This season, we’re rolling out a Scout Picks squad in the middle of each week in order to give you a heads-up over our thinking for the Gameweek ahead.This list of players also includes some names in contention for a place in our Spot the Differential article, though will, of course, be subject to change, depending on the injury situation as the days progress.

For Gameweek 3, here’s our current thinking…

Goalkeepers

Having served his one-match suspension, Thibaut Courtois (5.4) comes back onto our radar as Chelsea look to bounce back against a West Brom side that’s yet to net this term. With David de Gea sidelined amid speculation on his future, Sergio Romero (5.1) targets a third consecutive clean sheet when Newcastle United pay visit. In the budget bracket, Palace’s Alex McCarthy (4.0) is pitted against an Aston Villa outfit that’s racked up the second-least attempts inside the box (seven).

Defenders

Manchester United’s back-to-back clean sheets encourage us to invest in their steady rearguard. Matteo Darmian (5.6) presents the strongest cast for inclusion, having notched two bonus points in both matches.

Joel Ward (4.5) bagged his second ever Premier League goal in the Eagles’ 2-1 defeat to Arsenal. Among the league’s full roster of defenders, the Palace centre-back ranks fourth for penalty box touches (six) and second for goal attempts (three) this term, underlining his enhanced goal threat.

Notwithstanding the threat of rotation now Gael Clichy’s returned to the bench, Aleksandar Kolarov’s (5.5) marauding wing play could well harvest attacking returns when the Sky Blues visit Goodison Park. Aside from boasting a share of set-piece duty, the Serbian full-back has executed four more key passes (seven) than any defender this campaign.

Swansea’s attacking contingent are understandably garnering the bulk of the plaudits for their fast start, yet Ashley Williams’ (5.0) contribution shouldn’t be ignored. The imposing Welshman scooped all three bonus points last time out and will fancy his chances of rebuffing Sunderland’s lacklustre forward line.

Aaron Creswell (5.5) retains a spot in our Scout Picks by virtue of West Ham’s favourable home tie against Bournemouth. The Cherries failed to net in the opening two Gameweeks, increasing our faith in the Hammers’ back line.

Midfielders

Alexis Sanchez looked in ominous form against Palace – tallying more attempts inside the box (six) than any midfielder in Gameweek 2 – which bodes well for the Gunners’ home clash against Liverpool. Elsewhere in London, Yohan Cabaye (6.6) reiterated his Fantasy potential with a 10-point haul in Gameweek 1 and will be looking to pull the strings when the Villains come to town, while Dimitri Payet (7.6) should find pockets of space between Bournemouth’s banks of four.

David Silva (10.0) is more than justifying his top-tier price tag in these early stages, having bagged three assists in two starts. Everton will certainly do well to stymie the twinkle-toed Spaniard’s captivating start to the campaign. Conversely, Sadio Mane (8.0) has yet to set alight but should cause all sorts of problems for Watford’s new-look defence.

With three goals to his name already this season, Riyad Mahrez (5.7) could enjoy further success against Tottenahm’s mistake-laden rearguard. Meanwhile, Andre Ayew (7.1)  seeks a third strike in as many starts as the Swans roll up to the Stadium of Light.

Juan Mata (8.5) has piqued our interested as a mid-priced differential, given that the Spain international recorded nine points against Villa and could be the chief architect of the Magpies’ downfall. Nathan Redmond (5.5) clearly has his shooting boots on in the wake of back-to-back goals on the Canaries’ return to the Premier League.

Forwards

Sergio Aguero (13.1) tested the nerve of all non-owners on his return to the starting line-up last Gameweek. Aside from gracing the scoresheet, last season’s Golden Boot victor fashioned a wealth of shooting opportunities (seven) against Chelsea’s typically resilient back four, auguring another strong display against everton.

A home fixture against Newcastle United presents Wayne Rooney (10.5) with the perfect platform to kick-start his season. On a similar note, Diafro Sakho (6.5) possesses the pace and movement to trouble Bournemouth’s defence.

Troy Deeney (5.5) looks the pick of the promoted forwards this Gameweek, as Watford welcome Southampton to Vicarage Road. The Saints shipped five goals in their opening two clashes, with the Hornets lone frontman primed to capitalise on their defensive vulnerabilities.

Bafetimbi Gomis (7.1) looks to have filled the void left upon Wilfried Bony’s departure; the in-form marksman will doubtless be licking his lips as he prepares to face off against a Black Cats defence that’s been breached seven times already.

Community Champion

For the second week in a row the Community Champion beat the Scout Picks. Gameweek 2 Champion Daniel Levy – Not the Spurs Chairman racked up an impressive tally of 52 thanks to Liverpool’s Christian Benteke. The Scouts’ faith in Wayne Rooney proved their undoing, with their Gameweek 2 picks mustering just 44 points.

The community member who beats the Scout Picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season. Gameweek 1 Champion Fuzzy Warble beat us by a 12-point margin and remains the champion to beat.

Patch has been named Gameweek 3 Community Champion following this week’s lottery.