Scout Picks

Gameweek 8 Scout Picks features Chelsea and Spurs triple-ups

Chelsea and Spurs are the key sides at the heart of our Scout Picks XI for Gameweek 8.

They face Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion respectively in two of the most favourable match-ups of the weekend.

This team has been chosen following the Scout Squad submissions made by David, Neale, Tom and Andy earlier in the week and, as ever, we are in 3-4-3 formation, coming in at £82.9m, £0.1m under our budget of £83.0m.

As a result of the 16:00 GMT deadline today, we are putting this article out earlier than usual. Therefore, these selections were made before Friday’s main bulk of press conferences, not something we normally like to do!

Goalkeeper

Chosen by three of our pundits, Alex McCarthy (£4.5m) nails down a spot in the Scout Picks for a Gameweek 8 meeting with Newcastle. £4.5 goalkeepers are proving harder to get excited about than ever before, but the Southampton man has been solid if not spectacular this season. Only Emi Martínez (7.1) and Karl Darlow (6.6) have managed more than McCarthy’s six points per million spent in 2020/21 thanks to clean sheets in three matches, and additional save points on the same number of occasions. 

Defenders

Ben Chilwell (£5.9m) looks set to benefit from a favourable match-up in Gameweek 8 as he faces a Sheffield United defence that has conceded more chances down their right-hand side than any other this season. Chelsea’s left-back has created more chances than any other defensive colleague this year so looks poised to involve himself in the Blues’ goals. And don’t forget Frank Lampard’s men are the third-best for expected goals conceded (xGC) over the last four, while Sheffield United have the second-fewest shots on target in that time.

Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion come into Gameweek 8 with the Premier League’s lowest goal conversion rate over the last four matches. That certainly boosts the clean sheet potential of Sergio Reguilón (£5.6m), who has provided an assist in two of his three Premier League starts this season.

Aaron Cresswell (£5.1m) was the most popular West Ham defender among the Scout Squad pundits for Gameweek 8 as their appealing run of fixtures finally gets underway. The Hammers host Fulham this weekend, who have the second-worst shot accuracy since Gameweek 4 (27.8%). While a considerable amount of the Cottagers threat comes from Aleksandar Mitrovic’s aerial ability, David Moyes men conceded the fewest amount of headed attempts of any Premier League team over the last four matches. Cresswell’s role in set pieces means he has created the most chances among West Ham players since Gameweek 4.

Midfielders

Fantasy favourite Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m) could do well against Liverpool in Gameweek 8. We know the Reds were struggling defensively even before Virgil van Dijk’s long-term injury anyway and his absence has only made things worse. However, the key factor that underpins De Bruyne’s FPL credentials at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday is how Pep Guardiola uses him in games against the so-called bigger clubs. In such matches the Manchester City manager likes to deploy the Belgian a more advanced midfield role than usual and, when they Liverpool during Project Restart, he ran the show and came away with two attacking returns.

Son Heung-min (£9.6m) has been the king of away matches this season, registering 74.6% of his FPL points on the road so far. We are expecting the South Korean to find space behind West Bromwich Albion’s defence at the Hawthorns, especially as chances conceded on the right-hand side of their defence has increased since their recent switch to a back-four.

Hakim Ziyech (£8.0m) has made a significant improvement to Chelsea’s attacking flow since returning from an early season injury. In three starts in all competitions, the former Ajax man has two goals and one assist and, with a shared hand in set pieces alongside Chilwell and Mason Mount, he could benefit from Sheffield United having conceded more headed attempts than any other side this season.

It was a tough call choosing between Jarrod Bowen (£6.3m) and Pablo Fornals from the Scout Squad submissions, each earning two votes each. While we think both assets have decent potential for West Ham’s upcoming run, we have gone with the former for Gameweek 8 based on a specific favourable match-up. Bowen could be afforded a chance to play centre-forward but if he is used on his usual right flank, that will put the winger against a Fulham defence that has conceded the second-highest number of chances on the left flank in 2020/21.

