FPL Gameweek 8 Review: James Stars as Burnley Lead the Way
Reece James’ 18-point defensive masterclass headlines gameweek as Burnley lead with 7.21 average while returns compress slightly to 34.0%.
Gameweek 8 saw returns compress marginally after GW7’s improvement, with 34.0% of players returning more than 2 points. Our live FPL tracker analyzed all 306 players and identified standout performances from premium defenders, with Reece James’ exceptional 18-point haul leading the way. Burnley’s impressive form continued while several big names struggled. Here are the essential insights for navigating the ongoing volatility and optimizing your FPL captain picks.
Top Performers by Position
Premium defenders and forwards delivered the biggest hauls this week, with James and Mateta providing exceptional value.
Goalkeeper: Martin Dúbravka (9pts)
Newcastle’s Dúbravka claimed top goalkeeper honors with 9 points from his clean sheet. Consistent goalkeeping returns remain a reliable foundation for FPL squads, with keepers from defensively solid teams offering steady points accumulation across difficult gameweeks.
Defender: Reece James (18pts) ⭐
The performance of the gameweek. Chelsea’s James delivered an extraordinary 18-point return in their commanding 3-0 away victory at Nottingham Forest, matching Alderete’s GW6 haul as the season’s highest defensive score. Combining a clean sheet with attacking contributions, this explosive performance demonstrates why premium wing-backs from top teams remain essential for fantasy premier league managers. James’ ability to deliver captain-worthy hauls makes him a must-watch asset when fit and in form for FPL tools users.
Midfielders: Pedro Neto & Rodrigo Bentancur (12pts each)
Two midfielders shared honors with 12 points each. Neto impressed for his side while Bentancur delivered for Tottenham despite their 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa. These solid returns demonstrate that premium midfielders can produce points even when their teams don’t secure victories, reinforcing the importance of selecting players with high involvement in their team’s attacks.
Forward: Jean-Philippe Mateta (17pts)
Crystal Palace’s Mateta delivered an exceptional 17-point haul in their thrilling 3-3 home draw with Bournemouth. This explosive return demonstrates that forwards can still deliver elite hauls when central to their team’s attacking play. Mateta’s performance in a high-scoring match showcases why selecting forwards from teams likely to be involved in goal-fests offers genuine FPL captain picks potential.
Team Performance Analysis
Best Performing Teams
Burnley (7.21 average) ⭐
The Clarets topped the gameweek with an excellent 7.21 average following their comfortable 2-0 home victory over Leeds. After averaging 3.19 in GW7, Burnley’s improvement to 7.21 demonstrates their growing consistency at Turf Moor. Their defensive solidity combined with attacking efficiency at home makes them an intriguing differential source for FPL tracker users seeking under-owned assets with genuine upside in favorable fixtures.
Sunderland (7.20 average)
The Black Cats bounced back dramatically from their 1.92 average in GW7 with an impressive 7.20 return in their narrow 1-0 home victory over Wolves. This volatility (5.73, 5.85, 1.92, 7.20 across four gameweeks) epitomizes this season’s unpredictable nature. Sunderland’s home form suggests they could offer value at the Stadium of Light, though away fixtures remain concerning for fantasy premier league tools users.
Chelsea (7.13 average)
The Blues delivered their best performance in weeks with a 7.13 average in their dominant 3-0 away victory at Nottingham Forest. Led by James’ 18-point explosion, Chelsea’s assets are showing signs of life after their inconsistent start. However, their season-long volatility (ranging from 2.09 to 7.13) means careful fixture analysis remains essential before investing heavily.
Brentford (6.56 average)
The Bees’ 2-0 away victory at West Ham delivered a solid 6.56 average, continuing their pattern of extreme volatility (2.19, 5.39, 2.28, 6.56 in recent gameweeks). When they click, Brentford offer excellent value, but timing their assets remains one of the season’s toughest challenges.
Teams to Avoid
Nottingham Forest (1.73 average) ⚠️
Forest suffered another disastrous performance with a 1.73 average in their heavy 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea. This marks their fourth consecutive poor showing (2.01, 2.01, 2.46, 1.73), establishing them as the season’s most reliable team to avoid for asset selection. They’ve become prime targets for opposing FPL captain picks, with their defensive vulnerabilities offering opportunities for attackers facing them.
Leeds United (1.83 average)
Leeds’ 2-0 away defeat at Burnley resulted in a disappointing 1.83 average. After showing promise in GW7 (5.82 average), this regression demonstrates the dangers of chasing recent form. Leeds’ away record remains particularly concerning for managers considering their assets.
West Ham United (2.10 average)
The Hammers’ 2-0 home defeat to Brentford continued their poor run, averaging just 2.10 points. West Ham have now averaged 2.28 or worse in six of eight gameweeks this season, making them one of the most consistent underperformers and a team to avoid for FPL assets.
Wolverhampton (2.19 average)
Wolves’ narrow 1-0 away defeat at Sunderland saw them average 2.19 points. Their limited attacking threat and defensive frailties continue to make their assets unattractive for FPL investment across most positions.
Key FPL Statistics - Slight Compression
Of the 306 players who featured in Gameweek 8:
- 34.0% (104 players) returned more than 2 points - down marginally from GW7’s 37.6%, but still better than GW5/6
- 20.3% (62 players) achieved 5+ point returns - slight improvement from GW7’s 19.0%
These statistics show returns remaining relatively compressed, though the slight improvement in 5+ point returns suggests elite performances are becoming marginally more accessible. The volatility continues with premium picks separating from template options. Using comprehensive fantasy premier league tools to identify the right premium assets (James, Mateta) becomes crucial for staying ahead when overall returns remain challenging.
