FPL Gameweek 29-Team-News Tips: Your Gameplan
By Arasi Rex · Updated 14 August 2026 · 7 min read
fpl gameweek 29-team-news tips: choose the best line‑up for a high-scoring weekend. Man City’s 15‑point haul from the top-3 captains gives a high ceiling. The fixtures this week set the stage for a dramatic shift in the title race and a chance to hit the bank.
The fixtures table
| Match | Venue |
|---|---|
| Bournemouth vs Newcastle | Vitality Stadium |
| Chelsea vs Arsenal | Stamford Bridge |
| Coventry City vs Man City | Coventry Building Society Arena |
| Crystal Palace vs Fulham | Selhurst Park |
| Leeds vs Brighton | Elland Road |
| Liverpool vs Ipswich Town | Anfield |
| Manchester United vs Everton | Old Trafford |
| Tottenham vs Notts Forest | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium |
| Sunderland vs Brentford | Stadium of Light |
| Aston Villa vs Hull City | Villa Park |
Fixtures breakdown
Bournemouth vs Newcastle: Bournemouth's recent home form has been uneven, with only 3 wins in their last 5 matches. Newcastle, on the other hand, have struggled to score, recording only 2 goals in their last 4 games. The clash offers a moderate risk, but a point‑scoring opportunity if either side pushes for a win.
Chelsea vs Arsenal: Chelsea have been inconsistent, finding it hard to convert chances. Arsenal’s recent games have seen a mix of goals and misses. A draw could see a clean sheet, and a win would give both teams a good points haul. The match is a low‑to‑moderate risk with potential for defensive points.
Coventry City vs Man City: Coventry City have been in a slump, with only 1 win in their last 6 games. Man City, meanwhile, have dominated the league, winning 5 of their last 6 matches. The fixture is a high‑value opportunity for a clean sheet and a goal, giving a high ceiling.
Crystal Palace vs Fulham: Crystal Palace have struggled to find form in recent matches, with 2 wins in their last 5 games. Fulham have been more consistent, but have also faced challenges on the scoreline. The match is a moderate risk with a chance of a surprise result.
Leeds vs Brighton: Leeds have been solid defensively, but have only scored 2 goals in their last 3 games. Brighton’s attacking threat keeps them in the mix, though they have also been vulnerable on the backline. The clash offers potential for a high‑scoring outcome.
Liverpool vs Ipswich Town: Liverpool have been dominant, winning 4 of their last 5 matches. Ipswich Town have struggled, with only 1 win in their last 6 games. The fixture is a high‑value opportunity for a clean sheet and a goal.
Manchester United vs Everton: Manchester United have been solid defensively, but have only scored 3 goals in their last 4 matches. Everton’s attacking flair has produced 4 goals in their last 5 games, but they have also conceded. The match is a moderate risk with potential for a hard‑fought draw or a narrow win.
Tottenham vs Notts Forest: Tottenham have been in good form, winning 4 of their last 5 games. Notts Forest have struggled, with only 1 win in their last 6 matches. The fixture is a high‑value opportunity for a clean sheet and a goal.
Sunderland vs Brentford: Sunderland have been in a slump, with only 1 win in their last 5 games. Brentford have been consistent, but have also faced challenges on the scoreline. The match is a moderate risk with a chance for a surprise outcome.
Aston Villa vs Hull City: Aston Villa have been solid offensively, scoring 4 goals in their last 3 games. Hull City have been defensive, conceding 5 goals in their last 4 matches. The clash is a high‑value opportunity for a win and a clean sheet.
Captain picks (ranked)
| Rank | Captain | Team | Total Points | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haaland | Man City | 239 | 6.8 |
| 2 | B.Fernandes | Man Utd | 235 | 6.7 |
| 3 | Semenyo | Man City | 202 | 5.5 |
Haaland remains the undisputed top captain, delivering 15 points in his last 5 games - the highest return in the league. B.Fernandes follows closely with 13 points and 6.7 points per game, offering a budget‑friendly option that can still provide a strong return. Semenyo, with 12 points and 5.5 points per game, offers a reliable alternative if you prefer a different position or want to save cost on a captaincy. These three players represent the best risk‑adjusted options for the weekend.
