FANTASY FORECAST 2017/18: FPL Gameweek 8
Ahead of each Gameweek in the Fantasy Premier League the Hype Train invites a special guest onto its Fantasy Forecast, where the three members of the Hype Team and its Guests will duel for FPL supremacy in predicting Premier League scores, as well as going head to head in picking a Scout Picks squad for the relevant Gameweek. In addition, we give our insight into who are the players to watch and those to drop, both for traditional FPL leagues and the Draft mode, as well as providing insight into captaincy picks, differentials for the week, and more. Welcome to the Forecast. All aboard.
Fantasy Premier League: Gameweek Deadline
For the 2016/17 Premier League season, the FPL deadline will be one hour before the commencement of the week's first game. The Premier League website lists each FPL deadline, you can always ask on social media, and you can also view a real time countdown on our Weekly Hype page.
How does our Forecasting work?
We have taken to our Hype Team, and the FPL Community, to compete in a weekly head to head dual of wits. We are asking the questions that dominate each week in the Fantasy Premier League: who to pick, who to avoid, who to captain, and who may surprise. The 3 members of the Hype Team, and a Guest, will provide weekly insight for the Gameweek ahead. For the sake of respecting the rules of the Forecast, we have provided an example of what we're sending out to interested parties.
Premier League Fixture Prediction: As pundits, we are testing our football acumen with PL predictions and will be providing regular updated tables and stats in each edition of the FPL Forecast. A perfect score is worth 3 points whilst a correct result is worth 1 point.
FPL Gameweek Forecasting: Answering the regular questions that come up every single week in the Fantasy Premier League community that helps with identifying captaincy picks, transfers, attacking options, clean sheet potential, teams to look our for and avoid, players to consider for the Draft game, the wildcard differential players, as well as general analysis and comments.
Scout Picks: Picking a squad of 15 for a single Gameweek, without any budget, using the rules of the FPL - formations, captains and vice captains, and the player limits of 3 per club (chips will not be feature of these weekly picks)
Each team must pick a Captain, labelled as (c) and a Vice Captain listed as (vc).
Fixture Prediction: 2017/18 Points Table
In our predictions a perfect score is 3 points, and predicting the right outcome is worth 1 point (aka if a team wins but, you predict it, but don't get the perfect score). Below is the Gameweek and overall rundown of our Premier League predictions series for the season.
Sam Austin (@HypeTrainSam): 6 (1), 4 (2), 8 (3), 3 (4), 9 (5), 6 (6), 7 (7) = 43pts
Phil Jones (@HypeTrainPhil): 10 (1), 5 (2), 6 (3), 4 (4), 9 (5), 5 (6), 5 (7) = 44pts
Robert Austin (@HypeTrainRob): 4 (1), 5 (2), 8 (3), 2 (4), 7 (5), 9 (6), 8 (7) = 43pts
Special Guests: 4 (1), 4 (2), 7 (3), 2 (4), 2 (5), 8 (6), 13 (7) = 40pts
Special Guests
GW1 - @FPLConnect: 4 points (0 perfect, 4 correct, 6 wrong)
GW2 - @FPLsleuth: 4 points (0 perfect, 4 correct, 6 wrong)
GW3 - @FPLBraveheart: 6 points (1 perfect, 3 correct, 6 wrong)
GW4 - @FPLJournalBlog: 2 points (0 perfect, 2 correct, 8 wrong)
GW5 - @FPL_Ted: 2 points (0 perfect, 2 correct, 8 wrong)
GW6 - @CGA_FPL: 8 points (1 perfect, 5 correct, 4 wrong)
GW7 - @FPLMad: 11pts (3 perfect, 2 correct, 5 wrong)
Individual Gameweek Predictions
GW1: Sam (6), Phil (10), Rob (4), @FPL_Connect (4)
GW2: Sam (4), Phil (5), Rob (5), @FPLsleuth (4)
GW3: Sam (8), Phil (6), Rob, (8), @FPLBraveheart (7)
GW4: Sam (3), Phil (4), Rob (2), @FPLJournalBlog (2)
GW5: Sam (9), Phil (9), Rob (7), @FPL_Ted (2)
GW6: Sam (6), Phil (5), Rob (9), @CGA_FPL (8)
GW7: Sam (5), Phil (7), Rob (8), @FPLMad (11)
FPL Scout Picks: 2017/18 Points Table
Picking a squad of 15 for a single Gameweek, using the rules of the FPL - formations, captains and vice captains, and the player limits of 3 per club (chips will not be feature of these weekly picks). Below is the Gameweek and overall rundown of our Premier League predictions series for the season.