Forwards

As we have mentioned before, Harry Kane (£11.0m) is still an auto-include in the Scout Picks, selected as the best forward by all four of our Scout Squad pundits. West Bromwich Albion’s defensive improvements of recent weeks proved to be something of a false dawn in their poor 2-0 defeat to Fulham and, if anyone is poised to pile on the misery right now, it’s Kane. He carries an elite level all-round threat into Gameweek 8, top of the league for shots on target and big chances created this season, as well as being Spurs’ designated penalty taker. 

Like Chilwell, Timo Werner (£9.4m) should benefit from Sheffield United’s well-documented problems with the right-hand side of defence ahead of Gameweek 8. Whether the Chelsea forward is deployed to the left of Tammy Abraham or is handed the central striker’s role himself, this is an area of the pitch in which he specialises. Throw the German’s recent claiming of penalties away from Jorginho and we could be looking at a big haul for him at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Crystal Palace’s defence is not what it once was and Patrick Bamford (£6.0m) looks poised to capitalise on that. He may have blanked immediately after his Villa Park hat-trick in Gameweek 7 but that was not for the lack of trying. In fact, no player has even come close to Bamford’s 18 shots in the box over the last four matches, while away matches have proved more fruitful for him this season. As he prepares to visit Selhurst Park, the Leeds man has banked 62.7% of his FPL points on the road, despite playing 57.1% of his matches at Elland Road.

Substitutes

Lukasz Fabiański (£5.0m) is an alternative route into the West Ham defence for their appealing run of games. Naturally a nailed-on starting option who has earned enough saves for additional points in four of his seven matches so far this season.

Following his well-deserved first goal of the season last time out, Tariq Lamptey (£4.7m) has plenty of potential at both ends of the pitch for Gameweek 8. Burnley are the Premier League’s joint-lowest scorers and while only three defenders have managed more touches in the box than Brighton’s right-back this year.

Luke Ayling (£4.5m) has been a little unfortunate not to get more attacking returns in recent weeks, offering the highest expected goal involvement (xGI) of any defender in 2020/21. A trip to Crystal Palace could be just to time for him to get involved as the Eagles have conceded more chances on the left than any other side after the first seven Gameweeks.

Crystal Palace and Sheffield United are also the only two sides to have given up more chances on the right-hand than Leicester, who host a resurgent Daniel Podence (£5.5m) in Gameweek 8, a man who benefitted from playing in front of a more recognised full-back last time out.

The Captain

Who are the best captain options for FPL Gameweek 36+?

We choose the Scout Picks captain using a four-way vote between our Scout Squad pundits.

Because the use of Fantasy Football Scout data is used so heavily in this process, the skipper we choose each Gameweek is known only to those with a valid Fantasy Football Scout subscription and revealed to the public only when the deadline has passed.

Here’s how we voted for Gameweek 8:

Community Champion

Each week, one of the Fantasy Football Scout community takes on the Scout Picks by pitting their chosen XI against ours.

The Community Member who beats our team by the largest margin will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Moderators and Contributors League for the following season.

Riot managed 50 points for the Community Champions in Gameweek 7 but the Scout Picks went 5-2 up for the season with a healthy score of 67.

THFC4LIFE takes us on for Gameweek 8, opting for a 3-4-3 line-up of Mendy; Zouma, Bellerín, Coufal; Mané, Son (c), Ziyech, Zaha; Kane (vc), Jesus, Adams.

AA33 is the current leader, defeating the Scout Picks by a 53-point margin in Gameweek 2.

1,872 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If Wilson doesn't score a hat-trick for Newcastle tonight I'm taking it to the courts for FRAUD. Count the goals.

    1. Doni555
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You should already be suing FPL because they haven't yet given you the points for the hat-trick you've declared he's scored

      1. Boss Hogg
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah, I've been saying it for weeks now so my earlier BS is now proof of my current BS.
        Give me the points, F(ake)PL.

  2. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who to play

    A) Shaw
    B) Kilman

    1. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Shaw

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

    Bench Poddy or Justin?

    1. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Same dilemma, think i'm going to start Podence

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

        I'm thinking the same. Although i have Jimi. A Wolves blank would kill me

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

    is Reguilón fit to play ?

    1. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Should be

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

        Cheers

    2. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I've had Davies last on my bench since they bougt Regulion but I'm actually putting him in my starting XI this week just in case Sergio is still recovering.

