FPL Holly is back this week with her selection of captain picks for Gameweek 8. Fantasy managers face some tough decisions, as usual captain favourites Mo Salah and Sergio Aguero face off at Anfield on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Clueless Husband opts for a defender once again. Gameweek 7 was a great week for the captaincy, with safe bet Aguero delivering once more and Harry Kane finally finding some form. Sterling and Trippier also managed double digit scores for our overall returns. This time around, the shield pick and the go to option, could be a relative captain differential given his ownership. There are plenty of midweek fixtures to navigate before Gameweek 8, with 4 Champions League fixtures, 2 Europa League fixtures and a solitary EFL Cup game. As always, keep an eye on minutes and returns in those game before locking in your captain chip. In addition, remember that the Gameweek 8 deadline is Friday evening: don't miss it!

Shield Pick: Harry Kane vs Cardiff (H)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 2/5

GW8 over the years has been known for individual goal fests, including Aguero's lunchtime four (with missed pen) in 2014 or fiver against Newcastle in 2015. Could Kane join the illustrious GW8 club?#FPL pic.twitter.com/8jzLhpJOFT

— #FPL Manager 🇨🇽⚽ (@FPLHints) September 30, 2018

With ownership levels currently under 30%, the Shield Pick for this week is a break from convention. Many managers don't own the England captain, but most of those that do will be giving him the armband this week and it's obvious why. His form is vastly improved, with 3 goals in the last 2 games and he faces a Cardiff side who are struggling to adapt to the Premier League: conceding 16 goals already. His home form isn't as strong as his away form and two penalty conversions have kept his consistent returns afloat this season, but it will take a brave manager to go into this one without him. Are you playing safe with the shield pick?

Sword Pick: Mohammed Salah vs Manchester City (H)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 11/10

💯% returns for the Salah/Aguero home captain rotation over the opening 7 Gameweek's. Need some guts to stick with it into Gameweek 8... 🔘 Scored a goal in every home game this season 🔘 2 goals & 2 assists in home games against City last season#FPL pic.twitter.com/7hjWtd6xIF

— Fantasy Football Community (@FFCommunity_) September 30, 2018

The fixture may be tough on paper, but Salah could provide a viable alternative for those without Kane in Gameweek 8. He's scored in every home game this season and has an excellent record against Manchester City at Anfield: he got a goal and an assist in their Premier League and Champions League matchups last season. He's a big name player and should make up the top 3 most captained once more. Will you take a risk with the sword pick?

Form Pick: Eden Hazard vs Southampton (A)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 6/5

Eden Hazard's shots on target in the Premier League this season: ❌⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️❌⚽️❌ For more player stats -- https://t.co/uLO9OOFaEr pic.twitter.com/95FwXjNXQY

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) October 1, 2018

There's no denying Hazard's form right now: he's the leading goalscorer in the Premier League with 6 goals and 2 assists. In fact, he has only blanked once all season, but ominously that was in his last away game. Penalties could further boost his output and the Southampton defence have looked far from secure of late, conceding 2+ goals in their last 3 games. Hazard could provide the safest alternative for non-Kane owners in Gameweek 8. He's scored in this fixture in the past two seasons, will you select the form pick this time around?

Fixture Pick: Jamie Vardy vs Everton (H)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 5/4

Leicester's upcoming fixtures are a dream 😱 Is it Vardy time? pic.twitter.com/Pf68QCYBeu

— FPL Judas (@FPLJudas) September 30, 2018

Outside of the top teams, Jamie Vardy could provide a great option this week. The fixture looks strong, facing an Everton side who have just one clean sheet this season, conceding 2 goals in each of their away games. He's hitting form, with goals in back to back games, including penalties adding to his figures. Are you going with the fixture pick?

Punt Pick: Alexandre Lacazette vs Fulham (A)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds:

Forwards ranked by form Lacazette being criminally overlooked - can he now be considered a premium? Jimenez returned in last 3, offers excellent value Mitrovic not in sight pic.twitter.com/AZ8d7LfTW1

— Adam Hopcroft (@ahopcroft13) September 30, 2018

Lacazette has a tasty fixture this week, facing a Fulham side who have yet to keep a shut out this season. They've conceded 16 goals so far this season and Lacazette is the form Arsenal man to exploit this defence even further. He looks to be a safe starter in the Arsenal lineup now, having returned in each of their last four Premier League games. Will you take a punt on him?

Park the Bus Pick: Kieran Trippier vs Cardiff (H)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 24/5 Clean Sheet Odds: 3/4

7 - Since the start of last season, no player has provided more Premier League assists for another player than Kieran Trippier has for Harry Kane (7). Synergy. pic.twitter.com/zJvaFOe4s9

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 29, 2018

It's another week for Kieran Trippier as a captain option, with 3 double digit returns to date. His starting berth is less than secure, as Poch likes to rotate his full backs around Champions League fixtures. Another clean sheet looks promising though, given Cardiff has scored just 4 goals this season. Attacking returns are always in the pipeline, with Trippier heavily involved in set pieces for Spurs. Are you brave enough to captain a defender?

Clueless Husband Pick: Harry Maguire vs Everton (H)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 13/2 Clean Sheet Odds: 21/10

SCOUT: With 18 points in GW7, Maguire has the best single GW score from a defender this season Next five matches: EVE (h), ARS (a), WHU (h), CAR (a), BUR (h) pic.twitter.com/8PRDRRdJzv

— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) September 30, 2018

After last week's 18 point haul, the Clueless Husband is selecting yet another defender this week. Maguire is a former Hull City favourite, and has had an excellent season so far: he already has 2 goals, 1 assist and 2 clean sheets. Everton may well struggle to deal with Slabhead on set pieces this weekend and they failed to score in their last away game. Will you side with my Clueless Husband? Until Next Week… Good Luck! Holly and her Clueless Husband Follow fplbet for weekly fantasy features... Follow @fplbet[/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]