Sam Austin (@HypeTrainSam): 82 (1), 61 (2), 58 (3), 23 (4), 60 (5), 72 (6), 55 (7) = 411pts
Phil Jones (@HypeTrainPhil): 81 (1), 57 (2), 38 (3), 49 (4), 58 (5), 73 (6), 65 (7) = 421pts
Robert Austin (@HypeTrainRob): 67 (1), 43 (2), 48 (3), 36 (4), 74 (5), 78 (6), 68 (7) = 414pts
Special Guests: 54 (1), 45 (2), 41 (3), 40 (4), 72 (5), 77 (6), 81 (7) = 410pts
Special Guests
GW1 - @FPL_Connect: 54 points (Captain Kane, 2pts)
GW2 - @FPLsleuth: 45 points (Captain Lukaku, 12pts)
GW3 - @FPLBraveheart: 41 points (Captain Kane, 4pts)
GW4 - @FPLJournalBlog: 40 points (Captain Mane, -4pts)
GW5 - @FPL_Ted: 72 points (Captain Kane, 4pts)
GW6 - @CGA_FPL: 77 points (Captain Aguero, 22pts)
GW7 - @FPLMad: 81pts (Captain Kane, 26pts)
Individual Gameweek Scout Picks
GW1: Sam (82), Phil (81), Rob (67), @FPL_Connect (54)
GW2: Sam (61), Phil (57), Rob (43), @FPLsleuth (45)
GW3: Sam (58), Phil (38), Rob, (48), @FPLBraveheart (41)
GW4: Sam (23), Phil (49), Rob (36), @FPLJournalBlog (40)
GW5: Sam (60), Phil (58), Rob (74), @FPL_Ted (72)
GW6: Sam (72), Phil (73), Rob (78), @CGA_FPL (77)
GW7: Sam (55), Phil (65), Rob (68), @FPLMad (81)
Fixture Prediction: Gameweek 8
Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United
Burnley 2-0 West Ham
Man City 4-0 Stoke City
Crystal Palace 0-3 Chelsea
Spurs 1-0 Bournemouth
Swansea 2-1 Huddersfield
Watford 1-2 Arsenal
Brighton 1-2 Everton
Southampton 0-0 Newcastle
Leicester 2-1 West Brom
FPL Forecasting: Gameweek 8
Best GW Attacking Options:
Burnley (H) vs. West Ham
Man City (H) vs. Stoke City
Chelsea (A) vs. Crystal Palace
Swansea (H) vs. Huddersfield
Arsenal (A) vs. Watford
Leicester (H) vs. West Brom
Best GW Defensive / Clean Sheet Potential:
Burnley (H) vs. West Ham
Man City (H) vs. Stoke City
Chelsea (A) vs. Crystal Palace
Spurs (H) vs. Bournemouth
Southampton (H) vs. Newcastle
Newcastle (A) vs. Southampton
Who would you Transfer In and Out for the Gameweek and beyond?:
IN: Gabriel Jesus, Virgil van Dijk, Stephen Ward, Coutinho, Jamie Vardy, Eden Hazard, Alexis Sanchez.
OUT: Sadio Mane (sad face), Mhki, Dele Alli (long term), Jack Stephens
Who are the players that might make the difference this Gameweek in the Draft?:
Clean sheets! Stephan Ward is my optimum pick for a defender.
Man City midfielders, Leicester forwards, and Chelsea defenders.
Who are the teams to look out for?:
Burnley: I’ve been hugely impressed with Burnley so far at this stage of the season, and I can see West Ham faltering at Turf Moor. The Clarets have a real team feeling about them now and I can’t see a goal shy West Ham breaking that any time soon.
