GameDay Squad EPL Gameweek 8 preview

Round eight is here and we’ve all made it through another international break. Let’s take a look at the fixtures and who to pick as we all shake off the rustiness.

Nottingham Forest v Chelsea:

An injury plagued Chelsea (likely to be without Palmer and Enzo Fernandez) run into a Forest team struggling with their identity. There should be goals for Chelsea in this one, but identifying the sources of them will be difficult. Will the likes of Estevao, Neto or Pedro step up?

Last five fixtures:

NF Home	ALL	C Home
NF 0-1 C A: Neto	NF 0-1 C	NF 1-1 C G: Wood A: Milenkovic
2-3 A: Gibbs-White (2), Caicedo, James	1-1	1-0
1-1	2-3	2-2
1-3	1-0	2-0
2-0	2-2	2-0

Statistics (Top Five in the League for Conceding):

●     Nottingham Forest: Shots on Target (2nd), Key Passes (3rd), Accurate Crosses (4th) and Saves (3rd)

●     Chelsea: Tackles (4th) and Blocks (2nd)

Recommended Players:

●     Joao Pedro

●     Pedro Neto

●     Estevao

●     Reece James

●     Enzo Fernandez (if he starts)

Sunderland v Wolves:

The previous results in this fixture has favoured the home teams, which, along with Sunderland’s form this season, could see Sunderland walking away with the points in this one. While the Sunderland defence of Fernandez, Hume and Mulere have been standout- the risk is there is rotation with one of them for Ballard.

Last five fixtures:

S Home	ALL	W Home
S 3-0 W	S 3-0 W	S 0-0 W
0-0	0-0	1-2
1-3	0-0	2-3
5-2	1-2	1-2
2-1	1-3	1-1

Statistics (Top Five in the League for Conceding):

●     Sunderland: Shots on Target (4th) and Accurate Crosses (5th)

●     Wolves: Shots on Target (5th), Successful Dribbles (1st), Accurate Crosses (2nd), Interceptions (5th) and Fouls Drawn (1st)

Recommended Players:

●     Omar Fernandez (Alderete)

●     Nordi Mulere (Mukiele)

●     Trai Hume

●     Granit Xhaka

●     Wilson Isidor

●     Robin Roefs

Man City v Everton:

A revitalized Everton, who aren’t afraid to play attacking football against the big teams, could be a threat to City in this one. City haven’t had it all their own way in the past while playing at home in this fixture, however with Grealish unavailable to Everton for this game their attacking threat is severely reduced. While they’ve struggled for big scores against Everton in recent times, more space in attack could change that. No clean sheets for Everton in the past five at home and away spells trouble for any defensive picks for them.

Last five fixtures:

MC Home	ALL	E Home
MC 1-1 E G: Ndiaye, Silva A: Doku	MC 2-0 E	MC 2-0 E G: O’Reilly A: Nunes
2-0 G: Haaland (2) A: Ake	1-1	3-1 G: Foden, Silva A: Silva
1-1 G: Haaland	2-0	3-0 G: Haaland
3-0 G: Rodri, Silva	3-1	1-0 G: Foden
5-0 G: Foden	3-0	2-0 A: Rodri

Statistics (Top Five in the League for Conceding):

●     Man City: Tackles (1st)

●     Everton: Aerial Duels Won (1st)

Recommended Players:

●     Erling Haaland

●     Phil Foden

●     Josko Gvardiol

●     Gianluigi Donnarumma

●     James Garner

●     Tijjani Reijnders

Crystal Palace v Bournemouth:

A strong defence (Palace) meets the heavy hitting attackers (Bournemouth). Crystal Palace have typically been superior at home, however the two most recent fixtures between these teams have resulted in 0-0 draws. We could see history repeat a third time based on both teams form this season, which could mean a Semenyo fade is on the cards ad the Palace back five will once again be popular.