Notable Results & Talking Points
Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth Goal-Fest
The 3-3 thriller between Palace (4.10 average) and Bournemouth (4.19 average) was the entertainment of the gameweek. Mateta’s 17-point haul in this high-scoring draw demonstrates why targeting matches with high goal expectations can pay dividends. Both teams’ attacking returns suggest their forwards could offer value in favorable fixtures.
Liverpool’s Home Struggles Continue
Liverpool’s 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United (3.38 vs 4.75) was the shock of the gameweek. The Reds’ home form is becoming concerning (4.65 vs Everton GW7, 3.38 vs United GW8), suggesting their premium assets need more careful fixture selection than their pedigree suggests for best FPL tools users.
Manchester City’s Clean Sheet Streak
City’s 2-0 home victory over Everton (6.40 average) extended their clean sheet run, with defensive assets continuing to deliver consistent returns. Their defensive stability makes City defenders attractive options despite lacking the explosive upside of attacking assets.
Arsenal Grind Out Another Win
Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 away victory at Fulham (6.10 average) demonstrated their ability to win without dominating. The Gunners continue offering reliable returns (6.10, 6.94, 7.30 in recent weeks), making their defensive assets safe premium holdings for consistent points accumulation.
Tactical Takeaways for FPL Managers
1. Premium Wing-Backs Offer Elite Upside
James’ 18-point haul matches Alderete (GW6) as the season’s highest defensive return. Premium attacking defenders from top teams (James, Gvardiol’s 12pts in GW7, Van de Ven’s 14pts in GW4) continue delivering captain-worthy hauls. Don’t overlook investing in quality defensive assets with attacking threat.
2. Target High-Scoring Matches
Mateta’s 17 points in the 3-3 draw shows that forwards in goal-fests can deliver explosive returns even without wins. Use FPL tools to identify matches with high expected goals and target forwards from both teams rather than only backing the favorite.
3. Form Volatility Extreme as Ever
Sunderland (1.92 to 7.20), Burnley (3.19 to 7.21), and Leeds (5.82 to 1.83) demonstrate massive gameweek-to-gameweek swings. Chasing last week’s top team remains dangerous - focus on fixture runs, underlying quality, and venue-specific trends rather than reacting to single performances.
4. Some Teams Consistently Disappoint
Nottingham Forest (four consecutive averages under 2.50) and West Ham (six gameweeks at 2.28 or worse) have established clear patterns of underperformance. Avoiding these teams’ assets and targeting them with captain picks when your attackers face them offers a reliable edge.
Looking Ahead: Transfer Priorities
Based on Gameweek 8 data and sustained patterns, consider these strategic moves for your FPL squad:
Priority Targets
Chelsea’s Reece James if fit after his 18-point explosion, Arsenal defensive coverage for continued consistency (6.10 average), Manchester City defenders for clean sheet reliability (6.40 average), Crystal Palace’s Mateta after his 17-point haul (differential potential), and consider Burnley home assets after back-to-back improvements (3.19 to 7.21).
Consider Offloading
Nottingham Forest assets immediately - four consecutive disasters (1.73 latest), West Ham players after six poor performances in eight gameweeks, Leeds following their regression (5.82 to 1.83), Wolves assets with limited attacking threat (2.19 average), and Liverpool assets need careful rotation given home struggles (3.38 vs United).
Differential Options
Burnley home specialists after 7.21 average, Sunderland home assets given their venue split (7.20 at home), Brentford attackers when they click (6.56 average but volatile), Manchester United showing improvement (4.75 away at Liverpool), and Bentancur for Spurs coverage after 12-point return despite defeat.
Monitor Closely
Chelsea’s consistency after James’ haul (7.13 average but season-long volatility), Brighton averaging 4.56 at home, Aston Villa showing signs (3.83 average with away win), and Tottenham’s home form needs assessing (3.29 average in home defeat). Wait for clearer patterns before heavy investment.
Identify Elite Performers with FPL Pulse
With returns remaining compressed at 34.0% achieving more than 2pts, identifying elite performers like James (18pts) and Mateta (17pts) separates successful managers from the rest. FPL Pulse provides the comprehensive live FPL tracking and analysis you need to spot these opportunities before ownership rises.
From tracking extreme volatility (Sunderland: 1.92 to 7.20, Burnley: 3.19 to 7.21) to identifying consistent underperformers (Forest’s four consecutive disasters) and monitoring premium assets (Arsenal’s 6.10 consistency), our suite of fantasy premier league tools helps you navigate the ongoing unpredictability. Make smarter decisions when others are guessing.
FAQs
- Who were the top performers in FPL Gameweek 8?
- Reece James delivered the gameweek’s best performance with 18 defensive points for Chelsea. Jean-Philippe Mateta led forwards with 17 points in Crystal Palace’s 3-3 thriller, while Pedro Neto and Rodrigo Bentancur both returned 12 midfield points. Dúbravka kept a clean sheet for 9 goalkeeper points.
- Which teams had the best average points in GW8?
- Burnley led with a 7.21 average following their 2-0 home victory over Leeds. Sunderland (7.20) and Chelsea (7.13) also delivered excellent returns with clean sheet wins, showing strong defensive performances across the top teams.
- Should I transfer in Burnley or Chelsea assets after GW8?
- Burnley’s 7.21 average and back-to-back strong performances (3.19 in GW7, 7.21 in GW8) make them interesting differentials. Chelsea’s James delivered an 18-point haul in their 3-0 away win, suggesting their defensive assets could offer value, though their season-long inconsistency requires careful fixture analysis.
- Why did FPL returns drop in Gameweek 8?
- Returns compressed slightly with 34.0% of players achieving >2pts (down from 37.6% in GW7). Multiple low-scoring matches and tight contests contributed to the dip, though 20.3% still hit 5+ points, showing some elite performances remained available.