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FPL managers hit with wave of injuries as FA Cup starts shaping Blank Gameweek 29

Fantasy Premier League managers were dealt a rough hand on Wednesday night as a number of key assets sustained FA Cup injuries.

While the latest results in the competition helped to clarify which teams would, or would not, feature in Blank Gameweek 29, there are now a number of problems to overcome for Double Gameweek 24.

The popular Dominic Calvert Lewin (£7.7m), and James Justin (£5.2m), were among those to pick up problems on Wednesday, the Everton man forced off with a hamstring issue and Leicester’s full-back with a damaged knee.

Ahead of two fixtures in Double Gameweek 24, Calvert-Lewin is in 44.6% of Fantasy teams after registering a 12-point haul against Manchester United.

Elsewhere, the 23%-owned Rúben Dias (£6.1m) was omitted from Manchester City’s matchday squad due to an illness while Nick Pope (£5.5m) “had to miss” Burnley’s FA Cup match too.

The Burnley goalkeeper was already a heavily sought-after Double Gameweek 24 option but his current injury flag casts doubts over both him and also potentially his defensive colleagues including James Tarkowski (£5.3m) and Ben Mee (£5.0m).

Of course, it is still too early to say if any or all of these players will recover from their knocks to feature this weekend. Fantasy managers are, therefore, encouraged to keep an eye on our injuries and bans feed.

Accordingly, holding off from early transfer activity until Thursday and Friday’s press conferences also seems sensible.

BLANK GAMEWEEK UPDATE

Wednesday evening’s FA Cup results have given us a clearer picture of the Blank Gameweek 29 schedule.

Wins for Manchester City, Leicester City, Sheffield United and Everton mean the following fixtures, alongside Crystal Palace and Manchester United will have to be postponed from that round:

  • Burnley v Leicester
  • Man City v Wolves
  • Sheff Utd v Aston Villa
  • West Brom v Everton

Meanwhile, Brighton’s defeat at Leicester tonight confirms their Gameweek 29 meeting with Newcastle still goes ahead.

That fixture joins West Ham v Arsenal and Fulham v Leeds as one of three confirmed fixtures for that round.

What happened in Wednesday’s FA Cup matches?

Swansea City 1-3 Manchester City 

Manchester City continued their impressive attacking form as they beat Swansea. Kyle Walker (£6.1m), Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) and Gabriel Jesus (£9.2m) all got on the score-sheet as Rodri (£5.3m) twice assisted before going off injured and Bernardo Silva (£7.4m) set-up one as well.

Ederson (£6.1m), John Stones (£5.2m) and João Cancelo (£6.0m) were rested, while Dias missed out through illness.

Ilkay Gündogan (£6.0m), Sterling and Jesus all started while Phil Foden (£6.1m) featured in the second half. Notably none of those four played the full 90 and a comparatively comfortable performance suggested all could be in the running for a start against Tottenham.

Leicester 1-0 Brighton 

A nasty looking fall for full-back Justin was the most notable and regrettable outcome of a comparatively cagey match at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday night.

Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.6m) was the hero with a stoppage-time goal assisted by Youri Tielemans (£6.4m).

James Maddison (£7.4m) and Harvey Barnes (£6.9m) were both on the bench while Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) started but was replaced in the 62nd minute as Brendan Rodgers continues to manage his recovery from a hernia operation.

Sheffield United 1-0 Bristol City 

A Billy Sharp (£5.5m) penalty was enough to send the Premier League’s bottom club into the FA Cup quarter-finals against Championship opposition.

David McGoldrick (£5.2m) and Jayden Bogle (£4.3m) both came close to scoring also in a match that a full-strength home side largely controlled.

The match also notably saw a start for Ryan Brewster (£4.4m) and another clean sheet for a defence that’s belatedly beginning to show signs of the fortitude from last season.

Everton 5-4 Tottenham Hotspur

An absolute goal-fest at Goodison Park showcased multiple FPL assets as two near full strength teams duked it out in a cracking end-to-end cup tie.

