Best Wildcard Team for Gameweek 8

Gameweek 8 offers an excellent window to activate the Wildcard.

With fixture swings benefiting several top sides, a crop of emerging mid-priced gems, and a handful of reliable budget enablers coming to the fore, this is one of the most strategic moments of the season to reshape your squad.

Whether you’re looking to recover from an underperforming start or consolidate a strong position, the timing allows you to strike a balance between short-term form and long-term planning.

Here’s a Wildcard draft that combines security, form, and lasting value across all positions.

Before diving into the reasoning behind each pick, we’ve just had a message from the Big Man himself with a breaking update on his ideal draft. Here’s what he said:

“I’ve made four changes have been made to the draft, with Mukiele, Rodon, Joao Pedro, and Bruno Fernandes replacing Alderete, Richards, Mateta, and Sarr.

Alderete is an injury concern heading into the weekend, so Mukiele, his centre-back partner, feels the safer pick.

Bruno Fernandes is a bold inclusion at a time when most managers are selling him. Despite just two returns, his underlying numbers are excellent: he’s the league’s biggest xGi underperformer (5.01) and averages nearly 11 defensive contributions per game.

Rodon comes in for Richards to allow for his inclusion. Finally, Joao Pedro replaces Mateta. With Crystal Palace facing a difficult away fixture against Arsenal in GW9,

Chelsea’s upcoming two matches look far more appealing. Additionally, with Enzo Fernández a possible injury doubt, Pedro could be on penalty duties, further enhancing his short-term potential.”

David Raya is the perfect set-and-forget choice. Arsenal’s defence remains elite and their upcoming schedule is strong, making him a steady source of points.

Martin Dubravka, at just £4.0m, is the cheapest starting keeper in the game, providing great value and freeing up funds elsewhere.

Doubling on Arsenal’s backline continues to look profitable. Gabriel offers nailed minutes, set-piece threat, and excellent clean-sheet potential.

Marcos Senesi has been a defensive-contributions machine, hitting the threshold in six of seven matches and offering a solid four-point floor every week.

Joachim Andersen provides similar consistency, while Chris Richards at £4.5m represents strong value in a solid Palace defence.

Completing the defence, Omar Alderete is a reliable £4.1m starter who rotates smoothly with the rest of the backline.

Bukayo Saka stands out as a great differential. He appears to be Arsenal’s current penalty taker and has an outstanding fixture run ahead.

Antoine Semenyo continues to deliver beyond expectations, ranking just behind Haaland for total points.

Enzo Fernández should benefit from Palmer’s absence, likely taking penalties and playing a more advanced role.

Ismaïla Sarr is one of the most consistent midfielders in his price bracket, while Lucas Paquetá offers creativity, set-piece duties, and nailed minutes at just £5.9 m - excellent value for money.

Erling Haaland is untouchable and remains the obvious captain most weeks.

Jean-Philippe Mateta provides a clever route into Palace’s attack with penalty potential and favourable fixtures.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, priced at only £5.5 m, is Leeds’ leading striker, offers security of minutes with solid short-term fixtures, and helps unlock budget for the rest of the squad.