Tips

The Complete Guide to our FPL Gameweek 29 tips and advice

Ten Gameweeks to go. In a week in which we asked “why are so many top managers struggling?” Gameweek 29 could present a season-defining opportunity to make up lost ground.

FPL’s most expensive player, Mohamed Salah (£13.5m), has polled only 7.92% of the captain vote. Opinion is split on who to transfer and who to captain, and this means there is an opportunity to climb the ranks if you get your differential picks and your captain choice right.

A principal reason opinion is split is due to Salah’s disappointing return at home to Watford in Gameweek 28. Last year, in the same fixture, he returned 29 points after scoring four goals in a 5-0 win for Liverpool. The same result for Liverpool this year delivered a measly 3-point return for Salah.

An ankle injury to Roberto Firmino meant a reshuffle up front that lead to Sadio Mané playing in the centre-forward role. Many are now tempted to switch from Salah to Mané after the Senegalese continued his impressive recent form with a brace. As the FPL General noted:

“Salah out, Mane in, could be a popular move this week. The cash saved can go a long way…”

However former Career Hall of Fame number 1 Peter Kouwenberg cautioned:

“personally, I wouldn’t advocate downgrading the Egyptian unless you too need some spare cash.”

In this week’s captaincy video, David echoed views voiced by Kenneth Tang, one of the most successful FPL managers of all-time and a guest on one of J0E’s Meet the Manager videos, that: “if Firmino [does] not play … I may down-value Salah … [and I’m] a lot less likely to captain him.”

The latest team-news is inconclusive for Salah owners, Klopp gave the following update :

“He was out there running yesterday but we will have to see how he reacts. He is very positive. It looks really good but if he will be ready for tomorrow, I don’t know.”

If you are minded to sell the Egyptian, where could you spend the extra cash?

Chelsea have a plum fixture away to local rivals Fulham, after reduced minutes in the recent League Cup final and two goals against another struggling side in the shape of Huddersfield – is this the time to invest in Gonzalo Higuaín?

In his community article entitled ‘My Chelsea U-Turn’, Pep Pig revealed that his thinking has now switched from Higuaín to Hazard after the Belgian was withdrawn on 59 minutes in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Spurs. His research showed that Hazard has scored three of his double digit hauls in away matches against easy opposition (Southampton, Brighton, Watford). Chelsea have matches in both Gameweeks 31 and 33 for those considering playing their Free Hit or Wildcard chips in Gameweek 32.

Although Manchester City don’t have a fixture in Gameweek 31 and, depending on their FA Cup result, may not have a fixture in Gameweek 33, they have enticing matches against Bournemouth and Watford before. Sergio Agüero scored the only goal against West Ham as he continued his fine scoring form. However Pep’s post match quotes give cause for concern:

“We cannot live, for example, with just Sergio. The last 10-15 minutes he was exhausted. We need Gabriel as quick as possible to come back.”

Then yesterday in his pre-match press conference Pep revealed that:

“Gabriel is back. John [Stones] is coming back too, like Gabriel.”

Raheem Sterling started the match against West Ham on the bench before coming on as a second half substitute, this rest helps him to secures a place in the Scout Picks this week. The midfielder has scored in every Premier League match he has ever played against Bournemouth.

Leading the captain poll this week is Manchester United’s Paul Pogba with 23.56%. He’s another to secure himself a place in the Scout Picks – no player has more shots in the last four home matches as Pogba, who has blanked just once at Old Trafford since Solskjær took over.

David’s Captain Sensible article examines the armband credentials of each candidate. It’s a crucial read in a week when opinion is divided amongst Fantasy Football Scout users, and veteran managers are all making different moves.

G-Whizz, in his regular DS stats, fixtures and clean sheet odds, adds weight to the captain poll and tips Manchester United to have a good weekend, closely followed by Manchester City. Wolves are favourites for a clean sheet this week.