Only James Rodriguez (£7.7m), Jordan Pickford (£4.8m) and the still injured Allan (£5.2m) were missing from the Everton squad, while Jose Mourinho named the recovering Harry Kane (£11.0m) on the bench, but would later hurl him into the action.

Goals for Calvert-Lewin, two for Richarlison (£7.8m), Gylfi Sigurdsson (£6.8m) and finally Bernard (£5.7m) proved just enough to see the hosts sneak ahead of a Spurs side in which second-half substitute Kane, Erik Lamela (£5.7m) and Davinson Sánchez (£5.2m) also found the net.

Elsewhere in the creative stakes, a hat-trick of assists from Sigurdsson, two from Son Heung-min (£9.6m) and one for Calvert-Lewin would have added up to some tasty hauls had this been an FPL fixture.

571 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Coufal Cancelo Stones
    Salah Fernandes Gundogan Raphinha
    Bamford Antonio DCL

    Forster Soucek Robertson Ferguson

    2 FT, 6.9 itb

    1. Have I got the starting lineup right ? Y or N

    2. Forster >> Pope (roll the other FT) ? Y or N

    Thanks all

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Seems such a shame playing Coufal over Robbo.
      Pope is a slight injury doubt

      1. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I mean Robbo will probably play anyway with injured players in my team

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Still a fair chance they all play I reckon

    2. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd start Soucek over DCL

      1. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I don’t think I’ll have a choice anyway

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes looks fine as set up. Wait for presser on whether Pope fit and make move if is. I think Antonio will not be fit but Soucek coming in fine

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        * sorry did not see DCL - somehow read Watkins- think fair chance he will not start from comments Duncan Ferguson made about hamstring tweak so just get Kane in I would say

        1. FCSB
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks mate, hopefully we will get more news in the pressers

  2. Mr. Chimes
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What’s the plan for those who own double City defense, Son, and DCL?

    Assuming DCL is fit, would you bench Son?

    1. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on the rest of your team.

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No DCL but currently benching Son:

      Pope
      Cancelo Dias Digne Maguire
      Sterling Bruno Grealish Maddison
      Richarlison Antonio
      (Forster Son Coufal Brewster)

  3. Mr. Chimes
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I like it

  4. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Risers: None

    Fallers: Tau (5.1)

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Jebus

    2. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tau came in the PL in the gw18, played 84 minutes in total and his price fell for 0.4 now...

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers Ragabolly.

  5. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If a tottenham game gets moved to blank 29 it is great for people planning to WC 25, BB 26.

    1. ppv
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Villa v Spurs could be moved to blank 29

    2. FPLGeezer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What about those with Wildcards but no BB even better right?

      Btw if you're from the UK I'm currently watching the documentary on BBC iplayer and hip hop the songs that shook America and first episode is on Kanye lol

      1. JJeyy
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yea, you can stock your bench with players who play in the blank don't double unlike people BB. Nice, I'll take a look

        1. FPLGeezer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah that's why I blew my BB back in gw19 after trying to plan for a Leeds double and didnt want BB chip to influence 2nd WC too heavily.

          Defo you will love the series if you're a hip hop head.

  6. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How long is DCL

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      9"

  7. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Out for

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      We don’t know he is out yet. Sounds like he may be as Duncan Ferguson said thought may have tweaked hamstring and may be in wee bit of trouble- but wait for updated news

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Well he was out on the pitch celebrating with his team mates for about ten minutes.

  8. Kabayan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Areola (Martinez)
    Coufal - Stones - Dias* - Holding (AWB)
    Salah - Gundo - Bruno - Grealish - Soucek
    Bamford (DCL - Wood)

    2FT, 6.0 itb. No WC.
    Benching headache, but i think I'll play WHU assets for last hoorah.
    No idea what to do with my FT.
    Maybe just Holding to Lowton?

  9. ExpressoMySonny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Grealish to Foden
    b)Grealish DCL -4 to Foden Richarlson
    c)Grealish DCL -4 to Gundo Ings

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Selling player with most assists in PL why?

