FPL Waiver Wire: Gameweek 29 Differentials

Forwards are dropping like flies, which makes Arsenal's upcoming schedule that much more enticing. Even if you don't like the Gunners, moves have to be made. Jamie Vardy appears fine with a calf issue, Sergio Aguero got a minor "kick to the knee" and Tammy Abraham is in Spain getting treatment for an ankle injury. Throw in the continued absences of Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane, and forward has become a wasteland.

FPL DIFFERENTIALS

Now is the time to stock up on Gunners with an upcoming schedule that features home matches against West Ham and Norwich City, as well as trips to Brighton and Southampton. While Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang isn't considered a differential, youngster Edward Nketiah has started the last two league matches and midfielder Nicolas Pepe has turned into Kevin De Bruyne in that period. Fortunately, there are a few more options than usual because Wolverhampton also have a nice upcoming slate (Brighton, West Ham, Bournemouth, Aston Villa). Raul Jimenez is the third-most popular forward and rising, while Diogo Jota has been on a tear with six goals in his last three starts in all competitions. The bigger stretch would be to back Olivier Giroud with the hopes that he continues to start while Tammy Abraham is out. I'm not sure I'd add him, but he's definitely a differential.

Outside of Pepe in the midfield, Joao Moutinho has to make the score-sheet at some point, and Ayoze Perez could be worth a look because of his upcoming schedule. With or without Vardy, Leicester City face Villa, Watford and Brighton in their next three. Their schedule isn't as favorable, but both Troy Deeney and Ismaila Sarr deserve to be in the conversation. Sarr will get attention after thwarting Liverpool's back line, though he's dealt with muscle injuries throughout the season and that remains a worry.

You can back any of those teams at defender, as well. Caglar Soyuncu and Jonny Evans have disappointed a bit the last couple months, but a clean sheet or two could be around the corner. Willy Boly is cheaper than both at the Premier League's official fantasy game, and there aren't many reasons not to grab him if you need a viable defender. It's a little less certain with Arsenal because their back line is a revolving door and they have numerous defenders edging closer to a return. Hector Bellerin has been healthy for a few weeks and may be the best bet since he's also cheaper than David Luiz.

FANTRAX FINDS

There may be a lot of injuries at forward, but a lot of those guys are sitting on benches in draft leagues, which means a lot of the backups have already been swooped up. Jay Rodriguez at least brings some intrigue as he continues to start for Burnley and is on just 20 percent of squads at Fantrax. The other route is to go young and hope Nketiah and William Smallbone continue to start. The matchup that stands out for Gameweek 28 is Sheffield United home against Norwich City, and that points to Oliver McBurnie and Billy Sharp, who should start again after coming off the bench Tuesday in the FA Cup.

Will Hughes, Nabil Bentaleb and Cheikhou Kouyate are available in most leagues, mainly because they're defensive midfielders with minimal upside. Unfortunately, there aren't any midfielders who stand out in terms of matchup or upside, at least ones who would be available. Even Roberto Pereyra, who should see more time after Gerard Deulofeu's injury, is on 30 percent of teams at Fantrax. In terms of matchup, I'd probably go with Kouyate because he's at home, but Dennis Praet is a worthy last-ditch effort at home against Villa, having started the last two league matches.

It's a little easier to grab a defender off waivers because Jamaal Lascelles and Phil Bardsley are available in most leagues, among others. If you don't like their matchups, Gary Cahill is home against Watford and Javier Manquillo is at Southampton. Even Jeremy Ngakia should accrue a few points against Arsenal, though he should be your last choice.

CAPTAIN DEEP DIVES

Vardy killed anyone that captained him last gameweek, including me. Fortunately, it's back to a full slate, which means there are more options other than the usual Liverpool guys who are home against Bournemouth. This is the perfect spot (home v. West Ham) to bank on a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang brace in which he scores on both of his shots, one of them from the penalty spot. Of course, De Bruyne and Aguero will be a little more popular because despite having a double gameweek, there's a decent chance Arsenal don't score at Man City.

You could also try your luck on any of the Wolverhampton players, but Raul Jimenez will be most popular for the armband. A lot of people will be turned off by Vardy after his recent blank, but if he starts against Villa, a goal will be in the cards. I'm not keen on many others, mainly because Danny Ings (v. Newcastle) has a nagging injury and Sheffield United (v. Norwich City) don't have a consistent scorer. At the end of the day, the double gameweek overpowers captaincy and if not, Liverpool will be close behind.