Man City: Goals, clean sheets, and a whole tonne of FPL points appear to be a staple of the Citizens season so far. Stoke should be wary of a team that can replace Aguero with Jesus.
Who are the teams to avoid?:
Arsenal: As much as I believe that the Gunners are going to win, the record of Marco Silva at Watford can’t be taken lightly. Arsenal are still prone to moments of football stupidity, so it could end with teams sharing the spoils.
Liverpool: Pains me as a Reds supporter to say this, but the club is in a shambles. Klopp has the same record that Brendan Rodgers was sacked with at the stage of 2015 so right now the German is navigating a tightrope, and this will be a must win game to keep balance. Problem is that I believe Mourinho will make it a typical affair watching Liverpool: Sit deep, defend, and hit on set-pieces with Lukaku.
Crystal Palace: No comment needed.
FPL Captaincy Picks:
(C): Gabriel Jesus – Morata is injured, Lukaku against Liverpool is a risk, leaving the fabled Jesus as the standout option this week in attack. Man City are ticking on a different level this season and I can see another huge win for them.
(VC): Eden Hazard – The boiling stew that has been Eden Hazard could spill over against goalless Crystal Palace who have been woeful from first whistle to last. Perfect storm for Hazard to announce himself on the big stage.
Other Gameweek Comments:
The recent international break offered heartbreak, emotion, injuries, and the threat of rotation in your fantasy team. I fully expect some shock names not to be playing.
FPL Hype Picks: Gameweek 8
Formation: 4-4-2
Starting 11
GK: Fraser Forster
DEF: Toby Alderweireld
DEF: Stephen Ward
DEF: Cesar Azpilicueta
DEF: Kyle Walker
MID: Eden Hazard (VC)
MID: David Silva
MID: Philippe Coutinho
MID: Dele Alli
FW: Jamie Vardy
FW: Gabriel Jesus (C)
Substitutes
BGK: Hugo Lloris
BFW: Romelu Lukaku
BMF: Pedro
BDF: Jamaal Lascelles
Fixture Prediction: Gameweek 8
Liverpool 3-2 Man United Burnley 1-0 West Ham Crystal Palace 0-4 Chelsea Man City 2-0 Stoke Spurs 5-2 Bournemouth Swansea 1-1 Huddersfield Watford 1-2 Arsenal Brighton 1-2 Everton Southampton 1-0 Newcastle Leicester 0-0 West Brom
FPL Forecasting: Gameweek 8
Best GW Attacking Options: Spurs (H) vs Bournemouth Chelsea (a) vs Crystal Palace Man City (H) vs Stoke
Best GW Defensive / Clean Sheet Potential: Chelsea (a) Crystal Palace Southampton (H) vs Newcastle West Brom (a) vs Leicester Man City (H) vs Stoke Burnley (H) vs West Ham
Who would you Transfer In and Out for the Gameweek and beyond?: IN: Sterling, Silva, Jesus, Vardy, Maguire, Hazard, Alonso, Van Dijk. OUT: Morata, Aguero, Ritchie, Firmino, Mikhitaryan.
Who are the players that might make the difference this Gameweek in the Draft?:
With Morata and Aguero out for one week at least it’s worth looking at Michy Batshuayi for Cheslea. The young Belgian has a good goal scoring record for Chelsea and even found the target while on international duty.
Gabriel Jesus is the obvious replacement for the absent Aguero, however the City wingers may benefit more from this. Sterling and Sane will look to impress given this opportunity.
GW Differential Picks:
Charlie Austin (SOU): Might not be played but the Shane Long injury might help his chances. This man is an FPL gem... if only he could get the minutes. I hope to see him start and maybe see a glimpse of his former self.
FPL Captaincy Picks: (C): Harry Kane: If this man isn’t your captain 90% of the time you will watch in fear. If you don’t own him, maybe the FPL isn’t for you. 6 goals in 4 games through September is all you need to know.
(VC):Eden Hazard: The little wizard is back and Palace should be torn apart in this fixture. While he’s missing the main target man, his Belgian international Batshuayi will step into those shoes. Agasint this Palace side any scoreline is possible.
