Tips

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

Picture that GIF of a confused John Travolta standing in a room.

Where did all the fixtures go?

Then imagine Joe popping his head round the door and exclaiming, “We’re all going to captain Harry Kane, bye!” before exiting swiftly, getting on his chopper and riding off into the sunset. 

That’s Blank Gameweek 29 in a surreal nutshell.

Just four fixtures, eight teams to choose from and one player to captain.

You have until the 18:30 GMT deadline on Friday to make sure the armband is on Harry Kane (£11.5m), decide on any potential transfers and perhaps the odd ‘minus two’ hit.

Gameweek 28 Scout Picks built on Spurs, Everton and Villa assets

However, a few managers will be playing their Free Hit this Gameweek, and if you are one of them, you’re in luck – because there has been an array of ‘perfect Free Hit squad’ articles on the site this week.

But, as Seb pointed out, those articles can be a benefit to all of us:

Even if you have resolved to save the Free Hit, however, being aware of the players that those using the chip this week may pick in their ‘ideal team’ can be useful information in guiding your own selection decisions.

When discussing chip strategy, David revealed that under a quarter of managers will be deploying their one-week Wildcard. So the majority will want to take into account the fixtures beyond this weekend.

Thankfully, Neale prepared a piece on just that topic.

Frisking the fixtures for the teams playing in Blank Gameweek 29 highlights Arsenal’s appealing schedule, particularly from Gameweek 31.

Among that group of eight, the Gunners lead the way for expected goals over the last six matches. 

Jamie noted their steady improvement this season when breaking down the best midfielders and forwards to buy for Gameweek 29. Arsenal’s recent upturn included victory in last weekend’s north London derby.

In midfield, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.5m) would be the first name on Lateriser’s teamsheet for his mock Free Hit draft. The three-time top 200 manager cited his 11 shots in the box and four big chances over the last six matches as evidence for his inclusion, with penalty duties adding another string to his bow.

At the back, Kieran Tierney (£5.2m) has impressed the upside-chasing maverick:

I like Tierney as a pick because he has a chance for returns at both ends of the pitch. Arsenal have a fairly resolute defence and Tierney is very well known for his attacking ability. In the last six matches, only Luke Shaw and Trent Alexander-Arnold have created more chances than Tierney among defenders and he showcased a very good understanding with Emile Smith Rowe on Arsenal’s left side in the north London derby. It is worth noting that in the same period, he has amassed eight shots as well.

Can Martin Ødegaard live up to his potential and become a top FPL asset? 2

Martin Ødegaard’s (£6.0m) recent displays have caught the eye of Tom Freeman, who made the Norwegian his headline differential pick. Tom highlighted his ability to find space on the edge of the box and a share of corner-taking duties among the reasons for his selection.

And Bukayo Saka (£5.3m) was talked up by Gianni and Andy on their stream last night. Despite limping off with hamstring tightness at the weekend, Mikel Arteta was positive about his chances of recovering, as Neale reported in yesterday’s team news update.

Meanwhile, it’s been a torrid week for their local rivals. Tottenham Hotspur are now out of the Europa League so rescheduling their game against Southampton becomes a tad easier for the Premier League.

As Andy and Gianni mentioned yesterday evening, Kane played 120 minutes in Croatia while Gareth Bale (£9.6m) came on for what was supposed to be the last half-hour but ended up being 60 minutes after the tie went into extra-time.

Enough to make them change their mind on captaincy or transfers? Probably not.

Gianni is planning to bring in Bale for the next two matches before switching to Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) in Gameweek 31, when Liverpool enjoy their own nice run of games. In fact, the soon-to-be-dethroned champions are top of the Season Ticker for that final sequence.

That upcoming run has persuaded Andy to keep faith with the Egyptian for now.

In fact, the high-flying Pro Pundit is contemplating adding Diogo Jota (£6.6m) alongside him.

But Spurs assets could be kept beyond the next two matches, despite their Gameweek 33 blank because of reaching the League Cup final. Neale explained:

Spurs assets are a god-send for those using their Free Hit chip in Gameweek 33 but even for the rest of us, fixtures against less-than-watertight defences in Newcastle, Sheffield United, Leeds United and potentially Saints stand out between now and Gameweek 35 and are worth navigating around that blank.

And while Brighton featured in the ‘Bad’ section for upcoming fixtures, they nonetheless offer some appealing budget options – especially for those who have already used, or won’t be playing, their Free Hit in Gameweek 33:

The likes of Joel Veltman and Robert Sanchez are at least benchable at their prices, and can be wheeled out for, at the very least, the Gameweek 33 clash with Championship-bound Sheffield United.

