Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 8

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 8, we have a super early deadline of 16:00 GMT today.

A concise review of the goings-on over the last few days:

When discussing the captaincy contenders Jan Sienkiewicz was leaning towards a Chelsea player over the safe bets of Harry Kane (£11.0m) of Son Heung-min (£9.6m). The Blues enjoy a favourable match-up against Sheffield United, who have been susceptible down their right-hand side.

No other Premier League team has allowed more chances from that area of the pitch in 2020/21, the 37 opportunities conceded there by the Blades is eight more than Crystal Palace, who rank second-worst. This bodes well for Timo Werner (£9.4m).

Whether the German is deployed as a left-winger to Tammy Abraham (£7.2m) or occupies the centre-forward role himself, he will drift to that side of the pitch as he so often does, giving him the chance to make the most of a favourable match-up.

To add to his appeal, Chelsea manager Frank Lampard confirmed Werner is the team’s new penalty taker:

(It was) not an easy decision (handing penalties to Werner) because Jorginho has been pretty faultless for us. He missed two recently, Timo came in and scored one in our last game. Timo took them tonight, Timo’s the taker at the moment and he took them very emphatically, so I’m happy.

– Frank Lampard

Jan joined Pro Pundits Zophar and Lateriser on The FPL Wire this week, in which he talked about his process for selecting a captain. 

Aside from Werner, Kurt Zouma (£5.3m) and Thiago Silva (£5.5m) could do well given that Sheffield Untied have conceded more headed attempts than other side this season.

Fixture Swings

Tottenham Hotspur’s fixtures take a turn for the worst following their enticing encounter with West Brom. On the Scoutcast this week former FPL winner Ben Crabtree outlined his plans to switch to Manchester City players, as they enjoy an excellent run from Gameweek 10:

My priority is to get Kevin De Bruyne alongside Sterling, and Kane is just the money for that really. Looking at the fixtures, although I think the form that Kane’s in he still could do very well over those games, I’m never going to captain him.

– Ben Crabtree

Pro Pundit Andy agreed, writing in his latest Pro Pundit column:

Until Gameweek 16 I don’t see a single fixture where I’d look to captain a Spurs player.

– Andy

Andy then went onto outline his armband contenders from Gameweek 10 onwards, although he did note a slight concern that City haven’t been performing as well in attack compared to previous seasons – averaging 1.31xG per match so far.

João Cancelo (£5.4m) – who impressed in the win over Sheffield United – and Rúben Dias (£5.5m) both look good options in defence, with the latter more assured of a regular starting role.

Career Hall of Fame No 3 Darren Wiles was another Pro Pundit planning ahead. He examined different options for those with both Kane and Son in their sides, and suggested a move to De Bruyne or Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) via a Gameweek 9 captaincy of Marcus Rashford (£9.6m) or Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m).

When it comes to letting go of players, Pro Pundit Simon March explained how the Endowment Effect can hinder our decision making in FPL. A sentimental attachment to players will inevitably become problematic as it may well cause us to miss out on better opportunities.

Simon advised creating some simple rules when judging a player – such as missing one or two Gameweeks maximum through injury – to help us become more objective.

Big Opportunities

Neale’s latest Big Numbers article highlighted a few players with the potential to do well. 

Embarking on a nice fixture run, West Ham’s Tomas Soucek (£4.9m) is one to consider. No FPL midfielder is ‘underachieving’ more in 2020/21 with a -1.38 expected goals (xG) delta. Among the Hammers squad, the Czech is second behind only Michail Antonio (£6.2m) for goal attempts and shots in the box.

Owners of Liverpool’s defenders can consider themselves unlucky: the Reds’ defence has been breached on 15 occasions this season but their expected goals conceded (xGC) tally is just 8.27, making them the worst-performing team in the division for xGC delta (+6.73).

Meanwhile, Pro Pundit Tom Freeman still doesn’t own Jack Grealish (£7.4m) despite some impressive underlying stats

Grealish continues to impress with nine goal involvements in just six games. Last term, he managed 15 in total, so he’s well on his way to beating that, and attacking returns look likely to continue. Despite playing a game less than most, he now ranks joint-fourth for attempts on goal, joint-second for shots in the box, second for penalty area touches and joint-fourth for chances created amongst FPL midfielders.

– Tom

Community latest

The Best of the Community feature included a look at Chelsea players and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.7m), a player described as “the ultimate Fantasy Forgotten”.

For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 8 can be found below:

Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

May your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

1,057 Comments Post a Comment
  1. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    The best thing about this gameweek is no Monday matches

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

      Yes.. They are so boring I feel.