Last five fixtures:

CP Home	ALL	B Home
CP 0-0 B	CP 0-0 B	CP 0-0 B
0-2 G: Senesi	0-0	0-1 G: Kluivert A: Semenyo
2-0	0-1	2-0
1-0	0-2	0-0
5-3	2-0	2-0

Statistics (Top Five in the League for Conceding):

●     Crystal Palace: Successful Dribbles (4th), Accurate Crosses (3rd), Interceptions (4th), Aerial Duels Won (4th), Saves (2nd)

●     Bournemouth: Successful Dribbles (3rd), Tackles (3rd), Blocks (4th), Clearances (2nd), Saves (4th)

Recommended Players:

●     Chris Richards

●     Maxence Lacroix

●     Marc Guehi

●     Daniel Munoz

●     Antoine Semenyo

●     Marcos Senesi

●     Adrien Truffert

●     Dean Henderson

●     Adam Wharton

Burnley v Leeds:

Will Burnley continue to play their low block counter attacking game? Or will they feel a different approach is viable against another defensive team such as Leeds? If the low block does continue there’s every chance the likes of Stach and Longstaff will take advantage of the extra time afforded to them on the ball and potentially score big.

Last five fixtures:

B Home	ALL	L Home
B 0-0 L	B 0-0 L	B 1-0 L
1-1	1-0	1-3
0-4	1-3	0-1
2-2	1-1	1-1
1-0	0-4	2-1

Statistics (Top Five in the League for Conceding):

●     Burnley: Shots on Target (1st), Key Passes (1st), Accurate Crosses (1st) and Aerial Duel Wins (3rd)

●     Leeds: Successful Dribbles (5th) and Blocks (5th)

Recommended Players:

●     Anton Stach

●     Sean Longstaff

●     Joe Rodon

●     Martin Dubravka

●     Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Brighton v Newcastle:

A fixture that usually produces goals for both teams means this could be a fixture to avoid when it comes to selecting your defenders (if it wasn’t already with Livramento out). Minteh has been in red hot form when he has played his old club, scoring both times he’s played Newcastle. While Welbeck has been to form player in this fixture, there’s a chance he doesn’t start here.

Last five fixtures:

B Home	ALL	N Home
B 1-1 N G: Minteh A: Wieffer	B 1-1 N	B 2-1 N G: Minteh, Welbeck
3-1 A: Mitoma	2-1	1-0 G: Welbeck A: Rutter
1-2 G: Welbeck A: J Murphy	1-0	1-1 G: Veltman
0-0	1-1	1-4 G: Burn, Guimaraes A: Trippier
1-1	3-1	1-2 G: Schar, Dunk

Statistics (Top Five in the League for Conceding):

●     Brighton: Successful Dribbles (2nd), Fouls Drawn (3rd) and Saves (5th)

●     Newcastle: Successful Dribbles (5th), Interceptions (2nd), Fouls Drawn (5th) and Clearances (4th)

Recommended Players:

●     Yankuba Minteh

●     Nick Woltemade

●     Nick Pope

Fulham v Arsenal:

Gone are the days where Arsenal used to thump Fulham as recently these fixtures have been quite tense. Surprisingly, Arsenal haven’t kept a clean sheet in the past four total games against Fulham, however their defenders have been able to make up for that with multiple goal contributions from Saliba and Gabriel in these fixtures. Saka tends to be the star as he has three goals in their past four meetings.

Last five fixtures:

F Home	ALL	A Home
F 1-1 A G: Jimenez, Saliba A: Tete	F 1-2 A	F 1-2 A G: Merino, Saka A: Martinelli
2-1 G: Jimenez, Saka	1-1	2-2 G: Saka
0-3 G: Gabriel Mag, Martinelli, Odegaard A: Trossard (3)	2-1	1-2 G: Odegaard, Gabriel Mag A: Saka, Saliba
0-3	2-2	1-1
1-5	0-3	4-1

Statistics (Top Five in the League for Conceding):

●     Fulham: Shots on Target (5th) and Fouls Drawn (2nd)

●     Arsenal: Blocks (1st) and Clearances (1st)

Recommended Players:

●     Bukayo Saka

●     Viktor Gyokeres

●     Gabriel

●     William Saliba

●     David Raya

●     Declan Rice

Tottenham v Aston Villa:

A surprise to some is that Aston Villa are and can be a very good team, which could be a shock given their form up until recently. They’ll hope to continue that form against Spurs, and if recent results in this fixture are anything to go by they’re in with a shout. With an average of 3.4 goals combined in the past five meetings we’re expecting goals from either side as the likes of Rogers, Watkins, Kudus and Richarlison could be involved. 

