Fantasy Premier League: Gameweek 8 Preview – Captain pick, “Who’s hot, Who’s not?” and Ones To Watch

Chelsea and Tottenham assets are the flavour of the week as they both play sides in the relegation zone while Liverpool host Man City in what is expected to be a tight affair in Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 8.

With four wins in their last five league games, in-form Southampton host Newcastle but without Danny Ings as the popular striker is sidelined with a knee injury.

As there are two Friday night games, this week’s transfer deadline has been brought forward to 4pm.

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Follow the Yorkshire Post’s in-house Fantasy Football expert John Mount (@Gameweek38) on Twitter for more FPL insight.

Captain's Pick - Timo Werner (Picture: PA)Captain's Pick - Timo Werner (Picture: PA)
Captain's Pick - Timo Werner (Picture: PA)

Captain Picks

Timo Werner (£9.4m) vs Sheffield United (H)

Chelsea’s number 11 seems to have found form after a shaky start to the season. Werner scored five goals across all competitions in October and made it four goals in three games after scoring twice on Tuesday in the Champions League whilst taking over penalty duties.

In Sheffield United, Chelsea face bottom of the league. The Blades have lost six of their seven games so far this season and haven’t won at Stamford Bridge since 1992.

Aston Villa's Jack Grealish (Picture: PA)Aston Villa's Jack Grealish (Picture: PA)
Aston Villa's Jack Grealish (Picture: PA)

Harry Kane (£11.0m) vs West Brom (A)

As the game’s top point scorer, choosing Kane as your captain will naturally be a popular move. He’s on penalty duty, has eight goal involvements across his last four league games and has taken the second most shots in the league in the same timeframe.

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Furthermore, he’s scored four goals over his last three games against the Baggies, including a hat-trick in 2017.

Mo Salah (£12.4m) vs Man City (A)

Arsenal's Bukayo SakaArsenal's Bukayo Saka
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka

Even against Man City, you can’t rule Salah out of the captaincy debate.

Nobody has had more shots on target this season and against an inexperienced City backline which is likely to feature Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo, you’d fancy Salah’s chances to be score.

The Form Guide - Who’s Hot?

Jack Grealish (Aston Villa, £7.4m)

Continuing his strong start to the season, Grealish led Aston Villa’s attempts at a comeback against Southampton last weekend by scoring a goal and providing two assists in the space of 35 minutes.

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Mo Salah is the only midfielder who has taken more shots in the box over the last four gameweeks and with games against Brighton, West Ham and Newcastle coming up after this week’s trip to the Emirates, I expect Grealish to be among the top point scorers at Christmas.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton, £6.8m)

In James Rodriguez’ absence, Siggy played behind Calvert-Lewin and posted some impressive numbers. He took five shots and created two chances.

On set pieces too, if he starts again for Everton this weekend, I back him continue to create chances for to score.

The Form Guide - Who’s Not?

Danny Ings (Southampton, £8.5m)

After a strong start to the season, Danny Ings picked up a knee injury which has ruled him out for four to six weeks.

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In his absence, Che Adams (£5.8m) will lead the Southampton line and with four goal involvements across his last four games, he could be the ideal replacement.

Kai Havertz (Chelsea, £8.4m)

Having to isolate after catching coronavirus, Havertz will miss this weekend’s game vs Sheffield United and possibly Newcastle away too. Lampard elected to play Mason Mount (£6.8m) and Hakim Ziyech (£8.0m) in Chelsea’s midweek Champions League win so may start these cheaper alternatives in the league too.

Ones to Watch (Less than 5% ownership)

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal, £5.3m, 2.9%)

Having started Arsenal’s last four league games, Saka has nailed down a spot on Arsenal’s left-hand side and no Gunner has had more shots, shots in the box, shots on target or chances from open play than him over these last four games.

He has Aston Villa, Leeds and Wolves up next so now may be a great time to bring him.

Ferran Torres (Man City, £6.9m, 0.9%)

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Adopting the central striker role in Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus’ absence, no Man City player took more shots or had as many shots on target last weekend as City beat Sheffield United.

The Spaniard has scored three goals in his last four games, all in the Champions League, and with Liverpool being his opposition this weekend, his form of scoring against elite opposition may come in handy.

The Explainer

Transfers

After picking your initial squad, you receive 1 free transfer each Gameweek. Each additional transfer you make in the same Gameweek will deduct 4 points from your score.

If you do not use your free transfer, you are able to make an additional free transfer the following Gameweek. If you do not use this saved free transfer in the following Gameweek, it will be carried over until you do. You can never have more than 1 saved transfer.

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For example, since you get 1 free transfer per gameweek, if you make no transfers between gameweeks, you will have 2 free transfers in preparation for the next gameweek. You will incur a 4 point hit per transfer over your free transfer allowance.

Point Scoring

During the season, your fantasy football players will be allocated points based on their performance in the Premier League. Remember, every week your captain scores double points, so pick them wisely!

Points Action

1 For playing up to 60 minutes

2 For playing 60 minutes or more (excluding stoppage time)

6 For each goal scored by a goalkeeper or defender

5 For each goal scored by a midfielder

4 For each goal scored by a forward

3 For each goal assist

4 For a clean sheet by a goalkeeper or defender

1 For a clean sheet by a midfielder

1 For every 3 shot saves by a goalkeeper

5 For each penalty save

-2 For each penalty miss

1 to 3 Bonus points for the best players in a match

-1 For every 2 goals conceded by a goalkeeper or defender

-1 For each yellow card

-3 For each red card

-2 For each own goal

For more information on the rules of the game, visit https://fantasy.premierleague.com/help/rules

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