Optimizing Gameweek Planning and Strategic Decisions for Fantasy Football

Planning for Gameweeks and Making Strategic Decisions

Now that the FA Cup quarter-final line-up has been determined, it's time to plan for the upcoming gameweeks and the rest of the season. In gameweek 29, there will only be four Premier League fixtures: Burnley vs Brentford, Fulham vs Tottenham, Luton vs Nottingham Forest, and West Ham vs Aston Villa.

If you still have your Wildcard and Free Hit chips available, there are a few options open to you:

1. Play the wildcard this week or in gameweek 28 to help navigate gameweek 29 and save the Free Hit chip for double gameweek 34 or 37.
2. Use the Free Hit chip to get through gameweek 29 and then use the wildcard after that to set up for the rest of the season.
3. Take a few points hits on transfers over the next few gameweeks to get eight or nine starters for gameweek 29 and keep BOTH chips to use later on.

It's important to consider the risks and benefits of each approach. While the third approach may seem appealing, as it allows for ownership of popular players, there is a risk of not having any backup if any of them miss out due to injury or squad rotation.

In terms of captaincy choices, Erling Haaland's recent performance of scoring five goals against Luton Town in the FA Cup makes him a strong contender. However, other options such as Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Ollie Watkins, and Mohamed Salah should also be considered.

If you're building your squad towards gameweek 29, Tottenham, West Ham, and Aston Villa attackers are worth considering. Villa players like Douglas Luiz, Leon Bailey, and Watkins have proven to deliver points. West Ham's Lucas Paqueta, Bowen, and Mohammed Kudus are also viable options. Additionally, Son from Tottenham is a popular choice for the upcoming fixtures against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Fulham, and Luton.

For those not focusing on gameweek 29, Arsenal players can be a good choice. Consider adding a second Gunners' midfielder for a potential differential. Kai Havertz, who has started five of Arsenal's past six Premier League games and has contributed to goals, could be a worthwhile option. Gabriel Jesus' return may provide competition, but at 1.8% ownership, Havertz could be a gamble worth taking.

Other differentials to consider include Rodrigo Muniz from Fulham, who has scored four goals in his past four games, and Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke, pending an update on his knee injury. Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto is also an interesting differential for their upcoming game against Burnley and the double fixture against Sheffield United and Luton in gameweek 28.

In terms of the captaincy, going against Haaland may be a gamble, but it's a strategy that some managers, like Chris Sutton, have decided to adopt for the rest of the season.

Remember to stay updated with the Fantasy 606 podcast, hosted by Alistair Bruce-Ball, Chris Sutton, and Statman Dave, for more insights and discussions on fantasy football. You can find the podcast by searching for 'Fantasy 606' on the BBC Sounds app and subscribing.