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)

Auto Draft 5

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. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Will Saka get minutes at the weekend?

  2. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    First time I've seen Lingard called a Must Have...

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Call up to the Swedish national team might account for it!

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

    With Son having a potential DGW and no midweek matches, Im considering moving Gundogan out for Lingaard instead. What are your thoughts?

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Gundo has shown that he's still point scoring, even with KDB back. I'd shift Son and you can always get him back

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      You can hold 3 Citeh/Spurs player GW33 but Son is too much money on the bench to this point. Unless super human, Son is likely to miss this week and GW30. Just get him back when you know he is fit.

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        From what I’ve read he’s all but assured to get back for GW30 and outside chance for 29 but unlikely

  4. Vlekz
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Anything worth changing? FH team

      Sanchez
      Reguilion Dallas dunk veltman
      Auba bale raphinha lingard
      (K)ane Antonio

      Martinez | Bamford Cresswell lookman

      (Got no Fulham against leeds, anyone worth getting? if yes, for whom?)

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        I think you should play Bamford or Cresswell before Reguillion

        1. Vlekz
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Fancy triple leeds against Fulham over a defender against grealish less villa?

        2. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 10 days ago

          Play Creswell and bench a Brighton player. Too much bench for a FH IMO. Why Lookman love; 1 goal no assists in last 8 games. Flatters to deceive.

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

          Nice team but triple brighton defence a little risky. I would have either cresswell or tierney replace veltman.

      2. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Lost on last page

        I currently have 4 starters and the injured Burn of Brighton.

        Anyone going with as little starters as me or should I do a -8

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

          Depends. Do you have a wildcard? If not, you also have to consider if the players you are bringing in are worth keeping long term..

          1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            No wildcard, used it a couple weeks ago and got 100+.

            Thinking Gundogan to Raphina for a start...

        2. Vlekz
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Get kane, one leeds, lingard/Antonio etc(high ownership players) if you don't have them for a hit if required. It's -2 to hedge against a potential haul which might mess up rank big time.
            Players like Cresswell, reguilion get them if you want them till 38(fighting for top 4, so not a bad shout). If not can skip too

        3. Oggle22
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 10 days ago

          2ft
          Martinez
          Konsa Dunk Dallas
          Son Salah Bruno Gunda Raphina
          Bamford Kane

          Steele Cancelo Stones Brewster

          Salah/Bruno/Brewster to
          Bale/Aubameyang/Antonio -4

          Got a feeling 5 at the back might pay off this week though?

          1. BrockLanders
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Looks good

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

          Pick two on FH:

          A) Raphinha
          B) Lingard
          C) Antonio

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

            A and B

          2. Runaway
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            AC

          3. GE
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            AC

          4. Motong-Moting
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            A and B

        5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 10 days ago

          Is Grealish back? if so, you got to fancy him against this mess of a spurs team

          1. BrockLanders
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            I reckon Spurs will bounce back. Haven't seen/heard anything that would suggest Grealish is close to starting..

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

              Grealish was reported to be back training on Wednesday

              1. Vlekz
                  3 years, 10 days ago

                  Just training..doesn't mean he is match fit. Not even in the England squad

                  1. BrockLanders
                    • 9 Years
                    3 years, 10 days ago

                    Yeah, I'd say he's no better than 50/50 or worse

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

            Lose Stones or Cancelo this gw?

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

              cancelo

            2. GE
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              C

          3. GE
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            (Plan to WC31)

            1) Gundo and Digne -> Lingard and Creswell (-8)
            2) Gundo and Cancelo -> Lingard and Dawson/Dunk (-8) (Max 5.6, have Weltman and Dallas)
            3) Not worth it

          4. It's his Job.
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            G2G?
            Keeping Son as I would want him back for GW 30 anyway.

            Martinez
            Konsa Cresswell Dallas
            Bale Son* Lingard
            Kane Bamford Watkins

            Leno/Cancelo/KDB/Gundo/Shaw

          5. Meme2011
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Make 1 or 2 (-4) changes guys?

            SANCHEZ

            DALLAS, VELTMAN, CRESSWELL, COUFAL

            BALE, SON**

            BAMFORD*, WATKINS, KANE

            ederson, fernandes, shaw, foden, gundo

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

            0FT. 6.1ITB

            GTG?

            Martinez
            Dallas White
            Raphinha Lingard Son*
            Kane(C) Watkins Bamford*

          7. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            saka still a doubt for west ham game

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

              finding it very tough to predict the line up.

              xhaka partey and odergaard are the only nailed starters in midfield and attack. the rest is a lottery it seems.

          8. DAZZ
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            120 minutes for Kane and no Son and up against Emi. I’ll happily dodge Kane (C) this week 🙂

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

              Who then, Lingard?

              1. DAZZ
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 10 days ago

                Well Bale will 100% be fresher than Kane for starters if you want to gamble on Spurs. Raphina is a good shout potentially

          9. g40steve
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Raphinha or Jesse for the arm band 🙂 ?

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

              Raphinha, slightly.

            2. The Mantis
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              Hmm I think Leeds could lose against Fulham, what have they got to play for?

            3. Tonyawesome69
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              Tough one - I like both options. Probably Raphinha since he has more avenues for attacking returns

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

            No Chips remaining whatsoever unfortunately. Is double West Ham moving forward wise, Lingard + Antonio? Thinking Gundo > Lingard -4 to free up a City spot. Could lose Alonso for Creswell instead -4?

          11. The Mantis
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            What was Auba like last night? Have a bad feeling he won't play at weekend?

