Dec 14

Gameweek 8 Preview

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Our @JWoodfield365 examines the fallout from the international fixtures in his preview for Gameweek 8, and argues the case for the defence as four of the lowest-scoring Premier League teams collide. Prior to Gameweek 7 I conducted a striker analysis backing Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Morata as the standout short-term premium options. Within 48 hours they were both crocked. I subsequently pondered to myself whether I could utilise my newfound powers of evil to my advantage, passing on the curse to my mini-league rivals' teams and deal with my moral quandary after I'd claimed some green arrows. But then I realised that was silly. I don't have powers, other than the ability to provide inappropriate levity. I'm just a balding, overweight man with a keyboard and a desperate need for validation regarding my FPL picks. So this week it's normal service as ever. Any subsequent injuries to tips you read here are of course bad luck.....probably. First then, a look at this week's fixtures:   Gameweek 8 Fantasy Football Fixtures

It's over....it's finally over

Congratulations to all of us who endured the international break without resorting to taking up a new pastime, particularly those who sat through England's ponderous, abject football for the whole 180 minutes. We made it. However, it's not all good news. While FPL is back, and the next batch of internationals are a whole month away, the legacy of the last two weeks will likely bleed into Gameweek 8. A multitude of stars, particularly from South America, will return to England late ahead of Saturday fixtures, and the early Liverpool vs. Manchester United kick-off is of particular concern. Jet lag and travel notwithstanding, both teams are back in Champions League action on Tues 17 October (Liverpool) and Weds 18 (Man Utd), and rotation is an inexorable possibility. Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho are slight doubts. The duo are not expected at Liverpool training until Thursday morning and Jurgen Klopp will likely be forced into a last-minute decision regarding their fitness. Given the magnitude of this fixture, though, the safe bet is that both will start. Sadio Mane, however, is out for six weeks after collecting a hamstring injury playing for Senegal. Romelu Lukaku carried an ankle injury into Belgian's World Cup qualifiers and was rested against Bosnia-Herzegovina, but played and scored off the bench against Cyprus - he is expected to be fit for Anfield. Antonio Valencia is too. Jose Mourinho is reportedly monitoring Valencia's fitness, but the Ecuadorian was suspended for Tuesday's defeat to Argentina and, having not yet missed a minute of Premier League football this season, should start for Manchester Utd. Marouane Fellaini is expected to be out for three weeks minimum after sustaining ligament damage playing for Belgium. Meanwhile, owners of Nicolas Otamendi, Gabriel Jesus and Ederson may be spared pre-deadline sweating despite their late returns to England. Man City remain without Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany, meaning Otamendi and Jesus should start against Stoke, while Ederson is unlikely to be dropped for Claudio Bravo. It's always a slog monitoring players' fitness after the international break. Stay cool, avoid panic transfers and be sure to carefully read what managers say in their press conferences. Remember, it was inexplicably reported prior to GW7 that Phil Jones would miss Man Utd's game with Crystal Palace, yet Jones started and kept a clean sheet. In the pre-match press conference Mourinho actually said "I have the hope to see [Jones] training and to have a positive answer". The answer was indeed positive, but not for those who swapped Jones based on the erroneous reporting.

Case for the defence

Two fixtures are of marked interest in GW8, as four of the lowest-scoring teams collide, indicating a prospective pay day for defenders. Swansea (3 goals, second lowest) host Everton (4 goals, joint-third lowest), and Brighton (5 goals) host Huddersfield (5 goals, 2 in 6). Of foremost intrigue is Cuco Martina. Priced at just £4.3m, the right-back is the cheapest route into Everton's backline and represents a value option with the Toffees' average Fixture Difficulty Ranking just 2.6 over their next five games. Another enticing option is Matthew Ryan. Brighton's fixtures are turning for the better - their average FDR over five games is 2.2 - and Ryan, Brighton's third-highest points scorer, has made 11 saves in his last two games, collecting two bonus points in the 1-0 win against Newcastle. He's a busy man when Brighton play, but there is now greater short-term opportunity for clean sheets.

Will WBA's wheels come off the bus?

It's no secret that West Brom have some difficult fixtures approaching. But is this really cause to ditch the likes of Ben Foster and Ahmed Hegazi et al who've returned stellar points hauls from three clean sheets so far? Well, maybe. The Baggies' next three matches are against Leicester (A), Soton (A) and Man City (H) - tough, for sure, but don't bet against Tony Pulis orchestrating defensive heroics in these games. In fact, West Brom actually beat both Southampton and Leicester away last season (2-1 in both games), and with two weeks off the Welsh wizard (bit strong?) will have been scrupulously plotting how his side can triumph from the adversity of their upcoming run. However, there are better defensive options available with better fixtures: Stephen Ward, for example, or Jamaal Lascelles, or Harry Maguire. There's little value in losing points to oust your WBA player(s), but be sure as you possibly can be before transferring someone out from the side with arguably the best defensive manager in recent Premier League history. Follow Jack for more FPL insight...

More FPL Gameweek Tips

Wondering who to pick as as your Gameweek 8 Captain? @FPLHolly discusses the best options in her weekly GW8 Captain tips article. Guest contributor @DavidMunday815, provides three options that could make the difference for those trying to get ahead of the pack - GW8 Differentials. Follow Us for more #FPL tips, picks and expert opinion. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_6" layout="1_6" spacing="" center_content="no" hover_type="none" link="" mer_position="all" padding="" dimension_margin="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no" element_content=""][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]