Scout Picks

Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton double-up for Gameweek 3 Scout Picks

Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton are the key teams for the Gameweek 3 Scout Picks XI.

Each of these clubs has provided two players to the latest selection, chosen from the Scout Squad submissions made by David, Neale, Tom and Andy.

It’s a 4-4-2 formation this time around, coming in at £82.9m, £0.1m inside our budget.

GOALKEEPER

Emi Martínez (£4.5m) was the most popular budget goalkeeper on our Scout Squad panel this week, as Aston Villa visit Fulham. The former Arsenal man is fully capable of producing points from a range of different avenues. Only Tim Krul made more saves than him during Project Restart, while Villa were inside the division’s top five for fewest big chances conceded during that period (despite playing more matches). Dean Smith’s men got off to the perfect start this time around, keeping a clean sheet in their 1-0 win over Sheffield United.

DEFENDERS

There was plenty of support for Liverpool defence ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Anfield and, due to budgetary reasons, we have selected Andrew Robertson (£7.0m). So far this season, the left-back has created more big chances than Trent Alexander-Arnold, and two more shots in the box than him. The Gunners have also conceded more chances from their right flank than their left during the first two matches of the season.

Lucas Digne (£6.1m) could be in for returns at both ends of the pitch against Crystal Palace. The Eagles were the lowest scorers in home matches last season while Everton are currently in the Premier League’s top five for expected goals conceded (xGC). Meanwhile, Digne was heavily involved in the 5-2 win over West Bromwich Albion and unfortunate not to come away with attacking returns. No Everton player was the target of more passes in the final third for that match and he hit the crossbar with a second-half direct free-kick.

It might be another week before Chelsea start becoming more reliable for clean sheets, as Eduoard Mendy has only just arrived. However, Reece James (£5.1m) is yet another defensive asset capable of drawing on several different avenues for points. Even if the Blues can’t keep out West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, the versatile full-back already has a goal and assist to his name this season and, as we’ll explain in more detail shortly, the Baggies’ defence has been poor so far this season.

Romain Saïss (£5.1m) remains one of the most nailed-on Wolves defenders ahead of a trip to West Ham. Despite conceding three goals to Manchester City on Monday night, Nuno Espirito Santo’s backline remains the most productive since Gameweek 25 of last season, recording a league-high 10 clean sheets in that time. Meanwhile, Saïss has more shots in the box than any Wolves defender so far this season.

MIDFIELDERS

Mohamed Salah (£12.1m) looks a sure inclusion for Gameweek 3 as Arsenal visit Anfield. The penalty-taking Egyptian netted a hat-trick in his last home match and is already joint-top of the league for shots in the box and goal attempts on target so far this term. Salah scored twice the last time the Gunners came to Liverpool as he registered 19 of last season’s 29 attacking returns (65.5%) in home matches.

One match into the season and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.6m) already looks like a must-own asset. Freed from defensive duties in midfield, the Belgian excelled in a number 10 role at Wolves on Monday night shooting straight into the division’s top 10 for key passes and shots on target, despite playing fewer matches than most. 

Son Heung-min (£9.0m) was the man of the moment as Spurs thrashed Southampton 5-2 in Gameweek 2. After two matches this season, no player has registered more shots on target than the South Korean, who has also been afforded the joint-most big chances in the division during that period.

Daniel Podence (£5.6m) has the potential to offer decent value as Wolves travel to West Ham on Sunday evening. He has assisted in both outings so far this season and, even if competition for the front-three might increase soon, the Portuguese winger has done enough to start again on merit – and Nuno Espirito Santo has already hinted that new right-back Nelson Semedo will take some time to settle at Wolves. Thus far, only one Premier League player has fashioned more big chances than Podence.

