Fantasy Premier League

Experts' plans for Blank Gameweek 29

By The Scout 17 Mar 2021
Stuart Dallas

The Scout’s panel discuss chip strategy and the key players to consider for the reduced Gameweek

Related Articles
What is the Free Hit chip in FPL and how can it help now?
Who to target for Blank Gameweek 29

Managers in Fantasy Premier League are starting to firm up their plans ahead of Blank Gameweek 29.

Only eight teams will play in the next round of fixtures, leaving many managers with threadbare squads. 

That could make this week an ideal time to deploy a chip, such as the Free Hit, in order to field a full XI.

The Scout’s panel of experts reveal their chip strategy and who they are targeting to navigate the reduced Gameweek.

Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily)

Even the best-laid plans can be disrupted due to injuries. Both Son Heung-min (£9.6m) and Patrick Bamford (£6.8m) were in my team and happily waiting to take their place in Gameweek 29.

But if they both miss out, my team is looking very bleak indeed! I could probably just about get a five-a-side team out right now, so I'm going to need a couple of hits just to get six or seven players. It's a full-blown crisis!

Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily)

With key injuries, many Fantasy managers will struggle to get a full XI out. While taking multiple hits may seem attractive, the lack of fixtures means we should be cautious of taking too many.

Players such as Harry Kane (£11.4m), Gareth Bale (£9.6m), Aaron Cresswell (£5.8m) and Stuart Dallas (£5.1m) will be popular picks, but pinpointing differentials like Jesse Lingard (£6.1m) and Josh Maja (£5.5m) could be a good way to boost overall rank.

Ben McNair (@drbenmcnair)

I will be using my Free Hit chip in Gameweek 29, as planned. It's not going to be a star-studded line-up, but I'm quite looking forward to cheering on a few players I wouldn't normally own.

It is almost certain to score more points than my current team, which comprises only five players with a Gameweek 29 fixture.

The main benefit of the chip is that it avoids the need to use free transfers arranging and re-arranging my squad before and after the reduced Gameweek.

Paul Gee (@FPLPaulGee)

I still have my Free Hit chip and owning both Bamford and Son could make me use it.

However, with each of those players having over 50 per cent ownership, many managers are in the same position. Is the Free Hit the right way to go about it? I'm not sure.

Chuck Booth (@ChuckBoothSport)

With my Free Hit chip long gone, I'm tempted to Wildcard. I have both Son and Bamford and will be waiting to see if there is more news, with Tottenham Hotspur playing in Europe on Thursday.

But it feels like I'll need to drop Son and cross my fingers that Bamford starts.

When it comes to a Son replacement, if Jack Grealish (£7.5m) is passed fit he'll slot right in. Otherwise the set-piece delivery of Pascal Gross (£5.8m) makes him a good option.

Ben Crabtree (@FC_CrabDogg)

I'm on a Free Hit this week. Going Bale over Son is a decision taken out of my hands.

The Bamford injury hasn't affected my likely team as I feel Raphinha (£5.5m) and Dallas provide enough Leeds United cover.

Also in this series

Part 1: Who to target for Blank Gameweek 29
Part 2: GW28 Lessons: Guardiola rotation a major concern

Latest Videos

More Videos

Video is currently not available.

09 Dec 2024

Sancho: Palmer always does stuff like that in training

Jadon Sancho speaks about Cole Palmer's panenka penalty and Chelsea's title hopes after their 4-3 win at Spurs

Your details have been submitted successfully.

You have already entered this competition. Please check your email for further information.

Your details have been submitted successfully.

Create a Premier League account

Continue

You are logged in as

Enter your details