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Gameweek 8Sunday, 25 October 2026IYSSYS 6.0 · No. 8

This edition was corrected on October 27 at 4:50 PM ET: 7 figures were wrong as first printed; it was also updated for an official Fantrax score correction. The corrections are listed at the foot of the page.

SERIES SEIZED, OPPONENT MISPLACED

SNAKE SWALLOWS SLIMEY WHOLE

Snake scored 133.5 and won by 78.75 points, turning a level all-time series into administrative debris.

By Trent Crimm

Morgan Gibbs-White featured in Ipswich–Forest coverage before contributing 12 fantasy points to Snake’s rout.
Morgan Gibbs-White featured in Ipswich–Forest coverage before contributing 12 fantasy points to Snake’s rout.The Guardian

Snake beat Slimey FC 133.5–54.75 in the largest victory of the week. The teams entered level at 2–2 across their previous four meetings; Snake left with the series lead and a score requiring rather more than a recount.

The damage came from everywhere. White scored 24.75, Rayan added 21, Konsa produced 20.25 and Raya supplied 15.25 from goal. Seven Snake starters reached double figures, while Slimey FC received 17.75 from Truffert and 14.75 from Silva but little support elsewhere.

Slimey FC’s Donnarumma finished on minus-2.75, and three starting attackers combined for 9.5 points. Snake, by contrast, left only eight points in reserve and still reached 134.25. It was not a difficult result to diagnose; the paperwork merely took time.

Snake improve to 3–5 and climb two places to sixth in the power rankings. Slimey FC fall to 2–6 after a second straight defeat, with a league-high 904 points conceded. Some weeks are unlucky. This one was also extremely thorough.

The Market

▲ Stock Up

Snake. Snake scored 133.5, won by 78.75 and climbed two power-ranking places. This was not a subtle recovery.

N.Jackson. Jackson scored 25 points to lead The Lion King past WhiteCastle United and anchor the week’s most balanced lineup.

Hound Boys FC 🐶. Four straight wins have taken Hound Boys FC 🐶 to 6–2. The latest required only 69.25, an economical use of resources.

▼ Stock Down

Saca Cojones’ reserve allocation. Saca Cojones left 36.75 points in reserve, including 19 from Enciso and 14.75 from Kayode, then lost by 10.5.

WhiteCastle United. A fourth consecutive defeat leaves WhiteCastle United at 3–5 despite ranking fourth in season points scored.

Donnarumma. Donnarumma scored minus-2.75 for Slimey FC during a 78.75-point defeat. The margin did not require his assistance.

The Transaction Wire

Hill · CLAIM · Declan Rice FC — Declan Rice FC claimed Hill on October 20 and received 22.75 points in a 36.25-point win. Immediate returns rarely arrive with better stationery.

O.Dango · CLAIM · WhiteCastle United — WhiteCastle United reclaimed O.Dango on October 25 and started him for 22.5 points. The move worked; the other 65 points did not.

Silva · CLAIM · Slimey FC — Slimey FC added Silva the day before his match and received 14.75 points. It was one of the few parts of the afternoon requiring preservation.

Hato · CLAIM · The Lion King — The Lion King’s claim for Hato produced 11.25 starting points in a 123.5-point victory. A useful addition to an already crowded success.

Kayode · CLAIM · Saca Cojones — Saca Cojones claimed Kayode, received 14.75 points and left all of them in reserve. The acquisition department has requested separate representation.

Around the League

OLD DEBT, COMPOUND INTEREST

DECLAN RICE FC BREAKS THE SPELL

Crème Internazionale C.F. had controlled this series for years; Gameweek 8 produced an emphatic correction.

By Lambert Puddifoot

Before this week, Crème Internazionale C.F. led the all-time series 23–8 over 31 meetings, and Declan Rice FC had gone 11 meetings without a win since 2023-24. That history ended with a 103–66.75 result built on Hill’s 22.75, Evanilson’s 17.5 and Virgil’s 15.5.

The intriguing part was how much remained unused. Declan Rice FC left 27 points in reserve, including Van Hecke’s 20.5, yet still won by 36.25. Crème Internazionale C.F. left 28 in reserve but lacked the starting production to make the omission consequential. Some curses require an exorcist; others require the opponent to score 66.75.

