Fixture Analysis for GW8 Wildcard

With a seemingly everlasting international break coming to an end, and the deadline fast approaching, it’s time to lock in our teams. For most managers on Wildcard, it is important to target players from teams which have good fixtures upcoming or face any swing in near future gameweeks. Even for Non-Wildcarders, these transfers are going to be crucial to set the tone for the season ahead. In this article, we will cover the Fixture Analysis for FPL GW8 Wildcard, teams and fixtures to target on a Gameweek 8 Wildcard, and how to plan for the fixture swings ahead.

FPL GW8 Fixture Analysis and Swings:

Many teams face a good run of fixtures from GW8 onwards. Players from these teams could come good in this run and prove to be amazing differentials. Let’s see a few teams whose players are somewhat essential on this Wildcard:

Manchester City

Manchester City have been posting up brilliant numbers since the start of the season. They have always been a ruthless attacking side, however, their defensive stats have also been best in the league. They have conceded only 3 goals this season from a total xGC of 3.8. City have only conceded 5 big chances this season and face a favorable run of fixture all the way up until around GW20. They face BUR, NEW, CRY in their next three, which makes their players really attractive especially on a Wildcard.

Further Read: FPL GW8 Wildcard Structure and Best Possible Drafts and Combinations

Chelsea

Chelsea now face BRE, NOR, NEW, BUR consecutively. These fixtures alone make the case to own Chelsea assets, whether on a Wildcard or not. In the Premier League this season, they have recorded 1.8 xG per appearance and 1.3 xGC per appearance. Although defensive numbers aren’t ideal, they were able to continue their previous season’s from, and managed to keep 4 clean sheets out of 7 games this season.

Southampton

A very different team to mention on this list, but Southampton’s fixtures couldn’t get any better than this. They face LEE, BUR, WAT and NOR in their next five. Adam Armstrong(6.0m) is the stand out option to own from the Saints , as he is nailed on to play 90 minutes every game and Saints rely on him to score the goals. Southampton have a total xG of 8.2 this season so far, and have scored 5. Even if Armstrong manages to get 3 goals out of this run, he would provide tremendous value.

The other teams like Arsenal, Brentford, and Leeds should not be ignored. They also have have decent fixtures and stats to fill the rest of the team.

Future Fixture Swings

On a Wildcard, it is important to get players not only that gains you points in the short term, but also sets you up perfectly for future gameweeks. Without planning for it beforehand, these transfers can tear our teams apart. Therefore it is important to include these swings into our thought process while making the Wildcard squad.

Brentford

Brentford are on a hot form right now. They started the season with a few 1-0 score lines, and now have been looking like a solid team. They have been posting good numbers. The creative side of Ivan Toney(6.4m) is the highlight of their team, along with his ability to score goals. Although he has been sharing the goals with his striker partner, and out of position Midfielder, Mbeumo(5.5m), they both are great options to own on a Wildcard. After the Chelsea fixture, they enter a sea of green fixtures.

Further Read: Teams and Players to Target for the next 5 Gameweeks in FPL

Spurs

Son is a popular pick amongst managers on a Wildcard, even though he has comparatively tougher fixtures till GW 11, as he faces WHU, MUN, EVE. It can be argued that he can also score against these teams, as he can run behind these defenses. However, he comes into serious consideration come GW12 as Spurs then face, LEE, BUR, BRE and NOR back to back. From GW 12 onwards, a Kane and Son double up could also be fruitful. Therefore, going for one of them on this Wildcard and bringing the other one after GW11, is a strategy that managers on a wildcard should consider. Also, he faces Newcastle this week, which would help attack GW8 on a Wildcard.

Further Read: Popular Player Comparisons Ahead of FPL GW8 ~ Son vs Vardy, Mbuemo vs Toney and Foden vs Grealish

Manchester United

United face a tough run of fixtures till GW14. Till that time, it might be a better strategy to get other players like Lukaku, Son etc for their good fixtures. However, after GW14, Manchester United do not face a Big Six side all the way till GW28. Managers who will use their Wildcard right now, will have to look out and plan for United’s swings and have a plan to bringing them in without any hassle.

For the Brentford and Spurs assets specifically, it is also important to keep in mind their long term fixtures, or their fixtures after these two/three difficult ones. FPL Raptor (Ross), in his video FPL PSYCHOLOGY 101, talks about the psychology behind the Wildcard. One of the point he mentions is : Delayed Gratification – the ability to resist the impulse to take an immediate reward, and instead wait for a potentially superior award in future. For the Brentford assets they face Chelsea this week, which naturally makes them less appealing taking this week in singularity. However, immediately after Chelsea, they go on to face LEI, BUR, NOR, NEW. Therefore not going for Brentford assets due to Chelsea fixture, and booking a transfer to get them in afterwards could end up being detrimental to the team. Booking a transfer in future, seems easy on paper, however any injuries or Red Cards can delay those booked transfers, and prevent us to make our pre-planned move. Go check out the video by FPL Raptor, to get a better understanding behind the logic and psychological factors of our decisions.