      I don't think we will get an answer to this question before the deadline.

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

    Best pick to replace Jimenez up to 9?I have Werner and Kane.

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

      DCL

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Sorry this

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Downgrade and use funds elsewhere
      Wilson for me

    3. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bamford

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

      thanks all.

  6. krumcake
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Help! I don't want an RMT, but I need some advice.

    Ryan
    TAA Ayling KWP
    Son (c) Zaha Salah Soucek
    Jimenez DCL Werner
    (Walton Foden Kilman Taylor)

    1 FT, 0.4 in bank. WC still available

    I kind of want to do TAA > Zouma + Jimi > Kane for -4.
    But I think I want to WC next GW, so isn't a hit really bad then? I don't see any other obvious transfers except maybe Ryan > McCarthy to get a playing keeper.

    I'm so lost. OR is 2,5 mill. 🙁

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

      I think those moves are good if you are planning on WCing anyway. The only issue would be that you may not want both Kane and Son going forward, but you don't have to worry about that. Do it.

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

        Is Ryan starting though?

    2. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      That team will be fine for the next 2 gameweeks barring injuries, and with no Kane.

  7. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which one to start?

    A. Robbo (mcy)
    B. Lamptey (BUR)

    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Who else are you starting?

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Benching mitchel and Podence from these

        Martinez Forster
        Robbo Chilwell Zouma Lamptey Mitchell
        Salah Son Rodriguez Grealish Podence
        DCL Kane Bamford

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I have Robbo benched.
      Going the 2xChel & Coufal

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers hope double chelsea works out for us.

    3. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Someone said today that Robbo is : never bench, never captain
      But I like the cut of Lampteys jib so I'd go for him.

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers

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

      I'm playing Lamptey over Robbo this week. And Soucek over Robbo too, could come back to bite me, but I'll try to take it on the chin.

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers yeah im leaning that way both can get assists but Lamptey a more likely cleanie.

  8. The Gambler.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Matip is back

    1. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      was back midweek

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

      Joel is front

  9. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Brought in Vardy over Kane this week what am I doing

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

      Thinking ahead?

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

        Yes + thinking Vardy is streaky and he’s only just getting started. Fingers crossed

    2. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Missing your punctuation?

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

    Bench 1:

    A: Lamptey
    B: Bamford
    C: Grealish
    D: Thiago Silva

    Rest of the team:

    Martínez
    Chilwell - Cresswell
    KDB - Sterling - Son - Bowen
    Kane

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

      Lamptey by far for me

    2. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      D

  11. Adzy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bowen or Fornals?

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

      Fornals has more strings to his Bowen

    2. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bowen

    3. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Forny

    4. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I can see him putting "for nals" into Fulham's coffin already. 😉

  12. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Coady (lei)

    Or

    Justin (WOL)

  13. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Benching headache this week. Pick 2 to bench? Seriously contemplating TAA.

    A) TAA (mci)
    B) Dier (wba)
    C) Ayling (cpl)
    D) Justin (WOL)
    E) Podence (lei)

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'd bench Justin, then one of Dier / Podence.

      1. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers mate, yeah Justin was probably first choice. Seems wrong to bench Dier playing the worst team.

  14. The Gambler.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thiago still out

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Big blow that.

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

      KdB(c)

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

    Martinez
    TAA Chilwell Lamptey
    Salah Son Grealish Zaha Foden
    Kane DCL

    Saiss Mitchell Brewster

    What would you do? 2FTs
    A) Saiss—>Cresswell
    B) Saiss, Foden —> Coufal, Ziyech
    C) Foden —> Jota

    Cheers!

  16. Eightball
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    1 ft left.

    A) foden > ziyech
    B) roll the transfer to have 2 after the international break

    Current team:
    Robertson Chilwell Coufal
    Salah, Son, Grealish, Foden
    Kane, DCL Maupay

    Subs: Ayling Bissouma Mitchell

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

    Do I need to WC this lot? Kinda wanna get rid of TAA, but not sure where to invest. Have 1FT and 0.4 ITB. Thanks!

