GW7 FPL Review: Haaland Hauls, Isak Returns

2026/27 · Updated 20 October 2026 · Matches played 17–19 October

Haaland rewarded Triple Captain backers, Brighton scored five and Neto outscored Chelsea's more popular attackers. Tottenham closed the round with a 3–1 win over Coventry. For GW8, though, the useful distinction is between a disappointing score and a problem that actually needs a transfer.

All ten GW7 matches are complete, and FPL now marks the Gameweek as finished and checked. The points, bonus and minutes quoted below were rechecked against the final official records on 22 October at 02:35 BST (01:35 UTC) and are unchanged. Prices are purchase prices rechecked on 20 October at 01:37 BST (00:37 UTC), not necessarily each player's GW7 price or your selling price. Official GW7 fixtures, FPL status and prices.

Haaland delivered the extra return we wanted

Erling Haaland played 90 minutes, scored twice and collected three bonus points in Manchester City's 3–2 win over Ipswich. His 13 points became 26 with ordinary captaincy or 39 with Triple Captain. For managers who would have captained him anyway, the chip added 13 points, not 39. Official FPL record, Premier League review.

That was a good outcome for the approach in our pre-deadline Triple Captain piece.

GW8 decision: hold for now, but wait for a fitness update before settling captaincy. Haaland is now flagged as a doubt in FPL after a knock. In City's 19 October update, Enzo Maresca said he was improving and could be available against AEK Athens, without confirming that he would play. City visit Aston Villa in GW8, so check the midweek outcome and pre-Villa news before relying on him for the armband. City's injury update, current FPL availability.

Cherki's zero is a minutes question, not just a blank

Rayan Cherki was an unused substitute after five consecutive league starts. That is a different problem from playing well and failing to return: his owners received no opportunity for points at all. The Premier League reports that more than 981,000 managers bought him for GW7. Official matchweek analysis.

At the current £8.0m price, he needs a convincing minutes outlook. One benching does not establish that he has lost his place, but it is enough to make an immediate purchase less comfortable.

GW8 decision: wait on new purchases; do not automatically sell an existing holding. Check City's next line-up and pre-Villa news. If your bench cannot cover another absence, the risk matters more than it does for a squad with a dependable substitute. Do not assume a midweek start or omission guarantees the weekend selection.

Brighton's five goals do not justify a sideways transfer

Brighton's 5–0 win over Crystal Palace spread the points beyond the most popular picks. The official FPL records currently show:

• Maxim De Cuyper: 90 minutes, six points, no goal or assist.
• Luka Vuskovic: 90 minutes, 11 points, including an assist and two defensive-contribution points.
• Pascal Groß: 70 minutes, five points and one FPL assist.

FPL: De Cuyper, Vuskovic, Groß.

Vuskovic won this week's comparison, but De Cuyper completing the match is useful information too. Groß's smaller score does not mean he was uninvolved: Brighton's report describes his set-piece delivery for the opening own goal and his role in the move for their fourth. Match involvement and FPL assist awards are not interchangeable. Brighton's report.

GW8 decision: hold your existing pick unless there is a separate squad problem; be selective about buying. Liverpool away is followed by Manchester City away, with European and cup commitments adding to the workload. Those fixtures have not become easier because Brighton scored five. Switching De Cuyper to Vuskovic now would buy last week's winner without improving the schedule. Brighton's fixture context.

Neto makes the shortlist; João Pedro does not become a sell

Pedro Neto scored both goals in Chelsea's 2–0 win at Everton. FPL credits him with 90 minutes, three bonus and 15 points. At £6.5m, that puts him firmly on the midfield shortlist. Neto's FPL record.

There is a useful warning against chasing the score alone: the same record gives him 0.37 expected goals. Two finishes made this an excellent return, not a sensible weekly expectation.

João Pedro, meanwhile, played 90 FPL minutes for two points. Chelsea's report records a second-half chance saved by Jordan Pickford. Following his recent return, the extended involvement is more encouraging than the blank is alarming. Pedro's FPL record, Chelsea's report.

GW8 decision: keep Pedro; consider Neto if you already need a midfielder. Chelsea host Tottenham next. Neto is an option to compare with your alternatives, not a reason by himself to dismantle a fit attack.

Isak is back, but Liverpool's injury concerns have moved elsewhere

Alexander Isak returned to the starting XI, played 78 FPL minutes and scored the winner at Brentford. Three bonus brought him to nine points. Owners no longer have to make the same decision they faced when his availability was unresolved. Isak's FPL record.

Keep the match context in view: Brentford lost Yehor Yarmoliuk before half-time, so Liverpool scored both goals against ten men. Vitaly Janelt's dismissal came later, in added time. The comeback should not be treated as a normal eleven-against-eleven attacking benchmark. Liverpool's report.

GW8 decision: hold Isak, subject to fresh fitness news. Buying him at £9.0m is a separate budget decision, especially if it means reversing a recent transfer or taking a hit.

The more urgent concerns are Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong. Liverpool confirmed that Szoboszlai's injury recurred and that both players face time out, without providing a firm return date in that update. Prioritise their replacements if your starting XI cannot cover the absence. Liverpool injury update.

