Historical Gameweek 8 archive (reviewed 26 October 2026). The GW8 deadline and all ten matches have passed. The original predictions below are kept as a dated record, not current transfer or injury advice. For GW9 availability, use current team news; for decisions use OneFPL Planner.
OneFPL editorial check: 21 October 2026. This is a pre-deadline decision guide; recheck official team news and the live game before locking moves.
The short answer
An FPL GW8 fixture-by-fixture guide for the Friday deadline: find attacking opportunities, defensive risks, captaincy routes and matches better avoided for one-week transfers.
The full GW8 fixture list
According to the official FPL fixtures page, GW8 runs from Friday 23 October through Sunday 25 October. The opening match is Ipswich v Nottingham Forest. Arsenal–Everton, Liverpool–Brighton, Aston Villa–Man City and Man Utd–Bournemouth are among the most relevant fixtures for active FPL decisions.
Latest FPL news
Do not confuse opponent strength with player value
Fixture Difficulty Rating is a starting point, not a player projection. Strong attackers can return against good defences; a cheap defender with a green fixture can still be rotated. Combine recent shots and chances with likely minutes, tactical role and team strength.
Arsenal v Everton: defence and attacking balance
Arsenal’s home fixture makes Saka and defensive options worth serious consideration. The right number of Arsenal players depends on price and whether the next few fixtures justify the commitment. Avoid building a double-up for a single clean sheet when it worsens the rest of your squad.
Man Utd v Bournemouth: attacking decisions
Manchester United host Bournemouth. Mbeumo may offer an alternative to a City rotation gamble, while Bournemouth’s attacking players are not automatic sells just because the fixture is away. Consider each side’s recent defensive record and likely lineup before turning fixture colour into a verdict.
Liverpool v Brighton: do not panic sell
This is a test of the Brighton assets who gained popularity in recent Gameweeks. A Liverpool away fixture can justify benching a defender without requiring a sale. Selling Groß, De Cuyper or a third Brighton asset should depend on the medium-term plan, not just one fixture.
The clubs to assess cautiously
Aston Villa v Manchester City and Chelsea v Tottenham both contain high-profile attackers, but these are not simple clean-sheet or captaincy guarantees. A premium player can remain worth starting without becoming the optimal fresh purchase.
Practical use
Identify one strong fixture you actually want to target and one weak squad position you need to fix. Then use Player Lab to choose the player, and Transfer Planner to check the effect through GW11 or GW12.
Decision table
| Situation | What to do | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Seeking Arsenal points | Saka or defensive route | Do not force a triple-up. |
| Brighton owners | Hold or bench according to alternatives | One tough opponent is not an automatic sale. |
| City attackers | Recheck rotation | Aston Villa away is not a free fixture. |
| Budget FPL managers | Look at minutes before FDR | Expected participation is the first filter. |
Put the decision into practice
The tools help you compare scenarios; they do not guarantee returns. Confirm transfers and chip use in the official Fantasy Premier League game.
FAQ
When is the GW8 deadline?
Friday 23 October 2026 at 18:30 BST, equivalent to 23:15 Nepal time.
Are green fixtures enough to choose a transfer?
No. Start probability, role, price and subsequent fixtures also matter.
Sources and editorial method
OneFPL analysis distinguishes confirmed rules and published reports from editorial projections. No projected minutes, return dates or point totals should be mistaken for a guarantee.