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. Paddy Gooner
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Due to KDB injury I will have to play 4 4 3. Bench David Luiz or Guilbert? I have both Wilson and Pukki:

    Pieters Diop Lund Luiz/Guilbert

    Salah Mount McGinn

    Pukki Auba(C) Wilson

    Bench: KDB, Ceballos and Luiz / Guilbert.

    1. Paddy Gooner
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      sorry, meant to say 4 3 3

    2. Bring back Rafa
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'd play Ceballos, apparently played really well mid week

  2. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    g2g?

    Adrian
    Lund OTA Pieters
    Sterling Mane Mount KDB
    Auba (c) Tammy Pukki

    Cantwell Kelly soy

    1. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes sir

  3. Codetto
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    On a wildcard, should I put in Aguero or Auba? Sterling is captain.

    1. Paddy Gooner
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Auba. Kun not playing the full 90 every week, and Arsenal have great fixtures coming up AND Auba is cheaper.

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

      Auba

  4. Naby K8a
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Read that Egypt’s manager has explained that Salah has been managing a groin injury as they’ve elected to rest him for upcoming internationals.

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Interesting

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Phantom IB injury

    3. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Ye this salah stuff is a bit fishy to me honestly

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

    Worth dropping KdB (9.8) for Son for 2 weeks?

    Mainly h2h cash league.

    1. lespaul
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No

    2. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No

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

      No. I don't know why people are selling KdB for one week.

      It costs two transfers and saved value on KdB. Just hold, prepare your bench and set up the team for the future. KdB would be a good remove if you don't want him after the Intl. Break but that's clearly not the case.

      1. ChuckN
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Appreciate the detailed reply.

        My issue is I also have Cantwell and AWB.

        I have Maddison and Soy on my bench.

        Just can't see any other good transfers this week.

      2. ChuckN
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        And like I said, it's primarily H2H.

        Pope
        TAA Ota Lund
        Mane KDB* Mount Cantwell*
        Kun Abraham Pukki

        McGovern AWB* Maddison Soy

      3. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I can. Most likely he'll drop twice and he gives you 10 mill for a good replacement. Most people got poor benches. And it's not even sure he's back after the IB.

    4. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yup

  6. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Good to go?

    -4 for

    Pope
    Zinch taa tomori lund
    Salah sterling(c) yarm
    Auba Abraham pukki(vc)

    Subs. Cantwell, rico

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

      Yep

  7. MPC
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Which order would you start them in?

    A: Lowton (EVE)
    B: Fredericks (CRY)
    C: Cantwell (AVL)
    D: Lund (wat)
    E: Tomori (sou)

    Thanks.

    1. PocketZola
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      D,e,c

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

        Thanks!

  8. drcooper817
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    How likely is it that Aguero will start?

    1. Squib
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Worrying me. I need 75 plus minutes and returns from him with KDB out but tempted to swap for Auba...

  9. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Should I get AUba for a couple of hits ?

    Pope ( Button )

    TAA - Otamendi - Awb ( Lundstram, Soyoncu )

    Salah - Sterling - KDB - Mount - Mcginn

    Pukki - Abraham ( Wickham )

    1. Cookie Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No, play Lundstram and assess KDB after break

  10. Balls of Steel
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    GTG this week or shift Hayden for Saka for a - 4 in case Cantwell doesn't play?

    Pope
    Otamendi Lundy Fredericks Tomori
    Sterling (VC) Mané Cantwell
    Auba(C) Tammy Pukki

    Button Rico Hayden KDB

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

      Did the same

    2. Cookie Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      G2g

    3. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks all

  11. aborg
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I have KDB, Cantwell and Mount ( any rumors of Mount not starting?) in my team.
    Should I be worried with Cantwell, Kelly and Aurier(who misses match) on my bench?

    1. aborg
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      *Son in my team I meant

    2. Cookie Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Nothing worth hitting over

      1. aborg
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thnks.

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

    Go safe on Yarmolenko or take a punt on Saka? Saka would leave money in bank but I own Auba too.

    1. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yarmy as you own auba.

  13. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Please help. Last decision of the GW

    Captain
    A) Aguero (don’t own Sterling)
    B) Pukki

    1. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A for me

      1. Danstoke82
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers for the reply!

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

      Aguero

    3. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

  14. joersherman
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) Son
    B) Firmino

    on WC?

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Son

  15. Squib
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    1. Aguero to Auba yes or no?
    2. Keep KDB or swap for?

  16. aborg
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    * Son in my team I meant

  17. Gaffa914
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    James—> David Silva for a -4 one week punt?

  18. Caesar, Hot Mustache
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Little dilemma here.

    A. Save FT & keep KDB (Cantwell in Starting 11)
    B. KDB > Son
    C. KDB > Mahrez

    I don’t have much value locked on KDB. Rank’s suffering

  19. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Chuuu chhuuu Panic station...