Last five fixtures:

T Home	ALL	AV Home
T 4-1 AV G: Rogers, Johnson, Solanke (2) A: Richarlison	T 0-2 AV	T 0-2 AV G: Konsa, Kamara A: Watkins, Rogers
1-2 G: P Torres, Watkins A: Porro	1-2	1-2 G: Rogers A: Rogers
0-2 G: Buendia A: Watkins, McGinn	4-1	4-0 G: Johnson A: Sarr
2-1 G: Watkins	4-0	1-2
3-1 G: McGinn	1-2	4-0

Statistics (Top Five in the League for Conceding):

●     Tottenham: Shots on Target (5th), Key Passes (4th), Fouls Drawn (5th) and Clearances (3rd)

●     Aston Villa: Interceptions (3rd) and Tackles (2nd)

Recommended Players:

●     Morgan Rogers

●     Ollie Watkins

●     John McGinn

●     Pedro Porro

●     Mohammed Kudus

Liverpool v Man Utd:

One of the biggest rivalries in the Premier League reconvenes as Liverpool are on a run of poor form, while United have found theirs. Liverpool have kept four clean sheets in their past five home fixtures versus United, which may make Liverpool defenders even more popular this week. On the attacking side of things; Salah and Gakpo have been dominant in this fixture, while Bruno Fernandes has popped up for a couple of goal contributions.

Last five fixtures:

L Home	ALL	MU Home
L 2-2 MU G: Diallo, Gakpo, Salah A: B Fernandes, Mac Allister	L 2-2 MU	L 3-0 MU G: Salah A: Salah (2), Szoboszlai
0-0	3-0	3-0 A: Salah
7-0 G: Gakpo (2), Salah (2) A: Salah	3-0	2-2 G: B Fernandes, Salah
4-0 G: Salah (2) A: Salah	2-2	3-4 G: Mac Allister, Salah
0-0	3-4	1-2 G: Salah

Statistics (Top Five in the League for Conceding):

●     Liverpool: Interceptions (1st) and Blocks (3rd)

●     Man United: Aerial Duel Wins (2nd), Clearances (5th) and Saves (1st)

Recommended Players:

●     Mo Salah

●     Cody Gakpo

●     Giorgi Marmardashvili

●     Patrick Dorgu

●     Virgil van Dijk

West Ham v Brentford:

An interesting fixture to end the round as new manager Nuno has West Ham looking far more capable and defensively sound… however, do they have the defenders capable of emulating what he did at Forest? Brentford could find it hard to score in this one, something they haven’t struggled with this season with their last game against City being the only time they haven’t scored. In the last five fixtures between the two, Brentford have scored in them all. Schade was the most recent relevant player to score, but Bowen appears to be the standout having scored a hattrick in a 4-2 win.

Last five fixtures:

WH Home	ALL	B Home
WH 0-1 B	WH 0-1 B	WH 1-1 B G: Schade
4-2 G: Bowen (3) A: Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter	1-1	2-3 G: Bowen, Collins
0-2	4-2	0-2
1-2 G: Bowen	2-3	1-0
2-1	0-2	0-2

Statistics (Top Five in the League for Conceding):

●     West Ham: Shots on Target (3rd), Key Passes (5th), Tackles (5th) and Saves (5th)

●     Brentford: Shots on Target (5th), Key Passes (2nd), Aerial Duel Wins (5th) and Fouls Drawn (4th)

Recommended Players:

●     Lucas Paqueta

●     Jarrod Bowen

●     Kevin Schade

●     Mikkel Damsgaard

●     Caoimhin Kelleher

●     Igor Thiago

Goalkeepers:

●     Roefs ⭐️

●     Pope

●     Raya

●     Henderson

●     Donnarumma

Uniques: Dubravka and Marmardashvili

Defenders:

●     Guehi ⭐️

●     Richards

●     Gabriel

●     Senesi

●     Lacroix

●     O Fernandez 

●     Gvardiol

●     Munoz

●     Porro

●     Truffert

Uniques: Rodon and Dorgu

Midfielders:

●     E Fernandez ⭐️(MAY NOT PLAY)

●     Paqueta

●     Rice

●     Xhaka

●     Longstaff

●     Schade

●     Kudus

●     Stach

●     Foden

●     Reijnders

Uniques: Garner and Caicedo

Forwards:

●     Haaland ⭐️

●     Saka

●     Minteh

●     Semenyo

●     Gakpo

●     Salah

●     Bowen

●     Gyokeres

●     J Pedro

Uniques: Thiago and Woltemade

…And that’s a wrap! Best of luck with round eight.