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

    Thanks guys for letting me know about Cresswell, so we reckon he’s fit to play then? That’s good

  2. Top 210 Club
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I'm really confused! Reguilon was ruled out until after the international break with flu by Jose but he is in the scout pics? Has there been an update?

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

    Who to bench?

    TAA(A) MCI?

    Or

    Lamptey(H) Burnley?

    1. 21VK12
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Lamptey from those 2 but I would start both

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

        I too many good players, cant find one to give room for Lamptey

        Justin, TAA, Wan, Son, Grealish, Zaha, Salah, Wilson, Calvert, Kane.

        TAA has the toughest schedule so I think Ill bench him. Or maybe Justin(H)

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

          Justin (H) Wolved

          1. 21VK12
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Justin or Lamptey. I guess you could expect same points pretty much but Lamptey more volatile

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

    Start 2.

    A) R. James
    C) Justin
    D) Soucek
    E) Podence

    1. 21VK12
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A and E for me

  5. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Captain Son or Salah

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

      son

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

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

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

    On a wildcard

    Werner or DCL?

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

      Werner

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

      Werner

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

    Play Ryan (BUR) or McCarthy (NEW) ?

  9. Goooo Rickie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Dallas, Lamptey, Grealish, Coufal

    Play 2...HELP!!

    Am I mad to bench Grealish, I'm thinking Villa won't score or am I over thinking it ?

    1. Sir Edo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Play Lamptey and Grealish I think.

    2. AD2110
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Grealish and Coufal for me

    3. DT42
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Don’t bench Grealish, play him and Coufal

    4. 21VK12
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Grealish Lamptey for me. Grealish for sure though

  10. Sir Edo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hi all!
    Zouma or van Anholt (for Robertson)?
    Great four fixtures for Palace.

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

      PVA

      1. Sir Edo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks, might do it, and already Chillwell owner..

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

    Repost
    Guys do ziyech and hames have international duties?

  12. subhojit123
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Brighton fans...any news of Ryan starting?

  13. United20
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which of these defenders would you start?:

    Robbo Dallas Coady Chilwell KWP

    Cheers

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

    I can't bench Robertson for KWP, can I?

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

      7.5 on bench iunno man

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

      I don't think so

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

    One week punt?

    Mitro to-->

    A) Che Adams (NEW home)
    B) Maupay (BUR home)
    C) Bamford (CRY away)

  16. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If Mili isn't playing, then who will take pens for Palace?

    1. Zaha
    2. PVA

    1. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      1

    2. Charlie's Eagles
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Why would it be PVA? Zaha has taken them so far in Mili’s absence, not sure it would even be PVA if Zaha wasn’t on the pitch

  17. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) TAA or Robbo > Cresswell/Lamptey
    B) KWP > Coufal
    C) Save FT

    Ramsdale
    TAA, Robbo, Chilwell
    Salah, Son, Grealish, Soucek, Podence
    Kane(C), DCL

    Steer, KWP, Mitchell, Davis

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

    WC Team first draft - any help much appreciated!

    Mendy - Olsen

    Chilwell - Balbuena - Dallas - Lamptey - Kilman

    Grealish - Jota - Mane - Son - March

    Werner - Kane - Bamford

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

    Is this worth it for a -4:

    Werner in for Ings
    Grealish in for Pulisic

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

      Do it

    2. DT42
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Perfect

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

    Your preferred midfield big hitters to rescue a drunken freehit?

  21. ididnt
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    TAA to Creswell for -4?

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

      Nopes

    2. DT42
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Imagine asking this at the start of the season!

      It’s crazy but I think it’s worth -4

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

        right?

  22. mcginnntonic
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Triple Captain Kane?

  23. acidicleo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    please suggest one defender for medium term...

    A) Bellerin
    B) Lamptey
    C) Cresswell
    D) Coufal

    1. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A or C for me

    2. DT42
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C

    3. AD2110
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  24. 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 yes for cresswell or coufal

  25. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Playing defence defenders: TAA Chilwell Lamptey

    On the bench: Saiss and fodder

    Roll FT?

    1. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Identical except Robbo over TAA. If I had a free I would sell Saiss to Coufal

  26. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Lamptey (no def sub)
    B) Lamptey (coufal sub) -4pts

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      See my post above. Prolly wouldn't do it for a hit!

  27. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What to do here please?

    A....start foden

    B...start reece james (in addition to chilwell)

    C....foden to bowen - 4

    Thanks

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

      B for me.

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

        Thanks

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

    Any votes appreciated.
    Bench:
    A. Podence
    B. Soucek

  29. sthelenslad92
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Start Grealish or James Rodrgiuez?

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

      Got to be Freakish.

  30. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Dallas > Coufal
    B) Mitchell > Kilman
    C) Something else?

    Martinez Forster
    Robbo Chilwell Reguilon Dallas Mitchell
    Salah Son Rodriguez Grealish Soucek
    Kane DCL Bamford