Bakar's Free Hit Team For Gameweek 13

Take a peek at Bakar's first draft! Gameweek 13 shapes up as an excellent moment to use the Free Hit.

It allows you to build a squad completely different from the template by avoiding Arsenal at Chelsea, loading up on triple Brentford, triple Villa and triple Manchester City, and taking a bold punt on Salah against West Ham.

Our good friend Bakar will pull the trigger on his Free Hit, and he’s here to share his first draft along with some early thoughts.

Over to you, Bakar…

Emiliano Martínez looks like one of the most reliable goalkeeper options this week. Aston Villa have a favourable home matchup against a Wolves side that have scored the fewest goals in the Premier League this season.

They are the only team yet to reach double digits for goals, which increases the clean sheet potential significantly. Villa’s defensive numbers at home have also been steady, making Martínez a safe, sensible pick for a Free Hit.

Matty Cash is the clear Aston Villa defender of choice. He has taken a number of set pieces this season, which adds attacking potential on top of clean sheet appeal. Given Wolves’ struggles in front of goal, Cash offers real upside at both ends of the pitch.

Manchester City have the strongest clean sheet odds this Gameweek, so including one of their defenders feels essential.

Gvardiol is the most secure for minutes in their back line. If early team leaks appear, he can be swapped to a cheaper City defender like O’Reilly, but for now, he remains the safest route into the defence.

Brentford rank just behind Manchester City for clean sheet probability this week, making Sepp van den Berg a standout budget option.

His defensive contribution numbers have been decent, and the lowest he has registered in any match where Brentford played a back four is nine. With Brentford expected to line up in a back four again, he offers excellent value.

Picking the final player is the toughest call, but Ezri Konsa fits the bill. He is the most secure Aston Villa defender for minutes, affordable, and plays in a favourable home fixture.

Mohamed Salah is the explosive play this week. West Ham conceded 4+ xG to Bournemouth in their previous Premier League match, and if they defend in similar fashion, Salah could punish them heavily.

With his ownership lower than usual, the upside for Free Hit managers is massive. Few players can match his ceiling, and this looks the perfect week to target it.

Bruno Fernandes remains the most dependable route into the Manchester United attack. His expected goal involvement slightly exceeds Bryan Mbeumo’s because of penalties, and he consistently performs well for bonus points and defensive contributions.

Phil Foden is the logical second Manchester City attacker to include. Without early leaks, he is the safest pick in terms of minutes among their midfielders.

Kevin Schade is the all-in differential pick. Burnley have conceded the highest expected goals in the league, and Schade’s pace and directness make him a high-upside punt. Very few managers will own him, which increases his appeal in a Free Hit where chasing upside is the priority.

Erling Haaland should be non-negotiable. He has a favourable home fixture against Leeds and remains the most explosive player in the game. He is the default captain and the centrepiece of the Free Hit.

Igor Thiago is hard to overlook with his recent form. He has scored in four of his last five Premier League starts and now has a very favourable home fixture against Burnley. At his price, he offers both value and immediate upside.