FPL
Gameweek 8 FPL guide: top picks after the international break
Best FPL picks for Gameweek 8: goalkeepers, defenders and attackers to target after the break update
The October international break gave Fantasy Premier League managers time to reassess ahead of Gameweek 8. Several fixtures shape clear options across positions while other choices require caution.
Goalkeepers to consider include Gianluigi Donnarumma (£5.7m), who is fixture-proof for Manchester City against Everton (H). David Raya (£5.7m) remains a set-and-forget option given Arsenal’s defensive form, despite Fulham (A) posing a challenge; the Gunners have conceded just three goals in all competitions this term. With Alisson injured for the next few weeks, Giorgi Mamardashvili (£4.3m) could be a steal as Liverpool’s starting goalkeeper, especially with the club seeking to halt a three-game losing run ahead of Manchester United (A).
Defensive investments start again with Arsenal. Gabriel (£6.3m) was rested during Brazil’s second friendly and should be ready for Fulham; he has scored 33 points across the last four games and pairs well with William Saliba (£6.0m) and Jurriën Timber (£5.9m). Joško Gvardiol (£5.9m) delivered 12 points at Brentford in Gameweek 7 and is an attacking set-piece threat for Man City against Everton. Budget defenders include Sunderland’s Omar Alderete (£4.1m), a near-guaranteed starter despite a slight injury concern after a 17-point haul at Nottingham Forest in Gameweek 6, and Burnley’s Quilindschy Hartman (£4.0m), who has managed assists in back-to-back games ahead of Leeds United (H).
In midfield and attack, Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze (£7.6m) is certain to start with Martin Ødegaard injured and arrives in form after scoring for England against Latvia. Tottenham’s Mohammed Kudus (£6.8m) produced 12 points at Leeds United after scoring his first Spurs goal in Gameweek 7 and supplying an assist; Aston Villa (H) follows. Jérémy Doku (£6.6m) has been good value when starting, producing 20 points in recent home matches and providing one assist during the international break.
Cody Gakpo (£7.5m) offers a cost-effective route into Liverpool’s attack against a leaky Man Utd defence, having scored four goals in his last three games for club and country and netting three in three at Anfield versus United. Burnley’s Jaidon Anthony (£5.7m) is the fourth-highest scoring midfielder in FPL and could extend his five goal contributions if fit. Up front, Erling Haaland (£14.5m) is essential after 21 goals for club and country this season; his only non-scoring fixture was the home clash with Spurs in Gameweek 2. João Pedro (£7.7m) should benefit from Nottingham Forest’s defensive struggles under Ange Postecoglou, while Jarrod Bowen (£7.7m) remains a reliable source of goals now classed as a forward and recently scored in a 3- goal display against Brentford (H).
Arsenal
2025/26 FPL: Gameweek 9 player picks and the Oct. 24 deadline
FPL Gameweek 9 picks: goalkeepers, defenders and forwards to consider for the Oct. 24 deadline. BST.
Gameweek 9 offers few standout heavyweight clashes, which can make it an ideal week for FPL managers hunting steady returns. Below are considered selections drawn from the current form and fixtures ahead of the Oct. 24 deadline.
Goalkeepers: David Raya (£5.7m) is highlighted for clean sheet potential after conceding just three times in all competitions this season and is described as a set-and-forget option. Nick Pope (£5.2m) sits as FPL’s second-highest scoring goalkeeper through the opening eight rounds and has kept three clean sheets in his last four matches in all competitions, with Newcastle hosting Fulham on Saturday. Robert Sánchez (£4.9m) is the cheaper alternative; he will be aiming for a shutout at home to Sunderland, who have scored in only one of their four away games.
Defenders: Marc Cucurella (£6.1m) offers attacking and defensive upside, having delivered 15 points across his past two matches and creating 11 chances for Chelsea this term. Gabriel (£6.4m) is the leading defensive candidate, having provided more points than any other defender this term and 45 in his last five Premier League matches. Marcos Senesi (£5.0m) is the obvious Bournemouth route into defence at home to Nottingham Forest, with 48 points this term. Dan Burn (£5.1m), Kieran Trippier (£5.0m) and Joe Rodon (£4.1m) are also noted as solid defensive choices.
Midfield and attack: Antoine Semenyo (£8.1m) has outscored other midfielders by 24 points and is a must-have at home to Forest, having produced five-plus points in all his home games. Declan Rice (£6.6m) could benefit from Arsenal’s set-piece threat at home to Palace. Bukayo Saka (£10.0m) remains a reliable long-term option despite fitness setbacks.
Forwards: Erling Haaland (£14.7m) remains a must-have after 11 goals in eight league games and is primed to score as Manchester City visit Aston Villa. Cody Gakpo (£7.5m) has scored in his past five matches for club and country and faces Brentford. Igor Thiago (£6.1m) is a budget gamble after five league goals in eight matches.
Reminder: The Gameweek 9 deadline is 6:30 p.m. BST (1:30 p.m. ET, 10:30 a.m. PT) on Oct. 24.
Arsenal
Gameweek 7 FPL guide: key picks before the international break
Essential Fantasy Premier League picks for Gameweek 7: goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, forwards
The upcoming international break gives Fantasy Premier League managers a pause, but Gameweek 7 demands decisions before the deadline. Friday night’s Bournemouth v Fulham fixture shortens planning time ahead of five notable Sunday matchups.
