Pro Pundits

How many hits should FPL managers take ahead of Blank Gameweek 29?

Blank Gameweeks always make me apprehensive as a Fantasy Premier League manager and I know I am not alone in worrying about squad size.

Normally there are one or two fixtures to target which provide decent reassurance that a hit might be worth taking.

However, the four matches scheduled for Blank Gameweek 29 are either difficult to call, feature out-of-form, inconsistent or absent players, or just don’t inspire confidence.

To hit or not to hit. That is the question

I have been planning for Blank Gameweek 29 since Gameweek 24, trying to target players and teams in good form and that have a fixture. Ben White (£4.4m) is a prime example of this. I signed him ahead of Gameweek 25, on the back of five clean sheets in six. Since then, Brighton have not managed prevent any of their opponents from scoring in the last four games.

Going in to Gameweek 28, I had nine players who were due to play in Blank Gameweek 29, along with two free transfers which would give me a starting 11 without the need for a hit.

Rashford fit to start but Martial, Cavani and de Gea miss out on West Ham clash 2

Fast-forward to the end of Gameweek 28 and I have flags on Son Heung-Min (£9.5m) and Patrick Bamford (£6.7m). While I am increasingly confident that Bamford will be able to play in Blank Gameweek 29, the same can not be said for Son.

As a result I now face a dilemma: to hit or not to hit.

The case for taking a hit

The fixtures don’t appear to be games that I want to take hits for, but the benefit of having 11 starters for a minus-four feels like a compelling reason to do it.

There are four teams from the eight involved in Blank Gameweek 29 who have attractive fixtures in Gameweek 30 as well so if you view the hit in the context of the next couple of weeks it could be worth doing.

TeamBlank Gameweek 29Gameweek 30
Aston VillaTottenham Hotspur (home)Fulham (home)
LeedsFulham (away)Sheffield United (home)
Tottenham HotspurAston Villa (away)Newcastle (home)
West HamArsenal (home)Wolves (away)

Taking a minus-four for the likes of Newcastle who play Brighton and then Spurs feels like a points hit that will not be repaid. However for players such as Raphinha (£5.6m), Jesse Lingard (£6.1m) and Gareth Bale (£9.6m), it feels like they could easily be repaid in Gameweek 29 and then repaid again in Gameweek 30.

Hits for a one-week punt, especially with a series of fixtures like we have in Blank Gameweek 29, feel risky. However, with the Gameweek 30 matches that Villa, Leeds, Spurs and West Ham have, a wise investment in their assets could give Fantasy managers the boost they need alongside an even better looking side for Gameweek 30.

The case for Blank Gameweek 29 without a hit

LiveFPL.net currently has the average number of players per team for Gameweek 29 at seven. Over the next few hours until the deadline we will undoubtedly see a wave of transfers from FPL players waiting until after the European matches before making their transfers. However, it seems likely the majority of teams won’t be made up of 11 starters.

Luke Shaw (£5.2m), Ilkay Gundogan (£6.2m), Mohamed Salah (£12.4m), Bruno Fernandes (£11.5m) and Ruben Dias (£6.1m) are the players I currently have who will not kick a ball in Blank Gameweek 29.

On paper, these are all players that could make way this week. However, when you look at their Gameweek 30 fixtures (Man City travel to Leicester, Manchester United host Brighton and Liverpool visit Arsenal) there are a couple of players, namely Shaw and Fernandes, that cannot be sacrificed without needing to bring them back in.

This means that for me it is only possible to do a minus-four at worst.

Keeping an eye on the fixtures that follow on from the Blank Gameweek is key, taking hits for players for this week can be a good idea, as long as managers are not sacrificing players they will want for the week after.

Key targets for Blank Gameweek 29

With this in mind there are three players on my wish list for Gameweek 29.

Jesse Lingard (£6.1m)

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Lingard has now returned in five of his six Premier League matches since joining West Ham on loan. He has also returned in each of his last four starts. Lingard’s ineligibility to play against his parent club Man United in Gameweek 28 was strongly felt by a defeated West Ham lacking in attack without him.

Against an Arsenal side who are top for errors leading to goals in the last four Gameweeks, and are joint third in the same period for defensive errors, Lingard is likely to have plenty of opportunities to excel in Blank Gameweek 29 and again in Gameweek 30 against Wolves who have made the same number of defensive errors as Arsenal.

Gareth Bale (£9.6m)

The Bale fitness latest as his impact on Son and Kane in FPL is assessed

Ahead of the north London derby in Gameweek 28, Bale was on an excellent run of form, having returned two double-digit hauls in three matches and returns in three out of four Gameweeks.

However, Bale was withdrawn on 56 minutes having failed to be involved in the match due to Spurs’ defensive set up. With Son likely to be missing for in Gameweek 29, the onus will be on the likes of Bale, Lucas Moura (£6.6m) and Harry Kane (£11.5m) to get them back to winning ways.

