Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 8?

The captaincy candidates for Gameweek 8 of Fantasy Premier League are few and far between but that does not mean the choice is an easy one.

With Manchester City and Liverpool going head-to-head at the Etihad Stadium, just two matches are taking our fancy ahead of Friday’s early deadline as Tottenham Hotspur travel to West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea host Sheffield United.

The Hawthorns will feature this season’s highest-scoring team facing the Premier League’s worst defensive outfit. Does that make selecting a captain a simple exercise? Far from it.

And as Fantasy managers flutter between Harry Kane (£11.0m) and Son Heung-min (£9.6m) there are some differentials to consider.

As per usual, the Captain Sensible article assesses each of the best options using player and team defensive data from the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area.

CAPTAINCY POLL

Unsurprisingly, Kane and Son are the runaway leaders in this week’s captaincy poll. The Spurs duo have gained 44.7% and 21.4%, respectively, although, in keeping with the world at large this week, we should remind you that there are still legitimate votes left to be counted.

Fantasy managers have been looking forward to their trip to the Hawthorns for some time so, regardless of form or fixture, these two players were always going to perform well in the Gameweek 8 captain poll.

With no other candidate managing more than 5% backing, Kane and Son have produced arguably the world’s most important two-horse vote of the week.

It is Timo Werner (£9.3m) who leads the way among the independent options, although he managed only 4.4% backing ahead Sheffield United visiting Stamford Bridge.

Hakim Ziyech (£8.0m) also made the top five with 2.5% of the votes while Tariq Lamptey’s (£4.7m) meeting with an out-of-form Burnley outfit was enough for 3.6% brave managers to take a punt with the armband.

Meanwhile, many highly-owned premium options failed to attract captaincy interest for the Gameweek 8 clash between Manchester City and Liverpool. Mohammed Salah (£12.4m) has brought in just 1.8% of our votes, while Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m, 0.8%) failed to even make the top 10.

KEY MATCHES

West Bromwich Albion v Tottenham Hotspur

763 Comments Post a Comment
  1. mcsteely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Tough week to wildcard, but I had no choice. Thoughts on this?

    Mendy, Forster
    Chilwell, Cresswell, Vestergaard, Lamptey, Kilman
    Salah, Son, Grealish, Ziyech Riedewald
    Kane, DCL, Wilson

    1.0 ITB

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Looks good think the spurs double up is heavy with their upcoming fixture's though

      1. mcsteely
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Need them for this week then can jump off to City ideally

    2. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Looks great. Can hold transfer next wee kand have 2ft for gw 10 and city

      1. mcsteely
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Good call. Think will go Son to KDB and Kane to whoever is in form GW10

        1. Fergiesarmy
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Really strong team. No interest in Zaha?

          1. mcsteely
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Yes actually. It's Zaha or Ziyech for the last slot. Who do you prefer?

            1. Fergiesarmy
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Difficult one. I think ziyech could be a great differential. On the other hand Chelseas goals will come from a mix

              Zaha more likely to be involved in majority of Palace goals.

              I know, can't have them all

              1. mcsteely
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                good run of fixtures for Palace as well.. I've never owned Zaha so maybe its time

                1. Fergiesarmy
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  Yes maybe bank on the Chelsea clean sheets rather than banking on both clean sheets and assists.

                  With 3 Chelsea players u are really counting on them to perform weekly

    3. Ritchies Magic Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nice. Thinking of something very similar but a bit cheaper in defence to make easy switch of Son to KDB

    4. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I hit wildcard aswell.

      1 week earlier than plan team was a mess

      Solid team

      1. Fergiesarmy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        How is your wc looking

    5. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      happy with Wilson? Watkins has the fixtures

      1. mcsteely
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah pretty happy. Don't fancy Watkins. Think Wilson is more fixture proof than Watkins, even though he scored a hat trick V Liverpool

        1. OverTinker
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Ok i too have to make the same decision. Leeds creating lots of chances so I am even considering Bamford over Wilson

          1. mcsteely
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            I think Wilson is more a talisman for the team so would fancy him over both of those for the foreseeable

            1. OverTinker
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Plus he has penalties so I guess I will go for Wilson too.

