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Welcome to the Gameweek 3 FPL Staff Roundtable, RotoBallers! The transfer trigger finger is getting itchier by the day, but we are only a few days away from an international break, so we can take a deep breath and analyze the data from the first three gameweeks.
Cole Palmer thrust himself into our thoughts with a four-return game. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland scored three to slow down Ipswich Town. There will be twists and turns ahead of the third gameweek of the season, and our squad is ready to answer the much-asked questions.
The Gameweek 3 deadline of the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League season is Saturday, August 31, at 6:00 a.m. EDT, when Arsenal welcomes Brighton to Emirates Stadium. Also, check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every EPL and UCL slate with our DFS lineup picks and betting picks.
Fantasy Premier League Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 3 Preview
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the minds of our FPL writers. 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!
Erling Haaland bagged a hat trick and rewarded those managers who gave him the Triple Captain armband. Should FPL managers be more open to playing chips in single gameweeks?
Euan Leith: Due to the lack of League Cup and F.A. Cup replays this year, there will be fewer double gameweeks to play our FPL chips. As a result, managers will be forced to play chips in single gameweeks, and last week was a great time to play the Triple Captain chip.
Jamie Steed: I believe in going with your gut. So if you feel there’s an opportunity to use one at a time when convention is not to, go for it. That being said, other than the Triple Captain, you’re almost guaranteed to miss out on points when using it during a single gameweek.
The FPL Manual (Wale): I think this scenario will always be up for debate, as every manager has a strategy. However, results like this might shift the timeline to rely on double gameweeks for the Triple Captain armband. Ultimately, as long as your captain delivers, it’s a successful use of the chip.
Well, did you? #FPL pic.twitter.com/G33xyiklMK
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) August 24, 2024
Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota bagged attacking returns on Sunday. Are they a valid route to covering Mohamed Salah in the Liverpool attack?
Euan: One does not simply cover Mohamed Salah (£12.6M). The Egyptian King is the GOAT of FPL for a reason. However, if you can use those savings from Luis Diaz (£7.5M) or Diogo Jota (£7.6M) to upgrade another spot in your lineup, now we're talking.
Jamie: I’m on board with the pair and would even say I’d make sure to pair one with Salah. I do expect some rotation with the attack as the season progresses. But for now, one of the pairs should be on your squad.
Wale: It is undoubtedly an option; however, I do not believe it is worth the danger. Mohamed Salah has been the most consistent FPL player over the past decade, averaging over 200 points per season. If you plan on bringing in Chelsea's Cole Palmer (£10.5M) or Arsenal's Bukayo Saka (£10m), Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz could serve as short-term cover in Liverpool’s attack.
11.6s ⏱️ pic.twitter.com/xmp83I1pux
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 27, 2024
Cole Palmer provided plenty of returns against Wolves. With good fixtures in Chelsea’s future, where does Palmer rank on your wishlist?
Euan: The tippy top. As mentioned in the previous question, a combination of Cole Palmer and Diogo Jota would cost you £18.1M. That's as good of, if not a better, combo than Mo Salah and a £5.5M midfielder like Emile Smith Rowe (£5.5M).
Jamie: He’s certainly near the top, especially if he continues to play centrally. He might not score as many as last year, but he should create more chances. His value would skyrocket if Chelsea were to sign a prolific striker.
Wale: Considering Chelsea's fixtures, Cole Palmer's 17-point haul against Wolves puts him high on my wishlist. The main challenge I might have is deciding who to sacrifice for the Chelsea talisman. Mohamed Salah (£12.5m), or Erling Haaland (£15m)? The quickest way to figure it out is when I activate my wildcard chip.
This is what he does 🥶#FPL #WOLCHE pic.twitter.com/z92l7JTVsz
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) August 25, 2024
Ollie Watkins disappointed again on Saturday, but Aston Villa has good fixtures coming up. Would you buy him now or wait to show some form and fitness?
Euan: I'm in wait-and-see mode with Ollie Watkins (£9.0M). The English forward is not fit and doesn't have his scoring boots on either. He missed two huge chances against Arsenal and hasn't played more than 70 minutes in either match to start the season.
Jamie: I wasn’t in on Watkins coming into the season anyway, so I’d be waiting. The toll of playing in the Champions League can’t be overstated, especially for teams not used to it. If Jhon Duran (£6.0M) stays, he could also push for more playing time.
Wale: Watkins appears to be struggling in front of goal and is not yet at his best. Regardless of Villa's favorable fixtures, I would wait and see how things play out, especially with Champions League games on the horizon.
Ollie Watkins misses a chance worth 0.62(xG). pic.twitter.com/bDqo0wScNp
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) August 24, 2024
Has anyone stood out from the promoted sides over the first two gameweeks?
Euan: Is 'not really' an acceptable answer? It's been a tough go for the promoted sides, especially Ipswich. Games against Liverpool and Man City to open the campaign are far from ideal. Sam Szmodics (£6.0M) scored on Saturday and could come into our thinking at some point this season during a good stretch of fixtures.
Jamie: Southampton’s Flynn Downes (£5.0M) has seven shot-creating actions in the first two weeks and makes an interesting discount play. Leif Davis (£4.5M) gets forward plenty and should’ve won a penalty against Manchester City. The Ipswich man should pick up some assists as the games get easier.
