Week 8: Fantasy BPL Pre-Deadline Chat

What a weekend for soccer fans! Whether you're a fan of the Premier League, MLS, Bundesliga, or La Liga, you have one heck of a slate to satiate your appetite as we head into the final matchweek before the international break.

For those of us running Premier League fantasy teams, there are a plethora of intriguing matchups to take note of as we finalize our lineups.  Derbies usually bring out emotions and an extra desire to win, which can lead to increased performance, but also yellow and red cards.  Both can be expected with the Merseyside Derby, as Liverpool and Everton face off for the first time since Steven Gerrard took his talents (well, what talents remain) to the City of Angels. Can the Toffees defeat their neighbors for the first time in years? Or will Lukaku disappoint once again as they fall to their hated rivals?

In London, we have the Gunners coming off a mid-week defeat in Champions League, with a chance to draw level with Manchester United on points with a win.  However, the Red Devils will be looking to hold onto their spot at the top of the table, a place they haven't been in what seems like ages.  Will Alexis Sanchez play like he did last weekend, when he scored a hat trick, or he play like the Arsenal back line have lately and simply vanish? United have to be licking their chops taking on a defense that will be missing key players, but can they feel confident with Ashley Young in defense?

We saw multiple stars get their first goals last weekend, as Wayne Rooney, Eden Hazard, Harry Kane, and Sanchez all scored for the first time this season.  Will you be overhauling your team to get one or more of them in it, or did you hold onto them during their dry spell? Or will you stay away from them until you see more than one week of positive performance from the big guns?

With so many decisions to be made, I have not made my decision for my lineups.  I'll be sure to post them when I do.  But with so many great matchups this weekend, it won't be easy.  It is tempting to load up with Manchester City players as they face a struggling Newcastle side, but it's also risky to throw all your eggs in one basket, especially with the propensity of "guaranteed" points this season not actually coming to pass.

So let's hear what you think. Will you be looking at the enticing matches between rivals, or will you be filling your team with players taking on lesser competition? Will you be sticking with the players who have taken you this far, or will you be trying to fit the big names back into your side? We have less than ten hours until the first match tomorrow night, let's get to chatting!