Here are a few stats to compare these six teams and give you a better idea on which team to double up:

Now, let’s take analyse the fixtures of a few other popular teams, managers are considering on a Wildcard

Other Teams- FPL GW8 Fixture Analysis

Wolves

Wolves fixture, although looks good on paper and FDR, but in reality are not that easy. They face AVL, LEE, EVE and WHU in their next five. The GW11 fixture against Crystal Palace could have high scores in it, with also the exception of Leeds, who also concedes a lot of goals. However, with Llorente coming back from injury, that might not be the case from now on. And as for, Villa and Everton, their defensive stats have been good enough, to allow Wolves to walk over them.

Teams	Big Chances Conceded(per appearance)	Shots Conceded per appearance	SiB Conceded per appearance	SoT Conceded per appearance	xGC per appearance
AVL(GW8)	1.71	14.29	9	3.86	1.4
LEE(GW9)	2.14	16.71	10.86	6.14	1.9
EVE(GW10)	1.29	12.29	6.29	3.86	1.1
CRY(GW11)	1.57	12.14	7.29	4.71	1.4
WHU(GW12)	1.43	12.43	8.29	4.29	1.3

From this table, Leeds stats are a bit skewed due to how they started the season, however with Llorente and Philips back, they might get their defensive form back. Everton have been a good defence this season, according to these stats.

Wolves assets like Jimenez and Hwang are still great options to go for, however these factors come in when you compare Hwang(5.6m) to Adam Armstrong(6.0m). Wolves have the form with them, but betting on Armstrong against LEE, BUR, WAT and NOR, in the same time period could be the way to go for some managers. Also, Jimenez in his bracket is still the go to option, as he is also able to unlock his creative side this season. Therefore, these points should be considered only in comparative terms (7.5m Jimenez vs 6.5m Raphinha/City Midfielder), as Wolves assets are capable of delivering points in these fixtures.

Further Read: FPL GW8 Double-Digit Returns Metrics-Wildcard Special

Leicester City

Leicester City is another team that should be given more consideration. The stand out payer to own from the Foxes, is the legend himself, Jamie Vardy(10.5m). He has already scored 6 goals this season, and they face BRE, ARS and LEE in their next four. They take on Manchester United this week, who are without their first choice Centre Backs, Varane and Harry Maguire. Therefore opting for Jamie Vardy on the Wildcard is also a option that can’t be ruled out. He has always been an under the radar pick, albeit consistent returns.

Teams	Big Chances Conceded(per appearance)	Shots Conceded per appearance	SiB Conceded per appearance	SoT Conceded per appearance	xGC per appearance
MUN(GW8)	1.71	11	5.86	3.43	1.2
BRE(GW9)	1.43	12.14	7.14	3.43	1.1
ARS(GW10)	2.14	16.29	11	4	1.5
LEE(GW11)	2.14	16.71	10.86	6.14	1.9
CHE(GW12)	1.57	11.43	7	3.71	1.3

Manchester United’s defence has been vulnerable this season, and without their first choice CBs, Leicester could nick a goal against them. From the table above, Chelsea is the toughest defence, the Foxes face, with rest being games in which they can score. Also, after GW12, Leicester face WAT, SOU, AVL and NEW. Therefore, going for Vardy on the GW8 Wildcard is a viable strategy that could come good.

Further Read: Teams and Players to Target for the next 5 Gameweeks in FPL

Conclusion:

Managers should build a balanced GW8 Wildcard squad, which is set up for long term and attacks the short term fixtures as well. For instance – having Manchester City players as well as Brentford/Spurs players. This type of composition will help reduce the hits taken, by allowing the manager to bank a few transfers, and prepare for major swings in advance. A GW8 Wildcard comes in the middle of the first half of the season, which gives us enough information about players and teams, and set up a team for most of the remaining part of the season (until the next Wildcard).

Thanks for reading the ‘Fixture Analysis for GW8 Wildcard’ blog. Good luck for the season ahead!

Do vote in this week’s FPL GW8 allaboutfpl captaincy poll. The same will be available in the captaincy analysis and metrics blog written by@AK_FPL1. The metrics has been delivering consistently with a 6/7 return record this year. Stay tuned for the GW7 Captaincy metric to see who tops it. Link to all our FPL Gameweek 8 blogs.

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Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL Ahead of FPL Gameweek 8:

Teams and Players to Target for the next 5 Gameweeks in FPL
FPL GW8 Transfer Trends Analysis | Popular Transfer Combinations
Popular Player Comparisons Ahead of FPL GW8 ~ Son vs Vardy, Mbuemo vs Toney and Foden vs Grealish
FPL GW8 Double-Digit Returns Metrics-Wildcard Special
Best FPL Defenders To Target Ahead Of FPL GW8
Players In Focus Based On Eye Test Ahead Of FPL Gameweek 8
FPL GW8 Wildcard Structure and Best Possible Drafts and Combinations

Link to all our FPL Gameweek 8 blogs.

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