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

      With the lockdown though it would be nice to have one more game on Monday.

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

    Sell mitchell for a hit or start Justin?

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

      Nvm the deadlines already passed

      Didnt even realise lol

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

        🙂 You're off the mark NC - it saved you a hit though - BOL!

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Time's up mate

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

        Yeah thought the game was at 6 not 530 uk time. Justin not the worst option anyway

    3. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Take a break

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

        No! YOU take a break!!

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

          *wanted to test this out 🙂

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

    Went with Coufal for Semedo for a hit. Seems crazy but I feel good about it.

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

      Crazy

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

      Dopamine hit from gambling

  4. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Well early ko didnt help friday afternoon productivity.

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Please tell me McGinn is gone

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Lol. Yes.

        Bet he hauls.

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

    Pulisic -> Zaha seems a no brainer right now press conferences are done?

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

      Oops

    2. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah, do it quick though cos the deadline is soon

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

        LOL

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

        Yes, only two weeks left till deadline

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

      Or to Ziyech or Fornals

    4. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bit late

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

        Shiiii... Bunk Moreland type of. Didn't realise deadline is so early. Ok.2FT next week then

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

      Brosstan will be out of a job in a minute...

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

        🙂 Obviously having a nap after a rapture of doom. Expect him back at any min though

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

      Well yeah, if you did it before the deadline

  6. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Pulisic -> Ziyech
    Foden > Hamez
    Saiss -> Coufal

    (-4)

    Time to turn the season around !!!!

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nice moves, good luck!

  7. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Stuck with my gut on Son(c)

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

      And I probably kept it on Salah instead of Kane as forgot now they have matches at any time even on Friday

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

        Salah is never a bad captaincy choice to be fair

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I was so torn. Flipped a coin last min and it said Son(c)

      Gulp

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

        A Son megahaul and Kane blank would be sooo nice

        1. No Salah
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Hoping for the exact opposite 🙂

        2. Bury94
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          This!

    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Same here buddy

    4. Salan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hope you are right. (And Kane got blanked)

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

      I'm there, but let's not unite though 😉

  8. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Lamptey haul incoming

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

      Card haul

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

      Fingers crossed

    3. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Oh no. Played Robbo over LampT

    4. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Wood haul more like

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

      Any updates whether he plays ?

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

      Hope so. He was on my bench last week.

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

    already planning kane and son out on wildcard after international break lol i got a problem/addiction

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

      I have KDB and Vardy lined up. Can always get them back again if need be.

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

    Salah C unite! Leicester gonna be spanked

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Oh dear

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

        Lolzzz

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        🙂

    2. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      When did Salah sign for Wolves?

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

        LOL youre killin it

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

      Ain't no rest for the wicked

    4. Blueberg
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Spanked by... ?

    5. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Wrong week

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

      Well I forget the :p and see the ruckus

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

      reckless decision

    8. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Think he got the wrong City?

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

      They obviously didn't get the joke lol

    10. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Put the whiskey glass down now.

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

      Lucky i have Killman starting then. 🙂

  11. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone else bench TAA?

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

      Nope, cannae wait for my benched Foden to score against him too

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Foden will start from bench imo

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

      Almost did it.. Didn't have the cojones to do it.

    3. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Was strongly considering it but then I remembered when I benched him against Chelsea at the end of last season when he banged in a freekick and got an assist, put me off ever doing it again. Benched KWP instead.

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Tbh I probablt would've benched KWP

        But my defence is Coufal, James & LampT

    4. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sold for Kilman. I was like, what's the point of having 7.4m defender on the bench?

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Good point I suppose, did it fund anything?

        1. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Almost Brewster to Werner, but held the temptations in order to get KDB fir Barkley next GW

    5. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Robbo benched for me.

    6. The Desi Messi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yep benched for Coufal. Cue Liverpool’s first clean sheet in ages and a Trent 15pter

    7. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Played Robbo and TAA and benched Foden. Hope it's a cagey sort of match that Liverpool will nick 1-0

  12. Chhana
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Did Mitchell and Ings to Bellerin and Wilson for -4 since Lamptey & Saiss are doubtful

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nice moves, I brought in Wilson too

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

      Solid moves

  13. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    In the end didn't go with Werner, Ziyech, Bowen or Fornals for free.

    Reward me Barkley lol

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

      Really should have transferred out Barkley for Bowen or Fornals. Arsenal are resolute at the back.

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I know. But really want to have 2 FTs over IB and love having extra player on last fixture of the GW. Here's hoping for a miracle!

