As the next Fantasy Premier League (FPL) deadline approaches, we hear from our panel of guest writers. Here, five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman discusses his Gameweek 8 Wildcard team.
This week I’m going to discuss my Gameweek 8 Wildcard team.
There will likely be some adjustments before the deadline, but after reading this piece you should at least have a clear idea of the eligible players.
Firstly, after much deliberation, I’ve decided to use Bench Boost in Gameweek 10 instead of Gameweek 9. It means I can focus on some nice differential picks from Fulham and Sunderland, who host Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton respectively.
I also don’t have to worry about my Crystal Palace players against Arsenal in Gameweek 9, as they can simply be moved to the bench.
GOALKEEPS
Nick Pope (€5.1m) is my favorite goalkeeper, given Newcastle United’s defensive solidity.
The Magpies have conceded just five goals in seven games, giving them the second-best defensive record in the Premier League. They also rank second for expected goals conceded (xGC), having allowed just 4.89 expected goals conceded (xG) to opponents so far.
Moreover, Newcastle is at the top Fixture sticker until the end of the year:
The second ‘goalkeeper spot’ is much more difficult to determine.
Martin Dubravka (£4.0m) is the obvious cheap option and optimal from a structural perspective; However, he is about to face Arsenal in Gameweek 10, which is when I plan to play Bench Boost.
Bart Verbruggen (£4.4 million) and Giorgio Mamardashvili (£4.3m) are the other two names under consideration, but for now Dubravka is in my draft.
DEFENDERS
The defense consists of: Gabriel Magalhaes (£6.3 million), Joachim Andersen (£4.5 million), Chris Richards (£4.5 million), El Hadji Malick Diouf (£4.4 million) and Nordi Mukiele (£4.0 million).
I will avoid it next Mark Senesi (£5.0m) and Bournemouth’s defense for now, given the tricky nature of three of their next four games (cry/NFO/mci/avl).
Instead, Gabriel is given preference Jurriën Hout (£5.9 million), mainly for the added security of starting. I owned the Dutchman before the Wildcard, and I’m not dismissing him entirely; However, if I choose to pursue Timber, it will be alongside Gabriel rather than in his place.
Andersen, Richards and Mukiele all rank among the top 10 defensemen for defensive contribution points (DefCon):
Diouf has now been included because of his attacking threat.
If Nuno Espirito Santo does indeed switch to a three-back/wing-back system against Brentford on Monday, what reportedI expect his final third influence to grow even further.
Aside from Timber, that’s the only other defenseman who’s actually eligible right now Trevo Chalobah (£5.1 million).
MIDFIELDERS
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