Following the conclusion of midweek European action, Fantasy Premier League returns for gameweek 8.
Gameweek 8 will commence when Ipswich Town welcome Nottingham Forest to Portman Road on Friday night, while the 12:30 kick off on Saturday will see Aston Villa and Manchester City clash in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the weekend.
There will be no love lost when Chelsea and Tottenham lock horns at Stamford Bridge in the concluding game on 23rd October. Meanwhile, Michael Carrick's job could be on the line when Manchester United welcome Bournemouth to Old Trafford on an action-packed Super Sunday.
We've provided you with the best team, captaincy options and differentials before the FPL gameweek 8 deadline at 18:30 on Friday 23rd October.
Captaincy options
Erling Haaland - £15.7m (MCI)
Fixture: Aston Villa (A)
Ownership: 77.1%
Despite injury concerns, Erling Haaland was on the bench when Manchester city faced AEK Athens in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday and will be available when Enzo Maresca's side make the trip to Villa Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Norwegian brute has been vital to the Citizens' flawless start to the campaign -- adding two goals to his ever-growing tally against Ipswich Town last week -- and while Aston Villa is one of the more difficult fixtures on the calendar, the lack of standout captaincy options in gameweek 8 means that Haaland can be trusted with the armband.
Joao Pedro - £7.9m (CHE)
Fixture: Tottenham (H)
Ownership: 73.2%
While Chelsea were delighted with a 2-0 win against Everton at the Hill Dickinson last weekend, a number of FPL managers were let down by blanks from Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers.
It's at Stamford Bridge where the Brazilian forward has enjoyed his most success this season, however, recording six goal contributions in just three top-flight home games, making him an enticing option for gameweek 8 when Xabi Alonso's side host Spurs. His record of three goals and one assist against the North London outfit only adds to his appeal.
Alexander Isak- £9.0m (LIV)
Fixture: Brighton (H)
Ownership: 13.4%
Alexander Isak was absent in Liverpool's 3-0 defeat against Manchester City due to an injury sustained on international break with Sweden, but he was back amongst the goals as his side defeated Brentford 2-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Swedish striker accounts for over 50% of the Reds' goals in the Premier League this term -- slowly but surely paying back his colossal transfer fee -- and a more open contest against high-flying Brighton could suit him on Sunday afternoon, with space in behind to exploit a Seagulls back line that isn't blessed with pace.
Differentials
Daniel Munoz - £5.3m (NFO)
Fixture: Ipswich Town (A)
Ownership: 4.8%
Daniel Munoz is yet to showcase the attacking threat that saw him become such a popular asset during his time at Crystal Palace, but it's still early days at Nottingham Forest and his goalscoring prowess at the 2026 World Cup for Colombia hasn't just disappeared over night.
Of the defenders with the potential upside to deliver big returns, few have a better fixture than Munoz in gameweek 8 -- with Oliver Glasner's side set to to travel to Ipswich Town on Friday night, who have conceded more goals than every side other than Crystal Palace in the top-flight this season.
Eberechi Eze - £6.2m (ARS)
Fixture: Everton (H)
Ownership: 1.1%
While the expected absence of Bukayo Saka -- who was subbed off in Arsenal's 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League with a suspected quadriceps injury -- is a huge blow for the Gunners, it could provide Eberechi Eze with the opportunity to become a mainstay in the side.
He took his chance superbly when replacing Saka in midweek -- scoring the opener against Vincent Kompany's side in Germany -- and he'll be desparate to stake his claim when the reigning Premier League champions welcome Everton on Saturday. Owned by just 1.1% of managers and potentially set for a run in the team, Eze is a shrewd pick.
Evanilson - £6.1m (BOU)
Fixture: Manchester United (A)
Ownership: 4.9%
Evanilson has enjoyed a productive start to the 2026/27 season for Bournemouth -- scoring two goals and registering four assists in seven games -- and he looks like a tempting forward pick ahead of the Cherries' favourable run of fixtures.
Up next for Bournemouth is Man Utd in gameweek 8, who they are unbeaten against in six Premier League games. The Brazilian forward has recorded three goal contributions in four games against the Red Devils, and he'll be looking to capitalise on their poor form this weekend and add to his tally.
Best FPL gameweek 8 team
GK: Bernd Leno (FUL)
DEF: Riccardo Calafiori (ARS)
DEF: Tarik Muharemovic (LEE)
DEF: Ezri Konsa (ARS)
MID: Cole Palmer (CHE)
MID: Morgan Rogers (CHE)
MID: Morgan Gibbs-White (NFO)
MID: Eberechi Eze (ARS)
FOR: Joao Pedro (CHE)
FOR: Erling Haaland (MCI)
FOR: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (LEE)
SUBS: Kelleher (BRE), Schade (BRE), Diop (IPS), Thomas (COV).