            1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              looked poor and lacking in confidence

              1. The Mantis
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 10 days ago

                Thought as much, safer to go with Odegard or Laca then as they were rested or didn't play 90 then maybe

          12. Motong-Moting
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            How is Maupay as a punt?

            1. Rassi
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              May pay.

              1. Motong-Moting
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 10 days ago

                LoL!

            2. Tonyawesome69
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              Only Brighton attacker worth a punt is Trossard

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

              I've brought in Trossard but fixtures are absolute dirt after this.

          13. Tonyawesome69
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Holding and Salah to Dallas and Lingard (-4)?

            WC31 FH33
            1FT 0itb
            Martinez
            Cresswell Holding
            Raphinha Son Bale
            Kane Bamford
            (Fabri Stones Cancelo Digne Gundo Salah DCL)

            1. Tonyawesome69
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              Anyone?

            2. _figu
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              You prefer Lingard over Auba?

          14. YoungPretender
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Best 2 defenders for this week?

            1. Rassi
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              Double Brighton

            2. Tonyawesome69
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              Dunk Dallas Cresswell - take your pick

              1. Motong-Moting
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 10 days ago

                Creswell and Dunk

            3. YuvalFPL
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              Dunk and Veltman

          15. Steve The Spud
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Bale taking some stick but to be honest he was pretty decent when he came on last night, created a couple of big chances that just wouldn’t go in, surely starts on Sunday

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

              If he'd finished that chance that fell to his left foot by the penalty spot late on things would have a very different shine to them this morning

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

              Agreed he is being massively overlooked for captaincy considering he didnt start in the EL and Son being injured

          16. Chandler Bing
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Is Antonio a better captaincy pick than any Brighton player this GW?

            1. Tonyawesome69
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              Probably yes.

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

              Antonio is a great shout. Has scored 2 against City and 1 against Spurs this season. Not on penalties tho.

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

              He is, imo

            4. YuvalFPL
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              Have you watched him recently? Looks like he can't run. No thanks. Trossard is a better pick IMO.

          17. AudereESTFacere
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Morning all,

            Any changes to this FH team please?

            Sanchez Areola
            Reguilon Dunk Dallas Lascelles Cress
            Auba Bale Lingz Raph Tross
            Kane Laca Antonio

            1. Tonyawesome69
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              No, template FH

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

              Laca is a risk, I'd love to go there if I thought he'd be starting.

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

                2 in his last 2 starts not enough over Auba who played last night?

          18. Stranger Mings
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Sorry probably same question as others but salah out for -4?to a)Bale B)Aubameyang c)el gazhi d)Trossard e)Lookman or f)hold to avoid -4?

            1. Tonyawesome69
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              I would lose Salah but none of those options are great. Only Raphinha and Lingard are the players I would bring in for Salah

              1. Stranger Mings
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 10 days ago

                Ok cheers I already have them so sounds like the best option to save the -4 hit

            2. _figu
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              Do you have a WC or not? Don't like Trossard long term. Would consider Bale/Auba.

              I'll get Auba as a one week punt, then moving to Bruno next week.

              1. Stranger Mings
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 10 days ago

                Sorry should have said yes Wildscarding GW31 so really only for GW29 & 30. Also already got/keeping Bruno

                1. _figu
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 10 days ago

                  Then I guess Auba doesn't make sense. Bale has to get through the IB without an injury. Lingard an option is you fancy him, a decent fixture in 30 as well.

                  1. Stranger Mings
                    • 3 Years
                    3 years, 10 days ago

                    Thanks mate good advice

          19. YuvalFPL
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Finally nailed my FH team. Feel free to rip apart please.

            Areola
            Tierney Dunk Veltman
            Auba (c) Odergaard Grealish Trossard Moura
            Kane Maja

            Martinez Andersen Watkins Regullion.

            Basically backing 4 teams.

            1. DAZZ
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              Weat Ham will comfortably beat Arsenal.

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

                Like they comfortably beat United? What are you basing that on?

                1. DAZZ
                  • 9 Years
                  3 years, 10 days ago

                  Well United are a better side than Arsenal for starters and i never claimed they’d beat United at Old Trafford comfortably. Im basing it on West Ham being a better team than Arsenal, especially at home

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

            Which team is on more of a slide: Villa or Spurs?

            Vila lost to SHU and got the worse of draws with Newcastle and Wolves in the last 3 matches. Spurs were poor but Dinamo were great last night and Arsenal are also a handy enough team.

            Neither looking good for sure but Villa? Those are 2 shockers and one iffy derby at best.

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

              I'm betting on Villa to turn it around this game. Grealish and Cash coming back would be a huge boost. Dean Smith always seems to get it right against the big teams and isn't afraid.

            2. Tonyawesome69
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              Villa heavily missing Grealish. I expect Spurs to patch up Son and get him ready for the game at the weekend

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

                Yep

                As a Palace fan I can see definite parallels with no Grealish and no Zaha. It isn't just what they offer in attack but they also help defence by leaving an automatic out ball and push the opposition back a touch. Morale matters too.

          21. Bobby Digital
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Don't have the balls to captain Trossard. A shame.

            1. _figu
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              I want to captain Dunk so bad haha. Dreaming of a 15 pointer

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

            Best defender for this gw that's not Dallas?

            1. Bobby Digital
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              Dunk

            2. Tonyawesome69
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              Dunk

            3. Miguel Sanchez
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              Cresswell

          23. Vlekz
              3 years, 10 days ago

              Have no other villa or arsenal. Which 2 of the following 3?
              A) Antonio
              B) lingard
              C)auba

              1. Tonyawesome69
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 10 days ago

                Prob A&B