FPL GW8 Differential Picks to Consider Ahead of Gameweek 8 Deadline

Gameweek 7 was a second straight disastrous week for managers, where except Mo Salah, every other big hitter failed to deliver, which kept the average down to just 38. The arrival of international break therefore came at a good time for managers. Time to rethink, rejig or perhaps wildcard? Indeed, nearly 300,000 managers have used activated the wildcard this GW, and will all be looking at those few differential options that will give them the edge over the rest. In this blog, we’ll be looking at the top six differential picks for FPL GW8.

Link to all our FPL Gameweek 8 blogs.

Note: The ownership given is at the time of writing and is subject to change

FPL GW8 Differential picks (<10% TSB)

Kevin De Bruyne vs Burnley(H)

It has been a tough start to the season for last year’s PFA’s player of the year. The Belgian didn’t start any of the first five games in the league due to injury and lack of match fitness. However, he did feature from the off against both Chelsea and Liverpool and helped Manchester City dominate both games, more or less.

KDB scored the equalizer for the champions at Anfield last time out. Furthermore in the last two matches, he has had 9 shots (6 of them in the box), only Benrahma, Kane and Greenwood have had more. Furthermore, his xA of 0.74 in that time is bettered only by 8 players.

Last time out

In 2020/21 season, when these two teams met at the Etihad, KDB registered 2 assists in a 5-0 win for Manchester City. The Belgian would be looking to replicate something similar in FPL GW8 too.

Key stats

• Each of last four games between Manchester City and Burnley at the Etihad across all competitions, has finished 5-0 to the home side.
• In all Manchester City have an aggregate score of 30-1 against Burnley in last 8 outings.
• KDB has registered 3 assists over the years in the league against Burnley, however he is yet to score against them.

After struggling to find his feet in the initial stages of the season, the mercurial magician is getting back into form slowly, yet surely. He registered 3 assists in 2 matches for Belgium during the international break. KDB’s form combined with the fact that Manchester City are having a fixture swing makes him one of the top priorities, especially for those who have activated their wildcard chip ahead of FPL GW8.

Further Read: FPL GW8 Fixtures To Target With Team Analysis

Phil Foden vs Burnley(H)

Much like his compatriot, Foden too spent the initial stages of the 21/22 season on the sidelines. But, the youngster’s man of the match performance at Anfield, he becomes an obvious differential choice ahead of FPL GW8. Foden scored one goal, and would have scored another were it not for some goal keeping heroics, and also had James Milner on toast.

The Englishman has a very good record against Burnley in recent times. He has 2 goals and an assist in his last 3 appearances against the Clarets. Couple that with his form of late, which includes an assist during the international break, Foden may well conjure up a big haul come FPL GW8.

One of the problems we have in picking Man City players is the possible rotation risk. However, given the fact that Torres is out injured and Jesus is unlikely to feature, Foden is most likely to start against Sean Dyche’s men, who will be without Ben Mee. Burnley’s record without their captain last season was abysmal to say the least. The Lancashire club lost 5 and drew 2 of the other 7 games Mee missed last season. Foden and co will be looking to extend the streak even further!

Pro Tip

Our first two picks have been players from Manchester City. It is because they have a fixture swing and the run continues all the way up and till GW20.

Further Read: Fixture Analysis for GW8 Wildcard

Neal Maupay vs Norwich(A)

Neal Maupay has scored 4 goals so far this season, half as many as he got in the whole of last season. The Frenchman, much like his team, has actually performed to the levels the performances has warranted. That is in complete contrast to last season, wherein Brighton were termed as “xG merchants”.

The Brighton forward has an xG of 2.43 so far this season. Given the fact that he has scored 4 times with this xG, shows how good his conversion rate has been this season. Furthermore, he has also had 1.69 shots in the box per 90. Incidentally, all of his 4 goals this season have come up against teams in the bottom half of the table. Who dares bet against him to not continue the streak against rock bottom Norwich?

