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. ZimZalabim
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    morning all

    Need some opinions on the following options

    Brewster to

    A. Antonio or B. Bamford

    and

    Pereira to

    1. Dallas or 2. Dunk

    I dont have FH or WC and have 2 fts

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

      A1

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

      A 2

      All decent picks though so could pick any

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

      Cheers guys Im leaning towards Antonio and Dallas at the moment, Dallas over Dunk because of gw30 also when I might use BB.

      Thanks for the replies

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

    Would appreciate some feedback please

    1. Lingard
    or
    2. Bale

    and

    A. Dunk
    or
    B. Dallas

    Thanks

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

      IF you play FH then 2 and A. If you use FT 1 and B

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

    Interesting one. Name this player. In the last 3 gameweeks he has scored 10, 6 and 8 points

    1. Zlatan F.C
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Lascelles

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

        correct, it's interesting as I don't see him in any teams yet he is probably the most in form defender playing against a team who take probably a hundred shots a game but rarely score (so good chance of a cs/bonus this gw too)

        1. Zogzeg
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 10 days ago

          Compared to the rest of his season it's even more remarkable:

          24 points in his last 270 minutes

          18 points in the previous 1,175 minutes

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

      Big Jamaal

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

        correct, I guess it's any easy one 😆

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

          I think with only 4 fixtures this week and not that many options its an easier week to guess or know such options but interesting one, definitely one of the in form players for this GW, but not worth a hit.

          hes one for the free hitters

    3. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Lascelles.

      Everyone laughed when I nearly got 2 weeks ago.

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

        2 goals and 1 cs at 4.2m

        you should be the one laughing

    4. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Jamal
      Good to stick on bench for remainder of season as well. But 2 popinter incoming this GW

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

        I didn't realise he was 4.2m

        newcastle are poor and may go down but he has value at that price with his goal threat and odd cs thrown in.

  4. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Sell:

    A - Stones
    B - Cancelo

    Buy:
    1 - Dawson
    2 - Cresswell

    1. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      B2

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

      B2

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

    Current team:
    Martinez (Pope)
    Targett, Dallas (Stones, Cancelo, Mee)
    Raph, Son, Soucek (Salah, Gundo)
    Kane, Watkins (DCL)

    I'm WC in GW31 and BB in GW30, so which 2FTs:
    A) Salah -> Lingard (ARS, wol)
    B) Salah -> Bale (avl, new)
    C) DCL -> Bamford (ful, SHU)
    D) Cancelo/Stones -> Cresswell (ARS, wol)
    E) Cancelo/Stones -> Reguillon (avl, new)

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

      C and e for me

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

        Feel like I want one of the midfielders though, especially as Salah plays Arsenal in GW30.

        Reckon Bamford starts?

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

    Pick one of each out of these

    Salah > Bale / Auba
    Holding > Dallas / Cresswell

    Or do I keep Holding? Presuming he won’t play

  7. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Salah >

    A - Bale
    B - Auba

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

      Lingard?

      1. Jet5605
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Already have him

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

    Son > Bale worth a hit? I'll cry though if Son ends up playing like last time he was 'injured'

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

      Not for me sounds like son be back for neecastle

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

      I'm thinking of doing it, strong chance Son misses next week too IMO

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

        Will be 2 weeks till Newcastle next game, so good chance he'll be back for that tbh.

  9. AdamJ91
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Do we have any news on Son? Potentially looking at doing either Son > Lingard/Trossard or Cancelo > Cresswell.

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

    Last thing I need help with this GW.
    Which combo?

    A) Dunk and Bale
    B) Bale and Antonio
    C) Dunk and Antonio
    D) Dunk and Raphinha
    E) Raphinha and Bale

    ? Already have Burn, Bamford, Lingard, Kane and Cresswell

  11. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Kane or Raphina for the armband ?

    1. Jet5605
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Kane

  12. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Dunk or Cresswell?

    Already have Coufal

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

      Dunk

  13. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    8 players, 1 FT left.

    Money no object for any mid option but none I'd want for beyond 29 (have Soucek and Raphina)

    Roll FT for the juicy GW30 fixtures?

  14. vova
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Get rid of Digne or Dias (have Ederson)?

    1. Jet5605
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Digne

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

      Digne

  15. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Are those doubling up on Brighton this GW, have enough cover for GW31 as they play Manu?

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

      Does Dunk C count? 😛

      Have Dallas Coufal and double City.

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      That's what's putting me off about Brighton. Wouldn't make my starting line up until 33

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

    With no WC in hand, I need to plan transfers with an eye to fixtures swing GW31/32.
    Those of you that plan on WC31, which are the key players you plan to get?

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

      Rudiger Mendy Alonso (will get at least 2)
      Jota
      Vardy

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

        What about KDB - or you might have him already?
        I plan to get Rudiger and Jota on FT's anyway, not sure about Vardy - rather looking at Barnes/Maddison when they're back. Also keeping an eye on TAA, Robbo and Castagne

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

          That Leeds H fixture is really tempting for KDB C. Rotation is putting off, might even punt with Aguero C for that game.

