FPL Challenge Best Picks and Team Reveal – Gameweek 8
For this week’s fantasy twist, we’re diving into FPL Challenge Best Picks and Team Reveal – Gameweek 8. The challenge format adds a fresh layer of strategy, and finding the right players can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll highlight the best options for the round, explain the thinking behind the choices, and share a complete team reveal to help you prepare with confidence.
What is the Challenge for Gameweek 8?
Top Picks
Goalkeepers
Check out which players are a buy, sell and keep for FPL Gameweek 8!
Clean sheet potential should be the priority when selecting a goalkeeper this week. One player who has exactly that is Arsenal’ David Raya for his away match against Fulham. The Gooners head into the game with the second most clean sheets this season.
Another great option with solid clean sheet potential in the upcoming round is Martin Dubravka. Burnley have managed just one clean sheet this season, and it came against fellow newly promoted side Sunderland. This week they face another former Championship side in Leeds, so we could see them double their total.
Manchester City’ Gianluigi Donnarumma v Everton and Crystal Palace’ Dean Henderson up against Bournemouth could also be very good options.
Defenders
Arsenal’ fixture isn’t just a good opening for a clean sheet, their defenders also have very good goal threat, which is something we should focus on in relation to the Challenge. Picking between Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori may be a tougher decision than it looks. Whilst the Gabriel did recently score in one of his matches, Calafiori has had more attempts on goal than any other defender in the league this season.
Crystal Palace have a home match with Bournemouth in Gameweek 8. It won’t be easy for the Eagles, but they have been fantastic overall this season. The best of the bunch in defence could be wing-back Daniel Munoz, who ranks among the top four defenders to non-penalty expected goal involvement so far this season.
Nottingham Forest have failed to score in their previous two league matches on the bounce, which shows they have struggled to score goals. One player who could both benefit from that via a clean sheet is Marc Cucurella. The Spaniard is yet to score this season but has already registered two assists.
Other good options include Manchester City’ Josko Gvardiol v Everton, Newcastle’ Dan Burn up against Brighton, and West Ham’ El Hadji Diouf versus Brentford could all be good alternatives.
What does chance involvement mean and which players have been the best at it so far this season? We looked at that here!
Midfielders
No midfielder has managed more big chances than Antoine Semenyo this season. The Ghanian has racked up an impressive six goals and three assists in his first seven matches. Whilst a game against Crystal Palace won’t be easy, Semenyo is in exceptional form.
Fulham have managed just one clean sheet this campaign, which highlights how poor they have been from a defensive perspective. One player who could take advantage of their ropey backline is Bukayo Saka. Saka heads into the match after scoring a penalty in Gameweek 7.
Manchester United rank among the worst three sides for total big chances so far, so targeting them could prove beneficial. Mohamed Salah‘ overall appeal has diminished recently due to his output, but we could see him recapture his past form against a team he statistically enjoys playing against.
There are plenty of great options in midfield for Gameweek 8, including Chelsea penalty taker Enzo Fernandez v Nottingham Forest, Burnley’ Jaidon Anthony up against Leeds, Crystal Palace’ Ismaila Sarr v Bournemouth, and Tottenham’ in-form Mohammed Kudus up against Aston Villa.
Forwards
It’s difficult to look past Erling Haaland this week. The Norwegian has produced a huge nine goals and one assist during his early league matches, and he tops every other player in the game for total big chances. This week he faces off against Everton, which could see him continue his excellent run.
Nottingham Forest are one of several sides yet to keep a clean sheet this campaign. They have also conceded more big chances than any other side in the league so far. With that in mind, Chelsea’ Joao Pedro has a good chance to be among any goals.
Crystal Palace penalty taker Jean-Philippe Mateta up against Bournemouth, Wolves penalty taker Strand Larsen v Sunderland, Arsenal’ Victor Gyokeres versus Fulham and West Ham’ Jarrod Bowen up against Brentford could also have huge potential in the round ahead.
Check out the teams and players who lead the XG tables, giving you even more information to make your decisions!
Team Reveal
- I think this is where I’ll end up when the deadline comes.
- Goalkeeper I wasn’t sure on this week, but I do think Burnley have a good chance of keeping a clean sheet.
- Clean sheet and goal threat makes me think Gabriel is the best Arsenal option this week.
- I have also stuck with the in-form Semenyo, whilst also adding Salah who loves to play against Man United.
- Joao Pedro joins Erling Haaland up top, the latter is the standout captaincy pick this week.
- I am also considering Bowen, so it’s either him or Salah.
Gameweek 7 Review
- Last week I ended up on 70 points, which was a round rank of 4.5k. It also meant a green arrow globally overall to 700th.
- It was all about clean sheets last week. Gabriel was a successful captain, whilst Trippier also returned.
- Picking Semenyo was massive in the end, Haaland also chipped in.
- Good luck this week!
