Welcome to our review of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 3, where we delve into the key takeaways, standout performances, and tactical insights from the latest round of matches. This gameweek brought with it a flurry of goals, questionable defending, and unexpected twists that kept FPL managers both thrilled and perplexed.
Defences continued to struggle, leaving us with few trustworthy options for clean sheets outside of the stalwart Manchester City. However, as we’ll discuss, focusing solely on defensive choices might not be the wisest strategy this season.
Alongside defensive woes, the gameweek witnessed a torrent of yellow cards, reminding us of the importance of strategic transfers and preparation.
In this article, we break down the matches and players that stood out in FPL Gameweek 3, while exploring the emerging patterns that are shaping the FPL landscape.
Key Takeaways
Defences are bad
Another week another bad defensive performance from basically everyone. We take three things from from this: firstly, we don’t trust anyone to get clean sheets apart from probably City. Even then, we don’t know who will play.
Secondly, we recognise that players like Saka and Rashford were problematic for their defences. But, that’s also almost irrelevant for them. Yes, they get one point for a clean sheet as midfielders in FPL. But, that is nothing in comparison to what they can do offensively.
And finally, its really hard to tell what a good fixture is this year. It used to be quite simple – pick a good defence and play them against everyone, pick a bad defence and play them in favourable fixtures.
But, this year, all the defences suck. So, it feels like you may as well just take a punt on a cheap guy who gets forward a lot.
So. Many. Bookings.
Yellow cards are just raining down on players at the moment. It’s not going to be long until Bruno gets a red for moaning. And it’s not just him. They’re all at it.
There isn’t much we can do about it. It’s inevitable. However, we can try to be as prepared as much as we can – that means holding transfers as much as possible.
FPL Gameweek 3 Matches
We posted on Reddit about these games:
As for the rest, read on!
Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool
xG: 2.00-0.95
Newcastle were really good again. They’re just so hard to breakdown and beat. In attack, they followed the classic tactic of attacking Trent and Gordon took advantage. He went past him several times including for the goal when Trent just completely missed the ball when passed to him.
After Van Dijk was sent off the game got really stale and dull. Liverpool sat back and tried to defend and counter. Newcastle really should have scored another goal based on the number of chances they had but they were a little wasteful and a little unlucky. Still, they really should have killed it off.
Klopp’s Plan B worked out quite well as he brought on Darwin for the last 20 minutes and Darwin did what Darwin does. He ran in behind the Newcastle defence and unlike normally he was clinical.
Salah nicked an assist in a game in which he was otherwise quite isolated. Frankly it was a bit of a freak result and it’s very hard to take any lessons from this game for either side, especially considering Liverpool were down to ten men from 28 minutes. The most concerning thing going forward from an FPL perspective after gameweek 3 was that Botman went off injured.
Man United 3-2 Forest
xG 2.83-1.21
Ten Haag must have been listening to fantasy managers all over the world. He FINALLY played Rashford down the left. Of course, our dear Rashy’s defending led to United conceding in the second minute. Of course, United’s defending didn’t get much better and they conceded another in the fourth minute.
But our dear Rashy made up for it by taking on a player and cutting back a great pass to Eriksen (who is a good option in draft leagues while Mount is injured by the way). He also won a penalty and got himself a fantasy assist. It wasn’t hugely convincing from him but owners should be happy.
Antony remains a bad option. He just cuts in and shoots and he’s not good at it. You aren’t Arjen Robben mate, just accept it… He could have had an assist
Bruno, on the other hand, punished all those who sold him with a double return – a penalty and an assist.
Plenty of people fell for Casemiro last year just because he’s cheap and scored (yes Howard, I am talking to you). Don’t even think about it. There are so many better options in midfield.
Awoniyi is just bloody brilliant isn’t he? I have him in draft and I’m delighted with him. He’s not an option in FPL until something like week 11 when they have a good fixture run.
