Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 8

With the next international break breathing down our necks, be sure to savour the thrills, heartache, jam, and (fingers crossed) joy that Gameweek 8 will undoubtedly provide.

As ever, Fantasy Football Scout is here to help you separate fact from rumour, stat from gobbledegook, and Pep from his roulette wheel. Well, ok separating Pep from his roulette wheel is probably surgically impossible, but two out of three ain’t bad. And, just for the heck of it, we’ll even explain what a “compound differential” is. Oh yes.

Talking points

The main headline this week has undoubtedly been the injury to Kevin De Bruyne. Guardiola confirmed on Friday that the brilliant Belgian will miss Gameweek 8

No, tomorrow [De Bruyne] is not fit. After the international break, he will be ready. It’s not a big, big problem.

Over half a million managers have wasted no time in ditching De Bruyne with Mount, Yarmolenko, and Mahrez (more on him later), the popular replacements. 

For other more patient souls – willing to trust Pep when he says the midfield maestro will return for Gameweek 9 – this will mean a substitute taking his place in their fantasy teams. 

If you’ve got options like John Lundstram (£4.5m) or Todd Cantwell (£5.0m) on your bench, hold on to Kevin.

The FPL General

However, as Neale reported in his team news round-up, some may have reason to worry. Speaking on Friday, Norwich City boss Daniel Farke reported a problem with 27%-owned Todd Cantwell:

There is a little doubt, a little question mark behind Todd Cantwell. He’s got some hamstring problems. He was out Wednesday and Thursday, returned back today on the training pitch, it looked alright. We have to wait a bit, how his body reacts. I hope to have him available for tomorrow.

For the low-down on all the treatment room latest, we not only have Neale’s quote-filled articles, but Rotation’s Alter Ego has kindly summarised the key points for each team. Could Allison be about to make his return this weekend?

Who to trust with the armband?

Raheem Sterling leads the captain poll with 25.8% of the vote, ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mohamed Salah, and Sergio Aguero. Without an overwhelming favourite to stick the armband on, FPL managers face another tricky decision. 

The underlying statistics once again point to the potential of Manchester City assets ahead of their home encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers, as David highlighted on the Captaincy Video

Only three teams have conceded more shots in the box [than Wolves], and no team has had more shots in the box than Manchester City.

Digging a little deeper – using data available to FFS Members – TheFantasyFreÆK focused on Wolves’ defensive problems this campaign:

… the stark contrast I notice in Wolves 19/20 v Wolves 18/19 from a defensive point of view is very worrying. Wolves have conceded triple the number of big chances this season than they did at this stage last season (12 v 4), hence their xGC (expected goals conceded) has nearly doubled (5.5 to 10). Shots in the box conceded have also witnessed an alarming rise of 46%.

The problem is knowing which City player to trust. 

In Gameweek 7, many FPL pundits and experts felt Aguero would definitely start following his midweek rest. They were wrong. This week it’s Raheem Sterling’s turn to be the favoured captain pick.

Sterling has scored in his last three matches in all competitions and emerged from the bench in the Champions League on Tuesday night to inspire City to victory. The 24-year-old will lead the FPL General’s troops on Sunday. 

However, one manager who won’t be giving Sterling the armband is Career Hall of Fame number one Sean Tobin. Sean, as Greyhead informed us in the latest installment of The Great and The Good, omitted Sterling from his Gameweek 7 Wildcard. Instead he’s chosen to go with Aguero and Salah as his only players costing over £11.0m.

Backing up Sean’s decision to favour Aguero, David observed in his Captain Sensible article:

Once again, we come into a Gameweek with Aguero as the busiest attacking player in the penalty box over the previous four matches. He has shot 17 times there from Gameweek 4 onwards, more than any other player in their last four outings.

While The FPL General feels that we shouldn’t be put off by Salah’s upcoming fixtures:

On paper, Liverpool have a tricky run of games but is it really that difficult? It’s Leicester at home this weekend (Salah’s lowest score at Anfield this season is nine points), then a trip to face mid-table side Manchester United before a home tie against a Spurs outfit who conceded seven goals to Bayern Munich this week.

