Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Double Gameweek 29

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 29. As most of you will no doubt be aware…

It’s a Double Gameweek!

Both Arsenal and Manchester City have two fixtures in Gameweek 29 – double the chance of scoring points!

Their Gameweek 28 encounter – postponed due to the EFL Cup final – has been rearranged for Wednesday. Before facing off at the Etihad Stadium, Arsenal entertain West Ham this weekend while the champions travel to local rivals Manchester United.

Also, following the midweek FA Cup results, we now have a better idea of how the Blank and Double Gameweeks are shaping up. For starters, there will be just four matches played in Gameweek 31.

Read on to find out how this might affect your team. And if you still need time to ready your troops and appoint your captain, you have until 11:30 GMT.

Armband Dilemma

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would appear to be the standout pick from the two teams playing twice. 

The most expensive Gabonese player of all time is in good form with three goals in his last two matches. He tops our Rate My Team tool and has garnered 48% of the vote in our captaincy poll.

Talked up by Neale in our video outlining the Best Captaincy Picks, his goal conversion rate since Mikel Arteta took charge is 33.3% – the best in the division. 

However David’s Captain Sensible article highlights some enticing alternatives. A weakness in West Ham’s defence could benefit Nicolas Pépé:

There is a heavy concentration of assists given up on the left side of the Hammers’ back-line, the right side of their opponents’ attack, where Pépé, with his impressive creative statistics, will likely be operating on Saturday afternoon.

– David

And as Pro Pundit Holly (aka FFCommunity_) notes in her look at February’s underlying statistics, Pépé has three assists from three fixtures, having created three big chances for his teammates.

Indeed Arsenal’s record signing also gets the Lateriser12 seal of approval:

I see Pépé as a bit of a flat-track bully with set-pieces in his locker, making him a potentially explosive pick with a nice upside.

– Lateriser12

Finally let’s not overlook perennial captain favourite Mohamed Salah, who made a late substitute appearance in Liverpool’s midweek FA Cup defeat:

The Egyptian has been the most reliable Liverpool asset at home in recent weeks, and Bournemouth’s defence arguably looks worse than West Ham’s.

– David

Scout Picks and Team News

Despite only playing once this Gameweek, there’s a place in the Scout Picks for FPL’s most expensive asset. 

He’s joined in the select XI by the leading points scorer in FPL, Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgian – who delivered a season-high 19 points against the Gunners back in Gameweek 17 – missed his side’s FA Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday with a shoulder complaint. However Pep Guardiola sounded cautiously optimistic yesterday afternoon:

He’s getting better. Today we didn’t train, tomorrow will prove, I spoke this morning with the physio and he said that he feels better. Not perfect, but better. We’ll see.

– Pep Guardiola on Kevin De Bruyne

Although, as David observed, Guardiola is perhaps unlikely to risk the former Chelsea player with two starts in quick succession.

Elsewhere, as Rotation’s Alter Ego disclosed in his team news round-up, Alisson has been ruled out of the weekend’s action with a hip injury. Owners of the popular double-Liverpool defence discussed how this affects their teams.

Although the Reds are still top of G-Whizz’s clean sheet odds for Gameweek 29.

For more injury updates, including details on the crisis facing Chelsea, have a read of Neale’s press conferences recap. Further in-depth information is given in the predicted line-ups.

Full Portion of Chips?

With the short notice for Gameweek 29 and the reduced number of fixtures in Gameweek 31, many have been considering their chip strategies. 

Whether you’ve all your chips remaining or even if you’ve had a little nibble already, there is, as NOMONEY pointed out, a chip strategy for everybody!

Depending on your situation, you may favour ‘The Jarvish Strategy’ or even the ‘FPL Virgin Strategy’. Neale set the scene and explored various scenarios in his thoughtful piece on chip deployment. While our Scoutcast trio of Joe, Az, and Pranil (aka Lateriser12) aired their views in our regular video broadcast.

Rather than examining goals, shots, or big chances to highlight players for your team, community writer RichP_LFC turns to Fantasy Points For and Against. Breaking down defence and attack by position, his Double Gameweek special provides food for thought, especially for managers using Free Hit or Wildcard.

