Metrics

How the top 10k FPL managers set their teams up for Blank Gameweek 29

The top 10,000 Fantasy Premier League managers were largely content to come into Blank Gameweek 29 without a full starting XI.

With just four matches to choose from, and Free Hits mostly at a premium, this weekend’s average squad size at this level was 10.3 players from a possible 12, according to LiveFPL.net.

Those two numbers include the doubling-up effect of a captain’s armband, meaning the top 10k are, on average, 1.7 below a full complement of starting players for Blank Gameweek 29.

Still, they are still at more of an advantage than managers in the rest of the world.

Even including the doubling-up of a captain, the average number of active players among overall teams is just 6.0 for Blank Gameweek 29.

In light of the disadvantages in each camp, hits appear to have been relatively prevalent.

According to LiveFPL.net, the average adjustment to a top-10k squad this weekend, when factoring in this rank bracket’s hits, is -1.95.

Meanwhile, when we factor in all hits worldwide, the average squad score carries a deduction of 1.36 points.

As mentioned before, very few managers in the top 10k were able to legislate against the Blank Gameweek with a Free Hit.

80.2% of them had already used that chip before Friday’s evening deadline.

Still, 9.5% of them deployed the Free Hit for Blank Gameweek 29. Unsurprisingly, that was the most attention any chip received this week with 1.9% of the top 10k opting for a Wildcard.

Robert Sánchez (£4.5m) was the most fashionable goalkeeper among the top-10k Free Hitters, chosen by 66.5% of them for Blank Gameweek 29.

Lewis Dunk (£5.0m) was behind only Harry Kane (£11.5m) for ownership in these squads making him the most-popular defender ahead of Stuart Dallas (£5.1m) in second place.

It is also interesting to note that, despite plenty of attention in the Fantasy community this week, Joël Veltman (£4.4m) did not crack the top-five most-popular defenders among top-10k Free Hitters.

Gareth Bale (£9.6m) sits in 91.9% of these squads while Leandro Trossard (£5.8m) made it into 45.0% of them.

There appears to be a fair amount of uniformity across the midfield in the top 10k’s Free Hit teams, Jesse Lingard (£6.1m), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.5m), Raphinha (£5.6m) and Bale all owned by at least 80% of such managers.

A look at the main template among the top 10k tells an interesting story about which players were held onto at this level.

Kane, Michail Antonio (£6.7m) and Patrick Bamford (£6.7m) were the most popular forwards in the top 10k Free Hits but Ollie Watkins (£6.6m) remains in 53.3% of all teams at this level.

Son Heung-min (£9.5m) looks unlikely to be involved in Blank Gameweek 29 due to injury but a positive update about his Gameweek 30 chances has led to 50.3% of the top 10k retaining his services for now.

Meanwhile, John Stones (£5.3m), Ruben Dias (£6.1m), Bruno Fernandes (£11.5m) and Ilkay Gündogan (£6.2m) all have no match in Blank Gameweek 29 but have held onto a place in the top 10k template.

The Blank Gameweek 29 captaincy was arguably even more one-sided than pre-deadline polls suggested.

Kane managed 48.9% of the votes in our most recent ballot but the top 10k were more convinced of his credentials.

78.1% of them have placed their armband on the Spurs forward, who has five attacking returns in the last four matches.

Backers of Friday-night goalscorer Raphinha will be pleased with how Blank Gameweek 29 has gone so far.

5.8% of the top 10k captained him for the trip to Fulham, a brave decision in light of the heavy support for Kane, although it was one that has already come with some reward.

2.3% captained Aubameyang, 2.0% handed the armband to Bale while 1.8% chose Lingard as their skipper.

As predicted, Kane’s effective ownership for Blank Gameweek 29 was ominously significant.

Combining his ownership in the top 10k with a large following of captains, his effective ownership is 172.6%, just under 100 percentage points more than second-placed Raphinha (80.6%).

Leeds’ trio of key Fantasy assets were well inside the top-five for this particular statistic, completed by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez (£5.4m).

BLANK GAMEWEEK 29 SO FAR…

Bamford was at the heart of Friday night’s opening match of Blank Gameweek 29.

For the first time since Gameweek 21, the Leeds forward produced more than one attacking return, scoring and assisting at Craven Cottage.

However, after overcoming a hip injury to appear on Friday, Bamford was forced off in the 77th minute with a possible new complaint.

Raphinha continued his impressive form, adding his 12th attacking return of the campaign, an eighth since Gameweek 20.

Meanwhile, Ademola Lookman‘s (£5.1m) role in set pieces was finally rewarded, enabling him to secure a fourth assist of the season, although it was his first since Gameweek 18.

