Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 8: Who Should You Captain?
If you’re one of the 73% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers who own Erling Haaland (£15.4m), choosing your captain for Gameweek 8 seems like an easy decision. Manchester City’s star forward has been in outstanding form, scoring 10 goals in the first seven Gameweeks. He faces Wolverhampton Wanderers, a team that has already conceded 21 goals this season—the most in the league.
But is Haaland the only option? Let’s break it down.
Why Haaland Is a Top Pick
Haaland has been consistently delivering for FPL managers:
- Points: He’s scored 67 points so far, tied with Cole Palmer (£10.8m) at the top of the player standings.
- Shooting Stats: Haaland has taken 35 shots, with 31 in the box and 23 on target—more than any other player.
- Previous Matchup: Last season, Haaland scored four goals and earned 21 points against Wolverhampton, making him a reliable choice.
Given these stats, Haaland’s high ownership will be expecting another big performance this weekend.
Captaincy Alternatives to Haaland
Though Haaland is a standout, there are other strong options for the Gameweek 8 captaincy.
1. Bukayo Saka (£10.1m) – Arsenal
Saka is a great alternative to Haaland:
- Consistency: He’s only had one blank this season, showing steady form.
- Big Chance Involvement: Saka has been involved in 15 big chances this season, tied with Cole Palmer for the highest in the league.
- Upcoming Fixture: Arsenal faces AFC Bournemouth, and Saka is expected to be fit after a minor injury.
2. Son Heung-min (£9.8m) – Tottenham Hotspur
Son could also be a strong captaincy pick:
- Home Form: He has two double-figure scores in three home matches this season.
- Upcoming Fixture: Tottenham hosts West Ham United, and Son’s 9.3 points per match at home makes him a solid option.
- Return from Injury: He is likely to be fit for this weekend.
3. Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) – Liverpool
Salah’s consistency makes him another good choice:
- Points: He has scored four double-figure hauls in seven matches this season.
- Fixture: Liverpool faces Chelsea in what promises to be an attacking match, with both teams in great form.
- Big Chance Involvement: Salah has been involved in 12 big chances this season.
Other Players to Consider
If you’re looking for even more options, here are a few other players who could perform well in Gameweek 8:
- Kai Havertz (£8.3m) – Arsenal: He’s expected to be fit for Arsenal’s match against Bournemouth and has matched Haaland with 10 big chances this season.
- Brennan Johnson (£6.6m) – Tottenham Hotspur: He’s been in excellent form, scoring in seven consecutive matches for club and country.
- Luis Diaz (£8.0m) – Liverpool: Diaz has averaged 11 points per match in his three appearances at Anfield this season.
- Ollie Watkins (£9.1m) – Aston Villa: Watkins is the top-scoring forward in the last four Gameweeks with 32 points. He scored twice against Fulham last season.
Key Stats for Gameweek 1-7
| Player | Shots in Box | Big Chances | Big Chances Created | Big Chance Involvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmer | 18 | 7 | 8 | 15 |
| Saka | 20 | 3 | 12 | 15 |
| Watkins | 16 | 11 | 1 | 12 |
| Salah | 21 | 8 | 4 | 12 |
| Haaland | 31 | 10 | 1 | 11 |
| Havertz | 22 | 10 | 1 | 11 |
| Diaz | 13 | 7 | 2 | 9 |
| Son | 3 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Johnson | 21 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Conclusion
While Erling Haaland is an obvious choice for Gameweek 8, other players like Bukayo Saka, Son Heung-min, and Mohamed Salah also have strong cases. Depending on your strategy, any of these could deliver big points this weekend.
Sources: Premier League Fantasy data, player stats from Gameweek 1-7.