FPL Hype Picks: Gameweek 8 Formation: 3-4-3
Starting 11
GK: Ben Foster
DEF: Virgil Van Dijk DEF: Marcos Alonso DEF: Kyle Walker
MID: Raheem Sterling MID: Mo Salah MID: Christian Eriksen MID: Eden Hazard (VC)
FOR: Harry Kane (C) FOR: Alexandre Lacazette FOR: Gabriel Jesus
Substitutes
GK: David De Gea MID: Pedro DEF: Ben Mee DEF: Nacho Monreal
Fixture Prediction: Gameweek 8
Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United
Burnley 2-0 West Ham
Man City 4-0 Stoke City
Crystal Palace 0-2 Chelsea
Spurs 3-1 Bournemouth
Swansea 1-0 Huddersfield
Watford 2-1 Arsenal
Brighton 1-1 Everton
Southampton 0-1 Newcastle
Leicester 2-1 West Brom
FPL Forecasting: Gameweek 8
Best GW Attacking Options:
Burnley (H) vs. West Ham
Man City (H) vs. Stoke City
Chelsea (A) vs. Crystal Palace
Leicester (H) vs. West Brom
Best GW Defensive / Clean Sheet Potential:
Burnley (H) vs. West Ham
Man City (H) vs. Stoke City
Chelsea (A) vs. Crystal Palace
Spurs (H) vs. Bournemouth
Newcastle (A) vs. Southampton
Who would you Transfer In and Out for the Gameweek and beyond?:
IN: Gabriel Jesus, Stephen Ward, Coutinho, Jamie Vardy, Eden Hazard, Alexis Sanchez, Nicolas Otamendi, John Stones, Matt Ritchie
OUT: Liverpool players (for a couple of weeks), Phil Jones (don't fancy United's run of games), Morata and Aguero (until we know their fitness)
Who are the players that might make the difference this Gameweek in the Draft?:
In our mini-league I stole Michy Batshuayi away from Phil, so I'm happy. The Belgian is a one-week gift for Draft players.
Burnley defenders will also be valuable assets, so snap up the likes of Tarkowski and Lowton before their taken.
Who are the teams to look out for?:
Burnley: Nick Pope, Ben Mee, and Stephen Ward, are all delicious FPL options to have in your defence.
Newcastle: Rafa Benitez never loses to his proteges. Pellegrino will find it hard to break Newcastle down, with the Magpies offering a decent attack as well.
Swansea: First home win of the season could happen against Huddersfield, and for the sake of budget FPL defenders, the less goals the better.
Who are the teams to avoid?:
Arsenal: They play in the Europa League.
Liverpool: If they don't improve, they'll be playing in the Europa League.
Southampton: They struggle for goals and Rafa is a tactical expert against teams that don't have their act together.
West Ham: They are not a good footballing team.
Everton: See all the comments above. That's Everton.
FPL Captaincy Picks:
(C): Harry Kane – Kane, just to be competitive.
(VC): Jamie Vardy – Vardy's on form for the Foxes, and West Brom are just average at the moment.
Other Gameweek Comments:
This ahead of most weeks is the best time to wildcard if your team needs freshening up. A lot of fixtures and teams in form are changing.
FPL Hype Picks: Gameweek 8
Formation: 3-4-3
Starting 11
GK: Nick Pope
DEF: Nicolas Otamendi
DEF: Marcos Alonso
DEF: Ben Davies
MID: Mohamed Salah
MID: David Silva
MID: Christian Eriksen
MID: Eden Hazard
FOR: Jamie Vardy
FOR: Romelu Lukaku
FOR: Harry Kane (C)
Substitutes
GK: Lukasz Fabianski
MID: Matt Ritchie
DEF: Stephen Ward
DEF: Harry Maguire
Fixture Prediction: Gameweek 8
Liverpool 2 -1 Man United
Burnley 1-1 West Ham
Crystal Palace 0-2 Chelsea
Man City 4-1 Stoke
Spurs 3-0 Bournemouth
Swansea 0-0 Huddersfield
Watford 1-2 Arsenal
Brighton 1-1 Everton
Southampton 1-1 Newcastle
Leicester 2-1 West Brom
FPL Forecasting: Gameweek 8
Best GW Attacking Options:
Harry Kane must be without a doubt the most likely scorer this week, and according to the bookies he is just that. City’s attacking players are also expected to score highly with Gabriel Jesus, Aguero (if he plays), Sane and Sterling all likely to be attacking threats this week. Morata and Batshuayi are also likely scorer’s dependent on who starts, and Lacazette is likely to score for Arsenal.