However, the three team news items on Fantasy Football Scout: Neale’s round up, the video from him and J0E, and the summary from Rotation’s Alter Ego – all report that Wolves are set to switch their goalkeeper with John Ruddy replacing Rui Patrício between the sticks. Several managers, including Live Hall of Fame number two Mark Sutherns have replaced Patrício with West Ham ‘keeper Fabianski (according to FPL Transfer Spy).

To view all our discussions please visit our Hot Topics page, and if you’ve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article.

If you’re a member and are yet to get to grips with the custom statistics tables, you can view this movie for an explanation of how they work. Also, remember to tag them so that people can find the tables with ease.

COMMUNITY TOURNAMENTS

The draw for the first round of the FFS Cup has been made. Just under 1,200 managers applied for the 512 places available in the first round draw, with the Gameweek 28 qualifying score set at 56 (after hits). Good luck to those taking part.

In TorresMagic’s Last Man Standing competition the safety score in Gameweek 28 was 46, this saw 78 managers eliminated. 378 teams are through to Gameweek 29, when the threshold for elimination moves up to 18%, a minimum 69 managers will depart. The final will take place in Gameweek 37.

Adam Levy still leads both our main FFS League and our FFS Members League. Although he has dropped one place to third overall, he is now level on points with world number two Hassam CheLSawy and only one point behind Toni Haapanen, who has been number one in the world for 15 of the last 18 Gameweeks.

Mark has increased his lead over David to 51 points in the FFS Mods & Cons. Mark should continue his fine form with Sterling, Pogba, Hazard, Salah, and Rashford all in his team for Gameweek 29. Although he faces a tricky captaincy dilemma.

James Wells remains top in RedLightning’s Top 10k Any Season mini-league despite slipping from 40th to 48th overall. This is partly down to his team being unchanged from Gameweek 27, with the armband still on Felipe Anderson – who was away at Manchester City in Gameweek 28!

Mick Barker is the new leader in RedLightning’s January to May League after an 85 point Gameweek, 40 of those points coming from his triple Liverpool defence. He played his Second Wildcard in Gameweek 23, and eight green arrows in the last nine Gameweeks have seen him rise from 287k to 29k since Gameweek 19.

Finally, with ten Gameweeks of the season to go, RedLightningLast Ten’ mini-league will start scoring this week: 194 teams are already waiting for its first points update. The code to join is 1637-1351886.

If you are running a community tournament and would like the latest scores included in future Community Round-Ups, please email us a summary of the current leaders and a link to your league, spreadsheet or head-to-head competition at geoff@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

1,325 Comments Post a Comment
  1. flynner25
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    Having one of my best ever seasons. Inside top 4k. Really can't make up my mind on this one this morning on transfers or captain, Help much appreciated

    Fabianski
    Robbo - Shar - Doherty
    Fanderson - Pogba - Sterling - Hayden
    Rashford - Barnes - Kun

    Bench - Guaita - Paterson - Kolasinac - Digne

    In the Bank - 5.8m
    Link to team: https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/entry/4030133/history

    Just sold Aubamayang for Barnes
    Debating weather to bring in HAZARD for Paterson and make him captain for free
    No Mane or Salah is worrying, but was planning to bring in Mane + King for Pogba + Rashford.

    Option A: Save Transfer and Captain Sterling/Kun, save transfer and funds to bring in Salah and Mane for GW 31
    Option B: Paterson to HAZARD and Captain him
    Option C: Paterson to Mane, captain Sterling/Kun

    Is bringing in Hazard to risky? Im trying to make up about 40 points on leaders. All opinions much appreciated

    1. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      B all the way.

    2. MTPockets
        5 years, 27 days ago

        b/c and captain Sterling?

      • Viper
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        I'd be B and captain Sterling

        1. dbeck
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          This

    3. Thetrooper9169
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Sterling or Hazard for cpt?

    4. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      For those worries about Doherty. The one game in the league he’s been rested for this season (Leicester at home) he still made an appearance from the bench.

