By Caroly Kipkoech
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.
From keeping an eye on Manchester City as they continue without key midfielder Rodri, to weighing up alternative options to Chelsea star Cole Palmer, here are some top tips to consider for your FPL team this week.
BEST FPL TEAM AHEAD OF GAMEWEEK 8
FORMATION: 3:4:3
GOAL KEEPER: David Raya (Arsenal)
Raya is currently sitting pretty at the top of the FPL points table for goalkeepers. He already has more combined save and bonus points than he managed all last season. I am expecting Arsenal to get back to watertight ways this week and Raya stands to do very well if they do.
DEF: Nikola Milenkovic (Tottenham)
Milenkovic hosts a Crystal Palace side who have struggled in attack, scoring only one single goal across their last three contests. He is a steady, 90-minute man at a good defensive side in Nottingham Forest.
DEF: Pedro Porro (Tottenham)
The Spanish international is top amongst defenders for shots (12) and third for attempted assists (13) which indicates that more returns are around the corner. Spurs have conceded eight goals (fifth) and have kept two clean sheets.
DEF: Gabriel (Arsenal)
Gabriel remains the key target from the Arsenal defence, as one of the most attacking defenders in the Premier League. He ranks top for big chances with five, while he’s had four shots on target. He has scored two league goals already for the campaign, with five his best tally in a league season coming in 2021/22.
MID: Mohammed Salah (Liverpool)
Last time out when Chelsea and Liverpool met, The Reds came out the victors, with the side in control at the top of the Premier League table, Salah provides the most likely goal threat, having contributed eight goal involvements already this season.
MID: Anthony Gordon (New Castle)
With doubts over the fitness of Newcastle United’s centre forwards, we could see Anthony Gordon once again start out of position as striker in this game, with two goals so far this season. Home comforts are significant here, with a great record at St James’ Park last season.
Gordon has had four big chances this season, missing a penalty against former employers Everton last time out. He’s also created 15 chances for his teammates and so we can expect assists from him too.
MID: Phil Foden (Man City)
With his creativity much needed given that Kevin De Bruyne remains a fitness doubt. Foden was among the most prolific midfielders in the game last season, with 27 goal involvements in 33 appearances.
A return to form could come at this moment away at Wolves, who sit at the very bottom of the Premier League table, having conceded a league high of 21 goals.
MID: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Arsenal’s star boy Bukayo Saka has picked up another knock over the international break, but his yellow flag hasn’t bumped him out of the top 10 ahead of a trip to the cherries.
Saka is the Gunners’ top-performing player this season, with nine goal involvements in the opening seven Gameweeks. His involvement in set pieces has seen an increase in assists this season
FWD: Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest)
Striker Chris Wood has scored four goals in seven games this season, with half of them coming at the City Ground. Among forwards, Wood sits sixth for big chances with seven and he also now has penalties in his locker too. Crystal Palace are a team without a clean sheet so far this season.
FWD: Erling Haaland (Man City) – CAPTAIN
This is an attractive trip to Wolves who are without a clean sheet this season. The Norwegian has the pedigree in this fixture, with eight goals in four appearances against Gary Orneil’s side and given that he is also the current top goal scorer with 10 goals, he boasts masses of potential in this fixture.
FWD: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
The Villa talisman is the top-scoring forward in Fantasy over the last four Gameweeks, earning 32 points, thanks to four goals and an assist. Watkins was a big success in the corresponding fixture at Craven Cottage last season, scoring twice to collect 13 points.
