Serie Manager Runde 8: best buys and captain picks

Serie Manager Runde 8 preview: best buys, captain picks and differentials

Serie Manager Runde 8 opens on Friday with Torino - Monza, and all twenty clubs play once before Monday. It is a round built around three attacks: Inter host Fiorentina, Como host Sassuolo and Juventus go to Lecce, and those three fixtures produce the four highest-scoring players in the game this week. But the transfers you make now should be judged on Runde 8 to 10. Inter, Atalanta and Como own the best three-round programs, Roma's run turns the week after Napoli, and Lautaro Martinez is still projected to score nothing until Runde 12.

The full ranking of every player sits on the Serie Manager player picks page, and last week's analysis is in the Serie Manager Runde 7 preview.

Serie Manager Runde 8 programs: whose next three rounds are worth owning

Inter's [H]FIO → [A]VEN → [A]MIL is the best attacking run in the game at 6.37 expected goals over three rounds. The Fiorentina home game is the single best fixture of the round, with 2.46 expected goals and a 69% win probability, and Venezia away adds another 2.15. Milan away in Runde 10 is the game to plan around, not a reason to stay out.

Atalanta are the program that has quietly become the second best: [H]FRC → [A]FIO → [H]PAR comes to 5.91 expected goals, and the Parma home game in Runde 10 is where their attackers peak. Como follow at 5.68 with [H]SAS → [A]TOR → [H]VEN and 1.18 expected clean sheets, a defensive run only Juventus beat. Juventus have the best defensive run outright, 1.26 expected clean sheets from [A]LEC → [A]GEN → [H]NAP, and their 48% clean-sheet chance at Lecce is the highest of the round. Lazio's [H]PAR → [A]SAS → [H]CGL is the other strong defensive run at 1.13.

At the other end, Lecce ([H]JUV → [A]FRC → [H]GEN), Parma ([A]LAZ → [H]UDI → [A]ATA) and Venezia ([A]GEN → [H]INT → [A]COM) all sit below 2.9 expected goals over the three rounds. Every club has three fixtures in the window, so no blanks to plan around. Kick-off times are on the Serie Manager schedule.

The table ranks the top ten programs by expected goals over Runde 8-10. The first four number columns are this round; the last three are the run.

Two programs deserve a second look because the order matters. Roma's worst game is the first one: Napoli away at a 40% win probability, then Cagliari at home and Udinese away. That makes Roma a buy for Runde 9 rather than this week. Frosinone are the reverse of their table position: Atalanta away is one of the worst fixtures of the round, but Lecce and Torino at home behind it are why their 3-round total stays respectable.

Best goalkeepers for Serie Manager Runde 8

Guglielmo Vicario (5.0m, JUV) is the top keeper of the round at 91k and the best over the next three, 91k → 73k → 63k for 226k on [A]LEC → [A]GEN → [H]NAP. Juventus' 48% clean-sheet chance at Lecce is the highest any defence has this week, and only 4.4% of managers own him.

Marco Carnesecchi (4.3m, ATA) is the keeper to buy if you are planning past Runde 8. He starts lower at 69k, but [H]FRC → [A]FIO → [H]PAR runs 69k → 64k → 85k, and Runde 11 adds another 77k at Monza. His 217k over three rounds is level with Jean Butez, and his six-round weighted score of 252k is third among keepers behind Vicario (271k) and Josep Martinez (257k). He is owned by 4.8%.

Christos Mandas (3.7m, LAZ) is the value pick at 20.9k per million this round, the best rate of any keeper. Lazio's 47% clean-sheet chance at home to Parma is the second-highest of the round, and [H]PAR → [A]SAS → [H]CGL gives him 78k → 55k → 62k. Jean Butez (4.3m, COM) is the Como alternative on [H]SAS → [A]TOR → [H]VEN at 76k → 64k → 77k. Mike Maignan, owned by 21.9%, is fine to hold this week at 74k, but [H]INT in Runde 10 drops him to 40k.

Best defenders for Serie Manager Runde 8

Federico Dimarco (5.9m, INT) is the defender everybody already has at 48.4%, and he is the top defender of the round at 96k for a reason: [H]FIO → [A]VEN → [A]MIL gives him 96k → 93k → 70k, 258k over three rounds and 52k more than any other defender. Keep him. The point of the defence is the second and third slot.

Gleison Bremer (5.2m, JUV) is the strongest of those. He projects 89k at Lecce and 206k over three rounds on [A]LEC → [A]GEN → [H]NAP, and the Juventus clean sheet is the most likely of the round. Yann Bisseck (5.5m, INT) is the differential route into the same Inter run at 4.9% ownership, 77k → 73k → 50k for 200k on [H]FIO → [A]VEN → [A]MIL. If you want a cheaper Juventus defender, Pierre Kalulu at 4.8m projects 73k this round but falls to 53k and 43k after it.