      1. aleksaa2
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        +1, I wouldn't transfer Grealish out also

        1. ppv
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Jack is too highly owned .Let the sellers sell

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      wait on DCL update, if confirmed out I like b)

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        in saying that I wouldn't sell Jack myself

        1. ExpressoMySonny
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks trying to find some cash for another city asset and plan to WC next week.

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            fair enough so

  10. FPL Theorist
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Can't say I'm really much interested in Everton if DCL is out.

    May have to add a second United player against WBA. Other one-week punts people are looking at before WC? Just have 1 FT and will stick with same Man City players I've got now.

  11. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Morning DZ!

    Son + R.James -> Gundogan + Burnley Def (Lowton?) for free.

    No brainer?
    Will have enough cash for
    Antonio -> Kane in the Spurs dgw

    Team:
    Martinez, 4.0
    James, Cancelo, Stones, Coufal, Mitchell
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Grealish, Raphinha
    DCL*, Bamford, Antonio*

    2FT, 3.2m

    1. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Really depends on Antonio and DCL's fitness, those may be priorities. If Pope is out I wouldnt be too keen to bring in a Burnley defender at all. Also the Son/Kane switch seems like a bit of a waste of transfers, would either just stick with Son or fund Kane via Salah

      1. seewhyaxe
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks!

        I'm also thinking Salah -> 3rd City instead

  12. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who would u start from Son (mci) or Soucek (SHU) this GW?
    Assuming DCL is out

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Soucek

    2. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Soucek

    3. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Soucek

  13. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A united triple up of Shaw, Cavani, Bruno looks better and better for those wildcarding in GW 30. Great fixtures, DGW confirmed, decent attacking form and somehow united have a very fit squad

    1. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is a GW30 plan mainly for those without the FH to play in 29?

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Great fixtures for United are attacking teams they can bus and break against

  14. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DCL is gonna get 1 point this DGW with a rushed back 20 mins versus City isn't he?

    Fulham 0 mins 0 pts
    City 20 mins 1 pt

    Meanwhile I'll bench Son who will get double figures, or Wilson 3rd on bench who pops in a hat trick v Chelsea

    This DGW has nightmare all over it!

    1. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      We should get more information before the deadline. If its a short term injury it might be worth holding DCL for his DGW 26 fixtures

    2. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yep , a gameweek from hell

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Depends how bad his hamstring is but I think I'll bench him. Even a slight strain could have him out for both games. But also have Digne and Justin so the 11 could pick itself.

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wilson is flagged

  15. ppv
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DCL seems a very dodgy pick now. Anyone any idea about Digne injury?

  16. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dcl > richarlison for free?

    1. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I dunno if it's worth it.

      Starting to think Everton might be a huge trap this week now.

      Fulham are no slouches all a sudden

      City will batter Everton.

      Not bothered much about this DGW all a sudden

    2. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If out then yes for sure.
      If you on a WC next week, like me, not much downside in taking a punt

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Have no idea about the wc plan now bud. Earlier plan was to save ft this gw, then take a couple of hits to get in some dgw players for 26, and wc in gw30. Any suggestions what to do now?

        martinez
        digne stones mee
        salah bruno sterling bruno
        dcl antonio bamford

        forster saka coufal dallas

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      City won’t batter Everton. 1-0 and start strolling

  17. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best chip strategy now if you have all chips left given last night’s results?

    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Im still WC next week, BB the following, FH the big blank (29?) and TC some other time.
      Interested to see if others have a better plan!

      1. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I was planning to BB in 24 and WC 26 but 5 injuries to my squad overnight have put a spanner in the works so may have to go with the trusted WC 25, BB26 as well

        1. Jinswick
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          5! Yikes that’s so unlucky!! I thought I was bad with Pope & DCL

          1. fish&chips
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Pope, digne, dias, Antonio, DCL!!

            Frustrating thing is most of them may be fine but too risky for a BB now unless there's some really positive news from the press conferences

            1. Bushwhacker
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Dias, Antonio and Pope will play

              1. fish&chips
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                If they don't ill come back here and berate you 😉

                1. Bushwhacker
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  I would deserve to be ... battered

        2. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          same strategy here, 4 flags though

      2. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah that’s my current plan also

  18. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    so Digne and DCL are both injured?

