We’re now two weeks into the new Premier League season and already plenty of curveballs. It’s time to put out a spot fire or two.
Here’s what you need to be across, as we build up to FPL Gameweek 3.
When does FPL Gameweek 3 start?
Saturday 26 August, 3:30am AEST
FPL Gameweek 3 notes
Man United’s started slow
Erik ten Hag’s side is off to a slow start, simply out-classed by Ange Postecoglou‘s Spurs outfit last weekend.
So how quickly should we lose patience?
While defender Luke Shaw (£5.5m | 25%) and keeper André Onana (£5.0m | 29.5%) aren’t under as much point-scoring threat as popular picks, midfielders Marcus Rashford (£9.0m | 45%) and Bruno Borges Fernandes (£8.5m | 24%) are heavily owned players not performing up to scratch.
But you’d be incredibly brave to transfer either of them ahead of a home fixture with Nottingham Forest.
*Luke Shaw has suffered an injury since this was published and needs to be sold
Gunners stars call an audible
Arsenal star Martin Ødegaard (£8.5m | 22.5%) slotted the penalty and claimed Man of the Match honours in the side’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. But Bukayo Saka (£8.6m | 66%) was supposed to be Arsenal’s first choice spot-kicker. That was part of Saka’s incredibly strong appeal.
Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed post-game that he wasn’t a part of the decision-making process.
“They have to make those decisions on the pitch,” he said. “I was surprised like everybody else, but he scored the goal which is the important thing and we won the game.”
Sounds like a toss of the coin, going forward.
Is Chelsea’s upcoming run even a thing?
The Blues are coming off a bad loss to West Ham, 3-1; still winless to start the season.
Plenty of FPL participants have loaded up on Blue down back, leading with Ben Chilwell (£5.7m | 24.5%). And that’s going to be hard to stomach if they keep conceding goals in ‘easier’ matchups.
There’s a lot of green to come, according to Chelsea’s Fixture Difficulty Rating. But perhaps adjust expectations.
Brighton’s box office
The Seagulls join Man City and Arsenal as the only three sides with two wins to kick things off this season. But only Brighton’s scored eight goals so far — the next closest EPL club is five.
Popular defender Pervis Estupiñán (£5.2m | 60%) has hit the ground running, as has fellow left-side excitement machine Kaoru Mitoma (£6.6m | 42%) — the Japan international’s goal against Wolves was truly something.
The only headache is the usage of attacking option João Pedro (25% | £5.6m), who didn’t start in Gameweek 2 after scoring in the opening round. With the Seagulls qualifying for Europe this season and adding depth to the squad, expect Roberto De Zerbi to continue switching it up. The injury to Julio Enciso, however, clears up his path to starting more regularly over the coming months.
Gabriel’s last chance
Arsenal defender Gabriel (£5.0m | 26%) again came off the bench, leaving fantasy participants frustrated.
If he misses the start again against Fulham, it’s a major concern.
The Luis Diaz ripple effect
Luis Díaz (£7.6m | 12%) scored again. But will his success continue cannibalising the attacking upside of Mo Salah (£12.5m | 29%)? The numbers say it’s a concern.
Tottenham Spurred on
Aussie Ange, everyone.
New manager Ange Postecoglou has Tottenham off to a promising start, beating Manchester United 2-0 at home. They look organised and already tactically sound, despite concerns it would take time for the Australian coach to start leaving his imprint on this controversial club.
But so far, so good.
Sky Blues ahead
Finally some nailed Man City assets… and the upcoming run of games is eye-watering.
Mid Phil Foden (£7.5m | 10.5%) is getting the minutes we’ve all been craving. Him and a couple of his teammates look like really savvy pickups this week (see below).
The upcoiming fixtures look like this: Sheffield United (A), Fulham (H), West Ham (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Wolves (A).
Transfer targets under 15% ownership
DEFENDER: Kyle Walker (£5.1m | 7%) & Manuel Akanji (£5.1m | 8.4%), Manchester City
MIDFIELDER: Phil Foden, Manchester City (£7.5m | 10.5%)
FORWARD: Julián Álvarez, Manchester City (£6.5m | 7.2%)