Over his last four matches Bale is top for expected goal involvement (xGI) Delta and third for XGI overall.

The last time Bale played at Villa Park he scored a second half hat trick which saw Spurs run out 4-0 winners. I can see Bale and his Spurs team setting up offensively against Villa, making him a great option, especially as in Gameweek 30 Spurs face Newcastle who have only kept one clean sheet in their last seven Premier League matches.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.5m)

Blank Gameweek 28 Scout Picks built on assets from the capital

After he sat out the north London derby for disciplinary reasons, I expect to see Aubameyang back in the first 11 for Blank Gameweek 29. Prior to the Spurs game, the FPL midfielder had scored four goals in his previous four matches, although three of those did come in one outing against Leeds.

In his last four fixtures, Aubameyang is top for expected goals (xG) among midfielders across the game.

Arsenal have on paper a difficult match in Gameweek 30 against Liverpool. However, the Reds have only kept one clean sheet in the last three so Aubameyang is a player I feel you can bring in for Blank Gameweek 29 and play in Gameweek 30.

How to line up for Blank Gameweek 29

I am planning to move Salah to Lingard this week. The West Ham midfielder is a must-have in my opinion and someone I have seriously considered captaining this week.

The Aubameyang or Bale dilemma is one that will rumble on until deadline. Both Spurs and Arsenal had Europa League ties on Thursday evening and it will be a last minute call as to who comes in for Gundogan this week, with a view to bringing in the injury-free and in-form Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) for my Wildcard for Gameweek 31.

Sam FPLFamily <p>Fantasy Football Scout's General Manager. Half of the FPLFamily. Pundit on the FPL Pod, Fantasy Show and Sky Sports News&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

822 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    GGMU

  2. Jersey Boy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Surely Kane (c) is no longer a thing following last night’s events? Had doubts after the NLD as it was

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Still the safe option as his ownership will be huge. But I'm tempted by a punt on Raphinha

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        I've very tempted too.

    2. jimmyharte
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Yup it was. Now I'm going Lingard

    3. im1974
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Dunk

  3. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Antonio or Bamford in from now onwards..?

  4. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Not taking a hit. No one worth getting.

  5. Sickboy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Did Mourinho provide any further updates on Son post match yesterday? Thanks.

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Didn’t see anything, no

      1. Sickboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Cheers mate

  6. fantasydan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Bale, Lingard or Raphina for a 2 week punt?

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Raph.

    2. Effe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Raphina

  7. fpork
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Top 4 defenders for GW 29 and 30?

    I own Dunk, Dallas and Targett. All of them I consider top 4. Looking at the fixtures, I think Reguilon is also worth considering?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Cresswell Dawson

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      1. Cresswell
      2. Tierney

  8. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Spurs and Ars will be flat after last night.
    2 x wham
    3 x villa

    1. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Agree, got Coufal and Lingard, Watkins and Martinez

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        nice

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Disagree. Arsenal travelled and were still not flat against Spurs last week. Played at home yesterday.

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Im not talking about travel.
        Auba missed lots of chances last night
        Saka...fit?
        they were kak last night

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 10 days ago

          If you look at it, there isn't a single team this GW which can be relied upon. All games can go either ways.

          Brighton: poor in attack, can concede anytime
          Arsenal: unpredictable
          Spurs: same
          Leeds: havent scored in ages
          Villa: Inconsistent
          Fulham: can defend, can concede, cannot score
          Newcastle: nobody knows
          West Ham: will be strong in defense. Can they score though?

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Exactly this - and its the same in every single GW tbf

            Last night has zero bearing on anything - Spurs could go out & put 7 past Villa on Sunday with Kane & Bale hattricks

            Equally Spurs could have cruised through last night looking imperious, resting Kane & Bale & then lose 3-0 to Villa on Sunday

            Single GW's are way too heavily impacted by variance

            1. Christina.
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              not sure how arsenal playing last night and then on Sunday vs a rested Wham has no bearing, but each to their own. Same with Spurs who were dumped out of EL. Shocking. Mourinho;s excuse... "They lacked the basics of life" 😆
              People taking hits for Auba and Bale.
              Will will enjoy my 2 x FT and avoid both thanks.

              1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 10 days ago

                That's a totally acceptable course of action

                As is taking hits for Auba & Bale - the notion that last night's games have somehow written a script for Sunday is laughable though

  9. Tango74
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Would like a spurs midfielder but will mourhinio grind the axe

  10. timawflowers
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    son out for raph for a hit?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Aye, Raph is captaincy material.

  11. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Which 1?
    A- DCL>Watkins
    B- Gundogan>Lingard
    C-Son>Bale

  12. St Pauli Walnuts
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Anyone else tempted by Raphina captain? The stats are great and he has been so unlucky not to haul lots lately, mainly down to poor Bamford finishing. Bam misses lots but we know he can do well, if they click a double figure return for Raph is on the cards. Downside is Kane EO will be through the roof so huge fear factor. I am chasing but game over if Raph blanks and Kane smashes it.