He takes the same approach to put together his Gameweek 31 Dream Team.

Jules Breach successfully played her Wildcard in Gameweek 28, as Greyhead reported in The Great and The Good, and has averted her downward slide. Five of the 12 elite managers are now in the top 100k as we enter the ‘business end’ of the season.

If you don’t have your Wildcard available, or would rather save it for later, Pro Pundit Sam (aka Sam FPLFamily) was on hand with sage advice in case you are contemplating a hit:

Just think about whether it’s worth the risk for the player that you want to bring in, whether they’re likely to return more than the player you’re gonna take out AND the minus points hits that you’ve got to take to do it.

– Pro Pundit Sam

For those pondering a transfer, Pro Pundit Tom Freeman (aka avfc82) has been on a good run with his differential picks. This week he singled out Ismaïla Sarr, Miguel Almirón, and Phil Foden. Sarr played a part in all three of Watford’s goals against Liverpool and benefits from a guaranteed fixture in Gameweek 31.

TheFantasyFreÆK backs up the selection of the Senegalese in his Gameweek review:

No midfielder in the league has recorded as many shots inside the box and big chances as Watford’s Ismaïla Sarr in the games he has started under Nigel Pearson. He has the pedigree to be FPL gold whenever he starts. At that price, I think he is easily the best midfielder to own.

– TheFantasyFreÆK

For Fantasy lovers and fans of Norwegian football, Eliteserien 2020 is live!

Our resident expert Niemi outlined the season ahead. The game will have its own dedicated page on Fantasy Football Scout to help you find related content.

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.

Fantasy Football Scout Memberships are now available for a reduced price of £9.99 for the remainder of the season. Rolling monthly subscriptions are also available for £2.99 per month. Click here to sign up or upgrade your account.

Community Competitions

For an update on all FFS Mini-Leagues and Community Competitions, please click here to read the latest round-up.

For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 29 can be found below:


Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

May your arrows be green!

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

3,434 Comments Post a Comment
  1. OBAMA
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    holgate and fernades --> otamendi and mahrez (-4) ??

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      No

      1. OBAMA
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 22 days ago

        why not?

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 22 days ago

          Don't like losing Fernandes

    2. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Toi risky imo.

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Yes

    4. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      I'd keep Bruno. Not sure if a hit is worth it

    5. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      No

    6. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Holgate over Otamendi 24/7 365

  2. Lumberjack
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Martial to Pepe for free this week, if it means I've only got 5 left for GW31 and not using a FH? So basically Martial to Pepe (-4) I guess?

    A - yes
    B - no

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      No. Pick a player with gw31 if using a transfer. That’s why I’m saving this week.

      1. Lumberjack
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 22 days ago

        Fair enough, if I don't do the transfer I'm saving. Thanks.

    2. The Hoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      B. Either FH gw31 or don’t get an DGW player this week. What would you do in my position (below)?

      1. Lumberjack
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 22 days ago

        OK thanks.

  3. TM44
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Team set, gtg?

    McCarthy

    TAA Robbo soyuncu

    Sarr kdb salah traore

    Ings auba (c) jimenez

    Subs: button, cantwell, holgate, lascelles

  4. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Hello all!

    I need to bench one of Soy, Grealish and Bruno.

    Grealish right?

    1. OBAMA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      yup

    2. Lumberjack
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      I'd bench Soy I think, but definitely not Bruno.

      1. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 22 days ago

        I’m thinking Lei could keep a CS. You don’t?

        1. Lumberjack
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 22 days ago

          Not convinced based on recent form, and I prefer to go with the attacker.

          1. sminkypinky
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 22 days ago

            Right. Cheers.

    3. The Hoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      I’d bench Soy... Villa have more to play for tbh and much higher ceiling. What would you do in my position (below)?

    4. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Soy

    5. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Between Soy and Grealish as expected. Thanks all!

  5. BRFC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Hi guys, thoughts on this lot?

    Ryan
    Pereira VVD Bertrand
    KDB Salah Sarr Barnes
    Auba Firmino Jiménez

  6. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Punt to enable aubameyang...

