Fantasy Football Tips Double Gameweek 29

Welcome to Fantasy Football Tips Double Gameweek 29

With 12 teams at the double, it’s quite a bumper GW. Wildcards, Bench Boosts, Free Hits and Triple Captains will be wielded this week, with reckless abandon. Wherever you sit in that particular portion of chips, or indeed find yourself in the gravy, having already used all of yours, and simply need to max out on DGW’ers, sit back and allow Init, Swirly and Matt to guide you through the best picks.

Init – Keepers and Defenders

(Photo by Franco Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

It looks like a cracking and exciting week for picking midfielders and forwards…. a bit less so for this particular section! So much so that we had a queue of writers for the others, and exactly zero for this! So I said I’d step in. Not so much to inspire anyone, rather more to cut to the reality.

Said reality this week is that if you look at the options in two sections – DGW’ers and SGW players – and neither is particularly screaming clean sheet! To make it easier to understand the dilemma, first off just digest the graphic below. And in doing so ask yourself which team looks likely to get a double cleanie?

Homework done? Now tell me your answer. The trouble we see is that every single team there has at least one fixture in which you just cannot say that the opposition would not ordinarily score. And probably a few. There are no double bankers there, at all.

To put it into some context though the top clean sheet number out of the entire league is 12, which is jointly Arsenal and Newcastle. The lowest is Saints on 4. So we have the whole spectrum here really.

The question may be then whether we can find any more certainties in the SGW players, and maybe stick with those instead. The trouble there, as illustrated in our snapshot of the fixture tracker below, is that we rate 7 of those 8 games as ‘yellow’, which is to say ‘Could go either way’. The only one in green is Arsenal, fittingly.

Clean sheets may be the bread and butter of our defender picks but they can also provide attacking returns too. And with so few clean sheets on offer this week, in theory, then perhaps it is this to which we should turn instead? The good news here is that the top 3 for assists from defenders all have a DGW – Robertson (6), Trppier (6) and Estupinan (5). The top 3 goal scoring defenders are Gabriel, Mee and VVD (all on 3) – two of whom have a DGW. The top 3 for Bonus Points are Trippier (31), Gabriel and Saliba (14 each). For total points it is Trippier (54), Gabriel (124) and White (121).

What to make of all of the above?

Personally it would be to –

• Make sure I had Trippier!
• Keep any Arsenal defender
• Maybe likewise with Man United and Liverpool?
• Probably punt on Brighton ones
• Pray for the rest!

Swirly – Midfielders

Kaoru Mitoma, Solly March and Alexis Mac Allister currently take up the places of first, second and fifth respectively when it comes to the midfielders who have been brought in so far this gameweek.

It’s Mitoma who also leads the way in the ownership stakes too, now appearing in 23.5% of FPL squads. Not bad for a player who only registered 10 points from Gameweeks 1 to 13. An assist against Chelsea in the 4-1 victory against Chelsea was the turning point for both the club and the Japanese international, as he’s only blanked in three games out of 13 – picking up six goals and four more assists.

As for March, it was also a quiet first half of the season, though he did at least set up four goals in that time. Whilst Mitoma’s points collection has been even since that Chelsea match, a look through the same time for the number seven reveals more fixtures with no return – nine in total – but then much more explosiveness otherwise, as we see 11, 13 and even 19-point collections against Everton, Southampton and Liverpool.

Mac Allister, meanwhile, is the less fashionable option when compared to his Seagulls colleagues, appearing in just 6.9% of FPL sides. With seven goals and an assist all season, you can see why, however scoring twice and setting up another in Gameweeks 26 and 27 suggests that he may be coming into some decent form once again, having either blanked or not started the previous eight.

Brighton’s fixtures this week comprise Brentford at home and then Bournemouth away. As you’ll see in my appraisal of Bruno Fernandes – sorry, should have given a spoiler alert beforehand – there is a definite leaky defence for the West Londoners. As for the Cherries, if The Bees are not exactly water tight, then the south-coast side is a burst levee. Whilst they kept a clean sheet against a Liverpool side that had scored seven just the week before, Gary O’Neil’s men returned to their usual ways as they conceded three against Villa. Expect the Brighton boys to do well, it’s just a matter of picking the right one – or two!