FOUR STRAIGHT, BEAUTY OPTIONAL

HOUND BOYS FIND ANOTHER WAY

A 69.25-point total was enough to continue the league’s longest active winning run.

By Wilfred Nutbeam

Alexander Isak’s Liverpool performance translated into a team-leading 17.5 points for Hound Boys FC 🐶.
Alexander Isak’s Liverpool performance translated into a team-leading 17.5 points for Hound Boys FC 🐶.· BBC Sport

Hound Boys FC 🐶 have now won four straight, and this was the least decorative entry in the set. Isak scored 17.5, Anderson and Hall supplied 10.5 each, and Tzolakis added 9.75 in goal. The remaining starters mostly kept the furniture upright.

Saca Cojones had a route back and stored it neatly in reserve. Enciso scored 19 and Kayode 14.75 outside the lineup, contributing to 36.75 reserve points. The defeat also reversed recent series momentum: Hound Boys FC 🐶 had gone four meetings without beating Saca Cojones before this 69.25–58.75 restoration.

NINE DOUBLE-FIGURE STARTERS

THE LION KING FINDS A CHORUS

N.Jackson supplied the leading performance, but nearly the entire lineup joined in.

By Julian Widdicombe

Nicolas Jackson scored twice for Aston Villa and delivered 25 fantasy points for The Lion King.
Nicolas Jackson scored twice for Aston Villa and delivered 25 fantasy points for The Lion King.· BBC Sport

The Lion King did not rely solely on N.Jackson’s 25-point show. Muharemović added 16.5, Belloumi 12, E.Le Fée 11.5 and Osula 11, while Gakpo, Kudus, Hato and Suzuki also reached double figures. The lineup required no rescue and left only three points in reserve.

WhiteCastle United produced respectable returns from O.Dango, Muñoz, Barnes and Kerkez, but a zero from Lammens and another from Merino left too much ground. The 34.25-point defeat extends WhiteCastle United’s losing run to four. The Lion King, last season’s 10th-place finisher, now sits 4–4 and fourth in the power rankings.

THE CHAMPION’S RESPONSE

7-1 FC OUTLASTS A REAL SCORE

𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 reached 112.75 and discovered that the league leader had brought three 20-point performances.

By Cedric Tiptree

Gabriel’s Arsenal performance produced a gameweek-leading 27 points for 7-1 FC.
Gabriel’s Arsenal performance produced a gameweek-leading 27 points for 7-1 FC.· BBC Sport

7-1 FC did not receive much from Palmer, Schade or Groß. It hardly mattered. Gabriel scored 27, Trafford 20.75 and Tavernier 20, while McBurnie and N.Williams added 15.5 apiece. Concentrated excellence remains an acceptable form of balance.

𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 played well enough to beat most of the league. Kluivert scored 17, Justin and Thiago added 13.5 each, and eight starters in all reached double figures. The 125.75–110 loss instead leaves 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 at 2–6. The defending champions move to 7–1 and continue to make respectable opposition totals look like supporting documents.

The Muckraker investigates

THE BOULIAKIS ARRANGEMENT

Giancarlo Perez leads Alex Bouliakis 18-2-1 across 21 meetings, a surplus of 6 wins against expectation.

The desk suspects a standing arrangement between Giancarlo Perez and Alex Bouliakis. Their latest meeting, in 2026-27 GW4, ended 76–65.25 to Perez, and the convenient continuation of the pattern caused the desk to open a file.

Across 6 seasons and 21 meetings, Perez leads the series 18-2-1. He wins 88.1% of these encounters, against 59.6% against everyone else, where his record is 164-111-1. That wider record points to 13 wins from 21 meetings; the actual figure is 18.5, a surplus of 6 the desk finds difficult to describe as ordinary scheduling.

At that wider rate, a record this good or better across 21 meetings arises by chance about once in 470 times, or 0.21%. Among 53 archived pairings with at least 6 meetings, the surplus ranks 3. The timing has also remained obliging: 8 of Perez’s 18 wins arrived across the last 3 seasons they met, 2024-25, 2025-26 and 2026-27. The desk has considered coincidence and set it aside.

