Elevens Gameweek 8: captain picks and best buys

Elevens Premier League Gameweek 8 preview: best buys, captain picks and differentials

Elevens Premier League Gameweek 8 runs from Friday 23 October to Sunday 25 October, and the transfer you make this week should be judged on Gameweeks 8, 9 and 10 together. Three things shape it. Bruno Fernandes has the biggest projection of anyone in the game this week, and Manchester United's trip to Chelsea follows it, so this is the week to own him rather than next. Erling Haaland's best week is Gameweek 9, at home to Brighton, which makes now the time to bring him in. And the most-owned players in the game are Tottenham's, whose run starts at Stamford Bridge. Below are the programs, the picks for each position, the captaincy order and the sells, all from the model's current projections on the Elevens player picks page.

Gameweek 8 programs: whose next three gameweeks are worth owning

Arsenal's [H]EVE → [A]LIV → [H]HUL is the best three-gameweek run in the game. It has the most expected goals (6.22) and by far the most expected clean sheets (1.44). The Everton home game is also the strongest single fixture of the round: a 68% win probability, 2.09 expected goals and a 49% clean sheet chance. The trip to Anfield in Gameweek 9 is the week to plan around rather than avoid, because the two home games either side of it carry the program.

Manchester City ([A]AVL → [H]BHA → [A]NFO, 5.95 expected goals) are second, and their peak is the middle week. Manchester United ([H]BOU → [A]CHE → [H]AVL, 5.45) and Chelsea ([H]TOT → [H]MUN → [A]SUN, 5.38) come next. Chelsea's two home games come first, and United's Chelsea trip sits between two home games. Brentford ([A]HUL → [H]NFO → [A]BHA) are the quiet one: 4.81 expected goals and 0.83 expected clean sheets, with a 55% win probability at Hull this week.

All 20 teams play once in each of Gameweeks 8, 9 and 10, so the totals compare like with like. Bournemouth's numbers are a warning against judging on one week. They have a 24% win probability at Old Trafford, but [H]LEE → [A]IPS behind it lifts them to seventh over the window. At the bottom, Hull ([H]BRE → [H]IPS → [A]ARS, 2.80 expected goals), Coventry ([H]FUL → [H]SUN → [A]EVE, 3.53) and Everton ([A]ARS → [A]NEW → [H]COV, 3.68) have the weakest attacking programs. Coventry's back line and Everton's late turn are different stories, covered below. Kick-off days are on the Elevens schedule, and the bookmaker view behind these numbers is on the Elevens market probabilities page.

Best goalkeepers for Gameweek 8

Caoimhin Kelleher (BRE) has the highest three-gameweek total of any keeper (135.2), on [A]HUL → [H]NFO → [A]BHA, with a 34% clean sheet chance at Hull this week. His trajectory eases gently (46.5 → 45.3 → 43.4), but no keeper projects more this week. He is owned by 5.2% of managers.

Zion Suzuki (AVL) is the long hold. [H]MCI → [H]FUL → [A]MUN looks awkward on paper, but the model has him at 43.9 → 46.9 → 44.2 (135.0). He keeps projecting 47.1 and 46.8 in Gameweeks 11 and 12, which gives him the best six-gameweek weighted score of any goalkeeper (164.1). Aston Villa's clean sheet chance against City is only 14%, so his projection does not rest on clean sheets. Robin Roefs (SUN) is the flat alternative on [H]LEE → [A]COV → [H]CHE, at 45.0 → 45.6 → 44.4.

David Raya (ARS) has the best clean sheet chance of the round (48% against Everton), but drops to 40.9 at Anfield before 46.8 against Hull. He is a strong pick for Gameweeks 8 and 10, not 9. Jordan Pickford (EVE) is the one to put on next week's list. He rises 42.0 → 44.6 → 48.4 on [A]ARS → [A]NEW → [H]COV, so Gameweek 9 or 10 is the time to buy him, not this one.

Best defenders for Gameweek 8

Bobby Thomas (COV) is the top defender over the next three gameweeks (217.0) on [H]FUL → [H]SUN → [A]EVE, at 74.1 → 72.8 → 70.1. He also tops every defender this week. Coventry's clean sheet chance is only 21%, so this is not a clean-sheet pick. He carries the highest projected count of clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles of any defender (10.8 this week), and that floor does not depend on the opponent. Two home games open the run, and he is owned by 6.0%.

Luka Vuskovic (BHA) is the defender whose program looks worst and projects best. [A]LIV → [A]MCI → [H]BRE gives 70.1 → 66.7 → 73.9 (210.7), and Gameweek 11 at Hull adds 78.6. That gives him the best six-gameweek weighted score of any defender (257.0), just ahead of Thomas (255.8). Like Thomas, he scores on defensive actions (9.9 projected) and 0.08 expected goals, not on Brighton's 15% clean sheet chance.