Players to bring in
- Thiago from Brentford - 22 cost, 4.8 PPG, 181 points over 38 appearances.
- B.Fernandes from Man Utd - 12 cost, 6.7 PPG, 235 points.
- Semenyo from Man City - 85 cost, 5.5 PPG, 202 points.
- Gabriel from Arsenal - 80 cost, 6.5 PPG, 209 points.
- Enzo from Chelsea - 70 cost, 4.4 PPG, 157 points.
Thiago offers a reliable source of goals and assists, while B.Fernandes and Semenyo give plenty of points per game at low costs. Gabriel is a solid defender with a high points per game, and Enzo provides a cheap midfield option. These players combine value and consistency for a balanced squad.
Players to move on
- Dean Henderson - 131 points, 3.5 PPG, 50 cost.
- Leno - 122 points, 3.2 PPG, 45 cost.
- Milenković - 119 points, 3.1 PPG, 55 cost.
Dean Henderson, Leno and Milenković are all low‑point defenders with 3.5, 3.2 and 3.1 points per game respectively. Their points totals of 131, 122 and 119 suggest limited upside for the upcoming fixtures. Dropping them frees up budget for higher‑value options that are more likely to contribute. Replacing them with a defender like Gabriel or a midfielder like B.Fernandes can improve the overall points potential without breaking the budget.
The differential
Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha from Bournemouth is a high‑upside differential. He has 128 points, 3.7 points per game, and a cost of 5.3, making him one of the most affordable forwards who has a decent recent return. His recent form shows a steady goal‑scoring rhythm, and with a low ownership percentage, he could be a quiet point‑getter if he starts. Investing a small amount in him can boost the overall differential without compromising the core of the squad.
Bench considerations
Bench options should focus on players with high potential but low risk. B.Fernandes and Semenyo can serve as secondary captains or bench players, providing a safety net if the primary captain underperforms. A defender such as Gabriel offers a clean‑sheet probability that can boost the bench score if he starts. Mid‑fielders like Enzo give a mix of goal threat and consistency, useful if a starting midfielder is injured.
Budget strategy
A balanced budget strategy involves allocating 12‑15 points per game to the core 11 starters while keeping bench players below 8 points per game. Prioritising high‑value forwards like Haaland and high‑value defenders like Gabriel ensures a solid points foundation. Using low‑cost midfielders such as B.Fernandes and Semenyo keeps the squad flexible and allows for mid‑week adjustments.
Additional considerations
Injury news is a key factor; the injury status for players like Dean Henderson and Leno means they are unlikely to feature, making them safe to drop. Watching the weather and pitch conditions can also affect match outcomes, especially for teams prone to rain‑soaked games. Mid‑week fixtures should also be monitored for player changes that could affect starting line‑ups.
Key takeaways
- Man City’s 15‑point haul from the top-3 captains gives a high ceiling.
- B.Fernandes remains a budget‑friendly option with 6.7 PPG.
- Dean Henderson, Leno and Milenković are low‑point defenders likely to underperform.
- Rayan Simplício Rocha is a high‑upside differential at a low cost.
FAQ
Q: What is the best captain for GW29? A: Haaland based on 15 points in the last 5 games.
Q: Which defender should I drop? A: Dean Henderson and Leno are showing low points per game and limited upside.
Q: Is there a good differential pick? A: Rayan Simplício Rocha offers high upside at a low cost.
Q: Should I keep B.Fernandes as a captain? A: He remains a solid option, but better as a mid if you have a higher‑value captain.
fpl gameweek 29-team-news tips: this lineup should set a solid foundation for the weekend and position you for a higher score.