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

We’re finally back from the boring international break — thank god the next one is still a month away! GW7 was anything but dull. The whole world is slowly waking up to a reality we’d spotted weeks ago — this season belongs to the defenders and goalkeepers. Six of the top ten FPL scorers so far are defenders, and clean sheets seem to be the new hat-tricks.

Salah blanked again, making it three in the last five Gameweeks, and it’s fair to say he’s no longer the crown jewel of FPL. That title firmly rests on Haaland’s head, who scored yet again. But the real headline-grabber was Semenyo — yes, that Semenyo — delivering a mammoth double-digit haul and seeing his price skyrocket by £0.9m in just seven Gameweeks.

Liverpool’s slide continued with two successive defeats, surrendering the top spot, while even the last unbeaten side, Crystal Palace, finally tasted defeat. Grealish owners, meanwhile, rode their luck — a fortunate rebound turning despair into delight.

Now, with GW8 fixtures rolling in from October 18th, let’s look at who you should Buy, Hold, and Sell this week.

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, best forwards, and more. Completely free to access as well!

FPL GW8 Transfer Tips: Two Players to BUY

Jurriën Timber (£5.9m) – DEF, Arsenal – 17.9% TSB

Among defenders, Timber ranks:
• 1st for FPL Points
• 1st for BPS
• 1st for Bonus Points
• 1st for xPts
• 1st for xGI
• 1st for xG
• 1st for Shots on Target
• 1st for Shots in the Box
• 1st for Goals Scored
• 1st for Goal Involvements

Meanwhile, Arsenal as a team ranks:
• 20th for Shots Conceded
• 20th for Shots in the Box Conceded
• 20th for Shots on Target Conceded
• 20th for Big Chances Conceded
• 20th for NPxGC
• 20th for xGC
• 20th for xCS
• 20th for Goals Conceded

In short, you’ve got a defender who’s not only the best bet for clean sheets but also the most attacking threat at the back. Don’t overcomplicate it — strengthen your squad and get some Timber in your team. After all, there’s no Wood anymore (pun fully intended).

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Marc Cucurella (£6.1m) – DEF, Chelsea – 21.9% TSB

Among defenders, Cucurella has quietly emerged as one of the most creative options this season. He ranks 1st for Big Chances Created and 4th for Expected Goal Involvements (xGI), highlighting his growing attacking influence from the left flank. His advanced positioning and increased involvement in Chelsea’s forward play make him a consistent threat for assists, while his underlying stats suggest there’s more to come.

Looking ahead, the fixtures only strengthen his appeal. Between Gameweeks 8 and 14, Chelsea face all three promoted sides along with teams currently sitting 17th and 20th in the table — a run that offers both clean sheet potential and attacking upside. Given the combination of form, creativity, and fixtures, Cucurella stands out as a strong buy for FPL managers seeking a reliable, attacking defender.

Further Read: Premier League Players who will miss PL due to AFCON 2025

FPL GW8 Transfer Tips: Two Players to HOLD

João Pedro (£7.7m) – FWD, Chelsea – 61.4% TSB

Pedro is the most transferred-out forward this week. The highest-owned player in FPL is now at his lowest ownership since Gameweek 3 — and it’s easy to see why managers have started losing faith in the Brazilian. Over the last four Gameweeks, Pedro has managed just two shots, with an xG of 0.18 and xA of 0.08. Those numbers hardly inspire confidence.

However, context is key. Chelsea endured a tough run of fixtures in that stretch, facing both Liverpool and Manchester United, which naturally limited attacking opportunities. That phase is now behind them, and the outlook brightens considerably. Over the next nine Gameweeks, Chelsea’s Fixture Difficulty Rating (FDR) exceeds 3 only once — signalling one of the most favourable runs in the league.

Their upcoming opponent, Nottingham Forest, couldn’t have come at a better time. In the last five Gameweeks, Forest rank 19th for xGC, 19th for xCS, and 19th for goals conceded, with zero clean sheets to show for it. In short, they’re defensively vulnerable and ripe for punishment.

All things considered, this looks like the ideal time to hold Pedro. He remains central to Chelsea’s attack and now faces a golden run of fixtures where his underlying numbers should rebound. Selling him before this run could be a classic case of impatience — the kind of move that FPL managers regret when the pendulum swings back.

