Unlocking Fantasy Premier League Success: Top Tips and Insights for Gameweek 8 in 2023/24

We are excited to be back with our weekly Fantasy Premier League column, where we provide you with crucial tips from top managers worldwide. Joining us today, FPL experts Sam and Lee from FPL Family will be addressing the most pressing questions leading up to Saturday's 11am deadline for Gameweek 8.

Man United continue to struggle - is it finally time to sell Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford?

Sam: The current performance of Bruno Fernandes (£8.4m) and Marcus Rashford (£8.8m) does not justify their price points in terms of FPL points gained.

At the moment, players such as Son Heung-min (£9.4m) and Mo Salah (£12.6m) are highly coveted by FPL managers, so it appears sensible to sell the United duo in order to acquire these more desirable assets.

If managers want to stay invested in Man United,

Pervis Estupinan and Sven Botman have been injured this week, who are the best replacements?

I would recommend considering is Rasmus Hojlund (£7.1m). He occupies a forward slot rather than the all-important midfield positions, making him a viable option as he is significantly cheaper.

Pervis Estupinan and Sven Botman have been injured this week, who are the best replacements?

Sam: If managers don't own a Tottenham defender, I would suggest looking there first. One of the best buys is Pedro Porro (£5.1m) due to his attacking threat. However, if he is too expensive, alternative options such as Destiny Udogie (£4.8m) or even the more budget-friendly choice of Micky van de Ven (£4.5m) are also great choices. Apart from the Spurs options, Dan Burn (£4.6m) and Matty Cash (£4.9m) appear to be must-haves. For those looking to save budget, Charlie Taylor (£3.9m) provides exceptional value and allows for extra investment in the forward and midfielder positions.

Is Bukayo Saka worth holding, even if he is ruled out for the weekend?

Sam: If managers are considering playing their wildcard during the international break, it may be worth considering selling and then reacquiring Bukayo Saka (£8.5m) before Gameweek 9. However, this strategy comes with risks as Saka has shown his importance this season, delivering strong performances in significant matches like the North London Derby. It is wise to wait for updates on Saka's condition, and if you do decide to sell, ensure that you have a plan in place to bring the Arsenal midfielder back into your team. Personally, I would advise holding onto him unless Mike Arteta indicates a long-term injury.

Who are the differentials for each position that you have an eye on?

Lee: Over the past few weeks, Pedro Porro has truly grabbed my attention. He possesses the potential to score points at both ends of the pitch and presents a differential option, with ownership below 10 percent. For managers seeking a replacement for the injured Pervis Estupinan (£5.1m), Porro could be an excellent choice.

With Diego Jota suspended and Cody Gakpo potentially sidelined due to a knee injury, Luis Diaz is likely to be the starting player against Brighton. Aston Villa's pace from behind proved to be problematic for Brighton in GW7, so Diaz could capitalize on this in a similar manner.

Bournemouth, who have yet to secure a win this season, desperately need three points. Their match against Everton this GW could have significant implications for the bottom of the table. It is expected that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will help Everton get their season back on track by taking advantage of Bournemouth's vulnerable defense, which has been conceding a high number of expected goals so far this season.

For those who are planning on wildcarding this week - would you include Erling Haaland or not?

Lee: Disregarding him would be a mistake. With his significant stake of 90.7% in FPL, omitting him would lead to a considerable drop in ranking, especially when considering his exceptional performance this season. Having already scored eight goals and maintaining an xG of 1.14 per 90 minutes, he stands as one of the Premier League's top players.

Who are the best captaincy options? Is this a good week to move off Haaland?

Lee: Determining the outcome of the Arsenal v City match is challenging; however, it is crucial to focus on games where predictions can be made with more certainty in FPL. In this regard, I would place my bets on Spurs defeating Luton this weekend, making both James Maddison (£7.7m) and Son excellent choices for captaincy. Additionally, Salah facing the vulnerable Brighton defense, which just conceded six goals to Aston Villa and lacks Estupinan, makes him a formidable option as well.

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