Gameweek 8 presents another opportunity for Fantasy Premier League managers to make up ground in their mini-leagues, climb the overall rankings, and find the players capable of delivering big returns.
The challenge is finding the right balance between proven performers, favorable matchups, and players who offer genuine value for their price.
For this week’s Scout Picks, we’re backing a combination of established FPL stars and in-form mid-priced options. Here’s our best XI for Gameweek 8, complete with
a captaincy recommendation and the reasoning behind every selection.
Our Best FPL XI for Gameweek 8
Formation: 3-4-3
Goalkeeper: David Raya
Defenders: Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori, Nikola Milenković
Midfielders: Kevin Schade, Cole Palmer, Marcus Tavernier, Morgan Rogers
Forwards: Erling Haaland (C), João Pedro, Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Vice-captain: Cole Palmer
Goalkeeper
David Raya — Arsenal
Fixture: Everton (H)
Arsenal’s home meeting with Everton makes David Raya an appealing goalkeeper option for Gameweek 8. The Gunners have the defensive organization to limit opponents’ clear-cut chances, while playing at the Emirates gives them a strong platform to pursue a clean sheet.
Raya also offers the possibility of additional points from saves and bonus, although those returns will depend on how the match develops.
Everton shouldn’t be underestimated, but Arsenal’s defensive structure makes Raya a reasonable choice for managers looking to build their team around a potential clean sheet.
Defenders
Gabriel Magalhães — Arsenal
Fixture: Everton (H)
Gabriel gets the nod as our first defensive selection. Arsenal’s home fixture is attractive from a defensive perspective, but Gabriel’s value extends beyond clean sheets. His aerial ability makes him a threat at corners and other set-piece situations, giving him a route to attacking points even if Everton find a way through the Gunners’ defense.
That combination of defensive reliability and goal threat is exactly what FPL managers should look for when choosing premium defenders. Gabriel is particularly appealing to managers who prefer players capable of returning points at both ends of the pitch.
Riccardo Calafiori — Arsenal
Fixture: Everton (H)
Riccardo Calafiori is an attractive defensive replacement for Gameweek 8. Arsenal host Everton at the Emirates, giving the Italian defender an opportunity to deliver clean-sheet points.
Calafiori also offers attacking potential through his forward runs and involvement in Arsenal’s build-up play. With Arsenal looking like one of the strongest defensive options this week, he deserves consideration for our back line.
Nikola Milenković — Nottingham Forest
Fixture: Ipswich Town (A)
Nottingham Forest’s trip to Ipswich gives Nikola Milenković an opportunity to deliver defensive returns. Forest have a fixture in which a clean sheet is worth pursuing, and Milenković offers an additional threat from set pieces.
The defender’s availability is encouraging, with recent team news indicating that he is fit to start after previously dealing with fitness concerns. Ipswich will still have opportunities to attack, so a clean sheet is far from guaranteed. Nevertheless, Milenković’s combination of defensive involvement and aerial ability makes him an interesting selection.
Midfielders
Kevin Schade — Brentford
Fixture: Hull City (A)
Kevin Schade offers an appealing alternative for managers seeking attacking potential at a more affordable price. The Brentford winger recorded five attacking returns in the opening five Gameweeks before a shoulder injury interrupted his progress. After returning as a substitute against Liverpool, he is expected to challenge for a starting place against Hull City.
Hull’s recent defensive struggles make this an interesting fixture for Brentford’s attack. If Schade starts, his pace and ability to get into dangerous scoring positions could make him a worthwhile selection.
Cole Palmer — Chelsea (Vice-Captain)
Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur (H)
Cole Palmer is another player who deserves serious consideration this week. Chelsea host Tottenham in a fixture that could produce opportunities for both sides. Palmer’s involvement in Chelsea’s attacking play makes him an attractive option, particularly if he retains his usual responsibilities around the penalty area.
His creativity and goal threat give him the potential to return points even if Chelsea struggle to dominate the match.
Marcus Tavernier — Bournemouth
Fixture: Manchester United (A)
Marcus Tavernier is our mid-priced midfield selection. The Bournemouth midfielder has emerged as an appealing option for managers searching for attacking potential without paying premium prices. His involvement in Bournemouth’s attacking play and favorable upcoming fixtures make him worth considering.
The immediate challenge is the trip to Manchester United. Playing away from home against a major opponent is not necessarily an ideal matchup, but it doesn’t eliminate Tavernier’s potential to return points.
For managers prioritizing longer-term value rather than simply chasing the easiest fixture of the week, he offers an interesting alternative.
Morgan Rogers — Chelsea
Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur (H)
Morgan Rogers is an interesting midfield option for Gameweek 8 following his move to Chelsea. With Tottenham visiting Stamford Bridge, the midfielder has an opportunity to make an impact in a fixture that could offer attacking returns.
Rodgers’ strength lies in his ability to carry the ball forward, create opportunities, and contribute in the final third. His direct style could prove useful against a Tottenham side that may leave spaces for Chelsea to exploit.
The key consideration is his role within Chelsea’s setup.
Forwards
Erling Haaland — Manchester City (Captain)
Fixture: Aston Villa (A)
If there’s one player who can justify the captain’s armband even in a difficult fixture, it’s Erling Haaland. Manchester City’s trip to Aston Villa is not an easy matchup, but Haaland’s goal threat makes him difficult to overlook. His ability to convert chances means he can produce a substantial FPL return without needing his team to dominate every minute of the match.
The Norwegian remains an obvious captaincy candidate for managers who prefer backing an established premium forward rather than taking unnecessary risks.
Villa will present a challenge, but Haaland’s individual quality gives him the potential to punish even a well-organized defense.
João Pedro — Chelsea
Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur (H)
João Pedro completes our Chelsea attacking contingent. The forward has attracted attention from FPL managers because of his involvement in Chelsea’s attack and his potential to provide strong returns at a mid-to-premium price point.
Chelsea’s home fixture against Tottenham could create opportunities for him to get involved in the final third. If the Blues move the ball quickly and exploit space around Tottenham’s defensive line, João Pedro could benefit.
He also provides a useful balance to our frontline, combining an attacking role with the potential to return points through goals and assists.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin — Leeds United
Fixture: Sunderland (A)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin earns our final forward spot. Leeds travel to Sunderland, and Calvert-Lewin offers an appealing option for managers looking for a forward outside the most expensive bracket.
His penalty responsibilities and ability to get into dangerous scoring positions strengthen his appeal. He has also received positive attention from FPL analysts, who have highlighted his goal threat and Leeds’ upcoming fixtures.
The key question is whether Leeds can create enough chances away from home. If they do, Calvert-Lewin has the attributes to turn those opportunities into FPL points. He isn’t a guaranteed big haul, but his combination of attacking potential and price makes him a worthwhile selection.
FPL Gameweek 8 Strategy: Planning Beyond This Week
Although this article focuses on Gameweek 8, your transfers should fit into a broader plan. A player with a slightly difficult fixture this week could still be a valuable investment if his upcoming schedule is favorable. Conversely, an attractive one-week matchup may not justify spending a transfer if the player has limited long-term appeal.
The overall strategy is straightforward: back reliable attacking involvement, look for value in the middle of the pitch, and avoid taking unnecessary risks with injured or rotation-prone players.
Good luck in Gameweek 8!
- READ MORE: FPL Gameweek 8 Captain Picks: Who Should You Captain?