Further Read: FPL Gameweek 8 Wildcard – Position Wise Players to Target

Tijjani Reijnders (£5.8m) – MID, Man City – 32.9% TSB

Reijnders is currently the third most transferred-out unflagged midfielder this Gameweek, as managers appear to be running out of patience after just one return in the last six. But let’s not forget — he’s a sub-£6.0m midfielder, not a premium captaincy option expected to deliver every week. What he does offer, however, is a secure and consistent route into a rampant Manchester City attack.

Even in the last Gameweek, he was unlucky not to score, missing a Big Chance that could easily have changed his FPL outlook. His xGI of 0.24 was, in fact, higher than several popular “haulers” like Bruno Guimarães (0.19), Moisés Caicedo (0.08), Mason Mount (0.22), and Mathys Tel (0.13). With City now facing Everton, a side that has kept just one clean sheet in their last five league matches, it makes sense to hold on to Tijjani and use your free transfers elsewhere.

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FPL GW8 Transfer Tips: Two Players to SELL

Richarlison (£6.8m) – FWD, Spurs – 15.5% TSB

Richarlison’s form has dipped considerably, making him an easy sell for FPL managers this week. With just one goal in his last five Gameweeks, his early-season spark has clearly faded. He’s not getting into as many threatening positions as before, and Spurs’ overall attacking rhythm seems to have slowed down. The lack of consistency in front of goal, coupled with a drop in his underlying stats like shots and expected goals, makes it difficult to justify holding him at his current price point.

Adding to the concern, Richarlison has started only two of Spurs’ last four matches, which is a worrying sign for his minutes. Thomas Frank has shown a willingness to rotate, and with Kolo Muani nearing a return and Tel showing promise, Richarlison’s spot in the starting XI is far from secure. His reduced playing time not only limits his scoring potential but also increases the risk of frustrating one-point cameos — especially at a time when FPL managers need reliable starters.

The fixture list only makes things worse for those considering holding him. Spurs are about to enter a tough run, facing Aston Villa, Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Newcastle in the next seven Gameweeks — all teams with strong defenses or in-form goalkeepers. Given these factors — poor form, uncertain minutes, and a daunting schedule — it’s a good time to sell Richarlison and reinvest in more in-form midfield options with better fixtures.

Further Read: FPL GW8 Wildcard Team – Tips, Players to Target and Best Drafts

Virgil van Dijk (£6.1m) – DEF, Liverpool – 27.9% TSB

Alisson suffered a hamstring injury during Liverpool’s Champions League clash against Galatasaray, forcing him off in the second half. Manager Arne Slot has confirmed that the Brazilian goalkeeper will be sidelined for several weeks, with his recovery expected to keep him out until after the November international break. His return will depend on how quickly he responds to treatment.

Liverpool’s average Expected Goals Against (xGA) — which measures the quality of chances faced — stands at 1.05 when Alisson starts, yet he concedes only 0.9 goals per game, outperforming expectations. In contrast, his replacements have conceded 1.27 goals per match despite an xGA of 1.12, showing clear underperformance relative to the chances faced.

In short, without Alisson, Liverpool’s defence is a no-go zone for FPL managers. Even with him, they’ve struggled for consistency, managing just two clean sheets all season — one of which came against relegation-threatened Burnley. With a match against xG leaders Manchester United up next, it’s wise to move Van Dijk on and invest in Arsenal’s reliable defence instead.

Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL Ahead of FPL GW8

FPL GW8 Ultimate Guide: Tips, Differentials, Captaincy & More
Top FPL Gameweek 8 Captain Picks Based on Analysis & Metrics
Premier League Players who will miss PL due to AFCON 2025
FPL GW8 Predicted Lineups, Injuries, & Press Conference Updates
FPL GW8 Scout Picks Based on Stats, Analysis and Matchups
DEFCON Analysis: Top Defenders for DCs, Best Opponents + More
FPL Gameweek 8 Transfer Tips: Two Players to Buy, Hold & Sell
FPL Gameweek 8 Wildcard – Position Wise Players to Target
FPL GW8 Wildcard Team – Tips, Players to Target and Best Drafts

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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