Whilst everyone has Rashford, as he exhibits the classic 75% chance of playing that you would expect on the back of an international break – see Erling Haaland for further details – it’s his teammate Bruno Fernandes who also could get in and among the points. While the absence of Casemiro does create the risk of the Portuguese playing further back on the pitch and therefore further away from goal threat, there is the differential aspect which could produce big swings in your mini leagues. Owned by just 7.5% of managers, the number eight has a decent enough record against Newcastle and Brentford: three goals and an assist in six against the Magpies, whilst Brentford have seen him find the back of the net once, and set up two others.

A deeper look into the opposition and The Bees have only kept one clean sheet in their last six, much to the dissatisfaction of the many, no doubt, who have brought in the likes of Raya or Henry in recent times. As for the Magpies, you have to look back to Gameweek 21 for the last time they didn’t have to pick the ball from the back of the net, which itself was the end of an eight-match clean sheet streak.

James Maddison made his long-awaited appearance in an England shirt against Ukraine in the second match of the international break and, whilst he didn’t make it to the scoresheet, he showed himself to be a quality player for his country as well as his club. Unlike the Three Lions, Leicester have unfortunately gone on a run of five without a win now, and it is over that time that the number 10 has only picked up an assist – though he, admittedly, didn’t play in the Arsenal tie.

After a decent first nine of the campaign, where the lad from Coventry scored five and set up two others, it’s been a very frustrating time for him since, as injuries have blighted the season. The fact he is in just 9.7% of sides means he could very much reward the select few who put their trust in him. Now under new – well, new is a stretch – management, Crystal Palace go into their game against the Foxes having conceded 11 in eight fixtures, as the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal cost Vieira his job. As for Aston Villa, they’ll be tougher opponents – however hailing from where Maddison does, he has an impetus to do well against the rivals of his home side. That can be reflected in three goals and two assists in the 10 times he has played the Villans.

In a midfielder section that contains just enough differentials for Matt to be proud of, the final selection is Jarrod Bowen, who only appears in 2.7% of FPL squads. Rewind back to this time last year and it was no doubt 10 times that as his 2022-23 season far surpassed what this one has brought, as he has registered just four goals and five assists, compared to 12 and 17 respectively over the course of the last campaign.

Nonetheless, it seems 21,000 FPL managers share the same optimism of this article in the £8m player, as he faces Southampton and then Newcastle. The Saints sit at the bottom of the table in what is an ever-tighter relegation scrap that the Hammers will no doubt be keen to get out of, again when you contrast their fortunes over this and the last campaign. Ruben Selles seems to have installed a fighting spirit into his side as they recently put in spirited performances against the likes of Spurs, Man United and Leicester City, however the five in the last two also suggests that their defence carries on being permeable to say the least. Newcastle will be tougher opposition, however a read of the Bruno Fernandes appraisal reveals the Magpies’ lack of clean sheets in recent times.

Matt -Forwards

Getty Images

Watkins
Ollie Watkins has been the most attacking of the forwards over the last four matches. With 12 shots in the box, 7 big chances and 10 of his shots being on target. He has 2 goals and 1 assist in his last four but has 6 goals and 2 assists in his last 8, only blanking once in that timeframe. This is amazing form for any player but for a player that now has a double gameweek against two sides who have conceded 28 goals (Chelsea) and 47 goals (Leicester) it is exciting. Chelsea with only 1 clean sheet in four games and Leicester who haven’t kept a clean sheet since GW16 is great viewing for the Villian forward man! Watkins would be my double game week pick for a striker if you are looking for one!