      1. The 5% Team
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        that's even worse right

      2. Mo Mané Mo Problems
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Wasn’t that due to having a kid or something?

      3. Maddamotha
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Who wants 1 point

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          Auba owners

      4. the Penman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Oh no, imagine getting 1 point from him. Can’t think how I’d cope with him getting me 1 point. Every week. Sigh.

        1. the Penman
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          5 of his last 11 scores have been 1 point. Including 3 in a row in January.

    5. Longlatini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Start Almirón or Doherty?!

    6. Viper
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Haven't made a move yet.

      Son - > Hazard and (c) Pogba.

      Sound about right?

      1. Astronautovic
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        A yes from me

      2. Dele
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Even tho Pogba may be in a deeper role?

      3. RoysCallerAnne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Yes but captain Haz

      4. clodhopper
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Capt haz

      5. JimboJ
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Yep.

      6. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Keep son

      7. Viper
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Thanks all

    7. jackhammer1
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Pereira or Anderson to start?

      1. yakirh
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Im going with Anderson

      2. Devilish_cherry
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        I’m benching both, but Anderson first on bench

    8. Miro
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      If you had 5 players (2 LIV, 2 WHU, 1 CHE) that play in BGW 31... and 2FT, which means total of 4FT before the blank...
      Which strategy would you opt for ?

      A) FH in 31, using the 4FT to get the best of DGW32
      B) saving FH for later, using the 4FT to get the best of BGW31

      Cheers!

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        B

        1. OptimusBlack
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          Same situation here and build up team to GW 31

      2. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        B

    9. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      What about this move for this Gw and also GW 31 ?
      Doherty & Jiménez > Schär + Vardy
      For -4 PTS
      YAAAAY 🙂
      No 🙁

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Plzzzz

      2. Miro
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        I wouldn't .. yet

    10. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Wolves or Man city will keep a cs? I NEED YOUR OPINION GUYS

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        City more likely. Both good tho

        1. YEAH PITCH!
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          Who you captaining Flapjack. You made a great call last GW.

          1. Richd
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            Sterling for me this week ! How about you ?

            Let’s hope it continues 🙂

            1. YEAH PITCH!
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 27 days ago

              Hope it does mate. You give good advice. I don't have Sterling. Stuck between Pogba or Salah.

              1. Richd
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 27 days ago

                Thanks mate !

                Well Pogba is my VC over Salah. But it’s a really tough week for captain this week, lots of options!

                1. YEAH PITCH!
                  • 5 Years
                  5 years, 27 days ago

                  It is. Thanks mate. Good luck and see you on the other side! Lol

        2. Shark Team
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          Flapjack I know you are good on predictions and I will go for the one you will advice me:
          Please tell me which 3 to start from below?
          Jonny Taa Stones Rondon(*I also have Doherty)
          Thanks a lot I'm planning to risk and bench rondon

          1. Richd
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            There’s a lot of talk over Wolves rotation. I’d bench Johnny and hedge your bets a bit

            Good luck

      2. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        YES

      3. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        None of them will

    11. JimboJ
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Plenty of questions re Auba - but would you take him out for a hit? Originally for me it was meant to be Aguero (as don’t have city) but minutes etc being the issue. Stick or pull the trigger on a transfer?

      1. Balls of Steel
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Pull trigger

        1. JimboJ
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          Aguero or Higuain for the hit you think?

          1. Balls of Steel
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            Hig

      2. clodhopper
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Keep

        1. JimboJ
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          I’m actually leaning towards this, but definitely wouldn’t watch the city game!

    12. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Start Doherty or Pereira?

    13. Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Surely can't bench Doherty against Cardiff. All just hearsay

      1. The 5% Team
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        yeah, I m starting him. Just hope it won't be worst case scenario, with him coming off the bench for 10 mins

      2. RoysCallerAnne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Great band. Never got the credit for the amazing key changes that Westlife did.