Goalkeeper choices centre on David Raya (£5.6m) and Nick Pope (£5.0m). Raya looks most likely to keep a clean sheet after Arsenal secured their sixth shutout of the season at Olympiacos midweek and the Spaniard made several superb stops. Arsenal host struggling West Ham United on Saturday, increasing Raya’s appeal. Pope endured a mixed afternoon against Arsenal last weekend but should have an easier ride at home to Nottingham Forest on Sunday. The Tricky Trees have also been in European action midweek and have made an underwhelming start to life under Ange Postecoglou, scoring just once in three league outings since the Australian took over.
Defenders to consider include Arsenal’s Gabriel (£6.2m) and Jurriën Timber (£5.8m), plus Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi (£4.9m) and Aston Villa’s Matty Cash (£4.6m). Gabriel is the obvious pick after last weekend’s late winner at Newcastle but was substituted with an injury against Olympiacos and is a slight doubt. Timber has amassed 37 points this season, one fewer than Gabriel, is a strong attacking threat and is guaranteed to start despite no defensive contribution points so far. Senesi has been a revelation, scoring seven points or more in four of his six outings for Bournemouth, with a home game against Fulham on Friday offering further upside. Cash offers attacking promise and defensive solidity for Villa and has already scored this season.
Midfield recommendations include Bukayo Saka (£9.8m), Eberechi Eze (£7.5m), Gabriel Martinelli (£6.9m), Antoine Semenyo (£7.8m) and Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m). Saka scored midweek and could be an excellent differential given low ownership. Eze and Martinelli are cheaper options in form but lack guaranteed minutes. Semenyo is the highest scoring midfielder with 48 points and only one blank in six weeks and should benefit against Fulham. Despite a missed penalty and yellow card at Brentford, Fernandes remains an excellent choice for Manchester United’s home clash with Sunderland and “should still be on penalties despite two misses this term.”
Attacking picks include Ismaïla Sarr (£6.4m), Anthony Gordon (£7.4m), Jérémy Doku (£6.6m), Erling Haaland (£14.4m), Viktor Gyökeres (£9.0m) and Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.5m). Sarr returned from injury, scored against Liverpool and faces Everton. Gordon could punish Forest following his midweek brace. Doku has managed 23 points across his last three games and is City’s best value for the trip to Brentford. Haaland remains a must-have after a Champions League brace at Monaco and eight Premier League goals, making him an easy captain choice. Gyökeres has both his goals at the Emirates this term and looked lively against Olympiacos. Mateta was unfortunate not to score against Liverpool and could trouble an Everton defence that has kept only one clean sheet in their last four league games.
Chelsea
2025-26 FPL: Best XI and Captain Choice for Gameweek 4
Best FPL XI for Gameweek 4, captain pick, budget enablers and bench options before Saturday 11am BST
The international break has given Fantasy Premier League managers a pause before Gameweek 4. With several enticing fixtures this weekend, selecting a balanced eleven alongside a reliable captain is the priority.
In goal, Robert Sánchez (£5.0m) is among the top-scoring keepers after three rounds. The Chelsea goalkeeper has two clean sheets and 17 points, and he has earned added save points in two of his three fixtures. Chelsea visit a Brentford side described as goal-shy, making Sánchez a strong pick. Martin Dúbravka (£4.0m) remains a sensible low-cost second keeper with a secure starting spot at Burnley.
We recommend starting three defenders. Virgil van Dijk (£6.0m) has collected defensive contribution points across wins over Bournemouth and Newcastle United and posted an eight-point return at home to Arsenal. Liverpool travel to Burnley on Sunday and another clean sheet is plausible. Crystal Palace wing back Daniel Muñoz (£5.5m) offers both defensive and attacking upside; he has 19 points from three games, including an assist and a nine-point haul at Aston Villa, and Palace host Sunderland. Pedro Porro (£5.6m) has featured in Tottenham’s organised defence — Spurs have conceded once in three matches and visit West Ham United, where Porro could target a clean sheet and an attacking return.
Fulham’s Joachim Andersen (£4.5m) and Leeds United’s Gabriel Gudmundsson (£4.0m) are useful bench options.
Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) has a goal and an assist from three matches and is the captain recommendation as Liverpool face a Burnley defence that has conceded six goals so far. Cody Gakpo (£7.7m) has provided a goal and two assists and is a strong partner in attack.
Antoine Semenyo (£7.4m) and Jack Grealish (£6.7m) have been standout performers and both have home matches this weekend. Fulham’s Josh King (£4.5m) is a budget enabler after an offside/VAR intervention denied a goal at Chelsea.
João Pedro (£7.7m) leads the forwards with two goals and two assists (26 points). Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.5m) is Palace’s route into attack after opening his account at Villa Park; an injury to Ismaïla Sarr increases his responsibility. Viktor Gyökeres (£9.0m) could be appealing when Arsenal host Nottingham Forest; Forest have changed manager and the incoming Ange Postecoglou will need time to implement his approach, which may affect Forest defensively in the short term.
The deadline for Gameweek 4 is Saturday, 13 September at 11 a.m. BST (6 a.m. ET, 3 a.m. PT) ahead of Arsenal’s lunchtime fixture with Nottingham Forest.
