With the Premier League suspended 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 an opportunity to build a team ready to thrive in the weeks to come.
Whether you’re recovering from a slow start, retaining in-form players, or preparing for upcoming matches, this article will help you build a well-rounded team that can generate long-term returns.
Fantasy Premier League wildcard goalkeepers
Two players who clearly stand out for a GW8 wild card are Raya and Pope.
Raya benefits from playing behind arguably the best defense in the league with Arsenal. However, Newcastle’s defense – which Pope plays behind – is often underrated and underused.
Although Raya’s clean sheet potential is strong, he doesn’t generate many save points, so his returns tend to be low or very high.
Pope averages 2.7 saves per 90 minutes, adding valuable save points that often translate into bigger wins when Newcastle keep clean sheets.
For your second goalkeeper, Martin Dubravka is the best economical choice at only 4m. While you can spend more here, it’s generally not recommended, as a budget save paired with one of the premium options provides the best balance.
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FPL wildcard defenders
Seven weeks into the game, the data clearly shows that defenders are increasingly valuable in the Fantasy Premier League this season, especially with the addition of defensive contribution points.
Generally, prioritizing a defensive central defender over attacking full-backs provides more consistent returns.
These players typically start with a base of four points just for their defensive contributions and, when combined with a clean sheet, can easily produce double-digit goals.
Arsenal defenders
Arsenal continue to rank as one of the best defensive units in Europe and with favorable matches having at least one Arsenal defender is essential.
There are good reasons to double up with Raya or Jurrien Timber alongside Gabriel on defense.
For those who want to be different, an Arsenal triple defense is one of the most important differential moves available in a GW8 wildcard, given their ability to consistently keep clean sheets.
Other defenders to strongly consider include Marcos Senesi and Joachim Andersen – both monsters of defensive contribution – and Dan Burn, part of a sloppy Newcastle defense.
Daniel Munoz offers attacking threat potential, while Chris Richards is an economical player in Palace’s strong defence.
El Hadji Malick Diouf, under Nuno Santos, could be a hidden gem as a very attacking full-back with defensive contribution points.
Other budget facilitators worth checking out are Maxime Esteve, Nordi Mukiele and Joe Rodon, which offer good value without costing a huge chunk of your budget.
FPL wildcard midfielder
The engine room and heart of your FPL team, midfielders are where you find both reliable point scorers and exciting differential punts to elevate your rank.
From high-end stars to budget gems, there’s plenty of room for smart, bold choices with this Gameweek 8 wildcard.
On the premium side, players such as Bukayo Saka, Bruno Fernandes, Mohamed Salah and Antoine Semenyo remain prime targets due to their consistent involvement in goals and assists.
Saka, for example, faces a favorable matchup with Arsenal and continues to threaten with his shots, creativity and set pieces.
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Salah, even if he has not yet reached his full potential, still remains the “undisputed king of the FPL”. Semenyo’s explosive start has been sensational, leading the midfielders with 15 shots into the box and an outstanding 4.02 expected goals (xG) after seven match weeks.
What’s exciting is the array of differentials that bring tremendous value and potential – players such as Phil Foden, Antony Gordon, Lucas Paqueta and Ismaila Sarr shine brightly as potential options going forward.
Sarr boasts an impressive 2.93 expected goals rating in just four games, highlighting his goal threat. Also highly rated Enzo Fernandez ranks third among midfielders for xG with 3.76, and the Chelsea captain’s number of touches in the box suggest he is set to make a breakthrough over the coming match weeks as Chelsea’s matches improve.
Some budget 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 clever punts that could pay dividends in the weeks to come.
Whether you want to secure your core or bet under the radar, now is the perfect time to inject some excitement and creativity into your Gameweek 8 wild card strategy.
Generic FPL transfers
Erling Haaland has to be the first name on any wild card. The guy is a scoring machine and shows no signs of slowing down.
Even though more and more coaches are moving away from three-striker setups, there are still some forwards that I would be happy to have on my team.
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, matches or economic points.
They’re worth considering to add depth and spark to your frontline.
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FPL GW8 Wild Cards Summary
I haven’t used my joker yet. But if I were, this is the kind of team I’d aim for, with a balanced mix of model choices, strong pillars, and some exciting differentials to keep things interesting.
Goalkeepers: Pope, Dubravka
Defenders: Gabriel, Timber, Senesi, Anderson, Estève
Midfield: Saka, Semenyo, Sarr, Paqueta, Minteh
Advantages: Haaland, Woltemade, João Pedro
That said, there’s a lot of flexibility here. I would be happy to include any of the players we talked about.
It’s about building a team that suits you while supporting those key matches and developing players.
Using your wild card in Gameweek 8 is a strategic decision to build a team not only for this week but for the crucial matches to come.
A well-built wildcard team can provide a solid platform to climb the ladder throughout the upcoming game weeks.
Plan carefully, focusing on form, fitments, and differential choices, and trust your setup to help you meet challenges beyond GW8.
Want more advice? You can also read 101GreatGoals.com’s guides for FPL players buy in Gameweek 8 And FPL players sell and avoid.