Sheffield United 1-2 Man City
xG: 0.73-3.52
It might just be me but I find City so boring to watch. It was methodical and “good” but bloody boring. They smashed Sheffield and it was ridiculous that it was so close in the end.
Haaland annoyed over 7 million managers when he missed a penalty. He hit the post and sent the keeper the wrong way but still. He sort of made up for it with a great back post header.
Foden didn’t start. 550k transfers in and net 423k transfers in. He was always going to get rotated but you can probably feel a little peeved that it happened immediately if you were one of the owners.
If you weren’t an owner, you can probably feel aggrieved that he returned. 86th minute he comes on, mis-controls the ball and Rodri finishes it.
Akanji also didn’t start. I’d happily just avoid everyone but Haaland in this team. It’s too unpredictable. And the Champions League hasn’t even started yet.
Brighton 1-3 West Ham
xG: 1.48-3.23
Not one I expected but it was a glorious performance from West Ham. They parked the bus harder than anyone I have seen this year and they were bloody fantastic.
Ward-Prowse is probably still a trap. He created almost nothing this game (and that’s what he’s supposed to do from set pieces). His xG was 0.98 but don’t expect that to happen every week.
I’m much more interested in Bowen. He had two high xG chances and just looked lively constantly down that wing.
Still no interest in the defence. Even when they had 10 men behind the ball they still conceded. Areola was amazing though.
Brighton dominated possession but, as you can see from the xG stats, they didn’t create enough good chances. If you watched the game, you know they didn’t stop creating but they weren’t good chances.
Verbruggen started – sorry Steele owners but this could be an ongoing saga. If you now don’t have a guaranteed playing keeper you probably need to sort this out.
And, Pedro didn’t start… again! He’s got to be sold if you own him. We are of the view that players need 90 mins as much as possible to be worth owning in FPL (the hint is in the name of the website).
Mitoma and Estupinian remain the main men here. They combine well and are constantly threatening. The question is if you want to keep them going into a tough run of fixtures.
Bournemouth 0-2 Spurs
xG: 0.67-2.06
God, I love Maddison. He’s so bloody talented. An incredible run to score his first goal and he’s just involved in everything they do going forward.
As for Richarlison. He’s basically the polar opposite of Maddo. Does nothing and is barely involved. He finally got an opportunity to run onto a ball in behind and he just didn’t shoot.
I’m very interested in Son if he gets to play through the middle instead of Rich. We will need to see more of him in this role but when Rich was thankfully taken off, he did a good job.
I like Kulusevski for the draft but I think there are better options at his price point for ‘proper’ FPL.
Finally for Spurs, Udogie is a great option. He’s very attacking and this is his third game in a row. In comparison, Porro and Royale seem to be rotating on the right.
Everton 0-1 Wolves
xG: 1.34-1.08
So, this was a shit game of two shit teams that we don’t really give a shit about in FPL.
I’ve come to accept that Pickford was probably a bad pick at goalkeeper. I regret it, you regret it. But, we aren’t selling him because goalkeeper transfers have such low upside. Unless you have serious luxury transfers available to you then what’s the point.
If you’re desperate in your draft league for a striker, then pick up Dobbin. He’s almost guaranteed to be available. He’s not good but he’s better than nothing.
Brentford 1-1 Palace
xG: 0.97-0.80
Another weekend, another fantastic defensive performance from Palace.
Brentford owners don’t panic. This is one of the toughest attacking fixtures in the league right now.
Brentford’s defence was also solid.
I think if I was an Eze owner I’d be starting to question the pick right now. The speculation that he is going to Man City doesn’t help… But, if he doesn’t go then I’d try to relax a bit. Some good fixtures coming in.
That’s it!
Gameweek 3 of FPL showcased the ongoing challenges posed by unpredictable defences and a card-laden environment. Managers are grappling with the question of whether to place their faith in secure clean sheets or lean toward explosive attacking options.
Whether you’re holding onto seasoned assets or scouting for hidden gems, the journey promises to be exhilarating. So, keep an eye on our content and fasten your seatbelts, FPL managers!