The budget slot belongs to Como. Jacobo Ramon (3.4m, COM) projects 70k at home to Sassuolo, 20.6k per million, and 190k over [H]SAS → [A]TOR → [H]VEN. That is the fourth-best three-round total of any defender, at little more than half Dimarco's price. Kaiki (2.9m, COM) projects 62k this round at 21.5k per million, the best rate of any defender, and 156k over the same [H]SAS → [A]TOR → [H]VEN, but at around 45 projected minutes he is a short-term filler rather than a hold. Yan Couto, owned by 28.1%, sits between the two at 66k. Note that Como's Runde 11 trip to Inter takes all three to around 20k, so they are a three-round investment, not a season-long one.

Nuno Tavares (3.7m, LAZ) projects 72k against Parma and is Lazio's best defender this week, but [A]SAS → [H]CGL behind it gives only 47k and 50k. He is a one-round option.

Best midfielders for Serie Manager Runde 8

Nico Paz (5.5m, COM) is the best midfielder of the round at 130k and owned by 50.8%. Over [H]SAS → [A]TOR → [H]VEN he runs 130k → 85k → 107k, 322k, and that is 54k more than the next midfielder. If you do not own him, Runde 8 is the round to fix it, because the Sassuolo game is the best of the three.

Christian Pulisic (6.3m, MIL) is second at 113k at Udinese and 268k over [A]UDI → [H]BOL → [H]INT. He is falling, 113k → 89k → 66k, but rises again to 82k and 99k in Runde 11 and 12, so he is a hold, not a rotation. Only 7.3% own him.

Gustav Isaksen (4.9m, LAZ) is the value play among the strong midfielders: 109k against Parma, 22.2k per million and 262k over [H]PAR → [A]SAS → [H]CGL. Mattia Zaccagni (4.1m, LAZ) projects 97k → 53k → 70k on the same [H]PAR → [A]SAS → [H]CGL, 23.5k per million this round, and he is Lazio's penalty taker. Lazio's [A]NAP in Runde 11 is the round to plan the exit around for both.

Charles De Ketelaere (4.6m, ATA) is the midfielder with the best run behind the round. He projects 87k → 69k → 99k on [H]FRC → [A]FIO → [H]PAR and 85k at Monza in Runde 11, a six-round weighted score of 293k that only Nico Paz, Pulisic and Bernardeschi beat among midfielders. Here this round's ranking and the three-round ranking disagree: Martin Baturina (5.4m, COM) out-scores De Ketelaere this week, 95k to 87k, but De Ketelaere has 27k more over three rounds and costs less. If you are buying one and keeping him, buy De Ketelaere.

For a cheap fifth midfielder, Kerim Alajbegovic (3.7m, JUV) projects 74k at Lecce, 19.9k per million, but only around 42 minutes. Alphadjo Cissè (2.4m, MIL), already owned by 24.1%, projects 57k as a cheaper filler.

Best forwards for Serie Manager Runde 8

Randal Kolo Muani (5.4m, JUV) is the best player in the game this week: 140k at Lecce, 25.8k per million, and 312k over [A]LEC → [A]GEN → [H]NAP. Juventus carry a 67% win probability in the opening game and he takes 0.52 projected goals from it. At 17.1% ownership he is the forward who makes the biggest difference to your league.

Marcus Thuram (8.7m, INT) shares the best three-round total of any player with Nico Paz at 322k: 124k → 113k → 85k on [H]FIO → [A]VEN → [A]MIL. With Lautaro Martinez out, he is the forward who carries Inter's attack. Francesco Pio Esposito (7.7m, INT) shares those minutes and projects 112k → 103k → 77k, 291k; Thuram is the one to pick if you buy one.

Anastasios Douvikas (5.5m, COM) projects 120k against Sassuolo and 291k over [H]SAS → [A]TOR → [H]VEN, which is Esposito's total for 2.1m less. Goncalo Ramos (5.5m, MIL) is owned by 47.1% and is a hold: 114k → 93k → 70k on [A]UDI → [H]BOL → [H]INT, then 90k and 110k after it. He is the only top forward who never drops below 70k in the next six rounds.

Nikola Krstovic (6.7m, ATA) is the forward on the rising program: 99k → 72k → 99k on [H]FRC → [A]FIO → [H]PAR, then 85k at Monza. At 2.7% ownership he is the premium differential up front.

The cheap option is Milutin Osmajic (3.0m, GEN). He projects 85k at home to Venezia, 28.7k per million, the best rate of any forward, and 200k over [H]VEN → [H]JUV → [A]LEC. The Juventus game drops him to 41k, so he works best as a two-round pick around it, but it is still a lot of points from a 3.0m slot owned by 0.5%.

Serie Manager Runde 8 captain picks

Randal Kolo Muani (5.4m, JUV) is the captain at 140k, which doubles to 280k, and [A]LEC → [A]GEN → [H]NAP keeps him at 96k and 77k after it. He has the highest projection in the game and the most likely Juventus win in their next three.

Nico Paz (5.5m, COM) is the alternative at 130k on [H]SAS → [A]TOR → [H]VEN and the safer pick if you already own him and not Kolo Muani. Marcus Thuram (8.7m, INT) is third at 124k on [H]FIO → [A]VEN → [A]MIL, with Douvikas at 120k just behind.