– Neale

Veltman has been lauded across the board ahead of the reduced-fixture Gameweek, his cheap price and attacking threat making him something of a no-brainer. But Seb cautioned that he could be handed more defensive responsibilities, with a half-time reshuffle against Southampton last time out seeing Veltman shifted into a back three:

Veltman may be moved to centre-back, in which case I will settle for a clean sheet, but if he retains the right-back/wing-back role his total of six shots in the box in the last four, of which two were big chances, looks appealing.

– Seb

Armband Alternative

David was his usual loquacious self on the Scoutcast and captaincy video this week, singing the praises of Jesse Lingard (£6.1m) to all and sundry:

I’m gonna start with Jesse Lingard because he has, just out of nowhere, become the kind of guy that is troubling enough of the stats tables … he was my favorite alternative captain when we did the Captaincy Video earlier on today.

I’ve always been a big fan of players who can get lots of shots on target – and that’s something that he’s clearly very good at because in the last four matches no Premier League player has even the same number of shots on target as Jesse Lingard … and the chances that he’s getting are are decent, too.

So if you sort all players in the Premier League by those who are actually playing this week, Jesse Lingard is joint second for big chances over the last four with a total of three; he’s had nine shots in the box, which is again joint best of all players who are playing in Gameweek 29. So the form that he’s carrying into this fixture is very strong.

– David

Lingard was David’s second pick behind Harry Kane in Captain Sensible, with a perceived weakness on Arsenal’s right flank bolstering his armband credentials.

The Manchester United loanee takes his place in the Scout Picks, which is really just the best Free Hit team every Gameweek, alongside Bale, Aubameyang and Raphinha (£5.6m) in midfield.

Leeds fan Seb reasoned that the Brazilian is due an attacking return:

Leeds’ attacking threat has deteriorated recently and whilst Raphinha has not escaped from this, he is still the main threat for United, perhaps becoming an even greater focus of the team’s ball progression and chance creation in this slight downturn. The Brazilian has an xGI of 2.01 over the last four, which he has underperformed by 1.01.

Not only was Harry Kane no. 1 in Captain Sensible but he was the unanimous choice for armband among the four Scout Squad pundits of David, Neale, Tom and Andy.

Will we all be dancing like John Travolta come Sunday night?

Community Competitions and Head-to-Head Fixtures

The draw for the first round of the 2019/20 FFS Cup

RedLightning has rounded up the Community mini-leagues and competitions.

And Neale published the latest cup results yesterday: 128 managers remain in the two tournaments, with the finals set to take place in Gameweek 35.

There’s a true ‘David and Goliath’ clash in round four as the lowest-ranked manager in the FFS Open Cup takes on the highest-ranked.

At 3,125,510th overall, Jonathan Ojao will have his work cut out when he faces 254th-placed The Fighting Cock for a spot in round five.

The Head-to-Head fixtures for Gameweek 29 can be found below. 

The scores and tables are now updating every night on the Head-to-Head Leagues main page so you can keep track of the action as the Gameweek unfolds. 

May your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

1,012 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Neves say Neves
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    A. Lingard
    B. Trossard

    1. E25
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      A

    2. Releasebreaks
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      a

    3. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      A

    4. TRE2
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      A. I fancy Ødegaard this week too though. No love?

      1. Neves say Neves
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        why's that? hadn't even considered him tbh. thanks for replying!

        1. TRE2
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          Looked hood recent games I think. I'll probably go Lingard in the end though

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

    Who is ur C for GW 29 ?

    1. E25
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Antonio or Raph. Might flip a coin

    2. Mike82
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Only one option, Kane

  3. 420king
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Any of these worth a hit?

    A) Son->Bale
    B) Gundo->Lingard
    C) DCL->Antonio

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      b or c could be, if you've got at least 7 players already i wouldn't take a hit

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        I got 7+Son, still think I would be worth a hit or two if I wanted to keep any of those players going forward.

  4. Mike82
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Should I take a hit to take Son out?

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      noooo

  5. gellinmagellan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Martinez
    Coufal Strujic
    Raphinha Auba Lingard
    Kane Bamford

    Worth getting Trossard or Odegaard for -4 for Gundogan?

    1. TRE2
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      WC31? Planning on getting Gundo back?

      1. gellinmagellan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Yeah, WC31. No plans right now, should I?

        1. TRE2
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          Ok. So its for two weeks only then. Tough. Id be tempted, probably leaning towards Ødegaard due to next week, bit Trossard looks good for this week

  6. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Which one to start?

    A. Reguilon
    B. Bamford

  7. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Pick one for a FH team:

    Antonio Auba or Bamford

    Greatly greatly appreciated. Chip success defining move imo

    Thasns

    1. SALVA
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Auba

  8. SALVA
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    On FH any changes here or G2G?

    Lloris
    Dunk, Veltman, Dallas
    Raph, JLingz, Bale, Auba
    Laca, Bam, Kane

    Emi
    Tros, Tierney, Cress

    1. Mike82
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      You can't BB right?

      1. SALVA
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Cant cuz on FH.

        1. Mike82
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          Just thinking why your subs are all this game week players, suppose insurance policy

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Tierney over Veltman tbh

  9. Isco Disco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    What's the latest news on Bamford?
    Chances of him stating tonight?
    Will FPL rockstar give any team news before the Deadline?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Leeds manager Bielsa said they'll wheel him out again.

