulham at home.
• Morgan Rogers or João Pedro — second Chelsea attacker.
• One Arsenal defender — strong medium-term defensive profile.
• One Newcastle route — attractive run starts now.

Structure A — keep Haaland

This is the safer premium structure.

Forwards: Haaland + Isak + value/João Pedro route Midfield: Palmer + Rogers/Gakpo + value Defence: Arsenal + Newcastle + best value defender

The advantage is obvious: you retain Haaland's elite ceiling even in the derby.

The cost is fewer premium midfield combinations.

Structure B — attack Chelsea + Liverpool harder

Leaving Haaland out can create room for:

• Palmer,
• a second Chelsea attacker,
• Gakpo,
• Isak,
• stronger third/fourth midfield positions.

This structure has higher fixture concentration but more risk if Haaland punishes the Manchester derby.

What GW3 changed

Liverpool: Isak's brace and Gakpo's two assists increase their appeal.

Chelsea: Rogers scored at Arsenal, strengthening the second/third Chelsea-slot conversation.

Hull: three clean sheets make a blind Chelsea triple-up less attractive than it appeared before GW3.

Tottenham: three league matches without scoring pushes Spurs attackers out of the Free Hit conversation for now.

OneFPL verdict

Free Hit is viable, not compulsory.

If your normal squad already owns Palmer, João Pedro, Arsenal defence and one strong Liverpool/Newcastle route, the chip may solve very little.

If your squad is heavily built around the Manchester derby and lacks the best GW4 fixtures, the upside is greater.

FAQ

Is GW4 a good Free Hit week?

Yes for some squads, but not universally. The chip is most useful if it changes several weak fixtures into strong ones.

Should I triple up on Chelsea?

Not automatically. Hull's three clean sheets mean two Chelsea attackers can be enough.

Should Haaland be in a GW4 Free Hit?

He can be. Leaving him out creates budget, but it also creates major rank risk if he hauls in the derby.

Sources

• Official Fantasy Premier League chip strategy
• Premier League fixtures
• OneFPL Fixtures
• OneFPL Player Lab