    A) foden
    B) saka

    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Saka

    2. The Hoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Saka, most assists in arsenal team this season and better fixtures. What would you do in my position (below)?

    3. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Saka.

      1. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 22 days ago

        But keep gw31 in mind.

  7. The Hoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Would be very grateful for your views on this:

    A. Dendoncker-> Saka (leaves me with 4 GW31 player so would have to FH then)
    B. Take a hit to get in get in Auba (would probably have to get rid of Vardy/Maddison for Auba/Saka, not sure there’s another way to do it)
    C. Save transfer (then have 5 players playing for GW31 plus an extra transfer)

    Hendo
    TAA/ Robertson / Soy / Stephens
    Salah / KdB / Maddison
    Vardy / Jiminez / Ings

    McCarthy/ Cantwell / Fernandez / Dendoncker

    1ft, 0.2 itb
    WC and BB left

    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      I'd be tempted to save this week or A
      I wouldn't hang your hat on keeping Dendoncker for GW31 tho. You may as well get rid for some decent Wolves assets

      1. The Hoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 22 days ago

        Interesting that opinions are split as to what to do, so probably all options are somewhat valid. It feels so wrong to sell two Leicester assets with (AVL) but I guess Villa have something to play for and Leicester do not

    2. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      I guess I’d risk going with B in your shoes and use FH in gw31.

      1. The Hoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 22 days ago

        Thanks

    3. Lumberjack
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      You're pretty light for GW31 anyway, if you definitely don't want to FW31 I'd save this week, otherwise I'd probably go A.

      1. The Hoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 22 days ago

        Thanks, yes I think I just need to decide whether to FH in 31 and transfer accordingly. Am tempted to save transfer, get 7 or so players for 31 and hope there are two big DGWs later where Incan FH for one

    4. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      10/11 same starters this week. I have Saiss instead of Soy. Good luck!

  8. John Nerdelbaum
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Bottomed

    No WC. Not decided on whether to FH in 31
    Best option?
    a) VVD + Saiss > Doherty + Masina
    b) Saiss + Traore > Doherty + Saka
    c) Traore > Saka and roll the free
    d) Something else

    2 frees, 1.3 ITB

    Henderson
    TAA VVD Stephens
    Salah KDB Perez Traore
    Auba Ings Jimi

    McCarthy/Saiss/Lascelles/Hayden

    1. Lumberjack
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      C

      1. John Nerdelbaum
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 22 days ago

        Cheers Lumberjack

    2. The Hoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      I think you need to decide now whether to fh in gw31 and do transfers accordingly (probably c) or you can’t really make a sensibsle decision because you don’t know if your transfer is actually a -4. What would you do in my position (above)?

      1. John Nerdelbaum
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 22 days ago

        Cheers The Hoff, I think I will keep the FH so C is probably the best option

  9. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    If I have 9 starters (3 Liverpool, 3 Wolves, 2 Watford and 1 Palace) for GW31 should I save my FH for later on?

    Have WC, BB and FH left.

    1. Lumberjack
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Yes definitely IMO

      1. Jet5605
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 22 days ago

        Thanks. Might even get Pope in for a hit which would make 10 starters.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Yes

    3. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Yep

  10. davies
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Any plans for a surprise LIV benching?

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Who do you have in mind?

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 22 days ago

        TAA/VVD - Play Taylor

        Salah - Cantwell > Saka (-4) and bench Mo

    2. b91jh
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Not sure what to do with Robbo (BB this week and non-FH 31). Maybe go for Aurier or VVD.

  11. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    How's the wc looking? Any suggestions?
    Pope
    TAA Doherty otamendi
    Salah kdb fernandes saka
    Auba(c) ings jota
    Krul sarr kiko ctaylor

  12. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Would really like to buy Pepe but I'm afraid that moron Cresswell will try to break his legs again.