Wale: I believe the terrible run of fixtures has done little favor to the recently promoted teams, and I can understand why many managers may overlook these individuals. However, Ben Johnson (£4.0M), a defender who occasionally plays on the right flank for Ipswich, is a man to watch as the Tractor Boys improve.
Who is keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 3?
Euan: Aston Villa hasn't kept a clean sheet so far this year, but a home game against Leicester is a great chance to rectify that. The Foxes have scored two in two games, but those came against far leakier defenses in Spurs and Fulham. Villa will shut them out.
Jamie: I'm going with Brentford this week. Three of their four clean sheets at home last season came in their final four home games. Southampton had just 0.1xG last weekend, and most of their threat in Gameweek 1 came when Newcastle were down to 10 men.
Wale: Arsenal has been excellent in the defense in their first two games, and I anticipate the Gunners will keep another clean sheet at home.
💹 PL GW3 matchups
First look at projected goals and clean sheet odds for the upcoming round of Premier League games, via spread betting markets pic.twitter.com/9a31YXfwTb
— Rob T (@robtFPL) August 28, 2024
What defensive player is providing attacking returns?
Euan: Leicester conceded attacking returns to Pedro Porro (£5.5M) and Antonee Robinson (£4.6M) in back-to-back weeks, so let's follow that trend. Next up is Aston Villa. Ian Maatsen (£5.0M) hasn't cracked the first team yet, but that'll change this week when he gets a start and an assist versus the Foxes.
Jamie: I picked Rayan Aït-Nouri (£4.5M) last week, and he bagged an assist. Unfortunately, he was tagged for five goals conceded too. Wolves face Forest this week, followed by more tough fixtures, so they will feel they need to get something from this game. I’m backing the Wolves man again.
Wale: Antonee Robinson has been extremely impressive for Fulham, asking the right questions when moving forward and excelling at tackles and interceptions. The American international is my pick for attacking returns this weekend against Ipswich.
Who's a midfielder or forward rostered on less than 10 percent of teams that will grab us those FPL points?
Euan: Antoine Semenyo (£5.5M) looked incredible for Bournemouth against Newcastle on Sunday. The Cherries attacker generated 1.50 xGI in that contest and faced an Everton side that conceded three goals to Brighton and four to Spurs in their first two games.
Jamie: Leandro Trossard’s (£6.9M) cameo appearance swung Saturday’s game in Arsenal’s favor. He’s on 2.0 percent of FPL teams and will likely start this week against his former team, Brighton. Gabriel Martinelli (£7.0M) has struggled in the two games, so Trossard will likely start in his place.
Wale: In the absence of Ivan Toney (£7.3M), Bryan Mbeumo (£7.0M) has stepped up as Brentford’s primary goal threat. As the Bees prepare to face Southampton, which has yet to score in their first two matches, Mbeumo has an excellent opportunity to impact and potentially shine against the Saints.
Who is one player you want to have but can’t for the Gameweek 3 fixtures in Fantasy Premier League?
Euan: Andy Robertson (£6.0M) was getting in some great attacking spots for Liverpool at the weekend. The team is humming through the first two weeks in Arne Slot's system, and the Scotsman has shot up my FPL wishlist. Unfortunately, I may have to wait until I use my Wildcard.
Jamie: I was forced to bring in a mid-price midfielder this week due to nearly all of my gambles not paying off to start the season. Because of that, I’m still stuck with Ivan Toney in my squad. I’d like to have Kai Havertz (£8.1M) for Arsenal’s home game against Brighton.
Wale: Cole Palmer's "ice cold" performance last week certainly made an impact, and with Chelsea facing Crystal Palace this weekend, he could do even more damage to my overall rank. However, I will have to hold off on fitting the Englishman into your team until after the international break.
Who’s getting the Captain’s armband?
Euan: It's slapped on Bukayo Saka at the moment. The Arsenal winger has two assists in two games and needed a world-class Emi Martinez save to keep him off the scoresheet in Gameweek 2. I expect a free-flowing match between the Gunners and Seagulls on Saturday, where Saka scores.
Jamie: I’m leaning towards Mbeumo. He’ll be a bit of a differential, and while he’s something of a safe option, I don’t foresee a ~20-point return. But I don’t have any standout option, so taking a punt on the Brentford man seems like a good idea this week.
Wale: I'd like to give Bukayo Saka the armband against Brighton. Man United had a great time driving down Brighton's left flank in Gameweek 2, and I expect Arsenal's "Starboy" to capitalize on that window when the Gunners host the Seagulls.
GW1 - 12pts
GW2 - 6ptsAre you bringing Arsenal's Starboy in to your squad? pic.twitter.com/YwaNPlMp6b
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) August 24, 2024
What’s your bold prediction for Gameweek 3?
Euan: After three gameweeks, we will see a flurry of Wildcards activated in FPL over the international break. For on-pitch predictions, I'll go with a promoted team earning its first point and Liverpool keeping another clean sheet in a 2-0 win at Man United.
Jamie: Eberechi Eze (£7.0M) outshines Cole Palmer with two goal involvements as Chelsea are brought back down to Earth. And Wolves’ Yerson Mosquera’s (£4.0M) antics catch up with him as he gets sent off against Nottingham Forest. And I’ll score a nice 69 points for the third week running!
Wale: With Liverpool and Manchester United getting set for the Northwest derby this Sunday, my bold prediction is that Mohamed Salah will score a goal against the Red Devils and continue his solid goal-scoring form for Liverpool.
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