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

    Already on - 4. Wildcard in 31

    A....stick

    B....mount to auba - 4

    Martinez
    Dallas coufal dunk (dias cancelo)
    Son bale Lingard raphinha (mount)
    Kane watkins (dcl)

    Thanks

    1. TRE2
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Stick imo

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Thanks

    2. ManUtdFan977
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      stick with this your good to go

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Great cheers

  11. Drogba Legend
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Still have WC and have this team for this GW as of now: 0FT, 2.0 ITB

    Pope
    Digne - Stones - Dias - Dunk*
    Son* - Bale* - Raph*
    Kane* - Bam* - Antonio*

    Fodder - Bruno - Gundo - Fodder

    Anything worth a hit? Maybe Gundo > Lingz, Tross/Gross, Arsenal mid outside Auba?

    Captain?

  12. Reeker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Play Areola over Martinez?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      I think so.

  13. LABILLETHEGOAT
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Who would you do?
    a. Digne > Dallas
    B. Mitchell > Veltman

    1. TRE2
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      B. You want Digne for next week, no?

      1. LABILLETHEGOAT
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        yeh was thinking that, digne has Palace(H)

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

    A just. Both good options for the rest of the season.

  15. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Bench 1:

    A) Moura
    B) Aubameyang

  16. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Pick one
    A- Gundogan -> Lingard (-4)
    B- Son-> Aubameyang (-4)
    C- None
    Start-
    1-Emi
    2-Sanchez
    (Already own Dunk)

    1. Mike82
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      C2

  17. jacksonbarber125
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Sterling --> Bale for a (-4)

    Only have 5 playing.

    Also thinking Maitland-niles --> Dallas/Dunk for (-8)

  18. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    A) Cancelo to Dunk -4
    B) Stones to Dunk -4
    C) neither

    Gives 11 players this week.

    1. TRE2
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Maybe, but not if you already have a Brighton defender

  19. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    G2G? Anyone worth a hit?

    Martinez
    Cresswell Konsa Struijk
    Lingard Bale Son Raphinha
    Antonio Kane

    (Fabri, Bruno DCL Digne Stones)

  20. jackhammer1
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Gundo to for a -4?

    A. Auba
    B. Bale
    C. Raph

    1. ManUtdFan977
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      raph

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      B

    3. E25
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      B to have raph for 30

      1. E25
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        C*

  21. gellinmagellan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    At 89k OR, who should I captain?

    A) Kane
    B) Raphinha (currently)
    C) Auba

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      A

    2. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      A

  22. Releasebreaks
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Choose 2 to Play:

    Auba
    Dunk
    Dallas
    Odergaad

    1. TRE2
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      You own all 4?

      1. Releasebreaks
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Im on FH

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      What's your FH team? I'd only really be tempted to bench Odegaard

      1. TRE2
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Agree

  23. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Keep Digne or Cancelo?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Cancelo

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Digne for me as nailed and strong CS prospects in GW30

      1. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        My thinking

    3. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      I'm keeping Digne, decent fixtures for 30 + 31 and plays in 33. Wouldn't be surprised to see Cancelo rotated in a fixture GW30-32 and blanks in 33.

  24. Muchentuchel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Time to leave all deluxe players on the bench to unsettle the casual opponents.

  25. E25
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Differential cap, which one...
    A) Raphinha
    B) Antonio

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      C

      1. E25
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        No Kane here 😉

  26. ManUtdFan977
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Veltman in for who cancelo or stones I'm wilcarding in 31

  27. JB_FC
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    How likely is it Chilwell plays in gw30? Don't know whether to transfer out Chilwell or Cancelo for Dunk (-4)

    A) Chilwell
    B) Cancelo
    C) No hit

    1. JB_FC
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Forgot to say I'm wildcarding in 31

  28. FallingDuck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Start Meslier or Martinez ?

    Transfer out Cancelo, Stones or Digne for Reguilon?
    Already have Cresswell and Dunk. Reg will be my 3rd defender.

  29. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    No more Bamford news today?

  30. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Starting XI Sorted. (Or Staring IX?!)

    Sanchez
    Dunk / Dallas
    Bale / Lingard / Raphinha
    Kane / Antonio / Bamford

    Martinez // Bruno, Shaw, Stones, Gundog, Digne

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Don't meant to post early. Captain choice?
      A) Kane
      B) Raphinha
      C) Other?

      1. Firmino
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Dunk

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          Double Brighton is enough for me. I don't want to risk triple 😛

      2. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        A

      3. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Bale.

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          Lingard vc.