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. MGD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who are predicted to play?

    Saiss
    Regulion
    Lamptley
    Maupay
    Mitchell

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

      Reguilon and Lamptey

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

        Reguilon is out with the flu and hasnt been with the squad. Surely Davies starts

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

    Worth doing Ward > Zouma for a hit this gw? Long term move so might be worth it?

    Martinez Forster
    Robbo lamptey Dallas Ward kilman

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not for -4. You have enough def coverage this week.

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

        Cheers

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

      It’s great - save FT

  4. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Start Lamptey or Taylor?

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

      Lamptey 100%

    2. Norrin Radd
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Lamptey

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

    Really dont understand why sooo many people wait for the last 2 hours to ask questions

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

      It's called panic! I sort my team 4-5 days in advance then get cold feet in the last 1-2 hours ...

    2. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      4pm deadline, press conferences at 1.30pm doesn't leave much time between getting final info and making transfers.

    3. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      It's a Friday deadline. People have been caught short working 9-5 and then doing family stuff like homework and then hopefully some entertainment 🙂 It's life

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

    Love my squad but DK who to bench

    McCarthy, (Steer)
    KWP, Chilwell, Cresswell, James, (Justin)
    Grealish, Son, Ziyech, Salah, Sterling,
    DCL, (Wilson), (Watkins)

    Rate my Team reckons to bench Grealish and KWP instead of Wilson and Watkins - really??

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      That's a benching headache - go with your gut

  7. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Start 1 lol

    Targett or Saïss?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      T

  8. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Dias, Cancello or Cresswell?

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

      Cancelo

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

        +1

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Got to be Cresswell for the next 2 at least imo

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

    News from Leicester press conference? Word on Vardy fitness?

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

    Sorry folks playing catch up here, so did Frank indicate whether Werner starting or not?

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

      Implied he would be didn't confirm it, he never does TBF.

      Mentioned managing his minutes "in the future".

      Talked about him being fit, good to grow relationships on the pitch, getting used to the league, etc.

      Previously mentioned him not playing CL for RB & having a pre season with us, well training with the group in the summer.

      Pulisic out injured. Likely to play wide left.

  11. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hey guys, can James drop in price tonight? Or he was price locked? Considering to bring him in.

    Cheers

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

      I am wondering out of Rodriguez/Ziyech is best moving forward?. As he fit I think he will drop

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

    Semedo out for a hit for Coufal, Cresswell or Masuaku?

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

      No for Semedo

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Coufal, Cresswell good moves based on fixtures. Price dependant for each on whether you need cash for a future move to City or other. It is WH though, so I wouldn't bank the cleanies just yet 😉

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

    Yes he has lots of energy to track pool

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

      Reply fail

  14. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Carnage

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

      Carnage -> Bedlam (-4)?

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Bedlam - save

  15. michaelington
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I'm starting Lamptey and Taylor which means it'll be 1-1, get your money on.

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

      Hmmmm, it could be 2-2

  16. Eric Banternaaa
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martínez
    Chilwell Robertson Lamptey
    Salah Sterling Barnes Barkley
    Jimi Wilson DCL

    Steer Mitchel Dunne Stephens

    1FT 2.4ITB. Roll the transfer this week?

  17. tissae
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one:
    A) Cresswell (FUL)
    B) Lamptey (BUR)
    C) Robertson (mci)

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Who else you got? 😉

  18. The Wizard of Ozil
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    At what point is it ok to use the freehit?

    With puli out I’m not on -8 and needing lamptey & Reguilon both to play to field a team

    Always try and keep the FH for a double game week tho

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      How many playing players can you field? Sounds like you can field 10 - don't use; more valuable later

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

    Hmm.

    Would you get Ziyech or Grealish in for short-to-medium term?

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

      Grealish no doubt

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

      grealish,key attacker for villa...

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

    Start ASM?

    or -4 to Ziyech and start...

  21. BEEZUS
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    For a -4?

    Puli to Grealish
    Ings to Werner

    1. Couch Potato
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

  22. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    1ft 4m itb
    Current defence is

    TAA Justin Saiss B.Davies 4m

    Who do go
    1. Saiss
    2. B.Davies

    Who to bring in

    A. Chilwell
    B.Zouma
    C. Cresswell
    D. Coufal
    E. Bellerin
    F. Lampety

  23. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who would you rather have going into EVE x MUN game:

    Hamez or Bruno?

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

      Hamez

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

    Mitchell to Masuaku(or max 4.9 defender) good move???

  25. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Can I get your opinion guys on this dilemma.

    Should I get Cresswell or Coufal/Balbuena.
    If I get Cresswell I'd have to take a hit in a couple of weeks to get KDB, if I go for Coufal or Balbuena then no hit necessarily for KDB transfer

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

    I've got Semedo who has Leicester, Soton and Arsenal in the next three gws and I expect him to concede a goal in all of those matches. Is it ok to sell him for a hit to get Coufal, Masuaku or Cresswell who got Fulham, SHU and Villa in next three?

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

      maybe but who to get out of those 3

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

        Leaning towards Coufal

  27. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Cancello nailed?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Until Mendy is back

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

      Don't know but an exciting prospect

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

    Last orders - what do you think the best plan is?

    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, Zouma (2FT)
    C) Puli > Ziyech (roll an FT)
    D) Puli > Zaha (roll FT)

    Really torn!!

    GL all

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’m looking at A for a hit! Cresswell or Cancello perhaps?

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

        I like Cancelo but vs Liverpool can’t expect much. Is Cresswell going to play though?!

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Has to surely? Moyes said he was fine?

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

      A or B tough

      for the next 3/4 game weeks Rodriguez/Ziyech? (worried about CL rotation a little)

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

        Very tough right! Leaning towards A because don’t fancy the EVE double up

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Who you going with?

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

            Prob Cresswell

  29. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Looking for 1 free transfer to improve this lot before international break and WC. Maupay vs BUR, Che Adams vs NEW or Bamford? Mitro out

    Martinez,Nyland
    TAA,Chilwell,Justin,Mitchell,Buur
    Salah,Sterling,Grealish,Son,Bissouma
    Wilson,Jimenez,Mitro

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

      team looks decent, not sure if you need to wc, same issue im having below...for your one wk transfer though id go maupay

  30. yanky
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Do I need to wildcard over international break? Maybe not but I could move out like 7 guys or so— I would ditch TAA Saiss Maupay Podence Ferguson Kane Son

    McCarthy
    Chilwell TAA Lamptey (Saiss Ferguson)
    Salah Son Grealish Bowen (Podence)
    Kane DCL Maupay