By Caroly Kipkoech
Blank Gameweek 29 is nearing and Fantasy Premier League managers will have to navigate just four fixtures because of some clubs are involved in the FA Cup quarter finals this weekend. This will be a gameweek where most managers will make use of the Free Hit Chip.
The eight teams that will be in action include Tottenham, Fulham, Brentford, Luton, Aston Villa, Burnley, Nottingham Forest and Westham.
FPL expert Caroly Kipkoech is providing managers with everything they need to know ahead of the BGW29 whose deadline is on Saturday, 16 March at 16:30 (EAT).
BEST FPL TEAM AHEAD OF BGW 29
FORMATION: 3:4:3
GOALKEEPER: Mark Flekken (Brentford)
The Brentford shot-stopper travels to Turf Moor to face a Burnley side that has only scored only three goals in their previous six home matches. That statistic is worrying and that means Vincent Kompany’s side is struggling to find the back of the net. Burnley also has the worst xG in the league.
DEF: Alfie Doughty (Luton Town)
The Luton wingback has been in fine form this season and has the potential to offer big returns at home against Nottingham Forest. Doughty boasts of one goal and nine assists to his name, the latest assist being against the Cherries in midweek. The English wing-back also ranks second among defenders with the most key passes.
DEF: Pedro Porro (Spurs)
The Spaniard boasts eight assists and six clean sheets to his name. A statistic that highlights his success on both ends of the pitch, making him a key man for Ange Postecoglou. Porro gets forward enough to merit inclusion and, with how attacking Spurs are, he always has a chance of scoring points.
DEF: Sergio Reguillon (Brentford)
The Spanish wingback is the best Brentford defender if he is declared fit by Manager Thomas Frank. He has registered seven shots and six chances created in his six starts for the Bees. Those are decent stats for a defender, especially considering he has faced Manchester City twice and Liverpool in those fixtures. He’s been on set piece duty too, making him a viable option.
MID: Son Heung-min (Spurs)- CAPTAIN CHOICE
After his gameweek 28 heroics, the South Korean has earned a spot in most fantasy managers’ squads. His performance during that gameweek earned him a seventh double-haul figure of the season. He is also among the best captaincy options, and he is still on penalties. Another reason why the Spurs star is tipped to flourish is the fact that Richarlison is still out injured, and chances are high that Postecoglou will use the Korean upfront as the main man.
MID: James Madison (Spurs)
The English playmaker has been the one involved in Spurs’ most away goals. Since his return from injury, Madison has a goal and three assists in six games to his name since returning from injury and is on corners and free kicks. His finish against Villa last week may be a sign of things to come, as Ange Postecoglou said post-match that he wants Maddison to play further forward. “Madders is the one who has to be more advanced,” said the Tottenham head coach.
MID: Jarrod Bowen (Westham)
The Hammers forward has been in fine form this season, scoring an impressive 14 goals and three assists in the Premier League, with three goals and one assist coming in his last three league matches. West Ham have also scored nine times in their past three league outings. The Hammers have a tough fixture at home against fourth-placed Villa but their home record has improved since the return of playmaker Lucas Paqueta who was out for a significant time due to a calf issue.
MID: Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest)
The young English sensation will be hoping to capitalise on a demoralised Luton backline that has to get Bournemouth’s comeback win out of their system in less than 72 hours. Elanga was benched in the last game week but it was a tactical decision by manager Nuno Espirinto Santo, so we expect him to return to the starting XI at Kenilworth Road this weekend. He has had seven big chances in his just four gameweeks before that benching, and his pace could be deadly against a deflated and porous Hatters side.
FWD: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
The England international visits West Ham on the back of three successive double-figure hauls on his travels. In away matches this season, Watkins’ 100 points and 16 goal involvements are both league-leading totals. The forward is also the highest-scoring Fantasy Premier League player this season. Most managers hope he will be declared fit to start since he went off with a knock to his knee in Villa’s European match on Thursday evening.
FWD: Ivan Toney (Brentford)
The Bees talisman faces a struggling Burnley side that has a leaking defence, with a worrying statistic of conceding at least two goals in their last seven fixtures. Toney has the best fixture and what we know from Burnley at home this season is they will give you chances aplenty.
FWD: Carlton Morris (Luton Town)
The Hatters striker is a sure starter for Rob Edward’s side and is also on penalty duty making him a favourite pick for most managers. His fantastic form in home matches is a clear indicator that he can rejuvenate himself from the DGW blank against Crystal Place and the Cherries.
