Several huge potential title-deciders occurred over the 28th matchweek of the Premier League season.
As we prepare for the largest blank gameweek of the FPL season, here’s what you need to be across, as we build up to FPL Gameweek 29.
When does FPL Gameweek 29 start?
Sunday 17 February, 12:30 am AEDT
A massive, FA Cup-induced blank FPL gameweek, means Burnley host Brentford in a clash with relegation battle implications.
Vincent Kompany’s side showed promising signs in the first half of their draw with West Ham. They are, however, yet to win a Premier League game in 2024 and look all but confirmed for a return to the Championship.
Brentford are in a similar poor run of form, though they’ve twice collected the three points this year. Ivan Toney’s (£8.1 I 9.0%) return has yieled the striker four goals in nine games, though his side lack the defensive robustness they’ve possessed in previous seasons.
FPL Gameweek 29 notes
Two United pens see off Everton
First, Bruno Fernandes (£8.2 I 9.8%) converted from the spot. Then, Marcus Rashford (£8.4 I 10.7%) did. It wasn’t pretty, but it was three points. Their attacking talents are too rocks or diamonds this season to consider them beyond FPL gameweek 29, so the right course of action is to avoid every and any United asset.
Table-topping clash ends in stalemate
Few games in recent Premier League history have been as highly anticipated as Liverpool v Manchester City at the weekend. With the league locked in a three-horse title race, both sides needed three points to consolidated their position atop the ladder.
Neither side was able to do so. John Stones opened the scoring from a corner for City before Alex Mac Allister (£5.8 I 3.1%) converted a penalty won by Darwin Nunez (£7.5 13.8%) to ensure the spoils were shared. For Mac Allister, his penalty, taken due to Mohamed Salah (£13.0 I 21.4%) starting this game from the bench is his fifth goal involvement in his last five games.
It’s likely the last time we will see Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola go head-to-head in the Premier League. Something about the affair ending in a draw feels kind of fitting, even if a late Jeremy Doku challenge could’ve seen Liverpool awarded a second penalty, and likely collect the three points.
Are Spurs back?
It’s a good question. Injuries, suspensions and international commitments mean we’ve rarely seen a full-strength Tottenham side since late last year. Against Villa, the Premier League witnessed a monumental victory for Postecoglou’s side.
Heung-Min Son (£9.8 I 27.0%) was involved in three of his side’s four goals. James Maddison (£7.9 I 12.3%) got his first goals since returning from his ankle injury, while Timo Werner made it two goals in his last two Premier League games.
Spurs play Fulham in FPL gameweek 29. This will be a big test for where they’re at. Fulham’s recent form is not to be ignored but if Spurs can overcome the London outfit it will signal their intent to disrupt the remainder of the Premier League season.
Clean sheet for Brighton
Against Nottingham Forest, Brighton kept their fourth clean sheet of 2024, and their fourth of the Premier League season as a whole. Amidst several issues facing Roberto De Zerbi, defensive frailities is arguably the most glaring.
While a 1-0 victory over Forest is nothing to write home about, Forest have been in strong goalscoring form under Nuno, finding the net twice in their clashes against Villa, West Ham and Newcastle.
A clean sheet at least gives Brighton a solid foundation to build the rest of their season off, especially given Pervis Estupinan’s (£4.9 I 22.3%) popularity in Fantasy.
In-form Havertz proves critical against Brentford
For a while, it looked like Brentford would hold have a hand in the title race and hold Arsenal to a draw. Declan Rice (£5.5 I 5.7%) found the net early for the Gunners, only for his sixth goal of the season to be cancelled out by a Yoanne Wissa strike.
Up stepped Kai Havertz (£7.2 I 2.9%), who met a wafted Ben White (£5.6 I 11.2%) cross to nod home the winner. It was White’s second assist of the game and Havertz’s fourth goal in his last four games, with three assists also provided in that run.
Cold Palmer delivers for nervy Chelsea
Time and time again this season we’ve seen Cole Palmer (£5.7 I 32.7%) singlehandedly dig Chelsea from a rut. Against Newcastle, the attacking midfielder had one goal, wonderfully taken from the edge of the area. He could’ve had two, his first half strike intelligently flicked into the back of the net by Nicolas Jackson.
Chelsea have been a shadow of their former selves this season, unable to piece together 90 minutes. Instead, they play in patches. Cole Palmer, however, does not. He’s far from perfect but 11 goals and nine assists in 19 games suggest all the good that happens at Chelsea runs through him.
A special shoutout to Mykhailo Mudryk. In recent weeks, the Ukrainian has started to show the talent that saw both Chelsea and Arsenal hunt his signature. After coming on in the 71st minute for Raheem Sterling, Mudryk looked bright from his first involvement and capped his cameo with a wonderfully taken goal created by his dazzling quick thinking and feet.
Perhaps the scoreline doesn’t reflect the game. Newcastle were great for large portions of this game, controlling Chelsea with their press and passing. That matters very little considering their failure to collect three points. Alexander Isak’s (£7.5 I 11.7%) expertly finished goal is a bright spot, while Anthony Gordon’s (£6.1 I 14.5%) lengthy injury is a dour outcome for Eddie Howe.
Solanke nets stunner in South Coast comeback
If 2-0 is considered football’s most dangerous scoreline, what does that make 3-0? Ask anyone other than Luton Town and AC Milan and they’ll say safe as houses. Rob Edwards’ men would’ve thought they were home and hosed when 3-0 up at halftime away at Bournemouth.
As we found out, they were not.
Dominic Solanke (£7.2 I 28.2%) kicked the comeback off with a sublime turn-and-finish after 50 minutes. Given Bournemouth’s double gameweek, many FPL players would’ve captained Solanke. His goal ensured they didn’t go unrewarded.
Illia Zabarnyi and an Antoine Semenyo brace confirmed Bournemouth would collect the three points, leaving Luton to lick their wounds in the relegation zone.
Transfer targets under 15% ownership
DEFENDER: Ben White (£5.6 I 11.2%)
MIDFIELDER: Kai Havertz (£7.2 I 2.9%)
FORWARD: Darwin Nunez (£7.5 13.8%)