Dara O'Shea (IPS) is the hidden gem at the back: [H]NFO → [A]HUL → [H]BOU at 66.9 → 66.0 → 62.1 (195.0), with a 20% clean sheet chance this week and 83 projected minutes. James Hill (BOU) rises into Bournemouth's better weeks on [A]MUN → [H]LEE → [A]IPS (65.5 → 68.6 → 61.9, 10.3 projected defensive actions). Nordi Mukiele (SUN) is steady on [H]LEE → [A]COV → [H]CHE at 66.4 → 67.0 → 61.7.

If you want Arsenal's clean sheets, Gabriel (ARS) has a 42% clean sheet chance against Everton and a 67.4 → 55.5 → 67.9 trajectory on [H]EVE → [A]LIV → [H]HUL. That is two strong weeks out of three, at 3.5% ownership. David Affengruber (FUL, 10.3% owned) is a hold rather than a buy: 68.8 this week at Coventry, then 61.9 and 63.2. James Tarkowski (EVE) is the defender to buy next, not now. He climbs 59.0 → 66.0 → 75.9 on [A]ARS → [A]NEW → [H]COV, and the Arsenal trip is too tough to justify the transfer this week.

Best midfielders for Gameweek 8

Bruno Fernandes (MUN) is the highest-projected player in the game this week (94.9) and the clearest buy of the round. His program is [H]BOU → [A]CHE → [H]AVL, with a trajectory of 94.9 → 77.2 → 89.2 (261.3). The Chelsea trip is the dip, and Aston Villa at home brings him straight back. He carries 0.36 expected goals and 0.30 expected assists this week, takes United's penalties, and is owned by just 3.5% of managers. Why now: his best week of the three is this one.

Cole Palmer (CHE) is the second-best midfield hold on [H]TOT → [H]MUN → [A]SUN. His trajectory is 87.2 → 75.5 → 73.9 (236.6), with 0.45 expected goals this week and penalties, and the six-gameweek weighted score puts him second in midfield (280.8). His teammate Morgan Rogers (CHE) is the second Chelsea route into [H]TOT → [H]MUN → [A]SUN, at 72.3 → 70.8 → 62.4, on 78 projected minutes.

Marcus Tavernier (BOU) is the midfielder whose projection rises over [A]MUN → [H]LEE → [A]IPS, from 62.8 at Old Trafford to 68.4 against Leeds and 66.4 at Ipswich (197.6). Enzo Le Fee (SUN) is the quiet one at 65.8 → 67.6 → 62.3 on [H]LEE → [A]COV → [H]CHE, owned by 4.9%. Elliot Anderson (MCI) is a nailed City option at 78 minutes on [A]AVL → [H]BHA → [A]NFO (66.6 → 65.7 → 61.0), and he rises to 71.4 in Gameweek 11.

Here this week's ranking and the longer view disagree. Arsenal's Declan Rice (64.9) and Martin Ødegaard (65.1) both look good against Everton, but both drop to around 50-54 at Anfield. Pascal Gross (BHA) is the opposite case: 58.7 → 55.0 on the Liverpool and City trips, then 66.7, 73.1 and 68.3 over Gameweeks 10 to 12. If you are buying one midfielder to keep, buy Bruno Fernandes or Palmer now and put Gross on the list for Gameweek 10.

Best forwards for Gameweek 8

Erling Haaland (MCI) has the highest three-gameweek total in the game (261.5), just ahead of Bruno Fernandes, on [A]AVL → [H]BHA → [A]NFO. His trajectory is 89.0 → 92.3 → 80.2, with 0.73 expected goals at Villa Park this week. He takes City's penalties and is owned by only 4.2%. Why now: Brighton at home in Gameweek 9 is his biggest week of the window, and buying this week means you also get a strong Villa week. Further out, Gameweek 12 at Arsenal drops him to 45.0, so he is a four-week hold before you need to think again.

Joao Pedro (CHE) has the second-best six-gameweek weighted score among forwards (270.6). [H]TOT → [H]MUN → [A]SUN gives him 82.0 → 81.6 before 68.1 at Sunderland, and he has 0.46 expected goals this week. Bukayo Saka (ARS) has the same shape as every Arsenal asset, 85.2 → 63.0 → 88.7 on [H]EVE → [A]LIV → [H]HUL, and he takes penalties. The Liverpool week leaves him about 19 points behind Joao Pedro, but the two home games repay it.

Thiago Rodrigues (BRE) is the short-term pick. He has 0.55 expected goals at Hull and is on penalties, but falls 81.2 → 71.1 → 58.6 on [A]HUL → [H]NFO → [A]BHA. Buy him for two gameweeks and plan to move him on before Gameweek 10. Bryan Mbeumo (MUN, 79.8 → 67.4 → 74.4) follows the Bruno Fernandes pattern at a lower level. Jack Grealish (EVE) is the forward to watch for later: 46.1 → 54.5 → 67.3 as Everton's program turns, and almost nobody owns him (0.1%).

