FPL

The best budget FPL players for a Gameweek 29 Bench Boost

Following this international break is the big Double Gameweek 29, where a dozen teams are set to play twice. Therefore, the season’s biggest double will see a lot of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers activate their Bench Boost chip, hoping to gain points from all 15 squad members.

Using our Season Ticker, this is how Double Gameweek 29 looks, in order of perceived difficulty.

The Bench Boost is a valuable chip and FPL managers will aim to maximise its potential by ensuring all 15 players are strong picks. However, such squad depth could bring later problems when a large percentage of the budget will remain unused each week.

That’s why the perfect Bench Boost involves players with fantastic fixtures but at a cheap price that won’t require future transfers to be spent on downgrading them.

Here are some of the best and most discussed low-priced goalkeepers and defenders for a Gameweek 29 Bench Boost, with the midfielders and forwards to follow in a separate piece.

GOALKEEPERS UP TO £4.5m

Jason Steele (£3.9m) v Brentford (h) + Bournemouth (a)

Those who used a Gameweek 26 Wildcard to purchase Brighton and Hove Albion’s Robert Sanchez (£4.6m) were immediately shaken by Roberto De Zerbi’s decision to switch goalkeepers.

Bargain stopper Jason Steele has since started all three league outings and delivered a pair of clean sheets, although Sanchez played in the Seagulls’ FA Cup quarter-final.

Assuming Steele is still in pole position, he has two superb fixtures against Brentford and Bournemouth – two of the season’s four worst sides for goal attempts – yet is so cheap that he can remain untouched post-Bench Boost, even if Sanchez returns between the sticks.

Daniel Iversen (£3.8m) v Crystal Palace (a) + Aston Villa (h)

Even less spending is needed on Leicester City’s Daniel Iversen. He is the joint-cheapest player throughout the whole FPL game, yet was eventually given a try in Gameweek 28 versus Brentford.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw, Brendan Rodgers confirmed that the Dane will get a run of starts.

“I’ve seen him in training, he’s a brilliant shot-stopper and he’s good on crosses. He has a calmness. Daniel will come in and play and we’ll go from there. He’ll get a run of games. It’s important he feels he’s not just judged on this performance. I thought he did really well.” – Brendan Rodgers

That rules out Danny Ward (£4.0m) as our default backup goalkeeper, although Iversen’s Bench Boost appeal may be dented by the Foxes being the only side yet to keep a clean sheet since Gameweek 17’s restart.

Keylor Navas (£4.5m) v Wolverhampton Wanderers (h) + Leeds United (a)

The experience of Keylor Navas can play a big role in Nottingham Forest’s survival quest. After over 260 appearances for Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, the 36-year-old arrived to keep a clean sheet on his debut against Leeds.

He has the chance to repeat that in Double Gameweek 29, alongside a meeting with notorious low scorers Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Illan Meslier (£4.5m) v Arsenal (a) + Nottingham Forest (h)

However, Forest are also stuck on 22 league goals, giving opposing Leeds stopper Illan Meslier potential on the night of a crucial bottom-of-the-table clash that could be ugly and nervy.

The other match at Arsenal is poor though, especially considering Leeds have conceded at least twice in nine of their last 15 outings. Meslier ranks fifth for saves but that’s because only Fulham have handed out more big chances over the season.

RATE MY TEAM

Using the Members Area features, we can see which sub-£4.5m goalkeepers are rated best in ‘Rate My Team’.

DEFENDERS UP TO £4.5m

Rico Henry (£4.5m) v Brighton and Hove Albion (a) + Manchester United (a)

Brentford are the only team to play in Blank Gameweek 28 whilst also having Double Gameweeks 27 and 29, so most managers have already collected at least one defensive asset from the team that recently went 12 league matches unbeaten.

Ben Mee (£5.1m) has scored three times but costs more than Rico Henry and Ethan Pinnock (£4.4m). Only five defenders have had more big chances than the latter two, with Henry’s creation of big chances bettered by just six.

The main problem is that, although they play twice, neither Brentford match looks attractive. Trips to Brighton and Manchester United have minimal clean-sheet potential.

Sven Botman (£4.5m) v Manchester United (h) + West Ham United (a)

It’s a similar issue with Sven Botman, although the second half of their Double Gameweek could bring success at West Ham United. Furthermore, this Dutch centre-back plays for the team with the most clean sheets and fewest goals conceded so far in 2022/23.