    All aboard the train

  20. Mesh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who to captain?
    A. Aguero
    B. Abraham
    C. Son
    D. Pukki

    1. 1zverGGadeM
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Kun

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Why do this to yourself?

    3. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A or D

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

    Is Auba and Sterling in for Aguero and KDB worth a 4 point hit?

    1. 1zverGGadeM
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yep

    2. Fodderx4
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes i wish i had such an easy decision (see above)

    3. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

  22. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Better pick this GW:

    a) Cantwell (Rico first on bench)
    b) Abraham -4

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Abby

    3. 1zverGGadeM
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Tammy

  23. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Trying to work out KdB value stuff and can't work out if this explanation from CO3KYSMURF is right or not. It's such a simple bit of maths as well haha

    "Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you bought him for 9.5 and he drops to 9.9, you won't lose any money by selling and buying him back. You sell for a 0.2 profit, then buy back for an extra 0.2, which cancels out the profit you earned. Break even. It's the same as not selling him as you're not getting the profit unless you sell him. Your point about losing 2 FTs is very relevant though"

    Initially I thought that made sense, but hold up. If you have 9.5 only remaining and you buy a player at that price who you subsequently sell for 9.7, if he's 9.9 or 10 you have to retrieve the extra from your team, don't you. So you have lost money???

    Someone with brain sort this out please

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes you will sell him for 9.7 with 1 or 2 drops.. but even with 2 drops you will have to pay the extra 0.1 to get him back at 9.8. If he only drops once, you will lose 0.2

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

        He won't drop more than 0.1m I'm telling you.

        Everyone sells in one go. And those that keep (which is a lot of teams), will keep through the break. He will be 9.9m next week. Heck, he might not even be 9.9m. The red flag might keep him at 10.0m and no one will sell over the break since he's sitting out the internationals and will (fingers crossed) be back in GW8.

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          You’re telling me, but I wasn’t asking? I agree..

      2. mookie
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Very few will sell him after deadline. It just wouldn't make sense.
        Then again people are stupid.

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

      He's wrong.

      You lose 0.2m on the transaction.

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

        But more importantly, you waste two transfers doing that for a player you will want back.

        If you didn't want him back for a while, sure ship him, but you'll want KdB back the moment he's fit which has clearly been communicated as next GW. So it makes 0 sense imo to sell him.

        1. Pacer.
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          No way I'm shipping. Player and team value is misunderstood and underrated. Insignificant if you're buying a player at 0.2 over the odds who you'll ship a couple of weeks later but if it's a season keeper then you're just locking in a season long disadvantage

          Ultimately it ends in transfers and hits

    3. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      That's what I thought.

      Good

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

      If you buy at 9.5 and the player grows up to a price of 9.9, you sell for 9.7. Your Squad Vallue has gone up with 0.2!

  24. Fodderx4
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Repost as no replies, really appreciate input lads...

    Pope
    VVD Zinc Lund
    Mount Salah (VC) Cantwell McGinn
    Kun (C) Abraham Pukki

    Button, Lowton, Soy, KDB
    1 FT 1m ITB

    A) Save and use 2 transfers next GW to get Vardy
    B) KDB to Mahrez or Son
    C) VVD and KDB to Tomori and Sterling (c)
    D) Something else

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. Squib
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      If Cantwell plays then probably save FT.
      I am in similar boat considering KDB out short term but I would have to then make two swaps to be able to afford him back.

  25. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pukki will score a brace today. Look at his home record. Look at Norwich results at home not just this season but last season too.

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      He's gone if he blanks again

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      They have scored two or more goals in 17 of their last 18 matches, incredible attacking stats!

      1. El Matador
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Wow I didn't know that

      2. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        At home that is though sorry

        1. El Matador
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Ye that's all that matters today!

    3. maff
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      It's possible. The worry with Norwich is that the defence is in pieces (1 fit centre back) and the only fit defensive midfielder will have to plug the gap, so the whole base of the team is a bit compromised. If they can get on the ball they can always score but I'd be wary of them being bullied out if it a bit.

      1. El Matador
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Everyone thought the same v City and look what happened

        1. maff
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          True, though the situation has got worse since then (albeit villa aren't man city). Just saying be a little wary for any who might be thinking about captaining him

  26. Stef rocks
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Guys is there anywhere I can see whether Son will star for Spurs before the deadline, so I can transfer him if he is benched ?

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No. And Poch can't afford resting him. Spurs desperate for an away win.

    2. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Twitter, maybe on reddit r/coys.

    3. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Son will start no reason he would get benched

    4. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No.

      1. Stef rocks
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        FFS team news say different!

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

          FFS’s crystal ball has been broken for a long time. :).

  27. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    People who haven’t yet used their wildcard, when do you intend to play it?

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

      Last week in December

    2. Railwayman
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Until I have a few injuries or a really, really catastrophic week.

  28. Railwayman
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is it mad to bring in Madison now instead Mount or Yarmolenko ?

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

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

  30. Pieterke30
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Start Cantwell or Vardy?

    1. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Vardy, without a doubt.