Joachim Andersen (£4.5m) was the Fulham defender to own for Blank Gameweek 29 it turned out, the Danish international netting his first-ever goal for Fulham in the first half.

Provisional bonus points

  • 3 – Patrick Bamford
  • 2 – Jack Harrison
  • 1 – Raphinha

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

449 Comments Post a Comment
  1. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Just imagine if Dallas had converted that chance in 2nd half...

    Still good start for the triple Leeds owners.

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      I know right, gutted

    2. GE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Messlier, Dallas and Bamford, ok start only

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

        Snap.

        Raphina goal was a pain but would have been ok with it if Fulham hadn’t scored.

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      He was 90% owned, doesn’t really matter

    4. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Was it a bad miss?

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        No, but a foot wide in the end

      2. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        No

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

    Leeds safe

  3. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    3 players done. Happy so far.

  4. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    WC in 31 over 30 because of Leeds and Villa good fixtures in 30?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      yes

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

      That's the plan.

    3. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      That’s what I am planning then ditching them all and West Hsm

    4. Bennerman
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Like the others, yes. I was planning for a while to wildcard 30, but saw my team was mint anyway so 31 easily waited for

  5. gonzalocampos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Great start, 21 points to 16K.

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Same up to 4 .5 K

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

        I just have 5 left, Kane C, You?

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          8 and kane captain but two of those are Son and Grealish.

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

            So 6 lol

            1. DA Minnion (Former great)
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 9 days ago

              Probably .lol

      2. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Get a room! :jealous:

  6. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    I know Antonio has not played yet but Bamford to Antonio on my FH due to the flag is frustrating

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Cool kids have both

  7. NETFLIX & CHILWELL
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Absolutely FUBAR already.

    Got to laugh really.

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Lobe it

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

        Ear ear

  8. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Never thought i'd say this but We all love Leeds.

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

      Speak for yourself mate

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

      Haha. Because we own them and they play well for us.

      Some of us love Lingard too. Never tought to love him before his loan.

  9. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    What a great result. London hoodoo broken.
    Security assured for next season.
    Bamford back in the goals.
    Raphinia doing his stuff.
    Dallas unlucky.
    Marching on together.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Great season in hindsight

      Need to invest in Def

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        For sure.

      2. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        I thought otherwise. Surely they're safe now. Try to make a statement

    2. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Marching on together.

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Well done. Good call.

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

          Cheers, Leeds have been great, considering squad and performances, best team in the league for me.

          1. DA Minnion (Former great)
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 9 days ago

            Yeah they have been a real breath of fresh air this year.

      2. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Spot on?

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

          I still favoured Leeds to win 3:0 🙂

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

      5-0 against managerless Sheffield will be nice.

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

    Finally broken into the top 10k. Now to push for that top 2.5k goal

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

      Congratulations

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Great work.

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Have you sold the best defender in the game? Why?

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

        But congrats anyway!

      2. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Highly doubt he plays more than half of their PL matches. He and Dias are going to get the cup and CL games

  11. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Really happy with Bam and Raph. Not som happy with Maja.....

    1. Haa-lala-land
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      FF points aside, I think Maja is a good Forward, and it's only Parker's naive management style that he isn't used to his full potential

  12. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    21 from 3. 6 + Son to go.

    ML rival has two players

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

      Congrats!

  13. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Martinez mega haul is coming isn’t it

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Oh yeaaah

    2. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      On my bench + have Kane (c), Bale and Son. It's a banker.

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

      Serve all the folks who benched him for Areola right...

      [I didn't have the luxury]

      1. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Checking in

  14. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    20 from Bamford, Raphinha & Dallas is a fail, all 3 could have scored Leeds’ 3rd.

    More points left behind...

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      21* a success so...

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

      That Dallas chance in the 2nd half was justtt

    3. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Lucky it’s 21 points then 😉

  15. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Red arrow on FH since no Bamford.

    1. A. PRISE
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Luck beats skill 10 times out of 10 in fpl, unfortunately

      1. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        "Skill" is the wrong term to use when assessing FPL competence

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

      Red arrow for me too, Ayling, Dallas and Raphinha, no Bamford. I hate free hit chip.

      1. A. PRISE
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        There are still 3 games, you never know

  16. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Not the worst result with only bamford

    A Dallas haul would have been horrible

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

    Really hoping DCL & rudiger don't get any league minutes this GW, will enable me the Bamford points.

