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

    Looking for an Ings replacement. Considered Vardy but Werner looks well in form now. The question is does he get his rest now. So
    A) Vardy
    B) Werner?

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

      both good options, I like Werner

      1. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Got rid when he started scoring.
        Now waited too long so missed the price rise. It’s bound to end in misery if I bring him in right. 😉

        Cheers mate!

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

      B

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

      A - Werner has been playing deeper and on the left of a front three recently, and wasn't going to play at all last week until Pulisic got injured.

      Vardy is on fire right now and you know he is starting up front each game

      1. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Che have two good games though and Pulisic out.

    4. Captain Scarlet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I opted for Wilson to be able to upgrade my midfield next week (also have Kane and DCL) - if you're confident Werner will start (I wasn't), Werner.

      1. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        With Werner I’ll still afford Grealish for Podence next week.

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

    Have two FTs, thinking:

    A TAA, Jimi => Chilwell/Zouma, Werner
    B TAA, Podence => Chilwell/Zouma, Zaha
    C TAA, Podence => Chillwell/Zoum, Bowen, Werner (-4)

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA lamptey justin (mitchell konsa)
    Salah Son Podence Hamez (Stephens)
    DCL Kane Jimi
    0.1, 2 FT

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

      C also involves Jimi out 🙂

    2. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B for me

    3. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I like B - surprised Zaha not in the Scout picks

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

    Correct to bench Podence and Robbo here?

    Martinez
    Chilwell Zouma Lamptey
    Salah Son Rodriguez Grealish
    DCL Kane Bamford

    Forster Podence Robbo Mitchell

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

      yes sir

    2. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

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

      Cheers both!

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

    Any news on Lamptey?

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

      "Tariq is fit and ready for his first premier league hat-trick, he's very much looking forward to it"
      -Graham Potter

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

        lol

  5. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Start TAA (mci) or Taylor (bha)?
    Thanks

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

      TAA

    2. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Trent

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

    bench one
    a. James
    b. Keane
    c. Lamps

    thx and gl

    1. cheeky moses
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      b

  7. cheeky moses
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Got 2 FT. Would you,
    A) Robbo -> Chilwell (roll 1 FT)
    B) Robbo and Rashford -> James and KDB/Sterling

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

      A yes, i’d save ft for ib

      1. cheeky moses
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers

    2. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

    Benching Robbo could end in tears if he hauls with a 15 pointer

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

      this

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

      he wont lol

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

    For the next few gw's, would you prefer:

    A: TAA + midprice player i.e. Foden/Zaha/Wilson/Bowen or
    B: Bellerin + Bruno

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

      Neither. There are so many better combinations right now.

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

    James Rodriguez to Ziyech and cash in now?

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

      no keep him

    2. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I would. Momentum on Chelsea.

  11. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hamez or Zaha?

    I dont have any Everton players

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

      Hamez. They have good fixtures after MUN (and that might not be a one either). With tougher fixtures I would go Grealish/Jota/Zaha easily.

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

        *that might not be a BAD one either

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

    Hamez ok
    Kun out
    Thiago out
    Jota has a knock

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

      source

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

      Jota doesn’t have a knock

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

    When did Creswell become a doubt? Yesterday everybody was buying including me. Should we skip Creswell and go with Coufal for example?

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

      I've just bought in him in!!! What???

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

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

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

      This is a no go story. He's fit. Dont scare people.

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

        I scared myself and came here to have additional insight so I am not intentionally scaring anybody.

        Does anybody understand what Moyes' "thinking" means? I would love to buy him but held my transfer for pressers.

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

        Or you could tell them the truth and the fact Cresswell got a knock last match. He's been monitored over the week.

        Might play. Might not. Only Moyes knows.

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

      Safer and cheaper to get Coufal. Not as attacking though.

  14. 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

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

    Foden or Podence? Still cannot decide.

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

      pod

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

      I have both and will play Podence.

      I'm on the fence about selling Foden.

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

      Get in or play? Play Pod but dont buy either.

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

        Play. I have both.

  16. 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??

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

      good team that i wouldn’t touch that defense, watkins to bam/will?

  17. 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 ---> Chilwell/Zouma
    C) TAA + ASM ---> Zaha/Ziyech + Defender for -4
    Or any other suggestions??

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

      B. When was the last time TAA did anything. Of course that means he will assist if you sell.

  18. alstal
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one,

    Robertson VS Man City
    Grelish VS Arsenal

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

      Robbo

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

      Grelish is the sensible one

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

        To play

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

    Pickford starts

  20. Killitzer
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    My team is fairly crap. Should I take a hit and bring in a Chelsea player?

    McCarthy Steer
    TTA KWP Justin Mitchell Vinagre
    Salah Son Barkley Rodriguez Bissouma
    Kane Vardy Bamford
    £0.9m itb

    1. TTA ➡️ Chilwell/Zouma
    2. Vinagre➡️ James
    3. Rodriguez ➡️ Ziyech
    4. Hold and hope for the best

    Cheers for any input

  21. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Sterling usually any good against liverpool?

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

      He isn't. Long history of blanks.

      I hope he comes good though since the crowd won't be there

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Good point. Hadn't thought of that.

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

      I think he only scored once

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

    Pulisic out for this GW

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

      Good news for a Werner start!

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

    Your expert help is needed please

    In your opinion what is the best 16m combo to have for this front eight

    Son Grealish Lookman xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx

    DCL Kane Jimenez

    Any ideas would be wonderful

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

      You need Salah/Mane/KDB

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

    McCarthy
    TAA Chilwell Shaw
    Salah Son Podence Soucek
    Kane Werner DCL
    (4.0 Kilman Bissouma Ferguson)

    If Telles is back, will Shaw play?

    Can’t believe I still have him but had other issues. Plan was Shaw -> Cancelo week 10.

    A) Play Shaw
    B) Play Kilman instead
    C) Shaw -> Cresswell

    Other issue is Shaw likely to drop in price soon

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

      *maybe not Cresswell if he’s a doubt (hadn’t really looked into it - last minute panicking)

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

    Mitchell out

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

      Anu idea how long?

  26. SweepaKeepa
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Living my best life. Bought Van Aanholt.

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

      What happened?

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

        It’s not sarcastic... genuinely excited.

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

          Sry bro 😀 He is on my radar too.
          PVA or Coufal.

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

      It's a good move. I would have, if not for Mitchell in my squad

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

      Missing 0.2. I would have joined you after the minor doubt for Creswell.

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

    Puli-sick out

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

    Davies to Chilwell?

  29. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Puli is out for tomorrow's game

  30. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Gtg? Any thoughts on bench order guys?

    Martinez
    Chilwell Lamptey KWP
    Salah Son Grealish Zaha
    Kane(c) Werner DCL

    (Steer Taylor Bissouma Saiss)