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. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Ewt worth a -8?
    Martinez
    Chilwell Konsa Kilman
    Zaha Ziyech Rashford Son Salah
    Kane Wilson

    Steele Brewster Mitchell Branthwaite

    Cheers

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

      No way 🙂

  2. chudbond007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench Klich vs CRY (Away) or Barkley vs ARS (Away)?

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

      Barkley imo, Klich on pens

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

    Worth it to do Jiminez to Werner for a (-4)? Other two transfers are TAA -> Chilwell & Pulisic -> Ziyech? It does mean a Chelsea triple up but Im fine with that for their next two (or even four) games.

    1. chudbond007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes, you *should* gain on all 3 transfers this week

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

        Agreed, cheers mate and good luck!

  4. Good Times
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    James unlikely to start playing the full 90 in Europe?

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

      That and he’s not nailed

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

    % chance each of these players start....

    1.) Ryan (Bri GK)
    2.) Reguilon
    3.) Saiss

    Thanks, trying to determine which transfer out is most vital at this time.

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

      90
      10
      20

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

        You're really 90% confident Ryan will start? Sanchez looked good last game and Ryan has had a poor start to the season. Wouldn't surprise me if Ryan is benched for a few games

    2. FPLShaqiri
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      1) 25%
      2) 85%
      3) 12%

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

    Who to bench ?

    Martinez

    Robbo - Chillwel - Coufal - Ayling - Ferguson

    Salah - Son - Hamez - Grealish - Soucek

    Kane - Calvert Lewin - Kane

    I am leaning to Ferguson, Robbo and Soucek

    A) Questions : Soucek or Grealish or ?

    B) Question : Robbo or Ayling ?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bench Kane?

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

        Triple captain maybe ?

  7. 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 ?

  8. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Save a Hit?

    Martinez,
    James*, Lamptey**, Robbo
    Sterling, Foden, Ziyech, Son
    Kane(c), Jimi, Bamford

    Saiss, Bissouma, Mitchell***

    *Rotation risk
    ** injury risk?
    *** out this week.

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

      Lamptey was confirmed fine

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

    Who to sell for Coufal

    A. Mithcell
    B. Saiss

    Also Pulisic to

    1. Ziyech
    2. Rodriguez (will need him next week for Fulham anyway and Ziyech can become rotation risk again)

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

      B2

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

      A2 if you plan to get Rodriguez anyway.

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

    Going PVA over Cresswell and Cancelo.

    On Freekicks Corners and possibly Penalties.

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

    Barnes>Ziyech?
    or save FT

  12. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is it worth taking -4 for these transfers?? Which is more preferred?

    A. Jimenez / Barkley / Saiss >>> Bamford / Bowen / Chilwell
    B. Jimenez / Barkley / Saiss >>> Wilson / Bowen / Chilwell
    C. Jimenez / Barkley / Saiss >>> Bamford / Fornals / Chilwell

    1. chudbond007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      surely Barkley worth keeping for the upcoming fixtures?
      (I have him also)

      1. Oggle22
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Just sold for Ziyech

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

    Captain Chilwell over Kane? 😀 Am I a fool?

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

      chilly

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

      yes u a fool

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

      Was thinking about that too

  14. youzef
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA Chillwell Aurier
    Foden Son(C) Salah Ziyech Grealish
    Jimenez DCL
    Bench: Ryan Brewster Justin Mitchell

    Good to go?!

  15. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Have both James and Saiss

    Only bench cover is Mitchell and Dunne

    -4 to ditch one of James or Saiss and if so, for who?

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

    Creswell still flagged as 75% to start.

  17. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is it too risky to use TC on Kane / Son this week??

    1. Oggle22
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Want to myself but no bottle haha

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

    Do I do Maupay to Wilson for free???

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

      no

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

      I would.

  19. The Chosen One...
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which to bench?

    a) Ayling (cry)
    b) KWP (NEW)
    c) Lamptey (BUR)

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

    Repost.

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

    Cheers

  21. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Gtg? Save FT?

    Martinez
    TAA, Lamptey, Zouma
    Salah, son, zaha, Rashford, Podence
    DCL, werner

    4, Watkins, Kilman, dunne

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

    Mccarthy
    Robbo, Bellerin, KWP
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Podence, Pereira
    DCL, Werner

    4.0, Mitchell, Davis, Ferguson - 1FT 1.2ITB

    Mitchell to Coufal or Roll?

  23. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Am I good to go?

    Martinez
    Robbo Lamptey Chilwell
    Son Salah Grealish Fornals Podence
    DCL Kane (c)

  24. Bonus magnet
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Sell Mahrez to Ziyech

    Or save FT

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

    Who to start?

    A) Holding (AVL) - ARS looking much better defensively under Arteta, but a low ceiling and will be start?

    B) Barkley (ars) - tricky fixture and he’s clearly the wrong AVL mid to own!

  26. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Reguilon fit to play does anyone know?

    Mou confident he’ll be ok? Cheers 🙂

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

    A. Pereira>JWP/Bowen/Fornals/Jota
    B. TAA/Pereira>Chilwell/Ziyech (-4) Have Zouma

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

    any1 consider chillwell for captain?

  29. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Captain:

    A) KANE
    B) SON

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

      I'm on A

  30. Igz08
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Jimi to Werner for a hit?

    Y/N

    Feel like Zyiech is the Chelsea attacker you really want tho