Second in the captain poll, Aubameyang is attracting interest and it’s easy to understand why. Brandon pointed out in FPL Question Time:

With no blanks through the first seven weeks of the season, Aubameyang is indeed the real deal.

Discussing the Gabonese international in the Captaincy Video, Joe enthused:

It’s a six-point floor!… At the Emirates Bournemouth have conceded eleven goals and scored just three over their last three league visits, and Aubameyang has scored in his last two encounters against the Cherries.

High-end Purchases on a Limited Budget

The challenge facing many FPL managers is deciding which of the £11.0m+ players to own, with many offering the promise of points. Three premium-priced assets make this week’s Scout Picks: Salah, Sterling, and Aubameyang.

To help ease the pressure on our limited budgets players such as McGinn, Pukki, and Abraham – as well as a shift towards cheap defenders – are proving popular. All three offer the promise of goals this weekend.

In his analysis of the underlying stats, Neale revealed that Abraham had been presented with nine big chances in the last four Gameweeks:

Abraham had four of those gilt-edged opportunities in the last two Gameweeks, so he has still been getting into dangerous positions despite recording back-to-back blanks.

And goals are expected when Norwich City host Aston Villa later today:

486 shots conceded by Arsenal (126), Aston Villa (121), Norwich City (121) and Bournemouth (118) combined this season. Those four clubs have allowed the most attempts on goal in the Premier League this season and play each other this weekend, with Norwich entertaining Aston Villa and Arsenal hosting the Cherries.

Compound Differential

The form of Riyad Mahrez has been discussed this week. The injury to Kevin De Bruyne and a potential ban for Bernardo Silva increasing his appeal.

Neale goes into impressive depth exploring not only how well Mahrez has performed this season, but also his potential for minutes. While the Algerian does not have the luxury of guaranteed game-time, Neale observed:

If we are to accept the occasional rest for [Sterling, Aguero, and De Bruyne], then why not the more affordable Mahrez?

The most transferred-in player ahead of the Gameweek 8 deadline and with an ownership fast approaching 10%, Mahrez just about squeezes into the differential category

But it’s as a “compound differential” that he could really make a difference. Appearing on the Scoutcast this week Tom, from Who Got The Assist?, explained:

Where I think Mahrez is really interesting is that because he’s a compound differential, so it’s not really a differential in and of itself, it’s a differential because you’re pairing him with other players and making a unique combination, which is a little bit different to everybody else.

Tom went on to point out that selecting a triple City midfield of Sterling, De Bruyne, and Mahrez is pretty maverick: that combination is owned by just 0.04% of managers.

Even selecting City’s three most highly-owned players – Sterling, De Bruyne, and Aguero – each owned by over 29% of managers, as a combination is only selected by 2.3%

In Case You Missed It

There was another take on the De Bruyne injury / Mahrez appeal, tuvok thinks that perhaps De Bruyne’s absence could have a negative impact on Mahrez.

Elsewhere, Sebastes asked can Spurs bounce back? And Meltens kindly previewed Gameweek 27 (only four Gameweeks to go!) in Fantasy Allsvenskan.

To view all our discussions please visit our Hot Topics page, and if you’ve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article.

If you’re a member and are yet to get to grips with the custom statistics tables, you can view this movie for an explanation of how they work. Also, remember to tag them so that people can find the tables with ease.

Community Tournaments

For a full update on all FFS Mini-Leagues and Community Tournaments, please click here to read the latest round-up. 

For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. A link has also been added to the ‘Scout Leagues’ section on the home page

The fixtures for Gameweek 8 can be found below:


Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

Best of luck for Gameweek 8!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

2,244 Comments Post a Comment
  1. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Would you take a hit to bring Vardy in this week or wait until after the IB?

    1. subhojit123
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Hit to remove whom?

      1. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Greenwood

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wait, no hit required

    3. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wait.

    4. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Not for a hit

    5. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wait

  2. subhojit123
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Field one from -
    1. Kelly
    2. Lacelles

  3. MarcusAurelius
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Do we start Cantwell or not? Im worried about a 1 point cameo!

    Currently got Diop first on bench and Cantwell starting. Correct decision?

