FPL GW29 Review2025/26 GW29 Review how did you do?
Published · refreshed
Hero of the week46.8% owned
João Pedro made the difference. The template did not.
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.
How the field scored
The average manager scored 54. Around 69 was a useful target for a green arrow; 84+ made it an elite week.
Did the armband deliver?
- 61.6%2→4Missed
Haaland
MCI· 61.6% owned - 57%7→14Missed
SemenyoMCI· 57% owned - 46.8%19→38MissedJoão PedroCHE· 46.8% owned
- 43.3%11→22Missed
Gabriel
ARS· 43.3% owned - 40.3%8→16Missed
B.Fernandes
MUN· 40.3% owned
Heroes and villains
- João PedroCHE · 46.8% owned19ptsMassive attacking haul in Chelsea's 4-1 victory over Aston Villa.
Sarr
CRY · 3.5% owned15ptsSignificant attacking contribution in Crystal Palace's 3-1 away win against Spurs.
Tarkowski
EVE · 11% owned15ptsClean sheet and high individual score in Everton's 2-0 win over Burnley.
J.TimberARS · 28.3% owned13ptsCrucial defensive contribution in Arsenal's 1-0 away win against Brighton.
- HaalandMCI · 61.6% owned2ptsMajor captaincy bust, delivering just 2 points in a 2-2 draw, significantly impacting a vast majority of teams.
GuéhiMCI · 37.4% owned1ptsLow individual score and conceded in Manchester City's 2-2 draw, hindering high ownership teams reliant on defensive returns.
Virgil
LIV · 32.4% owned1ptsBlanked as Liverpool conceded two goals in their 2-1 loss to Wolves, failing to deliver for significant ownership.
Three lessons
- 01
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.
- 02
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.
- 03
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.
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