The Magpies held Man Utd to a 0-0 draw in Gameweek 11 but recently lost 2-0 to them in the EFL Cup final.

This might be a stretch but – when Newcastle lost 4-0 to Man Utd at Wembley in the 1996 Charity Shield – they quickly gained revenge on the Red Devils with a memorable 5-0 league win, capped off by their left-footed centre-back gloriously chipping home a fifth. Step forward Botman.

Timothy Castagne (£4.4m) v Crystal Palace (a) + Aston Villa (h)

For managers wanting to back Leicester but not rely on their shaky clean-sheet ability, attacking full-back Timothy Castagne could pay dividends.

Although his only strike of this campaign arrived on the opening weekend, an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.75 ranks ninth amongst defenders. As a bonus, he has great fixtures beyond Double Gameweek 29, facing Bournemouth (h), Wolves (h), Leeds (a) and Everton (h) by Gameweek 34.

Lisandro Martinez (£4.5m) v Newcastle United (a) + Brentford (h)

Seven of Man Utd’s last eight league matches have brought starts for Lisandro Martinez, making him a good option for those unable to afford Luke Shaw (£5.2m).

Erik ten Hag’s side reacted to the 7-0 humiliation at Liverpool by successfully keeping out Southampton but the Saints did amass 17 goal attempts and an xG of 1.11.

Also, Brentford humbled the Red Devils in August with a 4-0 win and have since picked up four points on the road at Manchester City and Arsenal.

Emerson Palmieri (£4.0m) v Southampton (h) + Newcastle United (h)

Usually a rotation risk with Aaron Cresswell (£4.7m) around, Brazilian left-back Emerson Palmieri has started six of West Ham’s last seven and scored past Chelsea in Gameweek 23.

For a side battling relegation, consecutive home games against two of the lowest-scoring sides since Gameweek 17 present a great opportunity for some differential points.

Team-mates Vladimir Coufal (£4.0m) and Kurt Zouma (£4.4m) are also cheap options, although both have had recent injury struggles.

RATE MY TEAM

Who played the most minutes over the March international break?

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

56 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    International break sucks!

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      Yep it does. Can't wait for the changes to come and to have 2 instead of 3 IB

  2. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    Help please, pick 2?

    A) Havertz
    B) Toney
    C) Ings
    D) Isak -4

    1. Scalper
      • 7 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      AC

  3. Omnifolds
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    Hey all, won't post my full team for the sake of brevity but currently have 12 decent doublers and will be playing BB this week. Definitely removing Gabriel for a Brighton defender (like Estupinian but slightly concerned about his international travels), but wondering whether Martinelli to Bruno or Maddison is worth a -4? If so, any thoughts on the better pick?

    1. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      I wouldn’t lose Mart for a hit

  4. Scalper
    • 7 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    FH for GW32 looks quite tasty

    Toney (AVL)
    Darwin (NFO)
    Salah (NFO)
    Zaha (EVE)
    Saka (SOU)
    Martinelli (SOU)
    Maddison (WOL)

    All home games. Think this’ll be my front 7.

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      Nah gw37 is nailed for fh

    2. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      Yup, glad Man Utd won to make it even clearer to do it that week and a potential edge over those who used it previously.

    3. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      Toney will not be playing football in late April

      1. Scalper
        • 7 Years
        12 months, 3 days ago

        Kane and Jesus possible alternatives

    4. Øgaard it's Haa…
      • 1 Year
      12 months, 3 days ago

      Barnes better than Zaha, surely Tup on ARS & LIV, Toney??!!, shame Solomon ain't a fwd, LEI?, meh.

  5. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    Emerson too big a risk? I was considering him and this article is suggesting he could be an option also.

  6. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    Are Kane, Saka and Halland good sgw players or they need to be replaced for bb this week?

    1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      Not if he's injured

      1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
        • 3 Years
        12 months, 3 days ago

        Haaland that is

    2. robt
      • 5 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      That’s my BB line up!

  7. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    Is March to Maddison-4 crazy?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      As close to March Madness as anyone's gonna get

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      Yeah I reckon

    3. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      It will just be Ings to Havertz then , boring 🙁

  8. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    March or Barnes?
    (Barnes have gw32 and March doesn't have)

  9. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    Gabriel to shaw for free to give me 13 doublers Kane Saka

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      No Hauland?

