3 Players to pick and drop for Gameweek 29

Gameweek 28 was the lowest scoring of the season with an average of just 26 points. To put that in perspective, the next lowest scoring week was gameweek eight with 36, ten points more. The sudden rescheduling of the Manchester City – Arsenal fixture means that both teams now have a double gameweek in 29 and all of my picks are doublers this week with a view of maximising gains.

I was tempted to include Raheem Sterling in the picks but his recent lack of form put me off. Apart from the doublers, Wolves and Liverpool also have standout fixtures this week with Matt Doherty in particular in scintillating form. I expect Liverpool to bounce back strongly against Bournemouth after losing their first league game so Salah/Mane could be decent captain picks as well if you’re ignoring the double gameweek players in the Premier League.

3 Players to Pick

Kevin De Bruyne (MUN/ARS)

Real Madrid v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg

The highest scoring asset in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) with 178 points, De Bruyne has taken 17 shots over the last six gameweeks with only Son (18), Armstrong (19) and Salah (30) taking more amongst midfielders. His total of 20 chances created is bettered only by Maddison (21) and only Richarlison and Salah (both five) have created more ‘big chances’ than his four. Man. City have scored six goals in as many gameweeks with their total of 100 shots beaten only by Chelsea (102) and Liverpool (107).

Only Man. Utd (32), Everton (34) and Liverpool (39) landed more SoT than their 30. Their first opponents Man. Utd have conceded just five goals over the last six gameweeks, only Sheff. Utd, Man. City (both four) and Burnley (two) have conceded fewer. Only nine teams allowed more shots than their 76 and they also conceded 10 ‘big chances’.

Their second opponents Arsenal have also conceded five goals over the last six gameweeks and only ten teams allowed more shots than their 73. Only Spurs (17), Southampton, Newcastle (both 18), West Ham (19) and Villa (22) have conceded more ‘big chances’ than their 22.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (WHU/MCI)

Arsenal FC v Olympiacos FC - UEFA Europa League Round of 32: Second Leg

Sitting joint-top of the goal scoring charts with Vardy (17), Aubameyang has scored three goals in as many games since his return from suspension in gameweek 25. No forward has scored more goals over that period. He took five SoT over those matches and was afforded four ‘big chances’. Arsenal have scored 10 goals over the last six gameweeks, only Everton (12) and Liverpool (14) have been more prolific.

They achieved this despite taking the fewest shots (50) over that period. Their first opponents West Ham have conceded a league-worst 16 goals over the same period keeping no clean sheets. No team allowed opponents more SoT than their 38 and only Villa (22) conceded more ‘big chances (19).

Their second fixture against Man. City looks far more challenging. The defending Champions have conceded just four goals over the last six gameweeks with only Burnley (two) conceding fewer. They restricted opponents to just 10 SoT and four ‘big chances’, both league-best figures.

Riyad Mahrez (MUN/ARS)

In terms of minutes over the last 10 matches, only Rodri (713), Fernandinho (783) and De Bruyne (838) have registered more than Riyad Mahrez's 673 for Man. City and he is second for points scored (51) only to De Bruyne. His total of eight shots over the last six gameweeks sees him trail only Sterling (10) and De Bruyne (17) amongst Man. City midfielders. Only De Bruyne (20) created more chances than Mahrez’s 10 amongst their midfielders over that period.

His total of three ‘big chances’ created sees him ranked eighth amongst midfielders for the last six gameweeks. No team has scored more goals (68), taken more SiB (363) or landed more SoT (185) than the defending champions this season. Their first opponents Man. Utd have conceded 30 goals so far keeping just seven clean sheets.

Their total 101 SoT conceded is however the fifth-best in the league with only Sheff. Utd (91), Chelsea (85), Man. City (82) and Liverpool (80) more frugal. Arsenal’s numbers are more encouraging, the Gunners have shipped 36 goals keeping just six clean sheets. They are ranked seventh-worst for SiB conceded (245) and SoT conceded (133) this season.

3 Players to drop

Matthew Ryan (WOL)

Brighton & Hove Albion v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League

Ryan once again disappointed his backers after conceding to goal-shy Crystal Palace in gameweek 28 and it is now eight games without a clean sheet for the Australian. Their kind run of fixtures is also behind them as they play Wolves, Arsenal, Leicester and Man. Utd over the next four matches.

Given their recent defensive form of 10 goals conceded in the last six, it’s hard to see any shutouts for the Seagulls’ shot stopper in the near future and it’s a good time to get rid for someone like Nick Pope.

Adama Traore (BRI)

Tottenham Hotspur v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League

Still owned by about 20% of FPL managers, Traore started against Spurs but suffered a recurrence of the shoulder injury that has caused him problems over the last few weeks. This is apparently the third time his shoulder has been dislocated of late and his manager Nuno has said that this may be one time too many and he will likely need surgery.

A popular asset, he is likely to suffer price drops with over 130,000 managers already getting rid. A switch to Sarr appeals with the Senegalese in red-hot form after his brace against Liverpool.

Diego Rico (LIV)

AFC Bournemouth v Burnley FC - Premier League

Rico was benched for the second consecutive game as he played zero minutes in Bournemouth’s fixture against Chelsea in gameweek 28. His spot has been taken by Adam Smith on the left with Jack Stacey featuring on the right, both fullbacks were impressive against Chelsea and given Rico’s defensive frailties, it is difficult to see the Spaniard getting back in the Bournemouth team anytime soon.

At this stage of the season you cannot afford passengers in your squad and the Cherries’ left-back needs to be moved on. A switch to Lascelles appeals with a kind run of fixtures upcoming for Newcastle.

Edited by A. Ayush Chatterjee

3 Players to pick and drop for Gameweek 29 | FPL Tips 2020