          I really like Vardy for 32-35, if Barnes is fit might even double.

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

            But Vardy has shown no form, what about taking a punt on Iheanacho ? Or maybe he's too much rotation risk when Maddison/Barnes are back?

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

              Has Vardy not returned in 3 of his last 6 since coming back from the surgery?

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

                Yes, but three of those were assist against Sheffield Utd, while blanking against Burnley and Brighton

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

                  Players blank against teams all the time though

                  Whereas not many players have Vardy's box of tricks - 24 attacking returns in 25 games season to date is incredible form from an incredibly talented player

                  Reckon he's good for 30+ attacking returns again easily this season, maybe 35+

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

              Don't need a form when the fixtures are that good. WBA (H) CRY (H) sou (A) NEW (H).

              But yea, if I get KDB, probably won't have money for Vardy so might punt on Iheanacho depending on the status for Barnes/Maddison.

  17. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Capt lingard or kane?

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

      Play it safe this GW, go with Kane

    2. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Just re read that back to yourself.

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        What are u even talking about

        1. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 10 days ago

          Captaining Lingard? Imagine asking that question 3 weeks ago. people have lost their minds for him. He's still essentially a terrible player.

          1. Letsgo!
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 10 days ago

            Why nt? 44 points in his 6 games. Mate, hes not at manutd anymore?

            1. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 10 days ago

              I know, I'll be honest I have an irrational hatred of him so I'll never pick him in fpl. Dancing nob head hahaha

              1. Letsgo!
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 10 days ago

                Ahh so its personal hatred!! Haha

  18. Vovhund
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Whats the most ideal def/mid pairing between Reguillon, Veltman, Auba and Lindgard?

  19. Bojan Horsemack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Morning all - What thoughts on the chances of another decent sized DGW this season? Not convinced at all on the benefits of using FH this week for the sake of 3 or 4 extra players

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

      35 maybe

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

      there is a chance that 37 or 38 ends up being a double for some teams if they try to switch some final home games for teams that play away in 38 so that everyone gets fans for their last home game.

  20. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Pretty lost after last night - Auba or Bale for next 2 GWs?

    Have Kane

  21. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Thoughts on whether Auba starts vs West Ham? Was set to bring him in but wary after starting vs Olympiacos.

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

      I'll risk it for 1 week.

    2. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      He'll start, highly unlikely he'll get rested

  22. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    On a FH

    Would u have Bamford?

    1. CABAYE4
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Yes - if he misses out you’ll get someone else in from your bench which non-FHers won’t

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Worried about bench appearance

  23. CABAYE4
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Morning all - thoughts on this logic re taking a hit for a DGW keeper?

    - Currently playing 9 with no keeper
    - McCarthy needs to go
    - Johnstone has che GW30 so keeper bought should have upside GW30 too (and I may even BB)
    - Across the 2 GW it’s hard to see how I’ll come off down.

    Assuming I do - best option? Boring with Martínez or Areola/Dúbravka worth a punt? Already maxed on Spurs and Leeds.

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

      Areola and Martinez still good options

  24. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Which combo to get: Already have Coufal

    A - Cresswell
    B - Dunk

    1 - Bale
    2 - Auba

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

    Why is it so quiet today I’m getting no replies 🙁

    Would appreciate some feedback please

    1. Lingard
    or
    2. Bale

    and

    A. Dunk
    or
    B. Dallas

    Thanks

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

      2B

    2. TVPlugSockets
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      1A

    3. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      1B

  26. Cojiro
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Anyone looking at punting on Ødegaard for GW 29?

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

      I was just looking at his stats - I am starting to think could be great option?

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

      Good differential

    3. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Would do it on FH

    4. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Yep I am. although I'll caveat that by saying I am an arsenal fan. Bt he's looked brilliant and he's getting further forward. Plus was rested last night so likely to start. He's a better option for the 3rd arsenal slot than lack.

    5. Cojiro
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Thanks guys. I'll be WC out so happy for the risk

  27. TVPlugSockets
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Holding to who?

    Currently only have Veltman as a playing defender.

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

      Do you have money for Dallas?

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

        Yup. Reckon he’s a better shout than Cresswell or Dunk then?

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

          Depends on your other defenders. Wouldn't want double Brighton after this week. Cresswell probably the best one if you get him for the rest of the season. Prefer both Dallas & Dunk over him if only for 29.

  28. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Get rid of Gundogan or Son for Lingard?

  29. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Is there a Spurs press conference today ?
    Waiting on Son update.

    Should I sell for Lingard?

    Cheers.

    1. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Embargoed quotes from last night's post-Europa League press conference will probably come out at 1pm. If not, that's your lot pre-deadline.

  30. 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