FPL Draft Gameweek 8 preview

Ipswich should field Palacios centrally and Fatawu in a more attacking shape, while Forest welcome Gibbs-White back after a full week’s training. Forest’s direct transitions meet an Ipswich side yet to keep a clean sheet, but Emersonn’s fitness and Gibbs-White’s selection cloud the attacking calls for Draft managers.

• Murillo, N.Williams: Ipswich have yet to keep a clean sheet, while both are nailed in the predicted XI.

• Palacios, Ndoye: One is central to Ipswich's attack; the other is Forest's clearest current spark.

• Gibbs-White: Despite training all week, his start chance is only 75.

• Emersonn: He is expected to lead the line but has not completed a full match.

City arrive unbeaten at the top of the table, while Villa are without Onana, Wan-Bissaka and Ruggeri. Haaland is fully available, and the home side’s stretched full-back options point to City creating the clearer openings. Draft managers should back City’s reliable attackers and limit Villa defensive exposure.

• Haaland: Fully available, on penalties and City’s leading forecast.

• Doku: Predicted to start after a form rating of 9.

• Gvardiol: Only a 75% start chance amid open selection calls.

• Cash: Villa’s depleted full-back unit faces the league leaders.

Arsenal host Everton with Saka awaiting further assessment and Branthwaite an open fitness question, leaving Eze and Madueke to carry more wide responsibility. Arsenal have won all 3 home league matches, while Everton’s threat rests with Barry and set pieces. Draft managers should favour Arsenal starters and fade Everton’s defence.

• Gabriel, Calafiori: Arsenal have 4 clean sheets and Everton are winless away.

• Rice: Corners and free-kicks provide extra routes to returns.

• Saka, Branthwaite: Both have unresolved fitness situations ahead of selection.

• Pickford, Tarkowski, Mykolenko: A difficult away fixture limits clean-sheet potential.

Coventry’s established absences leave limited room for change, while Fulham travel without Sessegnon and Smith Rowe remains a late call. Rudoni’s set pieces and Fulham’s need to supply Gonzalo should shape chances in a meeting of 17th and 18th, so Draft managers should favour secure creators and monitor uncertain attackers.

• Rudoni, Iwobi: Set-piece duties give both multiple routes to returns.

• King, Gonzalo: Fulham’s joint-best forecasts are 4.7 and 4.5.

• Cherif, Sakamoto: Each has a 75% start chance in the predicted XI.

• Smith Rowe: He trained fully but remains listed as doubtful.

Chelsea host Tottenham in a derby shaped by Penders’ confirmed start and Spurs’ uncertainty over Maddison, Kulusevski and Udogie. Chelsea’s attack offers the clearest routes to returns, led by João Pedro and Palmer; Draft managers should back the home side while treating Tottenham’s unresolved selections cautiously.

• João Pedro, Palmer: They lead Chelsea’s projections, with penalties adding another route to returns.

• Penders: Confirmed to start against a side with 6 goals in 7 matches.

• Maddison, Senesi: Fitness and selection situations remain unresolved before the derby.

Crystal Palace’s selection is clouded by doubts over Strand Larsen and Timber, while Newcastle may be without Fernandez-Pardo after illness. Barnes and Wissa offer the clearest Newcastle routes to goal, with Yeremy’s set pieces Palace’s main source of upside. Draft managers should back Newcastle’s secure starters and wait on the late fitness calls.

• Barnes, Wissa: Both are secure predicted starters and lead Newcastle's one-game forecasts.

• Botman, Hall: Palace have conceded 17 goals, supporting the away defence.

• Strand Larsen, Timber, Fernandez-Pardo: Fitness doubts make each a late lineup decision.

Brentford arrive with the stronger attacking outlook, while Hull are likely to make changes and remain without several players. Brentford’s midfield is also reshaped by absences, but Thiago and Anthony should lead the visitors’ chances, with Belloumi Hull’s clearest route to a return. Draft managers should favour Brentford attackers and treat Hull fringe selections cautiously.

• Thiago, Anthony: Both are projected starters, with the visitors carrying the stronger attacking outlook.

• Belloumi: Hull’s standout recent performer is projected to start despite wider changes.

• Giles, Thomas, Crooks: Expected changes leave their places uncertain.

• Jensen: He remains unavailable despite appearing in the predicted XI.

Liverpool’s rotation remains a factor, with Barcola fit but Gakpo only a possible starter after the hosts’ absences narrowed their options. Brighton bring a fresh core, and Groß’s set pieces offer their clearest route against an intense home press; Draft managers should back secure attackers rather than chase uncertain minutes.

• Isak, Wirtz: Both are locked into the projected XI and lead Liverpool’s attacking outlook.

• Groß: Corners, free kicks and penalties make him Brighton’s safest attacking route.

• Barcola: Fit after training normally and projected to start in a depleted attack.

• Gakpo: Only a 50 start chance amid the manager’s stated rotation.

United’s depleted squad and assessments of Martinez and Rashford leave their projected XI unsettled, while Bournemouth expect Evanilson to lead the line and Kroupi.Jr to receive managed minutes. Mbeumo and B.Fernandes offer United’s clearest routes to returns, with Evanilson and Tavernier leading Bournemouth’s threat: start the secure attackers, monitor the late calls.

• Mbeumo, B.Fernandes: Both are certain starters, with B.Fernandes on all major set pieces.

• Evanilson, Tavernier: Both are projected to start; one brings form, the other set-piece responsibility.

• Martinez, Rashford: Both are being assessed after missing the midweek defeat.

• Kroupi.Jr: Planned for first involvement, but minutes will be managed after injury.

Leeds arrive seventh to face bottom-side Sunderland, whose centre-back options are reduced by absences and suspension. Calvert-Lewin, Stach and Okafor are all fitness doubts, while Isidor is also uncertain; E.Le Fée’s corners should offer Sunderland’s clearest route, with Leeds’ attack dependent on late calls. Draft managers should favour secure Leeds starters and E.Le Fée, while monitoring the doubtful forwards.

• E.Le Fée: Corners and a 4.9 forecast make him Sunderland’s strongest attacking start.

• Trafford, Bogle: Sunderland have scored only 6 goals in seven matches, supporting Leeds defensive starts.

• Calvert-Lewin, Stach, Okafor: All are listed at 50% chance of playing.

• Isidor: A knock leaves him at 50% chance of playing despite likely involvement.