  2. Mane Mane Mane
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is it silly to triple captain Kane so early in the season? Thoughts?

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Probably best to wait until the doubles

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I wouldn't use TC outside of a DGW, ideally.

    3. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Less risk during dgw, but as far as sgw goes this is the one

    4. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I don't mind playing TC in a single GW but not sure if such an obvious pick is a good choice, not much of an upside, everybody and his dog will have Kane (C) so you won't gain much.

  3. evilfish
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who do you think will do better this week?

    a) Bamford
    b) Wilson

    1. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Wilson

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Agreed- no brainer

        1. OverTinker
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          how is that a no brainer? Leeds create far more chances

    2. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bamford

  4. Quan MisTaka
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench 2 and in what order

    A)Lamptey
    B)Robbo
    C)Mitchell
    D)Kilman
    E)Bellerin

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Mitchell and Kilman

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      DC

    3. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      CD

    4. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Always good when you get confirmation of what youve already gone with!

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

    Best moves here with 1ft and 0m

    Martinez
    Taa Lamptey James* -- Mitchell* Saiss*.....*rotation prone
    Salah Son Havertz Barnes -- Burke
    DCL Kane Watkins

    A: Havertz >> Ziyech/Grealish/Bowen
    B: TAA + Havertz >> Bellerin + Bruno
    C: TAA + Havertz >> Kilman + Sterling
    D: Something else.

    1. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A, Ziyech

    3. Sloane426
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A. Grealish. Ziyech is a terrible pick imo

    4. UnitednationsXI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Grealish seems the main move but i already have watkins and doubling up on villa vs arsenal seems tough

  6. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    TAA + Jimenez> Zouma+Werner, yay or nay?

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      good move. Chilwell a better option if you can afford

  7. Naby K8a
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    The disrespect towards OGS is really getting out of hand now

    https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1324401527663058944?s=20

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      In fairness The Don knows a bit about sport.

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      LOOOOOL

      1. Seanigula
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Hey buddy...how are things going?

    3. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      😐

    4. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      😆

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

      Very good!

  8. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Pulisic and Ings replacements?

    Mané and Che Adams (have Salah aswell but like Liverpool’s long term fixtures alot)
    Bowen ( anyone up to 8.0) and Vardy
    Other?

    Thanks all

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hard to say without knowing team. Werner? Grealish?

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Just Ings. Fair chance Pulisic will play.

      1. Seanigula
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        No chance Pulisic will play

      2. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Even if he does I’m sick of it

    3. Gommy
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I need to get rid of Pulisic too and I’m considering Fournals instead of Bowen, with my other FT on DCL to Werner in order to keep a Chelsea attacking option.

  9. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who did Jan recommend for captain?

    Son or Kane or someone else?

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Son

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers... Because of away form.

        He's made lots of good calls.

  10. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How would you rank the West Ham defenders?

    Cresswell > Coufal > Masuaku ?

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yep in that order

  11. L S P
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Spare a comment pls?

    McC-Peacock
    TAA-Coady-Egan-Justin-Mitchell
    Salah-Sterling-Grealish-Pereira-Biss
    Wener-Jimi-Adams

    2FT

    Who would you rather lose to upgrade Pereira?

    A) TAA
    B) Jimi
    C) Neither

    Cheers.

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

    3. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  12. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Taa, Ings to Chillwell, Vardy?

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Strong

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nice

  13. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Ryan + Taa + Jimi > Mendy/Fabianski + Chilwell + Bamford (-4).

    Worth it?

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nope, not for a hit. Ryan and TAA out for mendy chilwell is enough

  14. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Was moving Coady out for Bellerin a mistake? Did it for free before the price yesterday.

    1. Nimby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nah that's a good move. Wolves fixture list not great.

      1. Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks mate, I hope it works out. I still have my wildcard so don’t mind playing the game with an attacking mindset.

  15. built_this_city
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    pulisic confirmed out?

    1. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No, but he wasn’t even on the bench yesterday

  16. Eytexi
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any news on the Maupay situation? Need an Ings replacement & nobody else particularly appeals (got DCL & Wilson).

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What about Bamford? I think Watkins with his upcoming fixtures is a solid pick also.