The Canaries have once again struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League. They have the joint worst defensive record in terms of goals conceded. They have also allowed the most big chances in the league.

Note: The two fixtures following FPL GW8 is as tough as it can get for an opponent as Manchester City and Liverpool await the Seagulls. Therefore, Maupay is more of a one week punt than anything else.

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

Timo Werner vs Brentford

Timo Werner has been a bit of mystery in the Premier League so far. It is not possible to suggest if he has been unlucky or if he hasn’t got his finishing boots on or if it is a bit of both. But 7 goals and 13 assists in around 2900 minutes in the league isn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination.

The German put in an excellent performance against Southampton last time out, he scored the key goal which gave Chelsea the lead against ten man Saints. He has followed that up with sumptuous displays for the national team during the international break. He scored 2 goals in 2 matches for Germany, which included a stunning half-volley.

Despite playing just 299 minutes this season, Werner has had 9 shots in the box, with an xG of 1.99 along with 3 big chances. So, it is evident that when he plays he does get chances and for the first time since joining Chelsea, he has had a run of games where he has been able to find the back of the net. The Chelsea man has scored 4 goals in his last 6 appearances for club and country combined.

Chelsea take on Brentford in FPL GW8, this will be a tricky fixture for sure. Having said that, the Bees have conceded 42% of their chances down their right flank, only Brighton have a bigger percentage. That is exactly where Timo Werner has been operating in recent weeks. Adding on to that, Chelsea’s brilliant set of fixtures has been well advocated, so taking an in form Werner may prove to be a stroke of genius long term.

Further Read: Best FPL Defenders To Target Ahead Of FPL GW8

Hee-Chan Hwang vs Aston Villa(A)

Hwang has been a bit of revelation for Wolves since signing on loan from RB Leipzig. He has scored 3 goals in 4 appearances, despite featuring from the start in only two of them. In Gameweek 7 against Newcastle, he produced 2 finishes of the highest order, something which any world class striker would have been proud of.

Another important point to note is the partnership Hwang has been able to establish with Jimenez. although, it is early days, this pairing is reminiscent of the deadly Jimenez- Jota duo. In all Hwang has 5 shots (all of them in the box), 3 big chances and he has also created 1 big chance in the process.

Wolves’ fixtures till GW14 is very appealing, with all but one of 7 games an FDR rating of either 2 or 3. Plus, Hwang is priced at a mere £5.6, so it is a no brainer to pick him as the third forward in FPL.

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

Ultra Differential Pick for FPL GW8

Marc Cucurella vs Norwich(A)

Brighton have been brilliant so far this season. They have done everything they did last season, only this time it has translated into points on the board. Their new signing, Marc Cucurella has taken the Premier League like a duck to water. He has picked up 4 bonus points in 4 matches( 1 and 3 in matches where Brighton have kept a CS).

The Spaniard was very impressive against the Gunners in the match before the break. Some heroic defending from Arsenal is what prevented him from getting an assist or two in that game. Norwich have conceded 38% of their chances down their left flank, their weakest in terms of percentage. Furthermore, Brighton’s defensive numbers are nothing short of breathtaking.

Parameter	Rank
Big Chances conceded	4
Goals conceded	3
Shots conceded	3
Clean Sheets	4
xGC	2
Shots on target conceded	2

As we can see, Brighton are among the best in the league in almost all defensive stats. Meanwhile, their opponents Norwich have the least number of goals(2), worst shot conversion rate(2.8%), least amount of shots on target(17) so far. Combine the two sets of data, then it is only natural to believe that Brighton are very likely to keep a clean sheet against the Canaries.

Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL Ahead of FPL Gameweek 8:

A Guide to FPL GW 8 Wildcard | Talking points, Enablers, Team Structure
FPL GW8 Matchups: MCI vs BUR, AVL vs WOL, EVE vs WHU
FPL GW8 Fixtures To Target With Team Analysis
Budget Forwards to Consider Ahead of FPL Gameweek 8
Fixture Analysis for GW8 Wildcard
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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