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Welcome to Gameweek 3, Rotoballers! Just like the previous campaign, we are continuing our soccer coverage to include the great game of Fantasy Premier League. So, even if you are a seasoned veteran or a rookie navigating your first 38 gameweeks, we will set you straight. We're here to provide the advice to help you snag those weekend-making green arrows and avoid the doom and gloom of a red arrow.
For Gameweek 3, Spurs come off a last-second draw versus Chelsea to face Wolves. Then, Newcastle put their clean defensive record on the line against the Champions when they meet Manchester City. Finally, the gameweek ends with Manchester United welcoming Liverpool to Old Trafford on Monday night.
The Gameweek 3 deadline is 6:00 am Eastern on Saturday, August 20. Also, check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the team gets you all set for every English Premier League and UEFA Champions League slate from a DFS and betting perspective.
RotoBaller FPL Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 3
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the mind of our FPL staff. Our top soccer writers will answer questions each gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So without further ado, let's kick off Gameweek 3!
How was Gameweek 2 for the Rotoballer team?
- Euan Leith: 66 points for Leithal Weapons in GW2. Salah, Mount, Bailey, Trent, and Robbo all blanked. Fortunately, Cancelo, Reece James, and Martinelli continued their hot starts, and Gabriel Jesus stole the show with 19 points.
- Jamie Steed: Pretty good. Picked up 86 points (just outside the top 200,000 overall), despite once again captaining someone who got two points and with a striker taking a minus (thanks, Mitrovic!).
- Mark Kieffer: I had 72 points last week. It could have been better with Salah as my Captain with just two points. Still above average, though.
- Brandon Wampler:
After two weeks, which bandwagon do you want to jump on the most?
- Euan Leith: The Manchester City double up in defense. Cancelo has to be one of the two, but you could choose between Ruben Dias, Ederson in net, or Kyle Walker as the second. Looking at their next four fixtures (at Newcastle, vs. Palace, vs. Forest, at Villa), I don't expect them to concede a goal in any match. I'm sure they will, but even three clean sheets will net you numerous FPL points from some not-so-exciting positions.
- Jamie Steed: I'm not sure there is a bandwagon I want to jump on as no one has stood out I wasn't at least expecting to be decent. Maybe the Neco Williams hype is worthwhile getting involved with, but Forest was mightily fortunate not to concede on Sunday, and while I see him chipping in with some goals and assists, clean sheets might be more difficult to come by.
- Mark Kieffer: Arsenal. This attack is much improved, and they will be more offensive than last year. Man City will be good, too, but they will have a deeper rotation and more minutes shared.
- Brandon Wampler: The main bandwagon for people to join us is for Gabriel Jesus, but I was on it before it started ;). Another one to join would be Rodrigo's production to start the season. He is thriving in the #10 role.
After two weeks, who are you ready to abandon ship on the most?
- Euan Leith: The Leicester keepers. Both came in at £4 million to start the year, and I took the bait. I'll be upgrading as soon as possible.
- Jamie Steed: Anything to do with Manchester United. I wasn't expecting a title challenge or even a top-4 push, but they're a complete shambolic mess, and I don't see how you can justify rostering any of their players right now.
- Mark Kieffer: I was off Manchester United players in my lineup. I thought Bruno Fernandes provided a good pivot. But they are bad.
- Brandon Wampler: Anyone from Manchester United.
Against Bournemouth, Kevin de Bruyne showed us why he shouldn't be ignored in our FPL lineups. So which three City players would you want to have moving forward?
- Euan Leith: If you can afford it, the obvious answer is KDB, Haaland, and Cancelo. However, that means you'll be without Salah, Son, and Kane, more than likely. It's a lot of investment for one team. So I'd move KDB or Haaland to Phil Foden and grab another premium for the other clubs. He should've squared that ball to Haaland but still came away with a goal and an assist on Saturday.
- Jamie Steed: Haaland, Cancelo and de Bruyne. You get what you pay for; in this case, the most expensive at their positions equates to being the best.
- Mark Kieffer: Most would include Haaland, and that's fine. KDB is OK to have. He is third in chances created in the EPL. He also has taken one less shot than Haaland. Ederson is good because Man City will dominate possession in so many games that the clean sheet will be in play. I like Cancelo as the third because the clean sheet is always in play, and he helps with the attack. For my team, I already have Cancelo and Ederson, up to you if you want Haaland or KDB.
- Brandon Wampler: De Bruyne, Haaland and Cancelo in that order.
Over the next five gameweeks, which team (outside the 'Big Six') do you want to invest in?
- Euan Leith: Brentford. They avoid all of the top seven clubs from last year over the next five. Two home matches against Everton and Leeds sandwiched between away ties at Fulham, Crystal Palace, and Southampton should see the Bees shoot up our FPL wishlists and the Premier League table.