    2. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I think he’s back, it was a disciplinary issue

    3. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Im on watkins after arsenal got great run and even arsenal not that solid

  17. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    if you own both, is there any argument for starting Watkins over Grealish this week?

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      None

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      404

  18. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If Kane and Son do well again this week it is going to be difficult to sell in gw10.

    1. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      That is for sure.

      Lots are lining up to shoot some gift horses in the mouth.
      It will be a classic form vs fixtures scenario.

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah and city are not exactly free scoring as in the past. I’m holding anyway.

        1. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          You know that run of fixtures is huge for Spurs and if they manage to go on a good run between here and Christmas then they will have every chance of winning the PL this season imo.

          It will be interesting to see how they get on.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Take the points and run away. That was the plan with Aubameyang, same is the plan with Spurs.

      But I wouldn't mind keeping them if some other issue arise.

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        To who though? City not playing at their best and united look dross.

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          City weren’t because they had no KDB, Jesus or Aguero

          1. FPL Blow-In
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Partially, KDB only missed just over 1 game.

        2. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I'm sure they will show some improvement. It's Man City afterall. May not be consistently explosive but with those fixtures their will be some hauls. Worth a "punt" atleast for GW9-15, can always switch back if it isn't working.

    3. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I will be selling Kane and keeping Son

  19. Lexi2014
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best Ings replacement ?

    1. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      same question. Watkins/Wilson/Bamford

      1. Bucket Man
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Forgot Wilson good shout. Would have him over Watkins and Bamford

    2. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy, Werner, Jiminez, DCL, Bamford

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Maybe Martial

    4. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’m thinking Martial

      See below

    5. DAVESAVES
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Martial, Werner, Vardy

  20. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would really appreciate some thoughts here. 🙂

    Thoughts on Ings + Mahrez > Martial + Fornals for -4? Gives me-

    Martinez - Button
    Coady - Lamptey - Taylor - KWP - Mitchell
    Salah - Son - Grealish - Fornals - Bissouma
    Kane - Jimenez - Martial

    GW 9 - Kane > DCL
    GW 10 - Jimenez > Vardy
    GW 11 - DCL > Aguero

    1. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      United not looking good to me

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Agreed

        But this is where their fixtures swing. Easier games from an attacking point of view coming up.

  21. Sarri-ball
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    On a wildcard instead of kdb straight away worth gamble

    Augbam captain v villa sell for
    Rashford captain v wba sell for
    Kdb gw10

    1. DAVESAVES
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah why not. Could work out very well. Not sure on Auba tho...

  22. Oliver Tockman
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Will Lampard be speaking to press at all before tomorrow’s deadline?

  23. DAVESAVES
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    2FT

    Martinez
    Lamptey TAA Chilwell
    Salah Son Grealish Pulisic*
    Kane Bamford DCL

    Pulisic > Ziyech and save?

  24. turbonas991
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is there any chance that Reece James gonna start instead of Azpi? James started against United, Burnley and Rennes, so I think Lampard might rotate that right back spot.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      There’s a chance James starts yes

  25. Bucket Man
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA, Chilwell, Lamptey
    Salah, Son, Pulisic, Rashford, Foden
    DCL, Watkins
    Dallas, Brewster, Mitchell

    Either A) Pulisic to Ziyech. Then downgrade TAA so Rashford to KDB in 2GWS
    B) Pulisic to Bowen. Foden to Grealish and Rashford to KDB over next GWS

  26. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Regulion ok for this weekend?

    1. DAVESAVES
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes think so

  27. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone against getting rid of both Kane and Son?

    1. Oliver Tockman
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Just Son

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not going to get rid of either until the form stops. Form > fixtures

    3. DAVESAVES
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Think I’ll keep Son, great value for 9.0

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        This

    4. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Have only Kane, trying hard to keep him but looks pretty much impossible

    5. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'd keep Son over Salah right now.

  28. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Taylor to lamptey for a hit?
    Or play Taylor/kilman?

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Kilman

  29. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Get DCL or Martial this gw?

    Will be getting the other one next gw.

    United vs Everton this gw as well.

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Martial then

  30. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any News on Reguilón ?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      ill