# Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 8 and 9 strategy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fantasy-premier-league-player-performance-and-captaincy > Updated: 2026-10-23T08:20:00.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 5. As the Gameweek 8 deadline on Friday, 23 October, approaches, Fantasy Premier League managers are refining captaincy and transfer strategies. Erling Haaland remains a primary captaincy candidate with 45% support in polls following a 13-point haul, while Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and João Pedro—who holds 17% support—are also being considered. Transfer trends continue to show managers moving away from injured midfielders to target high-value assets like Bryan Mbeumo and Marcus Tavernier. Other players seeing significant activity include Pedro Neto, João Pedro, and Alexander Isak. Looking toward Gameweek 9 and beyond, managers are beginning to plan wildcard drafts for the Gameweek 9 to 13 period. Strategic focus is shifting toward players with favorable fixture runs, specifically targeting assets from Tottenham, Coventry City, and Ipswich Town. A recommended £98.5m squad for this five-week window includes Haaland as captain, supported by players such as Cole Palmer, Bryan Mbeumo, and João Pedro. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-23: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 8 and 9 Captaincy and Wildcard Strategies FPL managers are analyzing captaincy choices for Gameweek 8, with Haaland leading polls, while preparing wildcard strategies for Gameweek 9 based on favorable fixture runs. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fantasy-premier-league-gameweek-8-and-9-captaincy-and-wildcard-strategies ### 2026-10-21: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 8 Guide and Transfer Analysis Fantasy Premier League managers prepare for the Gameweek 8 deadline on October 23, focusing on transfer targets like Bryan Mbeumo and captaincy decisions involving Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fantasy-premier-league-gameweek-8-guide-and-transfer-analysis ### 2026-10-18: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 8: Team News and Strategy FPL Gameweek 8 preparations focus on injury concerns for Erling Haaland and various Premier League players, alongside strategic advice for using chips and wildcard drafts. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fantasy-premier-league-gameweek-8-guide-and-haaland-injury-concerns ### 2026-10-14: Erling Haaland leads Premier League scoring ahead of Gameweek 7 Erling Haaland leads the Premier League scoring race with six goals. FPL managers are eyeing him as the top captaincy pick for Gameweek 7 ahead of Manchester City’s match against Ipswich. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/erling-haaland-leads-premier-league-scoring-ahead-of-gameweek-7 ### 2026-10-09: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 6 captaincy options analyzed Fantasy Premier League managers are weighing captaincy options for Gameweek 6, with Bukayo Saka, Bruno Fernandes, and Erling Haaland emerging as top candidates. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fantasy-premier-league-gameweek-6-captaincy-options-analyzed --- Cite as: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 8 and 9 strategy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fantasy-premier-league-player-performance-and-captaincy