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. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Mccarthy (Nyland)
    TAA, James, KWP, Justin, (Mitchell)
    Salah, Son, Grealish, ASM, (Stephens)
    DCL, Kane, Jimenez

    0.9m ITB 1FT

    A) Hold
    B) TAA out for Chilwell/Zouma/Another defender
    C) TAA + ASM ---> Zaha/Ziyech + Defender for -4
    Or any other suggestions??

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

    Any news on Lamptey? Should I transfer him in as planned?

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

      I've not seen any news but read here it was cramp... do it (is my uneducated opinion)

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

        Haha cheers mate

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

      Lamptey was never injured. He ran a full sprint at full pace after the alleged "pull up", and was then subbed off later which he protested against. Essential against Burnley!

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

        Cheers mate! Time to get him in my team!

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

    Martinez
    Robertson • Semedo • Masuaku
    Salah • Son • Grealish • James
    Kane • DCL • Maupay
    (4.0 / KWP / Dallas / 4.5)

    Robertson to Chilwell and Save other FT?

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

    Any news on Pulisic?

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

      Fat frank presser is in 7 mins

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

        Ty

    2. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      News can come even after he is in XI as we saw. Transferred him out.

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

    Benching headache this week. Pick 1 to bench? Seriously contemplating TAA.

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

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

      Dier

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

        Cheers. You think Spurs will concede against West Brom or he won't start?

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

          A C D all can get attacking returns!

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

            True played the full 90 last as well

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

      Ayling, then Podence. Taa wil concede, but could easily get some attacking returns.

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

        Cheers. Yeah have been a bit disappointed with Ayling's returns recently

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

      that is hard!

      I'm leaning CorD but jesus any of them could snag points

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

        Cheers. Think i'll go with Ayling

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

      Ayling

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

      C

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

        Cheers all, seems Ayling is the chosen one!

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

      To make things more difficult for you:

      https://twitter.com/BigManBakar/status/1324687238534496257?s=19

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

        Ah man! Cheers Hazz. Maybe TAA after all, can't see a clean sheet there

  6. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    3 Spurs & 3 Chelsea is way too much!

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

      the joys of not having to worry about planning for next week & the future

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      This

    3. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I am on this actually. Did not realized to the moment.

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

    Should I 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

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

      looks good as is

  8. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Afternoon guys, GTG? FT used so anything worth a hit?

    Martinez
    TAA | Lamptey | Dallas
    Salah | Bruno | Son (VC) | Grealish | Soucek
    Kane (C) | DCL

    Steer | Brewster | Mitchell | Kilman

    0.3ITB

    Thanks

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

      Good 11

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

      GTG & GL

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks both

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

    Why not auba(c)?

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

      Please go ahead

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

      Since u somehow still have him, go for it and roll the dice

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

    Play
    Coady (lei)
    Or
    Justin (WOL)
    ?

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

      I had Coady from the start of the season who I transferred out for Bellerin this week due to difficult upcoming fixture schedule. Definitely play Justin this week as Leicester are less likely to concede than wolves. Justin has attacking potential too

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

        Leicester less likely to concede than Wolves?

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

          I guess the CS odds support your claim. Might be closer than it seems though.

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

            Since Wolves’ game against Man City and possible WHU, their game against LEI is the most difficult fixture yet. Wolves have kept 3 clean sheets in the last 4 because they played against very average teams. Don’t let those games influence your decision on how they will perform in the upcoming games

  11. E25
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone holding Matt Ryan or is he a must move, even for a hit?

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

      I'm wondering the same thing.

  12. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    On a wildcard

    DCL or Werner?

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

      Both I think ... Werner > Vardy or Jesus GW10

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

    A. Barnes > Ziyech
    B. Podence > Grealish
    C. Save FT

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

      A

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

    Which option is best here guys?

    A) Foden > Bowen
    B) save FT

    Martinez (Steer)
    Chilwell, Robbo, Lamptey (Saiss, Mitchell)
    Podence, Salah, Son, Grealish (Foden)
    Bamford, DCL, Kane.

  15. Tinfoil Deathstar
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Another week, another dilemma. Who to bench out of Ayling and Robbo? Or play both, and bench Podence instead? Lamptey and Chilwell are my other starting defenders.

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

      play Robbo, you have the same back 3 as me

      1. Tinfoil Deathstar
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers. Yeah, that was my inclination too, but deadline doubts creeping in...

  16. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play Podence or Lamptey?

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

      both(for me)

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        That would mean benching Regulion or James if I play those two

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

      Lamptey if pushed between the 2

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

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

      both

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

    Don't you hate it when you wait until Friday's pressers to get updates on your yellow players, just to be none the wiser and 0.1 short of the obvious move you could've done earlier in the week :-X

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

      I’m waiting for Guardiola to say nothing about Mahrez’s place in the team.

  18. bitars
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one out of these?

    1) Lamptey

    2) Trent

    3) Bellerin

    4) Chilwell

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

    Anyone captaining Chilwell this week?

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

      I wouldnt

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

      Lol

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

    Does Coufal have any attacking upside on him? How does hes stats compere with Creswell?

    Cant bring in flagged Creswell, feels wrong.

    Pls and Thanks!

    1. The Fantastic Mr Fox
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      1. The Fantastic Mr Fox
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Aaron Cresswell has been training and Moyes "thinks" he'll be fine, while Michail Antonio will be "back shortly" and is already running outside.

        Coufal played against 4 very tough teams. So I might take him cos he's much cheaper than aaron

  21. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Son or Kane captain?

    A. Son - better away history
    B. Kane - everything other than that

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

      Kane. This away history stuff is rubbish. They've had 3 away games this season you can't base it off that

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

      currently on kane, as hes outscored son twice when i had son cap, as you say, son better away. 50/50 call for most
      kane poll leader, and bookies for scoring anytime over son

  22. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Maupay worth keeping this week given the fixture?

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

      If u gt a playing bench i wld. If he is dropped he wun play, otherwise he should start

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      yes and better deliver or he’s gone !

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

      Im not concerned whether Firmino is better than me. The real question is whether he’s better than Jota?

  23. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    bench headache, any help appreciated
    play1
    A dallas
    B kwp {have c wilson}
    C kilman
    thanks

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

      Tough. A imo even though KWP has higher clean sheet probability

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

        my thoughts to
        w hill bookies have saints 7/4 cs
        leeds 2/1 cs
        wolves 9/4 cs
        never really bet, know some who follow odds, cs, goals scored etc
        cheers

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

      A.

  24. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Jimi robbo to?

    A) Kane coufal

    B) vardy zouma

    C) Wilson chilwell

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

      If u don need the cash in gw10, B. Else just one of C n bank the other trf

  25. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Team g2g guys?

    Mendy
    Zouma Lamptey Kilman
    Salah Barkley Son Zaha
    Bamford DCL Kane*

    (Robbo Bis Konsa)

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

    If Werner plays, surely he's quality captain material

  27. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    For the next 4 weeks only

    PVA or Robbo?

  28. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Save FT and do Kane -> Wilson and Trossard -> KDB next GW? Thoughts?

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

      Yes save FT good moves for next GW

  29. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Davies to Chilwell for free? Or get rid of Ramsdale, TAA, Trossard, Jiminez?

  30. Ginola14
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Benching TAA
    In favour of playing
    Reg / lamps/ cresswell
    Has to be the logical choice right?