As we approach Fantasy Football Matchweek 8 of the Premier League, scheduled from Saturday, October 18, to Monday, October 20, it’s essential for FPL managers to strategise effectively to maximise their points.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to assist you in making informed decisions for your squad as we settle back into the football season.
Fantasy Football Matchweek 8 Fixtures
The Fantasy Football deadline for Gameweek 8 is Saturday, October 18, 11:00 BST.
Saturday, October 18
- Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea (12:30 BST)
- Brighton & Hove Albion vs Newcastle United (15:00 BST)
- Burnley vs Leeds (15:00 BST)
- Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth (15:00 BST)
- Manchester City vs Everton (15:00 BST)
- Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (15:00 BST)
- Fulham vs Arsenal (17:30 BST)
Sunday, October 19
- Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa (14:00 BST)
- Liverpool vs Manchester United (16:30 BST)
Monday, October 20
- West Ham United vs Brentford (20:00 BST)
Injury and Suspension Updates to Note
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins pulled out of the England squad for Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier win against Latvia after he collided with the post in last week’s 3-0 win against Wales.
Chelsea had multiple injury scares before and during the international break. Enzo Fernandez, Reece James, Moises Caicedo, Benoit Badiashile, Josh Acheampong, Joao Pedro and Tosin Adarabioyo are all expected to be fit in time for Chelsea’s trip to the City Ground.
Meanwhile, Andrey Santos and Cole Palmer are unlikely to be back until at least late October and November, respectively.
As for Man City, Rodri will reportedly be fit for Everton this weekend, while Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Rayan Ait-Nouri will be out for a bit longer.
Arsenal expect Martin Odegaard to miss another six weeks with the knee injury he sustained before the international break.
Must-Have FPL Picks
Chelsea kick off Gameweek 8, and Estevao Willian (£6.5m), who scored the match-winner against Liverpool, may yet continue his strong form against a struggling Nottingham Forest. His teammate Marc Cucurella (£6.1m) may be a good addition to your FPL defence, especially considering the nature of Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Erling Haaland (£14.5m) has been breaking records in recent games. The striker became the fastest player to reach 50 UCL goals before the international break, and reached a similar milestone for Norway against Israel just days ago. Surely he is a must-have FPL pick this weekend against Everton, no?
Bournemouth travel to Selhurst Park. Need I say anything more than Antoine Semenyo (£7.9m)?
Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze (£7.6m) has been in good form for both club and country and should be a positive addition to Fantasy Football teams as the Gunners take on Fulham.
If Sunderland’s Omar Alderete (£4.1m) is fit enough to start against Wolves, the defender will be of value to any FPL manager.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea: Three Key Factors to Consider, Predicted Lineups, Injuries
FPL Captaincy Picks
- Estevao (Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea)
- Erling Haaland (Man City vs Everton)
- Antoine Semenyo (Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth)
Strategic Considerations
Monitor Press Conferences: Last-minute injury updates and team news can significantly impact your decisions. Stay informed to make timely transfers.
By staying updated on the latest news and being strategic with your Fantasy Football transfers and captaincy choices, you can navigate the challenges of Matchweek 8 and boost your FPL performance.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
Recording Date: 02.10.2025