    Start one:
    A) Diop (CRY)
    B) Cantwell (AVL)

    1. Hotdogs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'd start him. He will either start or miss out completely. won't be risked for a cameo

  4. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    1.Play Douglas/greenwood
    2.douglas > saka and play saka

  5. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    RP. Best option?

    Pope
    Tomori Lundstram Rico
    Mane Sterling KDB Mount
    Aguero Abraham Pukki

    (Button, Cantwell Soyuncu Hanley)
    1FT 0.1ITB

    A) KDB ➡ Mahrez
    B) KDB Hanley ➡ Yarmolenko & TAA -4
    C) KDB Hanley ➡ Yarmolenko & Ota -4

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      KDB to Yarmo?

      1. Teahupo'o
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Would be an easy transfer back to KDB. Thanks.

    2. allaboutthemagic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

      1. Teahupo'o
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers.

  6. Jambot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I need to bench 2 of these players! Who would you bench?

    A) Otamendi (WOL)
    B) Lundstram (wat)
    C) Maguire (new)
    D) Digne (bur)
    E) Pieters (EVE)
    F) Barnes (EVE)
    G) Cantwell (AVL)

    I’m currently benching DG

    Deffo playing mount, salah, strerling, Abraham and Pukki.

    Thanks for any help

    1. itsmeguneet
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      C & F for me

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B and G

    3. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      C and f

    4. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks all

  7. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A)Dendoncker > Saka
    B)VVD & Dendoncker > Tomori & Mount (-4)

    Pope,
    TAA, VVD, Otamendi, Lundstram
    Salah, Sterling, KDB*, Cantwell
    Pukki, Abraham

    Button, Dendoncker, Greenwood, Aurier*

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I don’t think you want Aurore long term but A out of those

  8. simong1
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope

    TAA - VVD - Digne - Lundstram - Otamendi

    Salah - Sterling (c) - Cantwell

    Abraham - Pukki

    Bench: Greenwood, Dendoncker, KDB

    1FT, 0.3 ITB

    A) Dendoncker > Saka (and play Saka, bench who?)
    B) Save FT

    1. itsmeguneet
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Good enough to save FT

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Save

  9. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) Montoya -> Lundstram
    B) KDB + Wilson -> Aubameyang + Yarmolenko (-4)
    C) Save FT

    Pope
    VVD - Otamendi - Digne
    Salah - Sterling - KDB* - Mount - Cantwell
    Pukki - C. Wilson

    Button - Greenwood - Rico - Montoya [0.4m ITB + 1FT]

  10. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is this the GW us professionals finally put the casuals to rest?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      We wish ... oh wait am I casual?

    2. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      The old red arrow crew.

  11. JenkoJunko
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Moring all!

    Any thoughts and advice on the below would be great! I've left it very late!

    Squad
    Pope Button
    AWB Digne VVD Lund Soy
    Salah Sterling KDB Mount Yarmo
    Greenwood Pukki Jota

    Need to get rid of AWB and Jota.... For who? Two best picks please? would be -4 and gonna WC after IB. Thanks and Good Luck

  12. Hotdogs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Lads, A) or B) ?

    A) KDB, Ayew > Auba, Yarmolenko (-4)
    B) KDB > Sterling

    Really like A) but the thought of no City coverage scares me.

    Lloris (Button)
    Lundstram Digne VVD (Dunk, Soyuncu)
    Salah Son Mount KDB* (Cantwell)
    Pukki Abraham Ayew

    1. onestreet
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Gut says A, head says B. I'm in the same situation with Aguero, really want Auba but scared of no City forwards

  13. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    1FT....
    A Save
    B Dendoncker to Saka
    C Zinchenko to Otamendi
    D Ryan to Pope

    Ryan
    TAA Zin Lund
    Salah Sterling (c) Mcginn Mount
    Pukki Wilson Vardy

    1. Hotdogs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      save

    2. LE CHARO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Save

  14. tim
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Son a sure starter and KDB replacement?

    Cheers!

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No
      Maybe

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Son best replacement for KDB Imo

  15. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who scores more?

