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. Michelle Davin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anybody else gonna do Sterling to ziyech?

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

      Watch Sterling brace this week.

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        KDB**

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

          You would know

      2. Michelle Davin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I thought the same last week

    2. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No.

      Sterling isn't leaving my team this season

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

    How many hits are okay every season?

    40 points worth?

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      They're all OK if they work out.

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

      not being smart but it all depends on the hits/outcome

      you see loads here who hits just seem to work for... I've always been hit adverse

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

      I don't do hits bro

    4. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      40? Blimey.

      I took 1 last season. 0 this season. Haha.

      But if they work for you then I guess any amount is okay!

      1. COLLIN QUANER
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Mis-read, thought you said 40 HITS lol.

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

      I'm on 52 already this season - it depends on whether you get the right players

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        52 is never a good amount after 7 game weeks.

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

      About 20hits allready. 400k overall.

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

        Points

    7. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      It depends. My hit cost last season
      was 64 pts (immediate pts gained over 280 pts from all transfers) and I was 1 pt away from top 10k. Sometimes they work well, this season is a different story for me though.

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

        Problem is that it is never really about immediate points gained ... it's the effect over 3 or 4 weeks

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

    Best transfer;

    A) TAA > Chilwell (4.4.2)

    B) Bissouma > Soucek (3.5.2)

    Cheers.

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

      A

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

      Sometimes best transfer is no transfer

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

    FOUR PM Deadline today guys
    Don't forget!!

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

      i was gonna say sssshhhh but i'm guessing most on here know this

      I did text 1 buddy as a reminder

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

      8am...but yeah

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

      6pm for me

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

      2130 for me!

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

    Feel dirty but I'm planning on doing Trent + Ings ---> Kane + ???

    I've got 5 mil exactly to play who should i go for ?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      you have literally got a choice of Brewster or Brewster

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        sorry misread

        Coufal

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

          damn you got there b4 my smart comment 🙂

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

        or maybe a defender 😉

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

      Ings to Wilson
      keep TAA?

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

        already have him unfortunately..

        McCarthy
        Justin| TAA| Reguilon
        Grealish|Rod|Son|Salah
        Ings|Wilson|Vardy

        Steer Bissouma|Mitchel|Buur

        1. tobz102
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Remove Trent at your peril Chippy Dinner

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

          early gamble on Antonio?

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

    Maupay to Wilson for free?

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

      i like it
      want Wilson back in my team

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

    McCarthy
    Chilwell / Justin / Lamptey
    Salah / Son / Zaha / Grealish
    Kane / Werner / DCL

    Forster / Saiss / Mitchell / Stephens

    0.4itb.

    Worth a -4 to do Saiss to Chilwell and start ahead of Justin/Lamptey?

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

    My captain.......

    Auba(c)

    Help me god

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      or just change it

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

        Why?

        1. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          well you are suggesting it is a dodgy pick

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Don't do it to yourself

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

        Why

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

    Could someone please answer me? :/ I need some help guys.

    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??

  10. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Lamptey is fine? Can I transfer him in?

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

    Will all four of Firmino Jota Mane Salah start?

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

      Jota wont, not a chance

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

        Who will be the mids? Hendo, Gini and?

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

          Possibly Keita

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I think Jota makes a cameo

  12. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Ajyy update on Hamez from Ancelotti?

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

      He has trained

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

    A) Mitro to Bamford/ Watkins/ Adams
    B) Jimi to Martial
    C) Save FT

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

    Martinez
    TAA, Ayling, Zouma
    Salah, Son, Havertz, Grealish
    Kane, DCL, Bamford

    Steer, Saiss, Mitchell, Bissouma

    1ft, 0.3 itb

    Should I go with Havertz to Ziyech or Havertz Saiss to Ziyech Creswell for -4?

    Currently thinking on first choice as I can still field 11 playing guys. But is Ziyech Creswell worth -4?

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

      Cresswell is a doubt, Coufal and Z could pay off with their fixtures

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

        I can do Coufal but do you think he worth a -4?

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

    If needed from my bench, do you expect either of these to make an appearance?

    Saiss/Mitchell

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

      I doubting Saiss’ place

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

        dont even need a start, just if 1 of my starting 11 dont play a 1 point sub would be ok with me

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

          He could be subbed in. I have Saiss but I think I’m keeping to avoid hits.

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

            cheers for the replies! much appreciated
            will gamble & bank ft

  16. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Afternoon all
    Struggling with what best to do with 2FT. Pulisic is the main issue and I may have lost patience with LIV def not delivering value.

    2FT 1.1itb
    Martinez
    Robbo*, Chilwell, Dallas
    Salah, Son, Pulisic*, Grealish
    Kane, DCL, Bamford
    (Forster) (KWP, Stephens, Branthwaite)

    A) Puli, Robbo > Ziyech, Cresswell/ Coufal/ Bellerin (2FT)
    B) Puli, Robbo > Rodriguez (if fit), Zouma (2FT)
    C) Puli > Ziyech (roll an FT)
    D) Puli > Zaha (roll)

    In A and D I would then have enough to move Son on to KDB for fixture swing if that's still worth doing.

    GL all and appreciate the advice!

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

      A

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers. Which def do you prefer?

  17. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Gtg?

    Martinez
    Creswell Robbo Chilwell
    Son Salah Zaha Grealish Rodriguez
    Kane(c) DCL

    Martin KWP Kilman Brewster

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Noice

      GL mate

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

        Cheers!

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

      Nice team.

  18. cruzex
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    No auba on scoop picks?

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

      Ice cream

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

      Auba stats are awful, absolutely awful

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

        Arsenal is a good moment..

  19. Lazerball
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who would you bench?

    A. Robertson vs mci
    B. Dallas vs cry

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

      B

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

      Has to be Dallas

  20. Wings Fan
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah and Zouma

    Or

    KDB and Chilwell ?

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A this week

  21. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If you couldnt afford Sterling or KDB would you be happy with Mahrez as your city option?

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nope

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

      Not really

    3. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Probably not no

    4. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nope

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

    How many hits have you taken this season?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      None yet. Taking the first one this week!

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

      2. And no they haven't gained me any points thank you for asking.

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

    Any update on Rodriguez guys pls?

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

      tweet tweet said the birdie

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

    Captain Ziyech or Son?

  25. davewg59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench Lamptey or Dallas?

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

      Dallas

  26. andres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    would you do podence to bowen for a hit?

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

      nope< im playing Podence and soucek

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

    who to start?

    A.....foden

    B.....reece james (in addition to chilwell)

    My guess is that neither start at weekend! Thanks

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

    Will Keita play for Pool?

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

    Ok to play Foden over Podence in this team? Or should i swap?

    Martinez
    James Lamptey Coufal
    Salah Sterling Son Foden
    DCL Bamford Martial

    Steere Podence Dallas Mitchell

  30. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Keep Mitro for this week and take 2FTs into the IB or take a punt on Antonio being ok for the match (they said he is back in training in the presser) and do the transfer which has been my plan for weeks?

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

      if Antonio misses out who's on your bench?

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Podence and Mitchell

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

          do the transfer for sure imo
          Podence perfect sub if Antonio misses out

          1. The Big Fella
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Cheers for the reply! I thought this but then wondered who is more likely to get returns - Mitro or Podence. I actually think it is the former. So many dynamics to consider!