FPL GW8 Review: Gabriel Hauls, Chelsea Concerns and GW9 Picks

Gabriel delivered the weekend’s biggest FPL return, Nicolas Jackson scored twice against Manchester City, and Chelsea owners were left checking their benches. The useful response before Gameweek 9 is to separate genuine availability problems from a bad score, then target the next fixture rather than chase the last haul.

Updated 26 October 2026 at 15:25 UTC. All ten Gameweek 8 matches are complete, and FPL now marks the event finished and data-checked. The GW8 player points below are confirmed final scores. There are no remaining GW8 fixtures. Official FPL fixtures and event status.

The results

Results: official FPL fixture feed.

Gabriel delivers but Arsenal have a tougher next assignment

Gabriel’s goal, clean sheet, defensive-contribution return and three bonus points added up to 17 points in 90 minutes. Ezri Konsa also scored for Arsenal and returned 14, while Ben White supplied an assist for a 10-point total. Riccardo Calafiori, by contrast, played 22 minutes from the bench and scored one. Official GW8 player data.

That spread matters: owning an Arsenal defender did not guarantee an Arsenal clean-sheet haul. Gabriel rewarded managers with several routes to points; Calafiori’s cameo underlined the importance of minutes.

Verdict: keep Gabriel if you own him. Buying into the defence now requires a longer-term view, with Liverpool away next. Calafiori owners should check team news rather than assume the next start: FPL currently flags a hip injury and a 75 per cent chance of playing. Official player status and prices and upcoming fixtures.

Jackson moves up the forward shortlist

Nicolas Jackson scored both Villa goals against City, earning 13 points in 81 minutes. His current price is £6.7m. Haaland still produced eight points from a goal and two bonus points across 90 minutes, despite City losing. Official GW8 returns and current prices.

Villa host Fulham next, making Jackson worth comparing with your existing forwards. Do not budget for another brace, though: his two goals came from 0.37 expected goals in the official event data. That is a reminder that this particular haul depended on finishing well above the chance quality recorded.

Verdict: Jackson is a credible consideration if a forward needs replacing. Haaland remains a hold; City have Brighton at home next. One team defeat is no reason to dismantle a productive premium slot. GW9 fixtures.

Chelsea need a team-news check before a transfer decision

Cole Palmer finished on minus one point after 79 FPL minutes and a red card. João Pedro did not play. Chelsea’s match report confirms that João Pedro missed out after an injury in training and that Palmer was dismissed for two yellow cards. It also identifies Liverpool in the Carabao Cup as Chelsea’s next match. Official GW8 scoring and Chelsea match report.

FPL currently lists Palmer as available, while João Pedro carries an unspecified-injury flag with a 75 per cent chance of playing. Those are current game flags, not a guarantee of selection. Official player status.

Verdict: Palmer’s red card does not make him a forced sale. The Premier League confirms he will serve his one-match ban against Liverpool in the EFL Cup on Wednesday and will miss no Premier League match through this suspension. That establishes his eligibility, not a guaranteed start. For João Pedro, wait for a clearer fitness update before choosing between a hold and a replacement. Chelsea host Manchester United next. Official suspension update.

Bournemouth provide the next useful shopping list

Bournemouth’s 3–0 win at Old Trafford produced 11 points for James Hill, with Marcus Tavernier and Rayan collecting 10 each. Hill played 90 minutes; Tavernier played 86 and Rayan 90. Tavernier and Rayan both registered 0.93 expected goal involvements in the event data. Official GW8 player statistics.

Their next match is Leeds at home. That gives managers a reason to investigate beyond the scoreline, particularly if a midfield replacement is already needed. Tavernier and Rayan are both currently £6.3m; Hill is £5.5m. Official prices and fixtures.

Verdict: shortlist Bournemouth options, then compare recent starts and your budget. Do not spend a transfer on a defender solely because he led this week’s bonus points.

Liverpool return points but Wirtz needs monitoring

Alexander Isak scored in Liverpool’s 2–0 win over Brighton and earned nine points in 76 minutes. Bradley Barcola registered an assist and six points in 76 minutes; Florian Wirtz also received an FPL assist and six points, playing 64 minutes. Wirtz’s FPL assist came from the own goal. Official GW8 player data and match events.

Verdict: the returns support patience with existing Liverpool attackers, but Arsenal at home is not an obvious fixture to chase. Wirtz is currently flagged with an ankle injury and a 75 per cent chance of playing, so his fitness update matters more than this week’s six points. Official availability and GW9 fixtures.

The GW9 decision

Prioritise confirmed absences, keep productive assets through isolated setbacks, and use Jackson and Bournemouth’s midfielders as candidates rather than automatic purchases. With Arsenal travelling to Liverpool, this is also a week to reassess captaincy from the upcoming fixtures instead of last weekend’s scores.

The Gameweek 9 deadline is Saturday 31 October at 11:00 GMT. Prices and availability can change before then. Official FPL deadline.

Related decisions

For the individual decisions, read our Palmer suspension and hold verdict, Calafiori-to-Konsa assessment and Bruno Fernandes crisis analysis. Check the FPL price tracker before committing your budget.