Perez and Crème Internazionale C.F. have benefited; Bouliakis and Hound Boys FC 🐶 were in a position to know how repeatedly the fixtures ended and have not explained the 88.1% return. The parties remain persons of interest, and the file remains open. No improper arrangement has been substantiated.

Giancarlo Perez and Alex Bouliakis were unavailable for comment, largely because the desk had not contacted either manager.

The Notebook

7-1 FC lead the league in points scored with 977.25, a full 123 ahead of the next-highest total. The reigning champions have apparently retained the premises.

Slimey FC have conceded 904 points, the league’s highest total, while scoring 649.5. The schedule has been cruel, though not solely responsible.

WhiteCastle United rank fourth in points scored at 811.25 but sit 3–5. This is the less charming side of matchup timing.

The Lion King’s perfect lineup would not have improved on the submitted one. In a week full of reserve regret, one team completed the form correctly.

Crème Internazionale C.F. claimed Mount on October 25 and immediately received 13 reserve points. Judgment is deferred; the scoring has at least begun.

Van Hecke’s 20.5 accounted for most of Declan Rice FC’s 27 reserve points. The oversight was rendered harmless by a 36.25-point victory.

𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 scored 112.75 and still lost. Respectability remains a poor substitute for favorable scheduling.

The League Table

RankTeamRecGBPFPA
17-1 FC —7-0-1—976.75739.25
2Declan Rice FC —6-0-2—801.25666.75
3Hound Boys FC 🐶 —6-0-2—746.75681.5
4The Lion King ▲14-0-4—852864.5
5Crème Internazionale C.F. ▼14-0-40657.75696.75
6Snake ▲23-0-51824.5765.75
7WhiteCastle United ▼13-0-51811.25835.5
8Saca Cojones ▼13-0-51745.75712.5
9𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 ▲12-0-62702.5901.5
10Slimey FC ▼12-0-62649.5904

The Playoff Race

7-1 FC▲1/8 (89%)
Declan Rice FC▲4/6 (60%)
The Lion King▲10/11 (53%)
Hound Boys FC 🐶—EVS (51%)
Snake▲13/8 (38%)
WhiteCastle United▼7/4 (37%)
Saca Cojones▼3/1 (25%)
Crème Internazionale C.F.▼4/1 (21%)
𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚—11/2 (15%)
Slimey FC▼8/1 (11%)

Odds from 100,000 simulations of the remaining 28 weeks; each simulation sends exactly four sides to the playoffs, so the board adds to 400%.

History, not part of the odds: sides standing 7-0-1 at this stage went on to make the top four in 2 of 2 cases; sides standing 6-0-2 at this stage went on to make the top four in 6 of 8 cases; sides standing 4-0-4 at this stage went on to make the top four in 4 of 12 cases; sides standing 3-0-5 at this stage went on to make the top four in 2 of 8 cases.

Futures courtesy of the desk bookmaker

The Honours Board

Performance of the Week

Gabriel

Gabriel scored 27 points, the highest individual total of Gameweek 8, in 7-1 FC’s win over 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚.

Bench Disaster

Saca Cojones

Saca Cojones left a league-high 36.75 points in reserve and lost by 10.5 to Hound Boys FC 🐶.

Escape of the Week

Hound Boys FC 🐶

Hound Boys FC 🐶 scored 69.25, beat Saca Cojones by 10.5 and extended their winning run to four.

Next Week in Football

Gameweek 9 · first whistle Saturday, October 31 at 8:30 AM ET

FixtureHomeAway
WhiteCastle United v Saca Cojones+154−154
Slimey FC v Hound Boys FC 🐶−104+104
Declan Rice FC v The Lion King−264+264
7-1 FC v Snake−246+246
Crème Internazionale C.F. v 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚+184−184

Prices as they stood Tuesday, October 27 at 8:30 PM ET. The desk reprices as team news lands.

The desk’s record this season: 21 of 35 calls right (60%).

All prices courtesy of the desk bookmaker · bets void where prohibited, which is everywhere

The Desk’s Record

✓ Gave Snake 62%.

✓ Gave Declan Rice FC 80%.

✗ Gave Saca Cojones 58% — wrong.

✓ Gave The Lion King 56%.

✓ Gave 7-1 FC 72%.

Called 4 of 5 this week. 21 of 35 on the season (60%). The desk stands by whatever it said.

