With the international break over, the Premier League returns. Ahead of Gameweek 8, there are plenty of important things to consider when it comes to the world of Fantasy Premier League.
We are providing Fantasy Premier League managers with everything they need to know ahead of the Gameweek 8 deadline at 13:00 EAT on Saturday 18 October.
Here is best squad for this weekend’s matches, with favourable matches for the promoted clubs making this a good week to use the Bench Boost chip.
FORMATION: 3:5:2
GOALKEEPER: Alphonse Areola
The arrival of Espirito Santo as head coach of West Ham United lifts the appeal of their defense after the Portuguese steered Nottingham Forest to 13 clean sheets last season.
A cost of £4.3m makes Areola a bargain buy for Nuno’s first home match in charge against Brentford on Monday evening.
DEF: Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
Arsenal boast the best defensive record in the division. Gabriel picked up a clean sheet, a bonus point, and DEFCON points against West Ham in Gameweek 7, which saw him rise to second in the overall defender rankings (47), with only Jurrien Timber (48) ahead of him.
The Brazilian international has earned DEFCON points in three of his seven appearances so far and has also accumulated five bonus points.
DEF: Josko Gvardiol (City)
The City defender has 24 points over the last four Gameweeks since returning from injury. Owned by just five per cent of managers, Gvardiol has the form and fixture to make a big impact in mini-leagues, with Pep Guardiola’s side entertaining Everton on Saturday afternoon.
DEF: Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea)
The Blues’ centre-back visits a Forest side who have scored just a single goal in their four league matches under Ange Postecoglou. Chalobah also offers a decent goal threat, with his six shots in the box.
MID: Mohamed Salah (LIV)
Salah may have blanked in his last two matches and has only two goals and two assists so far this season, but the numbers suggest a turnaround could be close.
Liverpool have scored 13 goals this season — only Arsenal (14) and Man City (15) have been more prolific.
Their opponents, Man United, have conceded 11 goals (13th) and kept just one clean sheet.
MID: Ismaila Sarr
Sarr still ranks 11th amongst midfielders for FPL points (36) and has so far notched three goals and one assist. Enzo (six) and Semenyo (seven) are the only midfielders to have been afforded more ‘big chances’ than his four.
MID: Antoine Semenyo (AFC Bournemouth)
The Cherries’ star visits Crystal Palace with a 21-point advantage at the top of the midfielder standings, producing six goals, three assists and 66 points.
Semenyo’s six big chances – or situations where the player is expected to score – all rank first in his position in Fantasy, taking his ownership to over 60 per cent.
MID: Mohammed Kudus (Spurs)
Tottenham Hotspur’s summer signing welcomes Aston Villa on the back of one goal and three assists over his last three matches. As Spurs’ first-choice taker for free-kicks and corners, he will pose a big threat to a Villa side who have conceded 34 shots from set-pieces across their seven matches,
MID: Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)
The Argentinian is expected to recover from a minor knee issue to face Forest. Enzo has three goals and two assists this season and will be on penalty duties since Cole Palmer is still out due to injury.
FWD: Jarrod Bowen (WHU)
West Ham will be searching for their first win under their new manager as they host Brentford at the London Stadium, and their talisman Bowen is likely to be key to their hopes of victory.
Bowen ranks top among their players for goals (three) and shots on target (five), while only Ward-Prowse (seven) and Paquetá (10) have attempted more assists than his four.
FWD: Erling Haland (City)
The Norwegian has become the most-owned player in Fantasy over the international break, with over 61 per cent holding Haaland for Man City’s home encounter with Everton. His ownership and all-league-leading figures show just why he’ll be the top captain pick for Gameweek 8.