Hidden gems and differentials for Gameweek 8

The unusual thing about Elevens right now is that the top of the projection table is barely owned. Bruno Fernandes (3.5%), Haaland (4.2%), Palmer (4.2%) and Joao Pedro (4.0%) are four of the five highest projections this week, and none is in more than one in twenty squads. The most-owned players are mostly Tottenham players and City rotation options. So the template is not the safe choice here, and the best differential is simply the best player.

Further down, Dara O'Shea (IPS) on [H]NFO → [A]HUL → [H]BOU and Harry Maguire (MUN) on [H]BOU → [A]CHE → [H]AVL (66.9 → 61.9 → 61.6) are two defenders who barely feature in managers' squads. Coventry's Ethan Pinnock (COV) (0.1% owned) rides the same [H]FUL → [H]SUN → [A]EVE program as Bobby Thomas at 64.5 → 62.2 → 60.5. Check who is expected to start on the Elevens predicted lineups before you commit. Our guide to predicted lineups explains how those are built.

Captain picks for Gameweek 8

Bruno Fernandes (MUN) is the captain. He projects 94.9 at home to Bournemouth, which is 189.8 with the armband, and United have a 53% win probability and 2.03 expected goals in the fixture. Erling Haaland (MCI) is the alternative at 89.0 at Villa Park, with the higher goal ceiling (0.73 expected goals). Cole Palmer (87.2, [H]TOT) is third and Bukayo Saka (85.2, [H]EVE) fourth.

Look one and two weeks ahead and the plan becomes clear. Haaland is the top captain in Gameweek 9 (92.3 against Brighton). In Gameweek 10 Bruno Fernandes (89.2, [H]AVL) and Saka (88.7, [H]HUL) lead. Owning both Bruno Fernandes and Haaland covers the armband for all three weeks. More on the method in how to pick your fantasy captain.

Who to sell before Gameweek 8

Martin Dubravka (TOT) is the first sale. He is owned by 10.1% of managers and projects 0.2 a week, because Antonin Kinsky is Tottenham's starter. Why now: nothing in the next three gameweeks changes that, and Kelleher or Suzuki projects around 45 every week.

Jérémy Doku (MCI) is owned by 14.4%, but the model has him at 35 projected minutes and 37.4 → 38.3 → 36.2 over the window. City's [A]AVL → [H]BHA → [A]NFO is a good program, so the fixtures are not the problem; the minutes are. Why now: Haaland has the same program at more than twice the projection, and his best week is next. Carlos Baleba (MUN, 11.6% owned) is the same story at 32 projected minutes. United's home game with Bournemouth is a good fixture, and that is exactly why the slot should hold Bruno Fernandes this week. Rodrigo Muniz (FUL, 13 projected minutes) and Malick Junior Yalcouyé (BHA, 15) are owned by more than 10% each and are in the same position.

Evan Ferguson (BHA, 7.0% owned) is out until 22 November and Kaye Furo (BRE, 8.0%) until 28 November. Both project nothing for the whole window, so they should go before any player who is merely having a quiet week.

Dominic Solanke (TOT, 15.3%) is the one you can wait on. Tottenham's 25% win probability at Chelsea makes this a poor week (49.9). But [H]CRY in Gameweek 9 is his best week of the three (55.5), so if your free transfer is already spent on the sales above, hold him one more week and reassess before Leeds away. Compare your options on the Elevens optimal teams solver, and read last week's Elevens Gameweek 7 preview for how these programs looked a round ago. Every Elevens round is collected in the Elevens preview hub.

FAQ

Who should I captain in Elevens Gameweek 8?

Bruno Fernandes is the Gameweek 8 captain at 94.9 projected points at home to Bournemouth, the highest projection in the game. Erling Haaland (89.0 at Aston Villa) is the alternative, and he becomes the top captain option in Gameweek 9 against Brighton.

Which defenders are best for Elevens Gameweek 8?

Bobby Thomas (COV) is the best defender for Gameweek 8 and over the next three gameweeks: 74.1 this week and 217.0 across [H]FUL → [H]SUN → [A]EVE. Luka Vuskovic (BHA) has the best six-gameweek weighted score, and Dara O'Shea (IPS) and Gabriel (ARS) are the strongest alternatives.

Should I sell Jérémy Doku before Elevens Gameweek 8?

Yes. Doku is projected for only 35 minutes and about 37 points a week, while Haaland has the same Manchester City program at 89.0 → 92.3 → 80.2. City's fixtures are good; Doku's minutes are not.

Best differentials for Elevens Gameweek 8?

The best differentials are the top projections: Bruno Fernandes (3.5% owned), Erling Haaland (4.2%), Cole Palmer (4.2%) and Joao Pedro (4.0%). Lower down, Dara O'Shea, Harry Maguire and Ethan Pinnock are barely owned defenders with solid three-gameweek programs.

Is Erling Haaland worth buying for Elevens Gameweek 8?

Yes. Haaland has the highest three-gameweek total in Elevens (261.5) on [A]AVL → [H]BHA → [A]NFO, and his peak, Brighton at home, comes in Gameweek 9. Buying him now gets you that week and a strong Villa week.

This preview was written by TheFantasyTool AI.