    A. Mane & Haller

    Or

    B. Son & Auba(-4)

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B looks yummy burgery

  16. andrinho
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Tips?
    Pope Heaton
    Otamendi VVD Lundsteam (Soyuncu) (Aurier)
    Salah KDB MOUNT CANTWELL (D. Luiz)
    Abraham Pukki Aguero

    What should I do?
    a) Upgrade D. LUIZ TO Yarmolenko / McGinn
    b) Transfer out KDB for Mane/Mahrez
    C) Auba and Sterling in for Aguero and KDB

    Thanks

  17. allaboutthemagic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    If you have both sterling and kun who you giving the armband to?!

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Raz

  18. Rik Waller
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed...

    1) KDB > Dilva (would play Lund)
    2) KDB + Greenwood > Saka + Auba(-4)

    Have my WC to use next week most likely

  19. FPL Ultras
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is Bilva nailed? Consider of captaining him too, but at the moment going for Sterling.

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Not nailed

  20. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    No doubt Vardy will be a must have after Pool. His fixtures so damn tasty and one player who can score vs any defence.

    1. fc_skrald
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Who to sell from Wilson, Pukki and Abraham?

      1. Bees4Lyf
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Pukki

        1. fc_skrald
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          probably the right one

      2. 3 A
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Still good attacking force without Kun and Vardy

  21. St Pauli Walnuts
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    2 FT but thinking either just burn one or maybe McGovern in for Button, worth doing?

    Pope
    TAA / Ota / Lund
    Mane / Cantwell / Son / Mount
    Auba (c) / Pukki (v) / Tammy

    Button / Rico / Soy / KDB

  22. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Heaton
    TAA Pieters Lundstram
    Sterling(c) Salah(vc) Mount Zaha
    Haller Wilson Pukki

    Button Cantwell Digne Kelly

    I am holding 0.9itb and 2ft.

    Zaha > Saka
    Wilson > Auba

    Would rather ditch Digne but would not allow the move. Thoughts on this?

    Thanks!!

  23. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope
    TAA, Otamendi, Digne, Lundstram
    Salah, Sterling (c), James, *Cantwell*
    Abraham, Pukki

    Button, Soyuncu, KDB, Greenwood

    0.8m ITB, 1 FT

    A) Save with Soyuncu as first sub (potentially for Cantwell)
    B) Save with Greenwood as first sub (potentially for Cantwell)
    C) KDB to Yarmolenko, McGinn or Mount (then get KDB back for James after international break)

  24. thewhitepele
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope
    TAA Otamendi Digne
    Salah Sterling KDB Cantwell
    Tammy Pukki Wood

    Button, Soyuncu, Dendonk, Rico
    0ft 0.6m ITB have WC

    Whats the deal with KDB? G2G or need a hit?

  25. 3 A
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hoping we all get green arrows.

    1. Bees4Lyf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes meetoo

  26. mash
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    For Draft game: Start Pope, or take a risk and start Alisson? Currently sticking to Pope.

    1. Kryten
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Suppose allison not a risk moy like he will come of bench it he doesn't start

      1. Kryten
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Moy not

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Start Allison, if he doesn't play you will get Pope anyway.

  27. Bees4Lyf
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I’ve gone and done it, I’m salah-less on the WC for the next few weeks. I’m heading to DFS now.

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      good luck. I was tempted but the KDB injury put an end to that.

      1. Bees4Lyf
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks pal

  28. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    No one over 30 has Pukki (c).

  29. JoeJitzu +42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Best trio medium to long term

    1. KdB Martial Aguero
    2. KdB Mahrez Aubameyang
    3. KdB Sterling Haller
    4. Sterling Yarmolenko Aubameyang

  30. New Community Article
    Rotation's Alter Ego
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    2 Community Articles have gone up.

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2019/10/05/floundering-flores-forwards-to-flourish-with-some-clever-inspiration/

    Shaman has had a look at possible options at Watford. Fantastic writing here.

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2019/10/05/they-might-be-tired-gameweek-8/

    FP Elephant has posted the latest of his "They might be tired" series, with managers like Poch already mentioning that some Spurs players might need a break after too many minutes.