There’s a very quick turnaround between Gameweeks as we get ready for Tuesday’s Fantasy Premier League (FPL) deadline.
In many ways, it’s an awkward Scout Picks selection this week, as several players who would normally be included like it Nico O’Reilly (£5.1 million), Harry Wilson (£6.0 million) and Erling Haaland (£14.8m), are all currently marked.
For now, we’ve included Haaland in our Scout Picks, but we may need to revise the squad after Pep Guardiola’s press conference on Tuesday.
As usual, we are limited by certain restrictions:
- A budget of £83.0 million for our starting XI
- A total selection cap of £100.0 million
- No more than three players per team
GAME WEEK 29 SCOUT PICKS
KEELER
from Leeds United Karl Darlow (£3.9m) gets the nod between the posts. Daniel Farke’s side may be without a clean sheet since Gameweek 22, but their home match against Sunderland gives them a great opportunity to achieve one. The Regis Le Bris side have scored just seven goals this season, which is fewer than every other team except Wolverhampton Wanderers. Darlow, meanwhile, has earned save points in each of his last three home games.
DEFENDERS
A trip to Brighton and Hove Albion looks promising Gabriel Magalhaes (£7.1 million). The Arsenal centre-back tops the FPL defender rankings after giving his owners a nine-point win against Chelsea on Sunday. His contribution at both ends of the pitch could again be crucial on the south coast: Brighton have found the net just six times in their last six home games, while Gabriel has already scored seven attacking goals in the 2025/2026 season.
Virgil van Dijk (£6.1m) retains his place in the Scout Picks, with Liverpool’s visit to Wolves giving him the chance to maintain his good form. The Dutchman has averaged 6.3 points per start since the turn of the year, with two double-digit points in that period. Rob Edwards’ side have improved of late but remain the lowest scoring side in the division.
James Tarkowski (£5.7m) is our representative of the Everton defense this week as they host Burnley. Admittedly, the Toffees have been far from resilient of late – one clean sheet in nine games – but the centre-back will be hopeful of a shutout against a Clarets team then ranked 20th in terms of expected goals (xG). Scott Parker’s side are also at an all-time low in terms of opposing shots (see the image below), which should interest Tarkowski.
Additionally, all of the aforementioned defenders (Gabriel, van Dijk and Tarkowski) have defensive contribution point potential (DefCon), with DefCon success rates of 34.8%, 42.9% and 64.3% respectively on the season.
With teammate O’Reilly currently marked, Matheus Nunes (£5.4m) is our Manchester City defensive selection. The Cityzens are one of the favorites to shut out the opposition in Gameweek 29: during the season, only Wolves have scored fewer goals than Nottingham Forest. With one goal and seven assists already to his name, Nunes will focus on The Tricky Trees’ left flank, which has looked vulnerable under Vitor Pereira so far.
MIDFIELDERS
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