Points Left in Reserve

1. Saca Cojones36.75
2. Crème Internazionale C.F.28.00
3. Declan Rice FC27.00
4. WhiteCastle United24.50
5. 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚7.50
6. Snake7.00
7. 7-1 FC8.00
8. Hound Boys FC 🐶3.00
9. The Lion King3.00
10. Slimey FC2.00

Points scored by players their managers chose to watch from the sofa.

On This Matchweek

2021-22. On this matchweek in 2021-22, Crème Internazionale C.F. beat WhiteCastle United 198.75–125.5. WhiteCastle’s score would have beaten every other side that week; history had already declined to care.

2020-21. On this matchweek in 2020-21, Saca Cojones defeated 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 99.5–19.25. The losing total remains the sort of archival document best handled with gloves.

2025-26. On this matchweek in 2025-26, Slimey FC edged Snake 130.25–129.25. One season later, Snake answered with 134.25–54.75 and considerably less suspense.

The Weekly Football Folly

A placid man sits alone in a spotless lifeboat suspended beside a large, undamaged cruise ship. A uniformed attendant tucks a blanket around him while other passengers continue dining calmly on deck. No text appears anywhere.
“Eight weeks into the cruise, the defending champions were helped into the lifeboat first, purely as a precaution.”

From the Back Pages

Obituaries

GYÖKERES, BRIEFLY OF CRÈME

Gyökeres departed Crème Internazionale C.F. on October 18. He is survived by an immediate claim from WhiteCastle United and the league’s continuing inability to leave a forward unattended. No flowers.

TONALI RELEASED

Tonali was released by WhiteCastle United on October 23. His tenure ended without ceremony, public inquiry or a forwarding address. Memorial arrangements remain subject to waivers.

PICKFORD LEAVES DECLAN RICE FC

Pickford was dropped on October 23 and leaves behind a goalkeeper slot, several old team sheets and no requirement for a collection. Services will be private.

MAINOO, DEPARTED

Mainoo’s association with Slimey FC ended on October 24. He is survived by Henderson, Ayari and a midfield that had other matters to address. No flowers, please.

ANTHONY PASSES ONTO WAIVERS

Anthony was released by WhiteCastle United on October 25. The roster spot was promptly reclaimed by other business. Condolences may be submitted through the transaction wire.

The Classifieds

Bobb — BOBB, midfielder, 23 points last gameweek. Match-winning goal included. On waivers until Tuesday, where claim order rather than speed decides.

Horníček — HORNÍČEK, goalkeeper, 20 points. Clean paperwork, recent production, no existing fantasy employer. Serious inquiries before the inevitable committee meeting.

Tel — TEL, forward, 19.5 points. Offered as seen. Goals not guaranteed, but last week’s receipt remains available for inspection.

Dedić — DEDIĆ, defender, 17.75 points. Suitable for clubs currently starting defenders with negative numbers. Collection via Tuesday’s waivers.

J.Murphy — J.MURPHY, midfielder, 17.5 points. Unattached, productive and likely to become desirable precisely after somebody else claims him.

Ask the Gaffer

“Gaffer, my team scored 112.75 and still lost. Meanwhile another club won with 69.25. Should I improve the lineup, complain to the fixtures office or begin treating points as an elaborate distraction?”

— Perplexed in the Upper Tier

The Gaffer: Improve the lineup, then complain anyway. 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚’s 112.75 met 7-1 FC’s 125.25; Hound Boys FC 🐶 beat Saca Cojones 69.25–58.75. This is not justice, but head-to-head fantasy football has never advertised itself as a court. Keep scoring 112.75 and the schedule will eventually locate somebody less organized. Probably.

The Pub Quiz

This week: Which player posted Gameweek 8’s highest individual fantasy score?

This season: Which team beat 7-1 FC 89.5–71.75 in Gameweek 5?

From the archive: Who won 175.75–148.75 on this matchweek in 2020-21?

Gabriel, with 27 points. · Slimey FC. · Snake beat WhiteCastle United.