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

      Ha

  18. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Last Man Standing Update (325 teams)

    Current safety score with autosubs = 11
    Top score = 29

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

  19. Konstaapeli
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Did Gundo to Raph for a hit. Happy for now.

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

      But Gundo hasn’t played yet 😉

      1. Konstaapeli
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Next week's going to tell the real story. Hoping more from Raph!

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

      Well done

      You took the minus 4? Raph was a great call. Thinking he's a viable captain in 30.

  20. Says
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Bamford seems like the nicest guy in the league

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

      I don't own Bamford but can't help but like the guy

      Seems like a normal bloke loving life

      1. Poetry in motion
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Yep, same here

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      He's a class act on and off the field.

    3. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Totally agree. See post on next page. https://fb.watch/4kWQuMcE_Q/

  21. Poetry in motion
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Annoying when your player scores and your OR goes down 🙁

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Other players scored also

      1. Poetry in motion
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        I mean that Bamford's assist cost me around 3 points loss, while Rapginha's goal gained me around 1.2 due to EO around my rank.

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          I get it, just stating obvious

        2. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          Micro analysing goals kills enjoyment. EO is the devil.

        3. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          Points!

  22. Lukakuna
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Bamford is such a nice and humble guy! Hope he gets the England call up soon

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Not an England supporter?

      1. Lukakuna
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Ha. Yeah Watkins will fire Southgate to the Euro final

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          They should play like spurs with Kane withdrawn and use Grealish, Foden, Sancho, Saka etc as wide forwards

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

            I can't grasp this idea, I'm seeing no CF and five blokes milling around edge of box!

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Shame he isn't Irish.

  23. F_Ivanovic
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Would have benched Bamford anyway but decided it was a good idea to have Watkins instead (also 1st on bench)... oh well. If Lingard delivers I can't complain as he would have been the one that made way for Bamford.

  24. Effe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Any chance Raphina gets bumped up from 1 to 2 bonus points for the winning goal?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      No, added real time

  25. Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Thanks for the points Rapha! All round nice guy - waited for everyone else in my mini league to get him before recommencing his scoring. Ta.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Good to see you in here; hope your having a good one

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Yeah wtf. All of a sudden Raph, Dallas, Bamford all 80% EO.

      Had 3 Leeds for weeks. Gains: negative.

  26. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Any idea when will Tot have dgw? GW34 could be ideal for TC chip if potential double is announced - SHU & SOU {*_*}

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

      32 is supposed to be very likely. If City beat Everton, it should be in 32. If Everton win, it won't be iirc

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

      Reckon it will be 32 which will be a disaster imo. Can see Mourinho resting the main men in the midweek game ready for City in the cup final.

  27. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Picked rafinha over bamford for captain...

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Better than my Trossard

    2. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Nice

  28. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    How does a front 8 of
    KDB,Fernandes,Lingard,Jota,Saka
    Kane,Vardy,Adams
    Look for a WC from 31?

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

      Maybe i will be pretty much the same so you are good..

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

      Pretty good though I'm wondering if maybe a clear cut Chelsea choice emerges. Havertz perhaps.

    3. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Jota safe?

    4. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Why 31 for WC and not 30? Have WC and planned to use it in HW30.

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

        If it helps, I was set on wildcard 30, but once I saw my team of 29 dead-heads plus one transfer was absolutely fine (actually pretty decent) for 30, decided to leave until 31

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          Cheers Bennerman. I mightn't be too bad for GW30 but have BB and TC left too. Better to hit WC the GW before an Everton DGW and then use TC or BB.

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

            Dunno, I'd be inlined to wait a bit. For the big fireworks. I have WC and FH myself and no decisions yet.

    5. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Unless you've got BB left I think you might as well replace Adams with fodder and upgrade elsewhere, he's a waste of cash. I think I prefer Neto to Saka. Other than that, looks fine.

  29. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Three folks in my ten-team mini league apparently didn’t notice the Friday start....probably pretty common.

    Dang!

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      1 guy in mine: Sterling (c) Bruno (vc). Whoops.

      1. Kun Tozser
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Hope they are below you and given up! Depressing otherwise

  30. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Hope Havertz catches some form soon. Getting chance, not tucking them away.

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

      Other than that, he have manager who loves to rotate like Pep and Arteta. Headache.

      1. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        at the moment Mount's the best option in attack, rest of their attack looks clueless, if Giroud was nailed, he would be in my team.

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

          Saw a comment that said Giroud never be a first choice striker for any manager.

          Is he that bad?

          I think a few seasons back, he is the first choice forward for Wenger. Ozil have so many assists because of Giroud. Right?

          1. Scholes Out For Summer
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 9 days ago

            I think Giroud had goals because of Ozil...