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      go for it. doubt kane will smash it.

  13. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Antonio or Aubameyang?

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      FH?

      1. The Frenchie
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        No, one free transfert to replace Son.

        1. marcos11
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 10 days ago

          Would you not need a hit to get Antonio then? Given you can’t straight swap him for Son

          1. The Frenchie
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Enough money to get Antonio directly or Aubameyang.

            -4 for Aubameyang and Antonio

            1. marcos11
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              Think I’d go Antonio, Auba not totally nailed

  14. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Who do I bring Lingard in for guys? No wildcard to play.

    A) Salah (could move lingard to Jota)
    B) Son

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      son

  15. Sarri-ball
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Currently got mcCarthey gk who is southampton number 1?

    Need a 2nd keeper for benchboost gw30.

    Swap to forster (rotates with martinez well)
    Go areola play over martinez this week (few bad weeks rotation 0.6 more)

    1. Effe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Areola. Too much uncertainty with the Southampton GK position.

  16. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Start one?
    a) Dallas
    b) Bamford

    Better combo?
    a) Auba and Antonio
    b) Lacazette and Lingard

  17. Daghe Munegu
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    What to do with 1 ft here ?

    Martinez
    Coufal Veltman
    Son* Raphina
    Kane Watkins

    Bruno gundo Fodder Dcl cancelo Dias Shaw

    Wad thinking of Fodder and Gundo to Aubameyang and Trossard -4 ?

    1. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Dallas or Lingard seem like the major omissions

  18. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Who is better for this gw, Auba or Lingard?
    Ta.

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Who'd have thought this would ever be a real question, but it is.

      Auba though.

  19. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Who to get:

    1. Lingard
    2. Bale

    Who to transfer out for the above:

    A. Gundogan
    B. Salah

    1. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      1B

  20. MoSalalalalalalalalah
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Take a hit to bring in Bale for Son, because he is flagged? Or is that too much of a sideways move?

    1. MoSalalalalalalalalah
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      I have 9 players with Son + Bamford

    2. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      I won't be. Spurs don't look good, save the -4

  21. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    What’s Spurs motivation now with currently 8th on the table, pushing for top 4? If no motivation could it be Kane rested after 120 min showing?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Ollie to suddenly put away all those chances
      .hatty incoming

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Saving it for GW31

    2. Jersey Boy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Nope

    3. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      No spurs are maybe 5/6 points off top 4 no way kane gets a rest

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      More FPL motivation than before if anything

      They're 3 points off top 4 if they win the game in hand. That'd put them ahead of Liverpool. Both clubs could struggle to make EL next season looking downwards.

  22. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    1FT.

    Want to do Salah -> Lingard. Would you take a further -4 maybe for Bale/Auba/Cresswell?

    Martinez
    Dallas White
    Raphinha Son*
    Kane Watkins Bamford*

    1. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Just Lingard in, imo

  23. tc93
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Quick 1,2 or 3 , choose one, 2FT:
    1) Son + Taylor —> Bale + Dawson
    2) KDB + Taylor —> Bale + Dawson
    3) Other? (Suggestions)
    4) Taylor —> Dawson (and save FT)

    Areloa
    Dunk / Dias / Rudiger
    Salah / KDB / Son / Raphinha /
    Kane / Watkins / Bamford

    Martinez / Gundo / Shaw / Taylor

  24. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    A) Bale Mount
    Or
    B) Son Lingard

    For the next 4 gws?

    1. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      B

  25. XX SMICER XX
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Morning, what to do!
    I only have 8 players, 3 flagged and 1 unlikely to start!
    - Martinez
    - Dunk
    - Lewis
    - Saka
    - Son
    - Auba
    - Kane
    - Bamford

    Plan is WC next week to sort the mess!

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      You think Saka will start?

      1. XX SMICER XX
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        No I think Saka and Son are out, Lewis benched, Bamford coin toss.
        So I have 4 players!

  26. Hotdogs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    A) Sterling > Bale
    B) Sterling > Auba
    C) Sterling + Son > Bale + Auba (for -4)

  27. jimmyharte
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Have Son that I want to swap out. Not to keen on Bale after last night.

    A) Leave the hit and play with 6
    B) Trossard
    C) Still go with Bale

  28. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Auba or Bale

    Or maybe neither?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      A

    2. hawkeyes
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Bale

  29. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Is this work a - 4 ???

    Salah & DCL > Lingard & Lacazette

    or just do

    Salah > Lingard or Auba?

    Cheers

  30. sneif4
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    I have 2FT, but I'm looking pretty thin on the ground:
    Martinez
    Lewis Dallas
    Son Lingard
    Bamford Antonio

    Mee, Salah, DCL to Dunk, Bale, Kane (-4) sound good?