    1. ppv
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Both are flagged

  19. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Those who have everything but FH left...

    What's the plan?

    I'm probably gonna spend a couple points to BB 26 as my squad is fine already, then probably WC 29 and TC 30 or later.

    Blank 29 might be a real problem but we shall see!

    1. Atwood
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Haha, you beat me to it. A lot depends on the extent of the injuries tonight. My squad has been doing well though and I don't want to dismantle it just for DGW players.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looking at those fixtures in 29, it probably won't be an issue to navigate without chips. Not much quality left.

  20. Atwood
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Deadzoners,

    Anyone have just WC,BB and TH left? What are your plans?

    Can't recall ever being this undecided about how to approach DGW's.

    1. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hmmmm . Triple Hit sounds interesting!

      1. Atwood
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Look it's 2 in the morning, let me off on that one!

    2. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      See above either way

  21. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone eyeing up a cancelo (c) after his rest last night or going with a city mid instead?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Prefer Dias.

      1. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Potential injury concern though?

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Should be fine I guess, if not, then I would go with Bruno captain.

          They probably won't keep a clean sheet without him.

          1. fish&chips
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            That's a fair point

    2. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo is now firmly capt for me with Bruno vc
      Havent the balls for Cancelo but can see it paying off big time if you do

      Think back to last DGW, everyone reflecting afterwards how well defenders do in these

  22. ppv
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Seems as though Digne came off because he was tired

  23. Joggers Nipple
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    IF , big IF get players fit (if DCL out will go Rich, Antonio out let Souchek play) any preference over

    A. Son to James and Forster to Pope
    B Son to James and Coufal to BUR def
    C something else? No long term effects of transfers as will WC next week

    Martinez
    Dias* Cancello* Shaw
    Son Salah Bruno (vc) Gundo* (c)
    DCL* Bamford Antonio

    Forster Coufal Souckek Mitchell

    Prob WC 25, BB 26 (FH and TC later)
    Thanks for any thoughts

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

      1. Joggers Nipple
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers, my current plan. James a punt but with a WC next week happy to try and get some 'unique' points

  24. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any other suggestions welcome (WC, TC available for future GWs)

    Mcarthy (FORSTER)
    Pieter Rudiger Cancelo (Justin, Lewis)
    Salah Fernandes Gundo SON (Soucek)
    Antonio Bamford Dcl
    (0 ft and 3.8mn itb)

  25. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If confirmed out, DCL -> Richarlison the best move here? Planning to WC next week. No value tied up in DCL.

    POPE
    CANCELO, Coufal, Bellerin
    STERLING, GUNDO, Salah, Bruno
    DCL*, Bamford, Watkins

    Forster, Targett, Martinelli, Mitchell
    Bank 2.3m, 1FT, all chips

    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good, Rich (and James who im looking at) dont appeal massively in isolation but a DGW with a WC next week locks fine

  26. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wake up to see Antonio dcl dias digne flagged..forget about Antonio as it is a transfer waiting to happen..what about others guys? Did digne completed the game?

  27. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is there any other GK than Pope who has two doubles in 24-26?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A few teams fit that.

      1. HellasLEAF
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        How annoying must burn transfer on goalkeeper..

      2. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        May I know which ones?

    2. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Get Areola

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Ben Crellin has Fulham has less likely in 26,?

  28. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DCL to watkins?

    initially wanted to do DCL to richar but maybe everton DGW gonna be so tough now

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      How is two games including a Fulham one tougher than Brighton away?

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        LOL and u think fulham is easy? my god

    2. Mweene
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would get Watkins over Richarlison, yes. Don't think there's much in it this week and Watkins has a nice looking schedule afterwards.

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        agreeee

  29. HellasLEAF
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Yikes. Team lit up like a christmas tree post FA Cup. And not over yet..

  30. Postman Ty
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone know why Fulham haven't been playing Mitrovic? I know he's been labelled injured once or twice but it looks like he's just being left out a lot too. Nobody on that team other than him can actually score...

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      They has started playing well.since they left him out

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Doesnt fit in their current setup

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Because he’s a bit crap