Fantasy Football tips for Gameweek 8 in the Premier League

The international break has passed and the Premier League has returned so fantasy football users need to get back on the horse and go again this weekend. The first gameweek back can often prove an unpredictable one as players return at all sorts of times from their respective countries with fitness issues often a problem.

Nevertheless, the fantasy football tipster has scoured the fixtures and come up with some tips that should be considered by you ahead of gameweek 8.

FRASER FORSTER (SOUTHAMPTON)

Southampton’s turnaround in form has largely flown under the radar this season. However, having failed to win any of their opening four matches, Claude Puel’s side are now unbeaten in their last six competitive matches and haven’t conceded a goal in that time (9 hours of football). It would have been more than a month since they last conceded a goal when they face off against Burnley on Sunday and in that time they have played three Premier League matches, in which Fraser Forster has only been tested on four occasions.

Jose Fonte and Virgil Van Dijk are arguably one of the best centre-back partnerships in the Premier League and they have performed immensely during that time to ensure Forster has little to do. The Southampton defence should be eyeing another clean sheet on Sunday when they welcome the only remaining side yet to score a league goal away from home this season.

TROY DEENEY (WATFORD)

Consistency has proven a problem for Watford so far this season having entered the international break with two wins, two draws and three defeats to their name. Walter Mazzarri will be looking to his captain and inspiration Troy Deeney in order to fire up the team and secure a win over newly promoted Middlesbrough on Sunday.

The 28-year-old has started the season with three goals in seven matches and will be looking to add to that tally at the weekend when he lines up against an opponent he has previous against. The Watford captain has scored in each of their last four matches against Boro and all six of his goals against Aitor Karanka’s side have come in their last seven encounters. Middlesbrough haven’t won any of their last six matches in all competitions, which should only encourage Deeney more ahead of Sunday’s clash.

JAMES MILNER (LIVERPOOL)

Liverpool fans were left shocked when it was revealed Anthony Taylor was named as the referee for their fixture against Manchester United on Monday. The 37-year-old was born in Manchester and reportedly lives six miles away from Old Trafford, although the statistics actually reveal they should be happy with the appointment.

Taylor has not only overseen more Liverpool victories (12) than any other club in his career but he has also awarded them the most penalties (6). This should immediately perk the interest of any fantasy football fan looking to gain some advantage of their friends. Liverpool have been awarded more penalties than any other team in the Premier League this season and James Milner has scored all four of them. Not only is Milner lethal from the spot, but in the last three league campaigns only Cesc Fabregas (26) and Mesut Ozil (24) have registered more assists than Milner (19).

DIMITRI PAYET (WEST HAM)

West Ham’s campaign has been an absolute disaster on and off the pitch so far this term. The Hammers have lost five of their opening seven league matches and currently sit third bottom in the table. Had it not been for moments of magic from Dimitri Payet, there quite literally would have been nothing to cheer about at West Ham this season.

These moments have only come in flashes but they have been quite simply brilliant. His solo goal against Bournemouth led to West Ham manager Slaven Bilic likening him to Lionel Messi and his rabona pass to Michail Antonio for one of their goals against Watford was, to put it bluntly, genius. There hasn’t been anything to cheer about in east London this season, but Payet is still managing to contribute where his team has been poor.

The France international is playing a direct hand in a league goal every 90 minutes in his four starts in the Premier League this season, having scored once and registered three assists in 360 minutes of action. There is also the added bonus that Payet scored in each of West Ham’s meetings with Crystal Palace last season and Bilic will need more magic from his talisman to get the Hammers out of their current funk.

ONES TO AVOID 

Despite the fact Arsenal are on the longest current win streak in Europe’s big five leagues (5 matches), it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see Arsene Wenger’s side slip up against a Swansea side on the third longest current winless streak in the Premier League (six matches without a win). However, Swansea, who just appointed Bob Bradley as Francesco Guidolin’s successor, have proved a banana skin in the past for Wenger’s men and they will be looking to impress in their new manager’s first game in charge.

Swansea are undefeated on their last four league trips to the Emirates and have won three of those fixtures, including the last two. For those of you with a number of Arsenal players in your team, it might be worth reconsidering your selections ahead of this weekend. It might prove a frustrating afternoon for the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott.

Who are your top tips ahead of gameweek eight in the Premier League? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below