With the Premier League on hold for the international break, Gameweek 8 is a popular Wildcard week, writes FPL expert Blake Hurst.
Remember, the Wildcard isn’t just about GW8 itself – it’s a chance to set up a team ready to thrive in the weeks ahead.
Whether you’re recovering from a slow start, locking in form players or preparing for upcoming fixture swings, this post will help you build a well-balanced squad that can deliver long-term returns.
Fantasy Premier League wildcard goalkeepers
Two clear standouts for a GW8 wildcard are Raya and Pope.
Raya benefits from playing behind arguably the best defence in the league with Arsenal. However, Newcastle’s defence – behind whom Pope plays – is often underrated and under-owned.
While Raya’s clean sheet potential is strong, he doesn’t generate many save points, so his returns tend to be either low or very high.
Pope averages 2.7 saves per 90 minutes, adding valuable save points that often translate into bigger hauls when Newcastle do keep clean sheets.
For your second goalkeeper,Martin Dubravka is the best budget-friendly choice at just 4m. Although you could spend more here, it’s generally not recommended, as a budget back-up paired with one of the premium options provides the best balance.
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FPL wildcard defenders
After seven gameweeks, the data clearly shows defenders are increasingly valuable in Fantasy Premier League this season, especially with the addition of defensive contribution points.
Generally, prioritising a defensive powerhouse centre-back over attacking full-backs offers more consistent returns.
These players usually start with a baseline of four points just for their defensive contributions and, when combined with a clean sheet, can easily produce double digit hauls.
Arsenal defenders
Arsenal continue to rank among Europe’s best defensive units and, with their fixtures turning favourable, having at least one Arsenal defender is essential.
There’s a strong case for doubling up with either Raya or Jurrien Timber alongside Gabriel in defence.
For those willing to be different, a triple Arsenal defence is one of the biggest differential moves available in a GW8 wildcard, given their ability in keeping clean sheets consistently.
Other defenders to strongly consider include Marcos Senesi and Joachim Andersen – both defensive contribution monsters – and Dan Burn, who is part of an overlooked Newcastle defence.
Daniel Munoz offers attacking threat potential, while Chris Richards is a budget-friendly enabler in Palace’s solid defence.
El Hadji Malick Diouf, operating under Nuno Santos, could be a hidden gem as a highly attacking full-back with defensive contribution points.
Additional budget enablers worth a look are Maxime Esteve, Nordi Mukiele and Joe Rodon, who provide good value without costing much of your budget.
FPL wildcard midfielders
The engine room and heart of your FPL squad, midfielders are where you find both reliable point-getters and exciting differential punts to elevate your rank.
From high-end stars to budget gems, there’s plenty of scope for smart, cheeky picks this Gameweek 8 wildcard.
At the premium end, players such as Bukayo Saka, Bruno Fernandes, Mohamed Salah and Antoine Semenyo remain stand-out targets because of their consistent involvement in goals and assists.
Saka, for example, faces a favourable fixture with Arsenal and continues to threaten with shots, creativity and set-pieces.
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Salah, while yet to hit full stride, still remains as the undisputed “king of FPL”. Semenyo’s explosive start has been sensational, leading midfielders with 15 shots in the box and an outstanding 4.02 expected goals (xG) after seven gameweeks.
The exciting part is the array of differentials bringing serious value and upside – players such as Phil Foden, Antony Gordon, Lucas Paqueta and Ismaila Sarr are shining brightly as potential upcoming options.
Sarr boasts an impressive 2.93 expected goals in just four games, underlining his goal threat. Enzo Fernandez, also highly rated, ranks third among midfielders for xG with 3.76, and the Chelsea captain’s number of touches in the box suggest he’s poised for a breakthrough over the next few gameweeks with the improvement of Chelsea’s fixtures.
Some budget-friendly options to consider include Yankuba Minteh, Josh King, Granit Xhaka, Tijjani Reijnders and Jaidon Anthony, who offer great value and plenty of potential without breaking the bank.
This midfield group combines proven FPL staples with smart punts that could pay dividends in the weeks ahead.
Whether you want to secure your core or gamble on the under-the-radar, this is the position to inject excitement and creativity into your Gameweek 8 wildcard strategy.
FPL wildcard forwards
Erling Haaland has to be the first name on any wildcard. The guy is a scoring machine and shows no signs of slowing down.
Even though more managers are shifting away from three-forward set-ups, there are still some strikers I’d be happy to have in my squad.
Players such as Viktor Gyokeres, Joao Pedro, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Jarrod Bowen, Nick Woltemade and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all bring something different to the table, whether it’s goal threat, fixtures or budget-friendly points.
They’re worth considering to add some depth and spark to your frontline.
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FPL GW8 wildcard recap
I’m not using my wildcard just yet. But if I were, this is the kind of team I’d be aiming for, with a balanced mix of template picks, solid mainstays and a few exciting differentials to keep things interesting.
Goalkeepers: Pope, Dubravka
Defenders: Gabriel, Timber, Senesi, Anderson, Esteve
Midfielders: Saka, Semenyo, Sarr, Paqueta, Minteh
Forwards: Haaland, Woltemade, Joao Pedro
That said, there’s plenty of flexibility here. I’d be happy to include any of the players we’ve talked about.
It’s all about building a team that feels right for you while backing those key fixtures and form players.
Using your wildcard in Gameweek 8 is a strategic move to build a squad not only for this week but for the crucial fixtures ahead.
A well set up wildcard team can provide a strong platform to climb the ranks throughout the upcoming gameweeks.
Plan carefully, focusing on form, fixtures, and differential picks, and trust your setup to carry you through the challenges beyond GW8.
Want more tips? You can also read 101GreatGoals.com’s guides to the FPL players to buy in Gameweek 8 and the FPL players to sell and avoid.
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