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FPL GW29 Review · 2025/26

GW29 Reviewhow did you do?

Scoreboard

How the field scored

54Average
69Green Arrow
84Elite

Key takeaways

Gameweek 29 proved to be a volatile affair, with an average score of 54 masking significant disparities in manager performance. While many popular captaincy choices faltered, a select few delivered massive hauls, notably João Pedro. This stark contrast led to considerable rank movement across the mini-leagues. We'll unpack the key events and draw actionable lessons to refine our strategies for the challenges of GW30.

- Best decision of the GW: Backing João Pedro (CHE) for captaincy, yielding a phenomenal 38 points. - Biggest popular mistake: Sticking with Haaland (MCI) as captain, returning a mere 4 points for over 60% of managers. - One actionable takeaway for GW30: Don't shy away from defensive assets from teams securing clean sheets or unexpected attacking returns; they were vital for GW29's success.

Captaincy verdict

Fantasy Premier League player headshot
61.6% owned
Base2 Captain4
Missed
Fantasy Premier League player headshot
57% owned
Base7 Captain14
Missed
Fantasy Premier League player headshot
46.8% owned
Base19 Captain38
Missed
Fantasy Premier League player headshot
43.3% owned
Base11 Captain22
Missed
Fantasy Premier League player headshot
40.3% owned
Base8 Captain16
Missed

Heroes & villains

Heroes

Fantasy Premier League player headshot
CHE · 46.8% owned

Massive attacking haul in Chelsea's 4-1 victory over Aston Villa.

19pts
Fantasy Premier League player headshot
CRY · 3.5% owned

Significant attacking contribution in Crystal Palace's 3-1 away win against Spurs.

15pts
Fantasy Premier League player headshot
EVE · 11% owned

Clean sheet and high individual score in Everton's 2-0 win over Burnley.

15pts
Fantasy Premier League player headshot
ARS · 28.3% owned

Crucial defensive contribution in Arsenal's 1-0 away win against Brighton.

13pts

Villains

HaalandMCI · 61.6% owned — Major captaincy bust, delivering just 2 points in a 2-2 draw, significantly impacting a vast majority of teams.
2
GuéhiMCI · 37.4% owned — Low individual score and conceded in Manchester City's 2-2 draw, hindering high ownership teams reliant on defensive returns.
1
VirgilLIV · 32.4% owned — Blanked as Liverpool conceded two goals in their 2-1 loss to Wolves, failing to deliver for significant ownership.
1

The lesson

Embrace Differential Captaincy

While popular captain choices often offer perceived safety, GW29 demonstrated the immense upside of a differential punt. João Pedro, though highly owned, was not the most captained and rewarded those who took a calculated risk to move away from the heavily backed favourites.

Actionable for GW30

Defenders Can Deliver Explosive Returns

High-scoring defenders like Tarkowski and Timber highlighted that their FPL value extends beyond just clean sheets. Bonus points, goals, and assists contribute significantly, making them viable assets even in competitive fixtures and crucial for overall scores.

Actionable for GW30

High Ownership, High Risk of Collective Pain

When highly owned and highly captained players like Haaland and Semenyo blank, the impact on overall rank is amplified due to the sheer volume of affected teams. Managers relying heavily on these picks experienced significant drops, showcasing the volatility of concentration.

Actionable for GW30

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GW30 captain picks

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the average FPL score in Gameweek 29?
The average FPL score in Gameweek 29 was 54 points. A score of 69+ was needed for a green arrow, while 84+ was considered an elite score.
Who were the highest scoring FPL players in Gameweek 29?
The top FPL performers in Gameweek 29 were: João Pedro (19 pts), Sarr (15 pts), Tarkowski (15 pts), J.Timber (13 pts).
Did the top FPL captain picks deliver in Gameweek 29?
Haaland disappointed as captain in GW29 with 4 captain points (2 base points).
Which FPL players disappointed in Gameweek 29?
The biggest FPL disappointments in Gameweek 29 were: Haaland (2 pts), Guéhi (1 pts), Virgil (1 pts).