Plan the armband past this week. Thuram is the top projection in Runde 9 at 113k at Venezia, and Nico Paz is the top projection in Runde 10 at 107k at home to Venezia. Owning Kolo Muani, Thuram and Nico Paz covers the best captain in each of the next three rounds. The optimal teams for Serie Manager show the best squad for the round.

Hidden gems and differentials for Serie Manager Runde 8

Federico Bernardeschi (4.2m, BOL) is owned by 1.1% and has one of the best six-round runs in the game. He projects 84k → 64k → 98k on [A]CGL → [A]MIL → [H]MON, then 89k and 85k, a weighted score of 296k that beats De Ketelaere and every Lazio midfielder. Bologna's Monza home game in Runde 10 is when he matters most.

Guglielmo Vicario (5.0m, JUV) at 4.4% and Yann Bisseck (5.5m, INT) at 4.9% are the low-owned routes into Juventus' [A]LEC → [A]GEN → [H]NAP and Inter's [H]FIO → [A]VEN → [A]MIL. Krstovic at 2.7% and Osmajic at 0.5% are the forward differentials.

Two cheap players are worth a look for Runde 9 rather than now. Giorgi Kvernadze (3.8m, FRC) projects only 48k at Atalanta, then 84k and 66k with [H]LEC → [H]TOR. Franco Mastantuono (3.1m, FIO) projects 45k at Inter, then 69k at home to Atalanta and 85k at Sassuolo. Leave both for a week and buy them when the run starts. The same goes for Matias Soulé (6.2m, ROM), who projects 68k at Napoli, then 92k and 75k, and stays at 85k or more from Runde 11. Check the Serie Manager predicted lineups before the deadline for any of the rotation picks above.

Who to sell before Serie Manager Runde 8

Lautaro Martinez (11.2m, INT) is still owned by 16.9% and is listed out until 17 November. He projects nothing in Runde 8, 9, 10 or 11, and his first score is 46k in Runde 12. That is four rounds with an 11.2m slot empty, while Thuram covers the same Inter fixtures. Sell him this week; there is no round in the window when holding pays.

Rasmus Højlund (8.4m, NAP) is owned by 22.1% and the sell to make now. Napoli at home to Roma is not a bad fixture, and 42k is a fair return for it. But [A]MON → [A]JUV behind it gives 67k and 38k, so the program does not turn until Runde 11. His 147k over three rounds is less than half of Kolo Muani's 312k, at 3.0m more.

Moise Kean (3.7m, COM) is owned by 12.4% and is listed out until 28 October. He projects nothing for [H]SAS and [A]TOR and 38k for [H]VEN in Runde 10, while Douvikas plays Como's whole run. Sell him now; two empty rounds is the whole case.

Donyell Malen (8.2m, ROM), owned by 30.5%, is not a sell yet. He is back from injury but projects around 30 minutes and 46k at Napoli, then 69k and 63k, before 85k, 85k and 98k in Runde 11-13. You can wait a round on him: if you need the funds for Kolo Muani or Thuram, he is the one to move, and if not, his best run is still ahead.

Serie Manager Runde 8 transfer summary

Buy for the program: Kolo Muani, Thuram, Bremer, De Ketelaere, Krstovic, Carnesecchi. Buy for value: Ramon, Isaksen, Zaccagni, Osmajic, Mandas. Differentials: Bernardeschi, Vicario, Bisseck. Sell: Lautaro Martinez, Rasmus Højlund, Kean. Wait a round: Matias Soulé, Kvernadze, Mastantuono. Remember the cap of four players per club when you stack Inter or Como. Compare bookmaker prices on the Serie Manager market probabilities page, and find every round's analysis in the Serie Manager preview hub.

FAQ

Who should I captain in Serie Manager Runde 8?

Randal Kolo Muani is the captain for Serie Manager Runde 8 at 140k, or 280k with the armband, away to Lecce. Nico Paz (130k) and Marcus Thuram (124k) are the alternatives.

Should I sell Lautaro Martinez before Serie Manager Runde 8?

Yes. Lautaro Martinez is listed out until 17 November and projects nothing until Runde 12. Marcus Thuram covers the same Inter fixtures with 322k over Runde 8-10.

Should I sell Rasmus Højlund before Serie Manager Runde 8?

Yes. Rasmus Højlund projects 42k → 67k → 38k over Runde 8-10, 147k at 8.4m, while Randal Kolo Muani projects 312k at 5.4m. Napoli's program does not improve until Runde 11.

Best differentials for Serie Manager Runde 8?

Federico Bernardeschi (1.1% owned, 84k → 64k → 98k), Guglielmo Vicario (4.4%, the top keeper at 91k), Yann Bisseck (4.9%) and Nikola Krstovic (2.7%) are the best low-owned picks for Runde 8.

Which cheap defenders are best for Serie Manager Runde 8?

Jacobo Ramon (3.4m, 70k and 190k over three rounds) is the best cheap defender for Runde 8, with Kaiki (2.9m, 62k) the cheapest useful option. Both play Como's [H]SAS → [A]TOR → [H]VEN.

This preview was written by TheFantasyTool AI.