- Jamie Steed: Brighton defensively as they look organized and well-drilled as usual. Plus, they have five winnable fixtures coming up. Offensively, I'm going Brentford. Again, they have a nice run of winnable games and despite me tipping them to struggle this year, I can see them adding plenty to their six goals already scored.
- Mark Kieffer: Is it bad to say, Brighton? They have 11 shots on goal (tied for 2nd) and 23 chances created (tied for 6th). In addition, their next five games are West Ham, Leeds, Fulham, Leicester City, and Bournemouth. Newcastle is a team I like, but their next three are Many City, Wolves, and Liverpool. So I would look at them after that stretch more.
- Brandon Wampler: Leeds, Newcastle, or Fulham.
Who's keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 3?
- Euan Leith: Arsenal travels to Bournemouth and should keep the ball out of the net for the second time this season. Bournemouth had a smash-and-grab victory over Villa to open the season but didn't show any interest in playing with City last week. Arsenal's defense is healthy and looking sharp.
- Jamie Steed: Tottenham. At home to a drab Wolves team who continue to look like they're allergic to sticking the ball in the net. I also like Crystal Palace at home to Aston Villa, who keep playing just one up front in away games, struggle to score, then play two up front at home, score plenty and wonder why their away form is poor.
- Mark Kieffer: Man City due to them dominating possession.
- Brandon Wampler: Ramsdale, but you could also go with Alisson against the putrid United offense.
Which defensive player is providing an attacking return?
- Euan Leith: The Man United defense is ready to be put to the sword. I'm predicting a Virgil van Dijk header off an Andy Robertson corner on Monday.
- Jamie Steed: Leicester's Timothy Castagne is my pick outside the usual suspects. He scored on the opening weekend, and Leicester should have enough to beat a Southampton side that's conceded three headed goals already this season and another two from crosses on Saturday.
- Mark Kieffer: Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a bit of a disappointment so far with those. He has six chances created in two games and 19 crosses (2nd most). At some point, he will get some assists. They have a Manchester United team that's a mess right now.
- Brandon Wampler: Ryan Sessegnon from Spurs.
- Euan Leith: The last time he visited Old Trafford, he sliced and diced his way to a hat trick. There's no one else this week except Mo Salah.
- Jamie Steed: I'm going with Mo Salah. He'll need to ignite Liverpool's season, and after scoring five goals with two assists against Manchester United last season, I can see him finding the net again on Monday.
- Mark Kieffer: Salah again. This is a great matchup, and Liverpool should be able to put up multiple goals against Manchester United.
- Brandon Wampler: For forward, Jesus/Haaland, and for a midfielder, no doubt De Bruyne.
If you could bring in any player you don't have on your team for this gameweek, who would it be and why?
- Euan Leith: Possibly a boring one, but I wouldn't mind James Ward-Prowse in my starting eleven. Leicester is terrible at defending set pieces, and JWP is one of the best in the game. So I think he'll have a great start against the Foxes.
- Jamie Steed: Mo Salah for the above reason. I went heavier on defense this season with a reliance on some of the ~£8m midfielders, so I haven't been able to fit him in.
- Mark Kieffer: Harrison from Leeds has gotten my attention with 11 chances created and two assists so far. I am not into him this week going against Chelsea, though. James Maddison is another one I am interested in overall and am considering because he takes set pieces and creates chances.
- Brandon Wampler: Kulusevski because he has not disappointed since his arrival to the Premier League. He will be a significant contributor for seasons to come, as I said before his arrival to Tottenham Hotspur.
Who's getting the Captain's armband?
- Euan Leith: Liverpool doesn't look to be firing on all cylinders right now with the injuries they are dealing with, so that puts me off, Salah. However, Haaland has a tough fixture away at Newcastle. So I'll probably end up with the armband on Mo, but there are doubts in the back of my mind.
- Jamie Steed: I'm leaning into Gabriel Martinelli. He's been on fire to start the season with a goal in each game and should pose a threat against Bournemouth.
- Mark Kieffer: Salah again... As long as he is on my team, he will have it. I don't have Haaland or KDB
- Brandon Wampler: Jesus.
Finally, what's your bold prediction for this weekend's slate of games?
- Euan Leith: Among the 20 Premier League clubs, Manchester United is the only team without a point to their name after three games. Other than that, I think Leeds and Chelsea draw and Nottingham Forest claim at least a point versus Everton.
- Jamie Steed: Leeds gets at least a point at home to Chelsea. I don't think saying Manchester United being rock bottom is considered bold anymore, especially with Liverpool up next.
- Mark Kieffer: Nottingham Forest beats Everton? Leeds beat Chelsea? Manchester United earn points? I don't know if these are bold enough, but one of them happens... I think
- Brandon Wampler: Arsenal and Tottenham will win by at least two goals, Nottingham will win at Goodison Park, and Manchester United will defeat Liverpool! You heard it, people, the Red Devils will FINALLY taste victory!
Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on Twitter @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