Saka's blank is not a reason to abandon Arsenal

Bukayo Saka completed 90 minutes but returned only three points in Arsenal's 1–0 win at Nottingham Forest. Their defensive assets did better: David Raya scored nine, Gabriel eight and Riccardo Calafiori six. FPL: Saka, Raya, Gabriel, Calafiori.

GW8 decision: hold Saka and your established Arsenal defender. Everton at home gives owners a straightforward reason to reassess after another match rather than sell because of this blank. Saka belongs on the provisional captaincy shortlist, with Haaland's fitness still to be clarified. This weekend's attacking return is no argument for making Saka an automatic choice.

For a defensive purchase, compare cost and the rest of your team. Raya's nine points included three bonus, so do not price in that return every time Arsenal keep a clean sheet. Likewise, a six-point Calafiori week does not make an expensive switch to Gabriel necessary.

Mbeumo versus Fernandes is a budget question

Bryan Mbeumo scored at Leeds and earned eight points; Bruno Fernandes returned one. Both played 90 minutes. Their current prices are £7.8m and £11.8m respectively. FPL: Mbeumo, Fernandes.

GW8 decision: consider the downgrade only with a plan for the saving. United host Bournemouth next, so there is no need to manufacture an urgent exit solely from the Leeds score. But if you are not considering Fernandes for captaincy and the money would repair another position, Mbeumo offers a cheaper route into the same attack.

The market-price gap is £4.0m. Your actual saving depends on Fernandes' selling price. Judge the whole set of moves you can make, not just this week's eight points against one.

Bournemouth's budget options deserve a look, with context

Evanilson delivered a goal, an assist and three bonus for 12 points against Sunderland. Marcus Tavernier scored and collected two bonus for ten. Both played 78 FPL minutes, and both have started all seven league matches. FPL: Evanilson, Tavernier.

Those starts strengthen the case for considering them when you need a cheaper, regularly selected attacker. There is also an important limit to the evidence: Sunderland's Kevin Danso was sent off in the 17th minute. Bournemouth had most of the match against ten men. Official VAR explanation.

GW8 decision: shortlist rather than chase. At £6.1m and £6.2m respectively, Evanilson and Tavernier can solve different budget problems. Neither is a compulsory purchase before a trip to Manchester United, and a double-digit haul alone is not enough reason to take a hit.

Spurs win, but their new scorers need another check

Tottenham's 3–1 victory over Coventry completed the round. James Maddison, Omar Marmoush and substitute Ben Davies scored for Spurs, with Jack Rudoni replying for Coventry. Maddison was making his first competitive start since May 2025. Tottenham's report.

FPL currently awards Maddison nine points from 68 minutes, including two bonus, and Marmoush nine from 86 minutes, including three bonus. Dominic Solanke played 90 minutes and supplied the assist for Davies, finishing on four points after a booking. FPL: Maddison, Marmoush, Solanke.

GW8 decision: hold Solanke if there is no stronger reason to sell; wait before buying the scorers. Maddison's return is encouraging, but one start does not establish his weekly workload. FPL flags Marmoush with a calf doubt, while Roberto De Zerbi downplayed injury concerns after the match. Wait for the pre-Chelsea update rather than assuming either an absence or a clean bill of health. Current FPL availability, De Zerbi's press conference.

For Coventry, Rudoni's goal produced six points over 86 minutes. Sidiki Chérif made a second league start but was replaced by Taiwo Awoniyi after 59 FPL minutes for one point. Fulham at home gives existing owners a reason for patience in GW8. Rudoni can stay on the budget midfield shortlist; Chérif's early substitution makes him less convincing if you need dependable minutes. FPL: Rudoni, Chérif.

What to do before the GW8 deadline

Start with the places where you may be unable to field a player, then consider upgrades:

1. Check injuries before buying last week's scorers. Alongside Liverpool's absentees, Chelsea have confirmed that Emiliano Martínez required surgery on a fractured jaw. Owners should assess their second goalkeeper rather than assume he will be available. The club has not supplied a return date in that update. Chelsea injury update.
2. Check suspension cover. Vitaly Janelt and Kevin Danso are listed as suspended for GW8. Yehor Yarmoliuk and Ryan Sessegnon are listed out for GW8–9. A suspended bench player matters if you are also carrying a selection risk. Official suspension list.
3. Resolve the new fitness doubts. Keep Haaland and Marmoush on the team-news checklist. Do not commit to captaincy or a new purchase while their GW8 availability remains unclear.
4. Remember the Friday deadline: GW8 closes on 23 October at 17:30 UTC / 18:30 BST. Recheck team news, current prices and the deadline in FPL before confirming transfers. Official deadline.

Our preference is to repair confirmed absences, keep the established starters whose only problem was a blank, and give minutes-sensitive purchases another check. Haaland's haul was the headline. The useful GW8 move may be the less dramatic one that lets you field a reliable XI.

Data and source notes

Points, bonus, minutes and match-level expected goals use the official FPL player records linked above, cross-checked against the GW7 live feed. Prices and availability flags were rechecked against the FPL player database on 20 October at 01:37 BST (00:37 UTC); upcoming opponents use the GW8 fixture feed. The existing sections' points, bonus and minutes were unchanged in this check. GW7 scoring has now been checked by FPL. Buy, hold and captaincy comments are our assessment, not points forecasts.