Gameweek 8 – The Best Trades and Free Agents

The FPL Draft waiver deadline for Gameweek 8 is tomorrow morning, so here is our timely round up of who they top performers have been so far, and who we expect to perform in weeks to come.

GW8 Fixtures

Brighton v Spurs

Burnley v Everton

Liverpool v Leicester

Norwich v Aston Villa

Watford v Sheffield Utd

West Ham v Crystal Palace

Arsenal v Bournemouth

Man City v Wolves

Southampton v Chelsea

Newcastle v Man Utd

Waiver & Free Agent Targets:

Goalkeeper

Roberto

Last week it would seem we cursed Fabianski by highlighting him the week he gets injured. Reports suggest he’ll be out for a few months and miss the all of the busy Christmas period.

His replacement – Roberto – looked alright when he came on. Their fixtures are still enticing with CRY (H) / EVE (A) / SHU (H) / NEW (H) / BUR (A) their next 5. If you’re in a big league and you were relying on Fabianski, I’d probably go like-for-like and bring him in over the likes of Gunn/McGovern/Henderson who may also be free.

He is an experienced GK at 33 years old, and has played in the La Liga & Greek league. Racking up 117 appearances for Olympiacos and kept 59 clean sheets – essentially 1 in 2. The rest of the squad in front of him look stable, with Declan Rice doing an excellent job shielding the back 4.

If you have Fabianski or a worse Goalkeeper, why not pick up Roberto?

Defenders

Burnley Defenders

Just like last week, we’re saying to stick with Burnley Defence who have a good run of fixtures coming up (NOR/ AVI / EVE / LEI / CHE / SHU / WHU). Both full-backs also got an assist in the last game to keep the points flowing.

As an owner of Pieters I am concerned about the security of his starting spot given his poor defensive display, but he’s played every minute so far and got 3 assists so I reckon Dyche will stick with him for now.

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West Ham Defenders

These are definitely not as appealing now that Fabianski is out, but still have a great run of fixtures coming with CRY (H) / EVE (A) / SHU (H) / NEW (H) / BUR (A) – question mark for me is the West Ham left-back spot, Cresswell has come in and scored 2 in 2, but Masuaku is fit and waiting in the wings. For us Masuaku is the better player overall, but it’s hard to ignore a player in that goal-scoring form. Diop/Fredericks/Ogbona are the safer bets if you want a way in to that defence.

Kyle Walker-Peters

Aurier is now suspended for the next game, meaning Walker–Peters will almost certainly play away at BHA – nothing more than a short-term pick. We can see Aurier reclaiming the spot after the international break.

Tuanzebe

It’s first time we have taken real notice of him and he looked very assured at Left Back for united. He played on loan at Aston Villa last year and helped them on their path to promotion. Shaw is still injured so it’s currently only Young he is competing with and could easily see Oli Gunner Solskjaer giving him a run. Tuanzebe may be your only way into the Man Utd defence if you’re so inclined, who barring LIV in GW9 have a very nice run

Defensive Players to Avoid:

• Joel Ward (+CRY defence in general) – currently the 5^th best-scoring defender in FPL with 31 points – CRY have a bad run of fixtures coming up now WHU (A) / MCI (H) / ARS (A) / LEI (H) / CHE (A) / LIV (H)
• Continue to stay away from SHU / SOU defenders/GKs

Midfielders

Willian

Just like last week, but with more vigour! He played well against BHA & LIV before that and provides some much needed experience to the team, looking much more comfortable in the team than Pedro & Barkley. I was concerned his spot would be under pressure from Callum Hudson-Odoi , but it seems Mount will play in the midfield 3 and Willian + Hudson–Odoi can play either side of the striker. Currently undrafted in our 10-man league, with the likes of Pedro & Pulisic already in people’s squads – we can see him outscoring both of them.

Jorginho

A possible fifth midfielder spot, unlike last year he is playing well and attracting Bonus Points when he returns. Seems as though he will be the man on penalties and CHE have plenty of players that are capable of winning penalties.

He has 2 assists + 1 goal already, 28 points, nice steady 4 points/game… one to consider!

Gundogan

One to keep an eye on if the De Bruyne injury turns out to be something substantial, similar to all the other midfielders, the number 8 will get his share of rotation minutes anyway and with KDB out would see his share increase further. No attacking returns yet this season, but does find his way into the box with the Lampard-esque late run and has a big game and big run of form up his sleeve – definitely one to put on your watchlist!

Ndombele

Another possible fifth midfielder – will start when fit, gets into the box regularly, and has an eye for goal. With 2 goals + 1 assist already, scoring 24 points from 5 games, he is not a defensive midfielder and is another one that could tick along and do a job in your team.

Midfielders to avoid:

• McTominay – in the same bracket as Jack Grealish & Matteo Guendouzi whom we spoke about last week. Sporadic attacking returns and not worth a spot on your roster.
• Adama Traore – we still think he lacks quality on the final ball, 1A from 6 appearances, position in the side not assured, would avoid.

Forwards

Divock Origi

In the larger leagues, starting strikers can be hard to come by on the waiver wire, but we saw at the weekend that Klopp’s plan B is to bring on Origi and go 4-2-3-1. He is also next in line should any of the front 3 get injured so could be an astute third striker to pick up.

TRADE VALUES – looking to sell high & buy low

Players to consider selling high:

• Ceballos – try to sell the run of fixtures ARS have – no top 6 opponents until GW17 in December
• Mahrez – stock is soaring, but would you want him to get rid of him now? KDB possibly injured, minutes looking more and more assured (or as assured as they can be under Pep)
• McGinn – definitely one to sell high, another goal to push up his value

Players to consider buying low:

• Gylfi Sigurdsson
• Bernie Silva
• Gerard Deulofeu
• Wilfried Zaha
• Luka Milivojevic
• Diogo Jota
• Ryan Fraser

Mercenary Pick of the Week

Ilkay Gundogan – could have a big week at home to Wolves and KDB outoals in 6, home to a poor Wolves defence, seems to have locked down a starting spot, can see a big game from him.

Last week – D James (points 2)

Raheem Sterling Rising Stars

Mason Mount – already off to a great start, looks like he’s been playing in the PL for years and tasty fixtures coming up.

To see our Pod Picks in full, click here

For more insight on who to pick next week – head to the FPL Draft Hub Podcast, or follow our twitter @FplDraftHubPod