  13. pls
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    A: Vardy ---> Auba (-4)
    B: Vardy ----> Jota/Jiminez
    C: Keep Vardy save FT

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      A but depends on your 31 team and plans

  14. MindlessFreak2
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Quick question - if I accidentally made 2 transfers and I use my free hit does that mean my team will revert back to my team from last week?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Correct

  15. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Is Bernardo Silva agood option for this double? If KDB is out he can start in midfield too.

  16. hoddlesboot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Richarlison & Ings to Auba & 4.3 mid for a -4? (would mean playing Soy as a 4th Def)

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Yep could work

  17. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Henderson
    TAA VVD Boly
    Salah KdB Barnes Saka
    Auba Jimenez Ings

    / Mccarthy / mount / Stephens / Lascelles

    Bench boost that squad?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Good chance for a Soton cs, why not

  18. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Couple questions..

    Fleck or Adama Traoré? If I knew Adama was to start I would play him.

    Cahill or Lascelles?

    Aubameyang or Salah (C)!

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Saka, cahill, auba

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 22 days ago

        Saka? Unfortunately don’t have him!

        Appreciate the response!

        1. denial
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 22 days ago

          Oh sorry misunderstood. Play traore

    2. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      F
      C
      A

  19. T.Henry14
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    GTG?

    Pope
    TAA, Soyuncu, Stephens
    Salah, Mane, KDB, Barnes
    Ings, Jimenez, Vardy

    (McGovern, Cantwell, Lascelles, Rico)

    Captain: Salah
    V-Captain: Mane

  20. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Need to play 1 out of theese

    A : Egan ( Have a feeling Norwich will score )

    B : Soy ( Think Villa will score )

    C : Dann ( Think he will score a header )

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Play A and pray

      I have Hendo in goal!

    2. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Play defender who you think will score, obviously.

  21. SB007
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    GW29 - 4 players
    GW30 - no planned transfers
    GW31 - FH
    GW32 - build for GW34 with 2
    GW33 - 1 transfer
    GW34 - TC
    GW35 - build for GW37 with 2
    GW36 - build with 1
    GW37 - 1
    GW38 - see where I am !!

    1. SB007
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      GW29 - 4 DGw

      1. SB007
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 22 days ago

        More time to forward plan for 34/37 than 31 so FH is viable option for me

    2. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Why would you not transfer in GW 30 if you have FH in 31

      1. SB007
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 22 days ago

        Save 2

        1. Pipermaru
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          You will have only 1ft after FH.

  22. Indalo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Not sure about benching Sarr, thoughts?

    Foster
    TAA Doherty Walker Stevens
    Salah KDB Saka
    Auba(C) Jimenez Jota

    Pope Sarr McNeil Taylor

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Yeah take out a defender man. Newcastle will score

      1. Indalo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 22 days ago

        That's Sheffield United's Stevens though

    2. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      I think I’d play Sarr over Stephens tbh...

  23. TheTinman
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Excited for this GW. My team feels good.

    Pope
    TAA VVD Bertrand
    Salah KDB Sarr Barnes Almiron
    Auba Jiminez

    1. SB007
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      With Almirón ? and Barnes?

  24. Weerman
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    What to do here guys? Would appreciate the help:

    Ryan
    TAA Robbo Soyuncu O'Connell
    Salah(c) KDB Grealish
    Vardy Ings JImenez
    Button Taylor Traore Snodgrass

    1 ft, 1.4 itb

    1. Weerman
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Snodgrass -> Sarr for free best move?

  25. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Would you BB if my team would be...?

    -4pts team:

    McCarthy (Button)
    TAA Saiss Stevens Stephens Lascelles
    Salah KDB Traore Saka Perez
    Auba Ings Jimi

    OR will there be better week to make BB?? Please help!

  26. Kiyoshi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Playing WC, who is a must to have?

  27. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    With all chips still in tact, is GW31 the time to use Free Hit?

    1. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Depends how many players you have for it - I’ll probably field 10 on -4 and FH in 34

  28. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Triple cap Auba don’t let me down!

    Got to be better than if I’d used it on Mane in that other DGW... (1 point)

  29. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Bench order ok?

    Cantwell / Webster / Williams

  30. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 22 days ago

    Start Grealish or Fleck

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Grealish

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 22 days ago

      Fleck