The captaincy race for FPL Gameweek 8 is wide open
Erling Haaland was a doubt after limping off against Ipswich Town on Saturday and was an unused substitute in Manchester City‘s Champions League win over AEK Athens.
So who are the best picks according to Fantasy Football Hub’s AI Predictions?
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3. Erling Haaland (Man City)
- GW8 fixture: Aston Villa (A)
- Predicted points: 5.3
Erling Haaland sustained an ankle injury in the 3-2 win over Ipswich. But he played the full 90 minutes in Gameweek 7 after Enzo Maresca used all of his substitutions early, then limped down to the tunnel. The Norwegian claimed to be “okay” and was on the bench in midweek.
He produced a brace on Saturday to make it eight goals in seven league games this season and just the one blank. He continues to lead the way for shots (27), shots on target (13) and Expected Goals (5.68) over the opening gameweeks of the season.
Haaland has scored in every away game so far this season, while opponents Aston Villa are yet to get a win or keep a clean sheet at home, conceding five goals in three games. Haaland has just one goal from four trips to Villa Park, with his fitness the biggest barrier to fantasy returns.
2. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
- GW8 fixture: Everton (H)
- Predicted points: 5.7
Arsenal are one of the big favourites of the weekend when they take on Everton at home. The Gunners boast a flawless record at the Emirates this season, with three wins from three. They’ve scored seven goals across those fixtures, conceding just two.
One of Bukayo Saka’s three goals in this campaign has come at home, against Coventry City back in Gameweek 1. He has the routes to points given his involvement in the Gunners set-pieces, including corners from one side and being their first choice penalty-taker.
His underlying numbers are impressive, with 17 shots on goal, including seven big chances, ranking second among midfielders in the game for this metric. He’s also created 10 chances, although he is still waiting for his first assist of the campaign.
1. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
- GW8 fixture: Tottenham (H)
- Predicted points: 5.9
There’s plenty of interest in Chelsea assets ahead of a home game against Tottenham Hotspur. And Cole Palmer leads the AI rankings as the best captain pick for Gameweek 8, with 5.9 predicted points. It’s his routes to points that puts him ahead of teammate Joao Pedro.
Penalty potential is key here, but Palmer’s underlying numbers are equally impressive, with 23 shots on goal, ranking him second among midfielders. He’s created six big chances, which has translated to six assists in this campaign.
He has produced a goal involvement in every home game so far this season, averaging almost seven points per game at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have scored 11 goals across those three home fixtures, while opponents Tottenham have conceded four in three on the road.