FPL Gameweek 29: Must-Have Picks, Captain Choices & Differential Tips to Skyrocket Your Rank

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have barely had time to tweak their watch-lists before the 2025/26 edition dropped a bumper batch of rule changes designed to shake up Gameweek 1 and beyond. From a second set of all four chips to points for defensive graft, here is everything you need to know—plus early transfer tactics to gain an edge. Eight chips, not four The headline change doubles your chip arsenal. Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain and Bench Boost can each be deployed once before the Gameweek 19 deadline on 30 December and once again in the run-in. Plan an aggressive first-half strategy—playing Bench Boost during the early double gameweeks—knowing you still have a full chip set for spring’s fixture swings. New points for defensive contributions Opta-tracked actions now matter. Any defender hitting 10 clearances, blocks, interceptions or tackles earns two bonus FPL points; midfielders and forwards need 12 defensive actions when ball recoveries are included. Centre-backs with high CBIT numbers—think James Tarkowski and Gabriel—suddenly rival wing-backs for upside. Assists made simpler Deflections off a single defender, forced errors and won set-pieces that lead directly to a goal now count as assists, adding clarity (and potential points) for creators who thrive on cut-backs and high pressing. Expect Bruno Fernandes and Bukayo Saka to benefit. Bonus Points System tweaks • Goalkeeper saves from shots inside the box rise from two to three BPS. • Goalline clearances triple in value. • Penalty goals are standardised at 12 BPS for all positions. Shot-stoppers such as Jordan Pickford gain ceiling, while combative full-backs who clear off the line get an uptick. AFCON safety net With the Africa Cup of Nations spanning Gameweeks 16-22, every manager’s free-transfer quota will be topped up to five at the start of GW16. Bank at least one transfer in GW15 to exit the break with a minimum of six moves, allowing seamless removal of absentees like Mohamed Salah. Prices and position re-classifications • Salah jumps to £14.5 m; Erling Haaland drops to £14 m. • Jarrod Bowen is now a forward, boosting forward options under £11 m. • New signing Florian Wirtz slots in at £8.5 m, tempting as a mid-priced punt. Early draft template 1. Haaland (C) 2. Wirtz, Saka, Palmer 3. Bowen, João Pedro 4. Tarkowski, Gabriel, Gvardiol, Branthwaite 5. Pickford (G), cheap 4.0 backup Leaves £1.0 m in the bank for bandwagons once line-ups settle. Key deadlines • Gameweek 1: Friday 8 August, 18:30 BST • First chip cut-off: Gameweek 19, Tuesday 30 December • AFCON boost: Gameweek 16 transfers top-up Bookmark these dates to avoid rushed transfers and chip waste. Bottom line The 2025/26 FPL overhaul rewards proactive managers who embrace rotation, capitalise on new defensive metrics and sequence their eight chips around double and blank gameweeks. Lock in your squad early, track pre-season friendlies, and prepare to pounce on emerging budget gems—the race for FPL glory starts now.