Gameweek 8
Gameweek 8 Preview: low-scoring trend and the fixtures that could shift the table
Set-pieces dominate early 2025/26; open-play goals are down. Preview and predictions for Gameweek 8.
“The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born: now is the time of monsters,” Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci once said.
Set-pieces have become increasingly influential early in 2025/26. Open-play goals are down, averaging 1.69 per game through seven gameweeks, the second-lowest rate in the competition’s history. As the second break of the campaign approaches, teams and managers will hope for a change in tone and a return to more fluid attacking football.
Nottingham Forest arrive at the City Ground under pressure after a 2–0 reverse at St. James’ Park two weeks ago. Idealist Ange Postecoglou opted for conservatism in a bid to secure a result, but his Nottingham Forest team instead limped to a 2–0 defeat. The Aussie coach is winless in his new role, and there is talk that defeat at the City Ground on Saturday could be the final straw, with Sean Dyche earmarked as a potential replacement. Chelsea, who struck late to beat the champions before the break, are inconsistent under Enzo Maresca and remain without talisman Cole Palmer.
Manchester City look dependent on Erling Haaland, whose early-season form gives them a chance to restore their position at the summit. Everton travel to the Etihad without the ineligible Jack Grealish. Brighton and Newcastle occupy similar mid-table positions; the Seagulls have won just once at home this term, while Newcastle have not always thrived away under Eddie Howe.
Bournemouth will turn to Antoine Semenyo against Crystal Palace, whose 18-game unbeaten run was ended by Everton two weeks ago thanks to Grealish’s late strike. Sunderland, whose momentum was halted by Manchester United before the break, face a Wolverhampton Wanderers side still seeking a first win.
Burnley have taken one point from their last five and host Daniel Farke’s Leeds United at Turf Moor. League leaders Arsenal travel to Craven Cottage, where Fulham have troubled them in recent meetings but Mikel Arteta’s side appear to have more options this term.
Predictions
12.30 p.m. BST Nottingham Forest vs. Chelsea 0–2
3 p.m. BST Brighton vs. Newcastle 2–1
3 p.m. BST Burnley vs. Leeds 1–1
3 p.m. BST Crystal Palace vs. Bournemouth 1–2
3 p.m. BST Man City vs. Everton 2–1
3 p.m. BST Sunderland vs. Wolves 0–1
5.30 p.m. BST Fulham vs. Arsenal 0–2
Sunday
2 p.m. BST Tottenham vs. Aston Villa 3–1
4.30 p.m. BST Liverpool vs. Man Utd 2–1
Monday
8 p.m. BST West Ham vs. Brentford (fixture preview, no prediction provided)
Crystal Palace
Gameweek 8: Seven Standout Performers in the Premier League
Seven standout performers from Premier League Gameweek 8, from Igor Thiago to Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The Premier League returned from the October international break with a weekend of decisive results and notable individual displays. Big wins at the top of the table and upheaval at the bottom produced the performances below.
Igor Thiago (Brentford) delivered a defining showing at the London Stadium. He struck the bar early, then “found the back of the net with a scrappy effort” and later saw a dinked attempt ruled narrowly offside. Thiago registered six shots, one fewer than the entire West Ham side across 90 minutes.
Eli Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth) starred in a 3–3 draw at Selhurst Park. The 19-year-old had two shots, both on target and both goals: an early close-range header and an emphatic volley just before the interval. It was his first Premier League start since his £12 million ($16.1 million) move from Lorient on Deadline Day, taking his tally to three goals in 96 minutes of Premier League action.
Chelsea’s right-sided duo combined to sweep aside Nottingham Forest in a 3–0 opener. “Both players left the game with a goal and an assist to their names.” Neto set up Josh Acheampong’s header and then scored from a quick free kick after a set-up by James, while the Blues captain finished the scoring with a late thumping effort.
Nordi Mukiele (Sunderland) scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. The 27-year-old right back led the match with 15 successful duels, winning 10 aerially and five on the ground, a display that helped preserve Sunderland’s run of form under Régis Le Bris.
Danny Welbeck (Brighton & Hove Albion) showed composure to chip over Nick Pope and later produced a late effort to seal a 2–1 win at Newcastle United. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) continued his scoring surge with goals 16 and 17 of the season against Everton, despite recording a match-low 29 touches.
Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) capped the weekend with a hat-trick. His hold-up play created a tap-in shortly after the hour, he equalised five minutes later, and he converted a stoppage-time penalty after Ryan Christie’s 89th-minute strike had appeared to settle the match for Bournemouth.
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).
