It was an OK week for the best selection in FPL in Gameweek 2, but leaving out Bruno Fernandes was a hammer blow even though each of the four midfielders picked up an attacking return. United have a tricky trip to Everton this weekend though, so will Fernandes be in the side or not? Let’s find out in our FPL Gameweek 3 preview.
FPL Gameweek 2 Team
GK: Raya – 6pts
DEF: Shaw – 2pts, Calafiori – 11pts, Jacquet – 3pts, Bijol – 1pt
MID: Mbeumo – 11pts, Palmer – 7pts, Rogers – 5pts, Gakpo – 5pts
FWD: Haaland (15.5m) – 26pts, Joao Pedro – 9pts
TOTAL: 91pts
FPL Gameweek 3 Recommended Chip
Well done to those players who went with Bruno Fernandes as a triple captain last week. 23 points meant a total of 69 for those that played that chip. This week looks another prime opportunity to play the triple captain though, with Erling Haaland at home to Coventry, who are yet to score or pick up a point this season.
Interesting stat – Haaland has scored at least two goals in Manchester City’s first game against a newly promoted side in each season bar one, since he joined the club. That bodes well for this weekend and the recommendation is to switch on the triple captain and place it in the steady hands of Erling Haaland.
FPL Gameweek 3 Target Fixtures & Players
Manchester City (vs Coventry, home)
An obvious one to target after City’s convincing win at Palace on Friday night. All their big hitters look in the mood and a triple up on their assets is all but essential this week to keep pace with other teams in the game.
Top picks:
- Josko Gvardiol (5.6m) – Two attacking returns to start the season and despite a price rise, still looks good value. Back to his best.
- Phil Foden (7.0m) – Foden has started both City’s opening games, got two assists in Gameweek 2 and was unlucky not to return more in Gameweek 1, so he looks a safe play.
- Rayan Cherki (7.6m) – Started against Palace and got two goals to make it back-to-back double attacking returns. The way he’s playing, his price looks value.
- Erling Haaland (15.5m) – An absolute essential for this week given his record against newly promoted sides.
Liverpool (vs Ipswich, away)
Liverpool have had a disappointing start to the campaign, but have scored four goals in two games to show that going forward they’re still a major threat. They travel to Portman Road to face an Ipswich side that shipped five against United in Gameweek 2.
Top picks:
- Jeremy Jacquet (5.0m) – Liverpool’s defensive performances make Virgil van Dijk a poor value choice currently, but his centre back partner Jeremy Jacquet is a cheaper route in and if Liverpool can’t keep a clean sheet this weekend, then who knows when they will.
- Florian Wirtz (7.5m) – Wirtz had a goal disallowed last weekend and is playing well in the no.10 position, worth a close look.
- Cody Gakpo (7.0m) – Potentially a risky play after his move to Manchester City collapsed, but he has had an excellent start to the season.
- Alexander Isak (9.0m) – Got his first goal of the season with a poacher’s effort against Forest, and will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing a wounded Tractor Boys’ backline.
Brighton (vs Leeds, home)
Brighton lost at Stamford Bridge last week but are the league’s joint-highest goalscorers in the league with seven in total. Their assets are really undervalued for some reason, but here are the three best ones for the Seagulls’ home fixture against Leeds.
Top picks:
- Maxim de Cuyper (4.7m) – Played on the left wing again against Chelsea and has already risen by 0.2m, get him in at this price while you can.
- Pascal Gros (5.5m) – Huge haul for the German schemer last weekend and with the array of set pieces he takes, is a very safe pick.
- Diego Gomez (5.0m) – A slightly cheaper option than Gros but has two assists already and is playing further forward than last season, a perfect fifth midfield option.
Brentford (vs Sunderland, home)
Sunderland won at home against Fulham last weekend but their season opening defeat at Ipswich raised alarm bells. Brentford have a settled side with a sprinkling of excellent additions and they’re a good team to focus on with some real value assets this weekend.
Top picks:
- Caoimhin Kelleher (5.0m) – Kelleher looks one of the better 5.0m goalkeepers and has strong clean sheet potential this week.
- Mamadou Sangare (5.7m) – Sangare is all the rage and has risen by 0.2m already. As everyone predicted, he’s picked up defensive contribution bonuses in both games so far, so looks guaranteed for an additional two points every week.
- Kevin Schade (6.0m) – A value play in Brentford’s attacking three, I always think attacking threat is still the name of the game in FPL, so he’s just the pick over Sangare.
Newcastle (vs Bournemouth, home)
Newcastle have surprised many so far this season under new coach Matthias Jaissle, their three man attack is purring and they look a strong prospect at home to Bournemouth who are still finding their feet this campaign.
Top picks:
- Amar Dedic (4.5m) – Big haul last time out against Tottenham, and looks an interesting differential in the Magpies’ defence.
- Anthony Elanga (6.1m) – Elanga didn’t score at all last season but has two in two so far this campaign and his pace is terrifying defences.
- Yoan Wissa (6.1m) – Another who has taken time to adapt to life at St James’, but looks to have found his feet after a good World Cup. Looks a great value play for the weeks ahead.
FPL Gameweek 3 Captain Picks
Erling Haaland (C) – Already mentioned but Haaland is taking the triple captaincy for the team this week. Will be the captain of a huge majority of teams in the game.
Rayan Cherki (VC) – 22 points so far this campaign make Cherki are much deserved vice captain for this week.
Worth a Punt
Pau Torres (4.5m) – The first of two Villa defenders worth a punt, Pau Torres has good clean sheet potential against Hull, and is a threat from set pieces.
Jack Grealish (6.5m) – Grealish had an instant impact when he joined Everton last season, and with a full pre-season at City under his belt, he can come straight into the side and look to make an impression against Manchester United at home.
Bradley Barcola (8.0m) – Found in less than 1% of teams after his huge money move from PSG, could be anything, and if he comes straight into the team he could explode.
Nicolas Jackson (6.5m) – The Senegalese forward is back with Unai Emery and started against Arsenal on Monday. Villa were much improved in that game and travel to newly promoted Hull, where Jackson is a really interesting differential.
FPL Gameweek 3 Team
GK: Kelleher (5.0m)
DEF: De Cuyper (4.7m), Gvardiol (5.6m), Dedic (4.5m)
MID: Schade (6.0m), Cherki (7.6m), Elanga (6.1m), Gros (5.5m), Wirtz (7.5m)
FWD: Haaland (15.5m), Isak (9.0m)
SUBS: Verbruggen (4.5m), Castagne (4.5m), Torres (4.5m) Wissa (6.1m)
TOTAL: 96.3m
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