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. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    For Long term who is better ??
    A- DCL
    B- Werner

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

      Werner more points, arguably DCL better £value

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

    I need some help guys, please.

    Maritnez

    Chillwell Reguilon Vestergard

    Mane Sterling Son Grealish

    Kane DCL Watkins

    Button Ayling KWP Bissouma

    2 FTs. Was thinking Vestergard or Ayling to Coufal. Any advice??

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

    Thoughts on foden to bowen - 4?

    Don't want the rotation worry of foden any more.

    Good week to make the swap with foden v lpool and bowen v Fulham

    Not going to have an ft for a few weeks to lose foden and my bench this week is poor.

    Thoughts? Thanks

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not worth the hit. Keep him for his good run from gw10 and onwards.

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

      not for a hit

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        OK....ill resist...thanks

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

    Bench 3.

    A) R. James
    B) Mitchell
    C) Justin
    D) Soucek
    E) Podence

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

      Mitchell, Justin, Podence

  5. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Barkley to Ziyech if 2 ft and no other pressing issues?

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

      Yep, good move.

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

      go ahead

  6. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    About to pull the trigger on Digne > Chilwell.

    Digne guaranteed to haul and Chilwell getting a rest right??

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Seems an odd move IMO

      1. Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Missed the deadline last week. Long term it’s the right move I believe

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

      Yup - always the way

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

      no rest, just own goal

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

    Best GK for long term if u have
    Chilwell - Reguilón - Lamptey - Semedo
    I have Gauita and want to ditch him.

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Mendy

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Im feeling ok with Martinez but goy cheaper

      run of greens coming

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

      It doesn't matter what defense you have when choosing the keeper.

      Mendy is the answer.

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

      Thank u :*

  8. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Watkins -> Bamford?

    Have Grealish, 2FTs and no other fires, really. 0.3 itb.

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

      why not

      who are your other 2 forwards? Zero chance of a stretch to Wilson?

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

        Thanks for replying! Other forwards are Kane and DCL. Have to downgrade elsewhere, but really want Wilson long-term:

        Martinez
        Robbo Chilwell Cresswell
        Son Salah Grealish Rodriguez
        DCL Kane(c) Watkins
        (Verrips – Lamptey Kilman Bissouma) 0.3itb

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

      worth keeping, Villa have excellent fixtures on horizon

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

        Yeah, just don't want to waste a transfer... posted my team right above, any glaring holes there? Could ship Robbo, but not reaaally keen to do that...

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

    Plan was to save FT so I can have 2 & reassess over IB: issue is I probably don't have a playing sub this week (Ings, Saiss, Mitchell).

    A: Bank ft
    B: Saiss out for Coufal (this would probably be part of any changes over IB)

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

      Hmm, I'd be tempted to have at least one playing guy on the bench. B for me

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

    Yes, even for a hit

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

      ignore - lost connection & comment is misplaced

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

      agreed

  11. Manani
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Barnes > Ziyech or save?

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

      I've zero chelsea & they way the they're being talked up here I live in fear.

      do it

  12. Bengali_84
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Leno or McCarthy
    Rodriguez or Grealish

    ???

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

      to start or to buy?

      1. Bengali_84
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Start

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

          leno
          both? what's you front 8?

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

      McCarthy & Grealish

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

      Why A

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

        Scoring goals in every match, regardless of starts. City opponents the kicker, but very good form.

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

      Jota picked up a "slight knock" in Bergamo but he has been training fully with the team. "Nobody mentioned Diogo to me. Yesterday was second day recovery, he was involved. So that looked fine." Ox "looks fine" but his injury takes time. "Everybody knows that." #LFC

      https://twitter.com/BenDinnery/status/1324698923395678209?s=19

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

        Might put me off enough of him for the moment.

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

      b or d

      benching TAA?

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

        Chilwell James Lamptey in a 352

        Trent has got me 5 points across the last 4 GWs & City often score.

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

          i just couldnt bench my premium defender. i get what youre saying tho

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

            Obviously there's risk. Given City have been kinda solid, it affects his attacking output too.

            There's no right call really.

