FPL Gameweek 8 Transfer Tips: Two Players to Buy, Hold & Sell

The past two weeks were a testing time for Premier League and FPL fans, as the International Break brought the excitement of club football to a halt. Instead of obsessing over transfers, points, and upcoming fixtures, fans were left hoping their key assets returned unscathed from national duty. 

Meanwhile, the footballing world buzzed with news as Thomas Tuchel was named England’s next manager sending shockwaves of controversial reactions through the football world. England football team was omnipresent in the headlines with their surprising 2-1 loss to Greece, compounded by Bukayo Saka picking up a hamstring injury, although reports suggest it’s not serious. In fact injuries were a recurring theme, especially for Arsenal fans – Bukayo Saka’s hamstring scare and Gabriel Martinelli’s calf concerns, while Martin Ødegaard and Tomiyasu also faced fitness doubts​.

Now, with international duties concluded and stars returning to their clubs, fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief—Premier League action resumes this weekend, beginning with Tottenham vs. West Ham on October 19. Let the chaos and joy of FPL and club football return!

So, let’s start with our BUY-HOLD-SELL article for this GW, sponsored by …. Well, nobody. We are poor, but you can help here if you want 😊

Link to all our FPL GW8 blogs including Scout picks, players to target, buy, hold, sell analysis, differentials, captaincy metrics, transfer targets, and more. Completely free to access as well!

FPL Gameweek 8 Transfer Tips: Two Players to BUY

I am not mentioning Haaland as he is in every serious/ active manager’s team. If you’re still experimenting with no Haaland, hats off to your guts. I personally wouldn’t recommend that route though.

Dwight McNeil (£5.7m) – MID, Everton – 9.3% TSB

The Evertonian magician is the 3^rd most bought in player this week and it’s understandable why.

Everton has amazing fixtures in the medium term.

Amongst budget (less than £6.0m) midfielders, McNeil is ranked:

• 1^st for FPL points
• 1^st for Goals Scored
• 1^st for Goal Involvements
• 1^st for Key Passes
• 1^st for Big Chances Created
• 1^st for xA
• 1^st for BPS
• 2^nd for Assists
• 2^nd for Bonus

His GW8 opponents Ipswich are ranked

• 20^th for Big Chances conceded
• 20^th for NPxGC
• 20^th for xGC
• 20^th for xCS

I suggest prioritizing McNeil over any other buy this GW.

Further Read: FPL GW8 Scout Selection Based on Stats, Analysis and Matchups

Two Sons & A Solanke

James Maddison (£7.5m) – MID, Spurs – 5.6% TSB

Brennan Johnson (£6.6m) – MID, Spurs – 6.2% TSB

Dominic Solanke (£7.6m) – FWD, Spurs – 12.2% TSB

Amongst teams, Spurs ranks

• 1^st for xG
• 1st for NPxG
• 1^st for Shots in the Box
• 2^nd for Shots
• 2nd for Shots on Target
• 2^nd for Big Chances

Their fixtures in the long-term look quite impressive.

So having 1-2 Spurs attackers is imperative for your FPL team. 

Let’s see the trio’s standings among Spurs assets

Rank within Spurs (Lesser the better)	Johnson	Maddison	Solanke
Shots	1	2	3
Shots in the Box	1	2	2
Goals Scored	1	2	2
Goal Involvements	1	1	3
Big Chances	2	3	1
Assists	2	1	5
xG	2	3	1
NPxG	2	3	1
xPts	2	1	3
FPL points	2	1	9
Avg. Rank	1.6	1.9	3

PS – Solanke has missed two games due to injury

Personally, Johnson still remains my favourite. His ownership has grown 6x from the last time I recommended him as a BUY in GW7. If you want to double up, I recommend going for Maddison as he is on set pieces.

Further Read: Top FPL Gameweek 8 Captain Picks Based on Analysis & Metrics

FPL Gameweek 8 Transfer Tips: Two Players to HOLD

Phil Foden (£9.2m) – MID, Man City – 5.8% TSB

Foden hasn’t returned so far this season. This has led to frustration to his owners and made them question whether it is worth holding on to him?

