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. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    james passed fit for eve
    puli to
    A james
    B ziyech

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

      B

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

        Cheers

    2. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

        Cheers

  2. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best longer term replacement for Pereira?

    A. JWP
    B. Bowen/Fornals
    C. Jota
    D. Other (0.9 to play with - could downgrade TAA to Chilwell for more expensive mid)

    McCarthy
    Zouma, TAA, Lamptey
    Salah, Son, Trossard, Pereira
    Jimmy, Kane, DCL
    Steer, Mitchell, Justin, Mendy

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

    Would you start Ayling, Mitchell or saiss?

    1. kime67
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      mitchell not fit

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

      ayling

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

        thanks

  4. kime67
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Barnes to Zieych or roll ft?

  5. Super John McGinn-
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one:

    A) Robbo (mci)
    B) Dallas (cry)
    C) Semedo (lei)

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

      c

    2. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C

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

    Play 2 out of

    Ayling
    Robbo
    TAA

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

      robbo and TAA

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

      I dont think Liverpool will keep a clean sheet.

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

    Guys, I try to give as much advice as I can, but literally no one replies to my posts :/ Could someone please answer me??

    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. BremerHB
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ayling to Coufal for WH upcoming fixtures

    2. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'm thinking of bringing Vestergaard in to enable me to get a west ham midfielder, so my suggestion is Ayling to Coufal. You could also upgrade Watkins to someone better if you can afford it?

    3. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ayling to coufal
      Roll swap
      Maybe losnatio

      1. Sarri-ball
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Lose regulion after international break

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

      aylling to coufal, leeds have some tricky fixtures coming up ars, eve, chel

    5. spatel2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hi i like coufal
      But for now, esp as you have a spare FT, i would consider changing your gk, Ayling n Vestergard look ok for now
      Perhaps McCarthy, Fab,

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

      Thanks guys

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

      Honestly you'll probably get more responses if you have a grav

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

    Whats the fuss with Ziyech? Mostly because of the fixtures I assume

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      he's done well so far but when pulisic, havertz are back after int break it could be a headache rotation wise

    2. Shifty
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Some form, some fixture

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

      not impressed

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

      I think its too many cooks sharing the spoils...Rather have Grealish/Zaha who are talismans

    5. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ziyech is our only genuine wide right / inside forward.
      Willian & Pedro left in the summer.
      Pulisic & CHO play on the left.
      Havertz didn't really work playing there & Mount is better centrally.
      In his last 40 games in all comps he's got 30 attacking returns, something like 11 goals 19 assists, not 100% on the split but more assists than goals.
      He likes to shoot from outside the box, has a wand of a left foot & is on some set pieces.
      Looked underpriced at the start of the season IMHO.
      With Pulisic & Havertz both out & him being subbed off early mid week, no injury BTW looks very likely to start.
      I think he's nailed & has a few games under his belt.
      He may not definitely play 90 mins but I think he'll play most of the game at least.
      He's the creative force reminds me a bit of KDB in terms of vision, choosing the right forward pass, timing, execution, weight of pass.
      I had him in my team before he got injured in the friendly v Brighton & straight back in now he's fit.
      I rate him FWIW.
      (Watch him blank for the next few games, now I've given him the kiss of death)

  9. BremerHB
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Looking long term for defender and until Antonio is back for a striker.
    To replace TAA & Ings, pick one from each category:

    A) Vardy
    B) Werner

    1) Coufal
    2) Cresswell

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

      A2.

      But they cost more than B1.

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

        Indeed.
        Just realised B1 would allow me to upgrade Trossard to Hamez next week should be fit again.

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

    Final Q.

    TAA and Barnes to Chilwell and Hamez for free?

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

      Yes i would. I did TAA to Chilwell 2 days ago.

  11. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Fornals or Bowen? Stats say Fornals, but scout picks have Bowen and he takes set pieces.

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No one honestly. Wait and get Antonio next week. The better value pick

      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I can drop Jimi for him next week

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

    I feel a lot of podence love just because he is in the picks... don't think he is good enough and I am considering upgrading

  13. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Guys who has international games ziyech or hames or both?

  14. dark91
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How would you rank the following in terms of urgency of bringing in?
    1) West Ham mid (Bowen/Fornals)
    2) Replace Jimenez
    3) Chelsea mid

  15. built_this_city
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Need some advice please.
    Best long term replacement for Pulisic.

    Already have Salah, Zaha, Son and a 4.5m in midfield.

    1. kime67
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      jack

  16. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A or B - 2FT

    A) TAA + Podence + Jimmy --> Coufal Ziyech Werner (-4)

    or

    B) Saiss + Jimmy --> Coufal + Werner (Free)

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

    Below sounds better compared to: Moyes "thinks" he is alright.

    "Aaron Cresswell has been training and I expect him to be fine."

    https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/november/06-november/team-news-moyes-offers-noble-cresswell-antonio-benrahma

    1. hustler7
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Perfect about to transfer him in...

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

        Same here. I dont know why the Twitter quote was more speculative since this Whum site comment was clearly positive.

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

    which to do?

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

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

    This will have to do. No hits.

    Martinez
    Chilwell Justin Lamptey
    Salah Sterling Son Soucek Podence
    Kane DCL

    Brewster Taylor

    2.6 ITB for Grealish next GW

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Looks decent

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

      Not a fan of Sterling but otherwise looks fine

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

    Yay or Nay for - 4

    Trossard & Havertz > Rodriguez & Ziyech

    Any ideas would be welcomed

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

      Just havertz to ziyech or hames

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

      100%

  21. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Pulisic confirmed out, Ziyech the best replacement? Have Grealish.

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

      him or Zaha

  22. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Pulisic> Ziyech no brainer right? Feel like i need a Chelsea attacker in for the next 2 fixtures

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

      just done that move ! chel still got some decent fixtures

  23. HNI
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How much upside Cresswell has over Coufal?
    Cresswell allows be Son + Vardy and only have Foden as City Cover

    Coufal allows me Kdb + Jesus

    Or just go with Cresswell, remove Foden on hit if need kdb + Vardy?

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

    who would you bench/
    A) Grealish (Ars A)
    B) Soucek (Ful H)

  25. Champione
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Worth giving Trossard one last match?

    1. Big Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Probably...

  26. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Chilwell worth the extra premium on Zouma?

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

      yes, its more likely he will be involved in a goal through attacking play, set pieces and clean sheets. Zouma would have to score a goal which is only likely from a corner(which chilwell could take) and by keeping a clean sheet.

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

        Is Chilwell on corners? Holy s.

  27. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Semedo to Coufal for a hit?

    1. Big Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not for a hit

  28. kime67
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    barnes-> zieych ? help

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

      Yes for no hit

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

    Now ziyech or hames for havertz?

  30. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anybody going for PVA?
    Definite starter now and some great fixtures.

    Going to be be removing Robbo. Chilwell was the original plan.

    1. Big Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Chilwell over PVA for sure