Fantasy Premier League has presented us with a doozy of a gameweek that sees just four matches take place over two days.
It has to be one of the least enticing gameweeks in a long, long time, but there is still an opportunity to climb the rankings – especially if you’re playing your Free Hit chip.
In this week’s Fantasy Premier League column we provide the best advice and tips on what transfers to make and who to captain in GW29.
FPL Deadline: Saturday, March 16, 13:30 am GMT.
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Fantasy Premier League: Three essential FPL tips ahead of GW29
Essential players to own
If you’re on a Free Hit then Spurs are the one team from which you definitely want three players. Fulham away probably looks easier on paper than it is in reality – the Cottagers have the eighth-best home record in the Premier League – but you would back Son Heung-min to return against just about any opposition.
James Maddison is also an easy buy, while Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie are the best picks at the back for Tottenham.
Ollie Watkins should be in the essential category, but it’s hard to make that recommendation after he limped off the pitch with an injury against Ajax on Thursday. Leon Bailey is the next best pick, but if Watkins is ruled out of the weekend then it makes all of Aston Villa’s attacking players less attractive for the West Ham clash.
One forward who will be in everyone’s Free Hit team is Ivan Toney, who hasn’t been in great form lately, but he’s on penalties and taking on a Burnley team that is completely devoid of… anything. You’d be silly to go without him.
No one expected Alfie Doughty to be a must-have player in FPL at any point this season (or ever, for that matter), but the wingback has been Luton’s most creative outlet, providing nine assists in 2023/24. Nottingham Forest have improved defensively under their new manager, but the Hatters make tricky opponents for anyone at Kenilworth Road.
Goalkeeper isn’t a straightforward position to pick, as clean sheets are going to be at a premium. I’d be amazed if anyone completed a shutout, but Brentford are the most likely to do so, according to Spreadex. Mark Flekken will be a popular pick this week.
#FPL GW29 matchups
Goals and clean sheet projections for the upcoming round of Premier League games, via spread betting markets pic.twitter.com/4iUGXxBDXx
— Rob T (@robtFPL) March 13, 2024
Lastly, Jarrod Bowen is impossible to ignore. He’s one of the best midfielders to pick from in GW29 having registered 14 goals and three assists this season.
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Differential potential
Tottenham trio Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner and Dejan Kulusevski all have goals in them, but any one of them could start on the bench or be taken off early by Ange Postecoglou, so they come with a health warning.
Rodrigo Muniz is in great form for Fulham, who have the toughest opponent on paper, but they are at home and Spurs do concede chances at the back. Full-back Antonee Robinson is a player who will be ignored by many, but he is very attack-minded and has five assists this term.
Anthony Elanga has been Nottingham Forest’s biggest goal threat this year, coming up with 12 goal involvements. The ex-Manchester United winger didn’t start last week, but we expect him to be in the lineup against Luton on Saturday.
Even though Toney is among the must-haves, Yoane Wissa is the Brentford star on a run of form at the moment, scoring in each of his last three matches. He may well keep the streak going against a poor Burnley side.
West Ham are a much different proposition with Lucas Paqueta than without him. The Brazilian isn’t the most compelling FPL option, but he is playing a very attacking role just behind the striker and has a goal and four assists in his last five Premier League starts.
It might also be worth taking a cheeky punt on Mohammad Kudus. The Ghanaian hasn’t scored in the league since GW18, but he did find the net twice during Thursday’s 5-0 win over Freiburg, one of which same him produce a phenomenal solo run and finish. The Hammers are in a goalscoring mood and Villa will give up chances.
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Captaincy
Son has to be the standout pick for the captain’s armband in GW29, particularly with Watkins being a doubt for Sunday. The South Korean, who has two goals and three assists in his last four games, is playing up top in the absence of Richarlison.
The second in line is Toney, who has four goals and an assist since returning from suspension, although he has blanked in his last four appearances. Brentford have created 15 big chances over the last six gameweeks, while Burnley have conceded 17 over the same period.
Once you go beyond those two you are entering the realms of a proper differential captain, but the next best options are Bowen and Carlton Morris, who is on penalties for Luton.
Read – 12 FPL tips to help you master Fantasy Premier League
See Also – Fantasy Premier League: 60 FPL team names for 2023/24