    Martinez,Nyland
    TAA,Chilwell,Justin,Mitchell,Buur
    Salah,Sterling,Grealish,Son,Bissouma
    Wilson,Jimenez,Mitro

    1. The Gambler.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Big fixture change next week. I’d do it then.

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

        Cheers

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

      No need to WC. Not a great week for it, possibly move on TAA for a Chilwell this week and WC over IB, or just save a transfer, do a mini WC next GW and save the WC for later. Team's on decent enough shape.

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

        Cheers. I do have Chilwell:D

  18. Kabayan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What do you think guys..
    A. Saiss to Chilwell
    B. Havertz to Ziyech/Zaha
    C. Both for -4 (and bench Dallas/Watkins)

    1. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B with Ziyech.

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

    In a tricky spot, was planning to save FT but with havertz out, tempted to take a hit.

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

    A: Havertz >> Grealish but double villa attack vs arsenal?
    B: TAA + Havertz >> Lewis + KDB (-4)
    C: TAA + Havertz >> Bellerin + Bruno (-4)
    D: TAA + Havertz >> Chilwell + Rashford (-4)

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

      D

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

      Same situation, looks like I'll go to Ziyech

  20. mcdrizzle77
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    My Team - McCarthy,
    TAA, Chilwell, Justin, Coady
    Salah, Son, Grealish, Podence
    DCL, Kane
    Subs: Ryan, Mitro, Bissouma, Konsa

    Have 1 FT and want to replace either Mitro or Bissouma

    Thinking of TAA & Bissouma/Mitro > Coufal & Werner/Ziyech for a -4?

  21. Dilzy
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one:

    A) Robertson
    B) H. Barnes
    C) Trossard

    1. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B) arnes

  22. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Can De Bruyne please have a quiet game and Pool win?

    1. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'll ask Pepe to swap his Red Bull for Leffe Tripel.

  23. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What to do here?

    Mccarthy
    Trent Chilwell Ayling
    Jrod Son Salah Grealish
    Mitro Werner Jimi

    Steer Bissouma Justin Ferguson
    1FT, 0.7 ITB

    A) Mitro to Haller/ Bamford/ Watkins
    B) Jimi to Martial
    C) Hold

    Looking for punty moves ahead of a WC in a few weeks

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'd lose Mitrovic, don't like Haller but fine with any of the other options you mentioned. Wilson too.

      1. Alisson WondHaaland
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers. Priced out of Wilson so cant do that one unfortunately

  24. ClaireT
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is there a replacement for Foden that would be worth a -4 ?

    3.6 ITB to play with

    McCarthy, Button
    Justin, TAA, Coufal, Holding, Lascelles
    Foden, Salah, Son, Reed, Pereria
    DCL, Wilson, Kans

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

      *Kane

  25. ExpressoMySonny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Have triple villa in draft and need to get rid of mcginn and want to pick up PVA on my the waivers
    Who would you get rid of for PVA: Killman, Coufal, Dallas, Justin Lamptey.
    Mcginn options: Under- Surely starts soon or Armstrong

  26. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Cresswell is now flagged? What happened?

    1. Spg76
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Groin strain but Moyes says "Aaron Cresswell has been training and I expect him to be fine”

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He's had an minor knock since the last match. Should have been flagged before.

      Moyes said he 'thinks' Creswell will be fine for the match.

      That's not a certainty though.

  27. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I cannot decide whether I want to do:

    A) Foden > Jota
    B) Foden > Bowen
    C) Foden > Fornals
    D) Nothing

    Have Reece James, but Kilman/TAA benched. Don't like James' uncertainty every week but would bemoan selling if he starts again.

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If you don't want Foden long term then C

  28. Spg76
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Brewster to start against Chelsea? What kind of service will he get?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Zero to None

      1. Spg76
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        That’s the trouble with Sheffield United. Probably relegated this season because of it

      2. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I disagree, more like none to zero.

  29. The_FF_King
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any news on Maupay and whether he will play?

  30. Bodini
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any news on whether Ryan will be restored to starting GK this week?

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Don't know myself but one of The Athletic journo's suggested it'll be Sanchez again. Not sure how reliable that info is tho.

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

        Thanks. Hate making GK transfers. Thought my Ryan/Steele combo was foolproof