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

    Thinking of wildcarding tonight with this team— thoughts? Would be about 5 or 6 moves to fund KDB/Sterling/Cancelo and get rid of Spurs... if not it may take an 8pt hit by week 10

    McCarthy*
    Chilwell TAA* Cresswell Lamptey Mitchell*
    Salah Grealish Podence* Son* Bissouma
    Kane* DCL Maupay

  15. Muchentuchel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Meslier
    Reg-Justin-Chil
    Salah-Fernandes-Ziyech-Son
    DCL-Kane(C)-Bam

    let's see what happens!
    GL to you all!

  16. Chhana
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A total of 3 pts from Son this season 🙂 Captain him, he better make it up

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He will 🙂

  17. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Was set on Kane (c) but Son's 60% ownership is scary...

  18. thetommy14
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Quick question.... How do you add a profile picture on this?

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

      gravatar.com
      Rate G

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Go to gravatar.com

    3. thetommy14
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks all

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

      Fair play to this fella,not even a 1 and going getting a grav for himself.

      Lots here with years with the bland scout grav.

  19. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Kane EO prediction?

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

      160

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

      200

  20. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Surprising how quiet after deadline this place is, 000’s visit to ask questions but not answer?

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

      I prefer it on here during the dead zone. Much more civilised, ha.

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

    Anybody planning to ditch both Kane and Son after this? Even if they haul. Or going to at least keep on in the line up?

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

      Might keep one.

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

      I'll probably keep Son

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

        I think ill probably keep son to start too. Leaves more money for elsewhere

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

      Yeah, will prolly do one-by-one after the break.

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

      debating banking gwk9 transfer, playing both vs city, then using double to take them both out in wk10 to fund KDB/Sterling

    5. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No one is firing at present so until they do I am keeping.
      They can hammer any team top or bottom of the table.

      City, Pool & United are prime candidates to get thrashed.

    6. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Might get rid of Kane if Antonio is back. Otherwise going to save 2 transfers for the following week to get KDB in

    7. 272MK
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      here. ManCity fixture too good

    8. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      All being well, I'll be swapping for KDB and Vardy GW10.

    9. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Just Kane I suppose

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

    Best Kane replacement GW9 onwards?

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy, followed by Richarlison

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy or Martial

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

      Antonio

    4. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Keep

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

      Vardy (or Antonio to enable a double up of City mids).

    6. Pinturicchio10
        3 years, 4 months ago

        He's not in my squad unfortunately but I do have Son. Tempted to keep for the City game and see how they do as a team vs top opposition before ditching. If you're set on selling I'd look to Antonio if he happens to be fit or perhaps an early swoop for Vardy who could do well against a weakened Liverpool defense.

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

      Any chance I'm in time to do the first 'I missed the deadline' joke this week?

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

        Deadline? What deadline 😀

    8. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Predictions:

      Brighton 1-0 Burnley (Lamptey rested)
      Southampton 1-2 Newcastle (KWP yellow card, Wilson x3)
      Everton 1-2 Man Utd (Bruno 2x penalties, Digne free kick goal)
      Crystal Palace 1-3 Leeds (PVA goal, Bamford x3)
      Chelsea 3-1 Sheff Utd (Abraham x2, Mount, Berge, Chilwell YC)
      West Ham 3-1 Fulham (Haller x2, Fornals, Mitrovic)
      West Brom 0-2 Spurs (Moura, Bale, Kane missed penalty)
      Leicester 0-1 Wolves (Saiss)
      Man City 0-2 Liverpool (TAA goal and assist, Mane)
      Arsenal 3-1 Villa (Gabriel, Auba x2, McGinn)

      1. 272MK
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        God dayyum you cant be more biased can you

      2. Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Wilson own-goal?

      3. Apwilkin
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I really hope that Wilson prediction is right haha. Not a fan of the spurs prediction

      4. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Amen to that PVA goal

      5. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        absolute *hithouse lol

    9. Nimby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Did a last minute transfer of Foden to Rodriguez for a hit. I never wanted to sell J-Rod in the first place so glad to have him back. Cue a blank and another injury.

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

        You could have bought him for 0.1 cheaper if you'd waited until tomorrow. Good long term move though, I'm sure his price will rise again.

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

      Foden is absolutely not going to start, but would live it if ya did mate.

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

      Why’s the game updating 2 mins before the deadline?

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Welcome back to GW1

    12. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Lamptey starts

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yuhuuuuuuu

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

        Nice one 🙂

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

      Ryan RECALLED!

      Poor Ryan owners.

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

        I recalled him too. 😎

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

      Ben Mee Starting

      Good for Taylor 😎