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. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you start Mitrovic or ASM this week?

    1. 2OLEgend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Mitro

  2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Have Son. Do not have Kane. Is it wise to bring Kane in now given the fixtures starting GW9 or get Martial just before United's good run.

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

      Kane could still do well against the bigger clubs I reckon

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

      Go Martial

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

      Toughie. Would maybe look at someone more differential with a good run.

      I'd be looking at Vardy from next week. Liverpool defense not been fab & then a run of good games. Leicester have been doing alright, especially him.

      Werner also on pens now and Chelsea clicking better, although he is higher owned.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        If I go Martial my plan is to do Podence to Grealish in 9 and DCL to Vardy in 10.

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

      Martial

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

      I'm going Martial - join me on the wild ride. Might even captain in GW9 if he looks decent tomorrow

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

    What shall I do with Maupay?

    Is he going to play?

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

      Stick for one more week

    2. The Rock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Don't think Graham Potter posts on here mate!

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

      Potter said they've dealt with their "problem". If he excludes him again he would be a huge hypocrit.

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

    Which players should be going out of this team? (On Fanteam)

    Lloris Meslier
    Boly TAA Dallas Targett White
    Son Salah Sterling Bruno Bissouma
    Adams Wilson Batshuayi

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

    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

    A) TAA & Mitrovic > Coufal & Werner
    B) TAA & Bissouma > Coufal & Ziyech
    C) Mitrovic > Bamford/Wilson/Adams
    D) Bissouma > Soucek/ASM/Saka
    E) Roll the transfer

  6. United20
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Afternoon all! I'm unsure who to start this GW so would appreciate any thoughts!

    Martinez
    KWP Chilwell Robbo
    Grealish Ziyech Son (C) Salah
    Maupay Bamford DCL

    Subs: Steer Hamez Coady Dallas

    1FT 0.5m ITB

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

      You must be terrible to take into a sweet shop

  7. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Vardy captain, anyone else?

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

      Talk to me about Wolves’ defence and play style.

  8. 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.

    Thoughts?

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Keep Foden for this week.

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

        To get benched again? Was pretty poor in UCL.

  9. Tic Tacs
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bruno a viable captaincy choice for this week? Everton have been conceding and the Utd attack with Martial back looks capable of big scores

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

      I don’t think he’s even a viable pick

  10. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play justin or Mitchell

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

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

    Cheers!

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

    Please help me out here guys. Got 2 FT and 0.1 ITB but not sure what to use one for...

    A) Reguilon could go as he has tricky fixtures coming up, but has potential to haul this week. Transfer target would be Cancelo, Cresswell or PVA(?).

    B) Hamez to Zaha is another one, but with back in training smiling I would like to stick a little longer.

    C) Maupay to Wilson, but Maupay seems to be available and ready to prove himself this week.

    D) Robbo out and bank some cash, but Liverpool actually has lovely fixtures coming up so risky to go without them..

    E) Anything else?

    Martinez
    Chilwell, Lamptey, Reguilon
    Salah, Son, Grealish, Hamez
    Kane, DCL, Maupay
    Bench: Soucek, Robertson, Kilman

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

      of those options I would probably go C, but your team seems good to go for me!

      Have a look at my post above, would appreciate any help

  13. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one this week:

    1) TAA (mci)
    2) Coufal (FUL)
    3) Podence (lei)

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

      Podence

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

      I might play Podence over TAA.

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

    is Jota a bad option right now?

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

      He’s a risk but could score as a sub. Just be prepared, he’ll be benched more than starting.

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

      No... Even in sub appearances he's been scoring. This is what I'm battling 😐

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

    Firmino starts. 100%

  16. prichardson311
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Vardy or a punt on Martial?

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

      Vardy for me!

  17. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Pulisic -> Ziyech
    B) Pulisic -> Bowen
    C) Saiss -> Creswell
    D) Mitcehll -> Coufal

    2 FT, 0.8 ITB.

    Which 1 or 2 of the above moves look best?

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

      C

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

      Saiss to Bellerin

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

    Bench 1:

    Bamford
    Robertson
    Lamptey

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

      Lamptey

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

      None, but at a push, Robertson

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

        My squad is

        Martinez 4.0

        Robbo Chilwell Lamptey Dallas 4.0

        Salah Son Ziyech Grealish 4.5

        Kane DCL Bamford

        Hard to bench any of them

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

          If there’s any doubt over Lamptey playing, then him.

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

      Lamptey

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

    Robertson and Cancelo in the Scout Picks is an interesting one.

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

      Wrong week.

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Refresh

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

      You on dial-up?

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

      oooops 😆

  20. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A. Jimenez to Wilson
    B. Justin to Bellerin
    C. Play Jim+Justin and save FT

  21. Budgies
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    GTG for the weekend?

    Martinez
    Chilwell, Zouma, A Nouri
    J Rod, Zaha, Grealish, Son (V), Salah
    Kane (C), DCL

    Steer, Cancelo, Kilman, Brewster

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

    Repost:

    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, Kane

    1. NETFLIX & CHILWELL
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Maybe Jota?

      Not a lot in that price category, unless you look at the 'lower' teams.

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

      Probably not for a -4, but I would get Grealish in

  23. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any westham fans think Antonio is good to start?

    1. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not this week

  24. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who to start?

    A) Robertson (mci)

    B) Semedo (lei)

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

      Robertson

      1. Prison Mike
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah probably leaning that way due to the attacking potential

  25. NETFLIX & CHILWELL
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Am I right to sit on Saiss and not transfer him out this week?

    Was aiming for 2FT's after the IB.

    I'd have Mitchell coming in on the subs bench.

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

      I’m in the same boat. Think I’ll stick and go with two free transfers next week. Unless Lamptey is confirmed out.

      1. NETFLIX & CHILWELL
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I've literally pondered over my team all week and I've just come to the conclusion I'm going to leave it.

        If Saiss doesn't play this week, it just confirms that he needs to come out next GW.

        I have Foden too, but again, I don't want to knee-jerk someone in for the sake of it.

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

          Yeah same, mate. Could’ve got Bellerin in or one of the West Ham boys or left Saiss and done Jimenez to Werner, but none of those moves feel right this week.

          If I move Saiss on then I want it to be someone I can reliably start as I have James and Mitchell.

  26. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    looking forward to Charlie Taylor CS plus BAPS tonight. With Mee back,can see burnley back to their def best...

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

      ^this
      which reminds me why I have to get rid of Maupay and March

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

        get rid of garbage player maupay...

  27. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Start Lamptey or Justin?

  28. gomez123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Got the exact funds to do Jiminez & Saiss to Werner & Chilwell -4
    Y or N

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

      It's a yes for me!

    2. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes, even for a hit

  29. ASOUSA12
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which one to start:

    A) Ayling
    B) Kilman

  30. Cookie Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    2 FT, 0.0 ITB - any ideas?

    1) Wondering whether to downgrade Robbo with view to moving Kane and/or Son after the break to the likes of KDB?
    2) Pulisic to Ziyech

    Martinez (Forster)
    Robbo Chilwell Lamptey KWP Mitchell
    Salah Son Pulisic Grealish Bissouma
    Kane DCL Wilson