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

            Obviously there's risk. Given City have been kinda solid, it affects his attacking output too.

            There's no right call really.

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

            Obviously there's risk. Given City have been kinda solid, it affects his attacking output too.

            There's no right call really.

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

    Start two?

    A) Bissouma
    B) Targett
    C) Mitchell
    D) KWP

    CHEERS LADS!

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      CD or AD

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

    bottomed

    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

  16. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Mccarthy
    Robbo, Bellerin, KWP
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Podence, Pereira
    DCL, Werner

    4.0, Mitchell, Davis, Ferguson - 1FT 1.2ITB

    A) Robbo - Chilwell
    B) Bruno - KDB
    C) Mitchel - 4.5
    D) ROLL

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

    Need some Chelsea or WH? 1FT.

    1.6 ITB

    Martinez
    Robo/Reguilon/Chilwell
    Salah/Son(c)/Hamez/Grealish
    Kane/DCL/Bamford

    Martin/Kilman/Mitchell/Stephens

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

      hames fit? if yes stick as is & bank ft. if doubt maybe Mitchell to Coufal to have a decent bench cover?

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

        In traning today

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

          I'd say save, always have Kilman id needed

  18. Maarrrr17
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Was going to go Cresswell and was planning on removing Saiss.

    Worth going Coufal now with the flag, even with what Moyes has said?

    Second guessing myself now.

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

      I have same thing...
      Would love to get Creswell for attacking upside, and Coufal just seems litle boring.

      But i cant afford benching so i have to go with Coufal.

      1. Maarrrr17
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        yeah, thinking of sticking with cresswell, cause if he is fit, and starts scoring ill be burning lol

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

    Considering choosing Auba over Son on WC, make sense or am I a fool :/

    1. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Probs foolish, hoping that someone in form playing for an in-form team will do worse than an out of form player playing for an out of form team.

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

      Pls dont do it. Thank me later.

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

      Thanks both

  20. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Should i give up on Foden and transfer him out even though his fixtures are so good after this week?

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Keep him

  21. Jersey Boy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    2.9 ITB

    Podence > Ziyech for a hit?

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

      not for a hit

    2. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Keep for the next two gws

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

      Yey

  22. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Only 6 scout picks here

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Less you have usually is better

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

        the good old saying 🙂

        1 in the starting 11 for me. 3 if bench included

  23. 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 or Lamptey.
    Mcginn options: Under or Armstrong

  24. Big Al Stankovic
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Johnstone
    TAA, chilwell, KWP
    Salah, Son, Podence, Barnes
    (K)ane, Wilson, Mitro
    Ayling, bissouma, mitchell

    Good to go, or should I do some changes?
    Want to save a transfer for after the IB.
    Obvious weak spots I want to remove are Podence, Barnes and Mitro.
    Grealish, Soucek/Bowen are tempting to get.

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

    Considering using my FH on this lot, already used WC, 1FT:
    Martinez Steer
    TAA Saiss Kilman Coufal Ayling
    Salah Sterling Son Foden Barkley
    Jimi DCL Brewster

    too rash to do a FH this week?

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

    A. Jimenez to Wilson
    B. Justin to Coufal
    C. Hamez to Ziyech
    C. save FT

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Don’t know your full team, but probably C.

  27. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Son or Kane captain?

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

      K

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

      kane

    3. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      That’s the big question this week.

      Son has best away form.

      Kane is in excellent form, has pens, and had double return in 45 mins on thursday.

      I expect wba to be tight and not give away much space. Probably best suited for Kane.

  28. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Kilman (LEI a)
    B) Brewster (CHE a)
    For first bench?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

    What to do with Ryan? Az on BlackBox seemed to think he'd be back in the starting line up but most team predictions have Sanchez again. Would be a 4.5 option I go for, probably McCarthy

  30. Erez Avni
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    need some help please

    Martinez
    TAA Robo Justin (KWP Mitchell)
    Salah Son Grealish Foden (poveda)
    Ings Jimenez DCL

    A. TAA, Foden & Ings to Chilwell, Zaich & wilson (-4)
    B. TAA & Ings to Zouma & Vardy

    cheers!

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B