    14. Salarrivederci
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Son, Salah and Rashford to punish the sellers this GW. Can't wait!

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Hopefully not Son. The other 2 yes please

    15. Lukakwho
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Is Auba and Anderson > Sterling and Barnes good moves?

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Yeah

      2. Madderegern
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Yes

    16. Benditlike
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Need help on what to do!

      A) Jota > Maddison
      B) Jota > Barnes
      C) Save, play Jota and scout Leicester to find out who is their best asset under Rodgers.

      1. Funkyav
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        B

    17. WD27
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      TAA nailed presumably?

      1. Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Yeah definitely

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        should be but milner will step in from time to time

        1. WD27
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          Cheers

      3. GUSFRING
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Yes only really rotated around Champions League games

    18. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Felipe to Hazard worth a -4?

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Only just

        1. Les Bleus
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          Cheers

      2. JimboJ
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Probably, depending on your GW31 plans.

        1. Les Bleus
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          Fh32

          1. Les Bleus
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 27 days ago

            And cheers!

    19. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      @Joe
      Can you give numbers of how many applied to enter FFS cup compared to previous comps?

    20. LeicesterA
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Anyone going for Higuain Captain?

      Have Pogba, Kun, Salah, Jiminez etc but struggling who to pick...

      1. Srv210
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Thinking about this myself

      2. Dannyb
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Yeah currently, tempted with Pogba though

    21. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Captain
      A) Pogba
      B) Higuain
      C) Aguero
      D) Salah or mane

    22. boroie
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Anyone else tempted to captain Son?

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Someone must be. I'm not.

      2. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        2 shots on target over the last 4 GWs...

    23. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Wolves benchings today would be an awful end to a great looking double header.

    24. No Luck
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Why are Salah and son suddenly on -200%?

      1. Rotation's Alter Ego
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Does that sometimes from what I remember. Seen it hit 700 odd percent previously, then sort itself out after deadline.

        1. No Luck
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          Fair enough!

    25. oi no professionals
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Play one:
      A. Barnes
      B. Kola
      C. AWB

    26. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Don’t know if I should just play AWB over Doherty with the rumours from that Wolves ITK.

      Is anyone doing something like this?

      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Link?

        1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          Scroll back to previous pages, it’s discussed there with a link too.

      2. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        AWB just a safe for a CS imo.

      3. Andy'81
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        I'd start Doherty between the two but make sure to set your bench appropriately.

    27. Daghe Munegu
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Chances of Kun to start?

      1. CONNERS
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        After his recent run of games and with Jesus back, slim.

    28. JenkoJunko
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Last min advice needed!!

      Current squad:
      Heaton
      Shaw Robbo Doherty
      Son Salah Pogba Deulofeu
      Rash Jimenez Aguero

      Foster / Camaras / WB / Digne

      Ive got 2 ft so need to use one but just no idea who to get rid of? Poss Son but i think he has returns in him this week against an Arsenal side that cant defend?

      Any help really appreciated!

      1. boroie
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        I’m assuming, given your team, you will free hit on GW 31. So maybe get Digne out for someone who has a DGW in 32?

        1. JenkoJunko
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          Yeah free hit for GW 31. Thank you, thats a good shout!

        2. JenkoJunko
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 27 days ago

          Would you stick or twist with Son? Could afford Mane if downgrading Digne?

    29. AdamJ91
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Pogba (c) over Aguero right?

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Right

      2. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Over Aguero yeah

    30. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      Captain Pogba or Sterling and why...GO!

      1. Maddamotha
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        Sterling

      2. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        I go for Raz because Pogba may play CDM and because Sterling is amazing Vs the cherries

    31. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 27 days ago

      PLEASE HELP
      Benching Rondon to play both Jonny and Stones.
      What do you think?

      1. lugs
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 27 days ago

        no way, Cardiff will score, so will Newcastle (maybe Rondon)