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        12 months, 3 days ago

        Not at present

      2. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        12 months, 3 days ago

        Doubtland*

  10. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    Guy when will be best time to Free Hit?

    It's my last chip I'm holding and BGW 32 doesn't look too appealing.

    1. AARON-1
      • 2 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      The best time to Free Hit will be when your team quite seriously lacks enough players for the fixtures.
      That is different for all teams.

  11. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    Nobody likes Bowen pick?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      \o My (c)

      1. Scalper
        • 7 Years
        12 months, 3 days ago

        How many differentials do u have? Lol

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          12 months, 3 days ago

          A good few lol. If Haaland is out

          This will be my team

          DDG
          Chilwell Estupinan Chilwell
          Salah Bowen(c) Rashford March BigMac
          Haverts Ings

          Raya Haaland Trippier Pinnock

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 10 Years
            12 months, 3 days ago

            Shaw not 2 Chilwell

    2. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      worthy of consideration

    3. jackruet
      • 2 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      Hammers are so bad at attacking

  12. jackruet
    • 2 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    Ward + white > ddg+ shaw (-4).

    Crazy?

    1. jackruet
      • 2 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      Bench boost

    2. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      Good move

    3. FPL Bargain
      • 10 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      Good

  13. NJ MetroStars
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    probably a very similar situation as most gw26 wc'ers, what's the move? 1ft, 5.2itb

    kepa

    gabriel, chilwell, estupinian, trippier, botman

    mitoma, march, rashford

    toney, watkins

    (raya, kane, saka, odegaard)

    a) gab --> shaw (toney to haaland free in 30)
    b) saka --> bruno (leaves me 0.3 short on toney haaland free in 30)
    c) gab/saka --> shaw/bruno (hit and leaves me 0.3 short on toney haaland free in 30)

  14. FPL Bargain
    • 10 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    Anyone else considering Evan Ferguson at Brighton?

    It would allow me too keep Saka and have this front line

    Saka Fernandes Rashford, Madison Mitoma
    Kane Haaland

    1. FPL Bargain
      • 10 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      BB Ferguson Henry Mee Steele

    2. notlob legin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      In short - Yes

      Will have the same front 8 with Ferguson from game week 30, except I'll have Odegaard to your Madison

    3. Tactical Frank
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      I had him before for GW27. Won’t be going back. Welbeck makes him a rotation risk

  15. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    This move, for a hit... Then BB?

    Kilman, White -> James, Shaw

    Kepa | Iversen
    Trippier Pinnock Kilman* Mings
    Salah Rashford Maddison Mac Allister
    Toney Watkins
    ¦ Kane Odegaard White*

  16. TheBiffas
    • 3 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    Looking forward to getting Diaz back in my team soon

    1. notlob legin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      12 months, 3 days ago

      Great shout - any idea when he'll be back?

      1. TheBiffas
        • 3 Years
        12 months, 3 days ago

        Should be back for the United game 1st April!

        1. Øgaard it's Haa…
          • 1 Year
          12 months, 3 days ago

          Diaz before Jesus?

  17. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    Zouma nailed for West Ham? Might shift on either Henry or Pinnock & a double of SOT+NEW is tempting

  18. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    BBDGW29 A) Jensen to Maddy b) Jensen & Kane to Maddy & Haaland -4 c) Jensen & Kane to Maddy & Isak -4 or d) Kane to Isak/haaland -4? Thanks

    1. Øgaard it's Haa…
      • 1 Year
      12 months, 3 days ago

      Jensen has done me proud over the last few GWs. He will have to be sacrificed though, for KDB.

  19. Øgaard it's Haa…
    • 1 Year
    12 months, 3 days ago

    Having gone Erly (Kane > Haaland) it's a nervous IB groin monitoring situation for me

    1. Øgaard it's Haa…
      • 1 Year
      12 months, 3 days ago

      *groin injury, obvs

  20. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    12 months, 3 days ago

    Which combo would you choose for BB DGW 29?

    1. DDG and Chillwell
    2. Kepa and Shaw
    3. Kepa and Chillwell

    Also, who from

    A) Macallister
    B) March

  21. Hazardous1983
    • 13 Years
    12 months, 2 days ago

    what to do with this plan is to bench boost 1FT

    raya
    zinchenko chilwell trippier
    saka mitoma rashford march
    toney watkins

    bench: ward odegard kane henry

    plan is to do - zinchenko to shaw and odegard to bruno/maddison

    any other suggestions