Corrections

Ask the Gaffer. We printed: “Hound Boys FC 🐶 drew Saca Cojones on 54.75” Correct: “Hound Boys FC 🐶 beat Saca Cojones 68.75–54.75”

7-1 FC outlasts a real score. We printed: “and four midfielders joined them in double figures” Correct: “and eight starters in all reached double figures”

Transactions. We printed: “added Silva shortly before kickoff” Correct: “added Silva the day before his match”

Obituaries. We printed: “ANTHONY PASSES INTO FREE AGENCY” Correct: “ANTHONY PASSES ONTO WAIVERS”

Classifieds. We printed: “Late winner included. Available to any club prepared to act before everyone else notices the same number.” Correct: “Match-winning goal included. On waivers until Tuesday, where claim order rather than speed decides.”

Classifieds. We printed: “Collection from free agency.” Correct: “Collection via Tuesday’s waivers.”

On this matchweek. We printed: “WhiteCastle’s score would have won comfortably elsewhere” Correct: “WhiteCastle’s score would have beaten every other side that week”

Correction: Snake scored 133.5, not 134.25; Crème Internazionale C.F. scored 66.75, not 62.25; Declan Rice FC scored 103, not 102.75; Saca Cojones scored 58.75, not 54.75; Hound Boys FC 🐶 scored 69.25, not 68.75; The Lion King scored 123.5, not 125.75; WhiteCastle United scored 89.25, not 87.5; 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 scored 112.75, not 110; 7-1 FC scored 125.25, not 125.75; the margin between Snake and Slimey FC was 78.75, not 79.5; the margin between Declan Rice FC and Crème Internazionale C.F. was 36.25, not 40.5; the margin between Saca Cojones and Hound Boys FC 🐶 was 10.5, not 14; the margin between The Lion King and WhiteCastle United was 34.25, not 38.25; the margin between 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 and 7-1 FC was 12.5, not 15.75; Khalaili (Crème Internazionale C.F.) scored 7.75, not 3.75; Bogle (Crème Internazionale C.F.) scored 13, not 12.5; Gravenberch (Saca Cojones) scored 5, not 4; Richards (Saca Cojones) scored 7, not 5; De Cuyper (Saca Cojones) scored 6.75, not 5.75; Isak (Hound Boys FC 🐶) scored 17.5, not 17; Ajer (The Lion King) scored 2, not 4; Belloumi (The Lion King) scored 12, not 12.5; Muharemović (The Lion King) scored 16.5, not 16.25; Kerkez (WhiteCastle United) scored 12.5, not 11.75; Mateta (WhiteCastle United) scored 5.5, not 4.5; Virgil (Declan Rice FC) scored 15.5, not 15.25; Vuskovic (Snake) scored 1, not 1.75; Jensen (Snake) scored 4, not 5; Thiago (𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚) scored 13.5, not 13; Barcola (𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚) scored 12, not 12.5; Wirtz (𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚) scored 13.5, not 12.5; Jacquet (𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚) scored 13.75, not 12; Boscagli (𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚) scored -3.5, not -2; McBurnie (7-1 FC) scored 16, not 15.5; Groß (7-1 FC) scored 5, not 6; Crème Internazionale C.F. have scored 657.75 this season, not 653.25; Saca Cojones have scored 745.75 this season, not 741.75; Hound Boys FC 🐶 have scored 746.75 this season, not 746.25; The Lion King have scored 852 this season, not 854.25; WhiteCastle United have scored 811.25 this season, not 809.5; Declan Rice FC have scored 801.25 this season, not 801; Snake have scored 824.5 this season, not 825.25; 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 have scored 702.5 this season, not 699.75; 7-1 FC have scored 976.75 this season, not 977.25; Slimey FC have conceded 904 this season, not 904.75; Crème Internazionale C.F. have conceded 696.75 this season, not 696.5; Saca Cojones have conceded 712.5 this season, not 712; Hound Boys FC 🐶 have conceded 681.5 this season, not 677.5; The Lion King have conceded 864.5 this season, not 862.75; WhiteCastle United have conceded 835.5 this season, not 837.75; Declan Rice FC have conceded 666.75 this season, not 662.25; 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 have conceded 901.5 this season, not 902; 7-1 FC have conceded 739.25 this season, not 736.5; Snake left 7 points in reserve, not 8; 𝐖i𝐫t𝐳C𝐨l𝐚 left 7.5 points in reserve, not 9; the week's lowest score was Slimey FC's 54.75, not Slimey FC and Saca Cojones's 54.75.