Foden plays against Wolves this weekend – a team languishing at the bottom of the table having conceded the highest goals in the league.

Phil Foden’s talent is undeniable, but his inconsistency in FPL has frustrated managers this season. After an impressive 2023/24 campaign when he was the second highest FPL scorer, he now faces the challenge of regaining momentum following a slow start to the current season. With his recent struggles and City missing key players, can Foden step back into his groove?

I believe the answer is a confident yes. The looming return of Foden expected by Gameweek 8, couldn’t come at a better time for Man City who have been struggling without the services of key players like Foden, KDB and of course Rodri. With the creative flair of Foden back in action, City should regain their fluidity and control in the final third, addressing recent struggles.

Despite limited minutes on the pitch, Foden has already shown glimpses of brilliance. In the last three gameweeks (when he started playing after a lengthy layoff), he managed xGI/ 90 of 0.8. To put in context, during the same time, the two most premium FPL assets – Salah had xGI/ 90 of 0.8 and Haaland had xGI/ 90 of 0.6

His contribution in the UEFA Champions League—1 goal and 1 assist against Slovan Bratislava—further underlines his sharpness. City’s upcoming fixtures look extremely favorable, 

Hence, Foden could become a pivotal figure in their resurgence and a key FPL differential for those willing to keep faith.

Further Read: FPL GW8 Fixture Swing Analysis – Teams and Players to Target

Emile Smith Rowe (£5.7m) – MID, Fulham – 27.3% TSB

The 4^th most sold midfielder this week is Fulham’s Emile Smith Rowe sold by more than 137,000 managers. Sellers might have been misled by his consecutive blanks. However, if you look a little deeper, you will realise those two blanks came in away matches against two of the best defences in the league so far.

In GW8, ESR plays Aston Villa at home. This season, Smith Rowe has never blanked at Craven Cottage with scores of 10,7 and 8 making him the 6^th highest scoring midfielder at home.

Aston Villa defence on the other hand has not been tight this season. Despite facing West Ham, Leicester, Everton, Wolves and Ipswich, their first clean sheet came only in GW7 against the misfiring Man Utd.

Therefore, I would recommend holding and definitely starting Smith Rowe.

Further Read: Top FPL GW8 Differential Picks to Target Ahead of GW8 Deadline

FPL Gameweek 8 Transfer Tips: Two Players to SELL

Luis Díaz (£8.0m) – MID, Liverpool – 33.9% TSB

Díaz is the most transferred-out player this week, and it’s easy to see why. 

He has 3 blanks in his last 4 EPL games. His starts are also not guaranteed as seen last week.

With Chelsea and Arsenal coming up in the next two GWs sandwiched between a game in UCL against RB Leipzig, neither the fixtures nor the form and nor the xMins work in the Columbian’s favour

Therefore, I suggest selling Díaz.

Further Read: FPL GW8 Scout Selection Based on Stats, Analysis and Matchups

Danny Welbeck (£5.8m) – FWD, Brighton – 20.1% TSB

Welbeck is the 3^rd most selected FWD in the game and he has scored twice in the last 3 GWs.

However, I feel it is time to part ways with the ex-Man Utd and Arsenal man. His fixtures look awful for the medium term.

Also, there are a plethora of good budget FWDs available – Chris Wood, Raúl Jiménez, Liam Delap, they all provide excellent alternate routes.

Hence, I recommend selling Welbeck.

Further reads from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL GW8

FPL GW8 Wildcard Team & Drafts to Consider | Wildcard Guide
Best FPL GW8 Differential Picks(<10% TSB)
Top FPL Gameweek 8 Captain Picks Based on Analysis & Metrics
FPL GW8 Fixture Swing Analysis – Teams and Players to Target
FPL GW8 Scout Selection Based on Stats, Analysis and Matchups
FPL GW8 Transfer Targets and Watchlist
FPL GW8 Tips- Premium Midfielders, Budget Assets & More
FPL GW8 Ultimate Guide: Tips, Differentials, Captaincy & More

Link to all our FPL GW8 blogs including buy, hold, sell analysis, differentials, captaincy metrics, transfer targets, and more. Completely free to access as well!

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