Ferguson
My second pick for a double gameweek player at the striker position is a little bit of a dodgy one as the youngster from Ireland (HANDS OFF!), Evan Ferguson, isn’t exactly nailed. In what has turned out to be a breakout season for the former Bohs man since the return from the World Cup, I’m hoping he goes on to great things. 3 goals and 2 assists in 10 games is a decent return but he isn’t getting 90 minutes. In fact he has never went from the starting whistle to the final whistle in the Premier League with 82 minutes being his longest appearance. In his 10 appearances he has only gone past 60 in half those games with the other appearances ranging from 7 minutes to 33 minutes. His last five games have seen 3 starts and 2 sub appearances but no goals. When he starts a game he usually gets a decent xG but when he comes on as a sub, his xG plummets to a massive 0.00! With matches against Brentford and Bournemouth in DGW29, they aren’t easy but they are games that Brighton could do well in. In the reverse against Bournemouth, the Gulls won 1-0 but in the reverse vs Brentford they fell to a 2-0 loss. If you aren’t tripled up on Brighton players and need a striker then a punt on the young man from Dublin could be a nice move.

Isak
This pick really excites me! I bought him earlier in the season when he was first brought into Eddie Howe’s set up but sadly the Swede got injured. He has made his return in the last few weeks and this has coincided with Wilson dropping out of form and out of the team. Speaking to our resident Geordie, Rosco, Wilson has been shit and is possibly having personal issues that might see him drop totally out of the team. Isak is young, fresh and seems to want to prove a point. Making an appearance in the last 5 matches but with varying minutes it was the last two games that will catch people’s eye. 3 goals in 2 games with a season high haul of 13 points in his last outing, Isak might just be a great option for this GW and beyond. He doesn’t have a fantastic double with one game against United being tough on paper but the match against struggling West Ham should be more than enough for owners to make a nice return on his exploits. These new owners have made Isak the most bought forward for GW29 and his stats are proving why. 11 shots in the box, 5 on target and 3 of them hitting the back of the net. This is pretty clinical form so if he can keep it up… owners will be happy.

Haaland
I won’t say much about Haaland as most have him, I no longer do, but if you haven’t sold him then I wouldn’t prioritise getting rid of him at this stage. In the last four games, Haaland is 2nd best to only Watkins in shots in the box (11v12), shots in general (12v13) and big chances (6v7). These are pretty tight but what really lets Haaland down over the last four is one of the most important things his shots on target! Of the Norwegian’s 12 shots only TWO of those were on target compared to the 10 of the superior Watkins 😉 It is strange to be writing about a downside to Haaland’s game but over the last few games his form has dropped off. Unfortunately for the rest of the league, Haaland has a great game coming up to remember how to score… Liverpool at home. Over the last 5 seasons Liverpool vs City was one of the highlights as it was almost guaranteed to be a blockbuster. This season though I’m fully expecting BlockBuster to remain closed! Saying Liverpool have been a shadow of their former selves is an insult to shadows. They have been abysmal, horrific, down-right depressing at times! The defence is all over the place and if it weren’t for the sole efforts of Mo Salah up top and Allison at the back, they would be fighting Everton for relegation! The only saving grace for Liverpool is Haaland hasn’t scored on them in the league and they always seem to turn up against the bigger sides. If you have Haaland, great as he could haul but I am hoping for Darwin Nunez to use his head and nut Haaland square between the eyes right from the off!

Toney
You can bet on this man to be in most teams for DGW29. It’s a bet the man himself likely has done! Found in over 41% of teams ahead of his double fixture, it might be the last time we see him play for a few months. The FA will surely be making their announcements soon about his indiscretions but we just have to take whatever comes. I personally don’t like him as a pick… I own him and can’t wait to get rid. The two fixtures are against in form sides, Brighton and Man Utd. Toney has only created one big chance lately, has taken only 5 shots in the box but he somehow still has 3 goals and 1 assist in his last six games. The other downside to Toney is the fact he is only one yellow card away from a two-game suspension… anyone else getting Mitrovic flashbacks?

Kane
One of the most consistent players in the game this season and if it wasn’t for a certain Scandinavian freak of nature, we would all be ranting and raving about what a season he is having. 182 points, 21 goals, 6 assists and 30 bonus points. He is the 2nd best player in the game and is only 21 points behind Haaland. Basically, if you have the money, get him! He may only play one game but it is against Everton who are terrible this season. Spurs will also have Conte gone so a new manager bounce? Or maybe just have a point to prove to Conte after he torn into them so badly last weekend?

Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Tips Double Gameweek 29. This article was written by Init, Swirly and Matt.

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