Best GW Defensive / Clean Sheet Potential:
The 3 most likely clean sheet sides this Gameweek are City, Chelsea and Spurs. In that order. Outside of these 3 sides, Swansea, Leicester and Southampton are the only 3 sides which are more than a 40% chance of keeping a clean sheet this week. Surprisingly, the bookies show Burnley as unlikely to keep a clean sheet against West Ham at home.
Who would you Transfer In and Out for the Gameweek and beyond?:
IN: Short/Long term Kane. I think he is fixture proof. I think a City defender is a requisite given their relatively easy fixtures over the coming while, and Morata or Luiz would be good picks going forward.
OUT: Offensive players for Southampton. They just can’t score.
Who are the players that might make the difference this Gameweek in the Draft?:
Raheem Sterling could play a massive role for City against Stoke. I could see the Citizens smashing Stoke at home, with wing play proving essential against a 5 man defensive unit.
I think Tom Ince’s underlying stats could come to fruition against a Swansea side which are poor.
Who are the teams to look out for?:
Man City, Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea. Surprisingly I’ve picked 4 of the top 6. Shocking.
Who are the teams to avoid?:
Avoid Stoke, Palace and Bournemouth like the plague.
GW Differential Picks:
Van Dijk is owned by only 1.3% of teams, and started against Stoke in their 2-1 away loss. They play Newcastle at home and have some pretty tasty fixtures.
Tom Ince. He has been shooting, and shooting a lot. He is threatening but just hasn’t scored yet. He’s owned by only 0.8% of teams.
Raheem Sterling. Only owned by 6.4% of teams. He’s stellar and really suits this system.
Rob Holding could be a surprise starter for Arsenal at 0.8% TSB. Mustafi is out injured, Koscielny is nursing an injury, and Mertesacker is Arsenal’s captain. Which means he doesn’t play.
FPL Captaincy Picks:
(C): Harry Kane
(VC): Gabriel Jesus
Other Gameweek Comments:
Rose has been pictured back training for Spurs and could be now a risk for Davies’ position. With Bournemouth an easy fixture, Spurs have some tough games coming up against Madrid, Liverpool and United. Davies could be rotated.
Aguero has been training and could be selected over Gabriel Jesus, who started 2 fixtures for Brazil. The Brazilian scored a 93rd minute goal against Chile. He could be tired after 2 games and a long flight. Pep always rotates too!
Mané is injured. Liverpool are dire without him.
I think Morata starts for Chelsea.
FPL Hype Picks: Gameweek 8
Formation: 3-4-3
Starting 11
GK: Thibaut Courtois
DEF: Nicolas Otamendi
DEF: Marcos Alonso
DEF: Toby Alderweireld
MID: Alexis Sanchez
MID: Raheem Sterling
MID: Dele Alli
MID: Eden Hazard
FOR: Alexandre Lacazette
FOR: Gabriel Jesus (VC)
FOR: Harry Kane (C)
Substitutes
GK: Lukasz Fabianski
MID: Mohamed Salah
DEF: Leighton Baines
DEF: Harry Maguire
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The Hype Train is an entertainment website founded in 2015, specialising in the Fantasy Premier League (#FPL), providing beautiful graphics and weekly insight for hopeful players attempting to climb ranking tables. We are also occasional media reviewers, with a keen interest to review movies, live sport, and professional wrestling.
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The Hype Train were nominated and shortlisted for the 'Best Football Blog 2016' by the Football Bloggers Association at their annual Football Blogging Awards (The FBA's), with the final presentation held at Old Trafford in Manchester.
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All aboard.