FORWARDS

A trip to West Bromwich Albion is the perfect match-up for Timo Werner (£9.5m), who is yet to find his first Premier League goal. While the Baggies have conceded the joint-most number of shots in the box over the first two matches, they have also given up two penalties. During that time, Werner has won two of his own, and may even get the chance to take one considering Jorginho missed a spot-kick against Liverpool and could lose his place in the team for Gameweek 3.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.3m) has recaptured the form he boasted when Carlo Ancelotti first arrived at Everton, scoring four goals in the first two matches of 2020/21. Crystal Palace should pose a sterner test than West Bromwich Albion did, but they have conceded four big chances so far this season – only five teams have given up more than that over the same period. If any Everton player is going to score at Selhurst Park, the fact that Calvert-Lewin is joint-top of the league for shots on target suggests it will be the mid-price forward.

Substitutes

Vicente Guaita (£5.0m) could be the man to frustrate owners of Everton assets in Gameweek 3. He is the early season-leader for saves (eight) and has the second-highest expected goals prevented (xG Prevented) score after the first two matches.

Jimmy Dunne (£4.0m) is the latest budget defender to emerge as a starting option. Injuries to James Tarkowski and Ben Mee have seen him thrust into the first-team picture alongside Kevin Long.

Only West Bromwich Albion have conceded more shots on target or chances from set plays than Fulham thus far. That could work out for Jack Grealish (£7.0m) who was unfortunate to blank against Sheffield United on Monday night.

Ollie Watkins (£6.0m) gets onto the Scout Picks bench for the same reasons. His pace and power is likely to cause Fulham all sorts of problems in Gameweek 3.

THE CAPTAIN

Who are the best captain options for FPL Gameweek 36+?

The Scout Picks captain is chosen using a four-way vote between our Scout Squad pundits.

Because the use of Fantasy Football Scout data is used so heavily in this process, the skipper we choose each Gameweek is known only to those with a valid Fantasy Football Scout subscription and revealed to the public only when the deadline has passed.

Here’s how we voted for Gameweek 3:

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Each week, one of the Fantasy Football Scout community takes on the Scout Picks by pitting their chosen XI against ours.

The Community Member who beats our team by the biggest margin will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Moderators and Contributors League for the following season.

AA33 was the first to vanquish the Scout Picks this year and may take some beating, winning by 96 points to 43, a whopping 53-point margin.

That result was the equaliser for the community champions, who are currently tied 1-1 with the FFS editorial team after the first two Gameweeks.

DAZZ takes on the Scout Picks for Gameweek 3, opting for a 3-5-2 line-up of Lloris; Doherty, C Taylor, K Long; De Bruyne (vc), Son, Mahrez (c), Havertz, Grealish; Werner, Jiménez.

1,598 Comments Post a Comment
  1. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Does Jesus injury potentially increase to foden’s starting potential?

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Absolutely

    2. FeedTheGoatAndHeWillScore
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      And Ferran Torres

  2. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Havertz or Werner?

    1. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Coin toss.

    2. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Werner for sure

      1. Garlana
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I dont think its as clear cut if Havertz is central, id actually prefer him for 1m less.

  3. amtosh
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A. Foden + Wood

    Or

    B. Son + Brewster

    1. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

  4. Danny Fischarge
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Can't decide who to start with Burke or Harrison?

    1. BobbyV
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Burke may not even start

  5. Patson Dabaka
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Reposting cos I didn't get any replies and I'm needy. Any thoughts?

    Martinez / Steer
    Robertson / Castagne / Saiss / Lamptey / Ferguson
    Salah / KDB / Son / Foden / Burke
    Jimenez / DCL / Mitrovic

    1. Ninjaa
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nice team. G2g

  6. MGMT
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC team:

    Martinez (4M)

    Robertson - Taylor - Lamptey (Mitchell, Dunne)

    Salah - KDB - Son - Podence (Anguissa/Burke)

    Werner - Jimenez - DCL

    1. Arn De Gothia
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Temple

  7. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Final move for my wildcard...

    A. Martial/ C. Taylor (both starting)
    B. Werner/ Dunne (Mitchell starting as 4th defender)

    All replies appreciated!

    1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B for this week

    2. Arn De Gothia
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

  8. Old Man
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Werner certainly isn't going to fall and Son probably isn't going to rise. Boo hiss.

  9. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Correct line up?

    McCarthy
    James, Saiss, Shaw, Bertrand
    Kdb, Rashford, Havertz
    Werner, Martial, Wilson

    Meslier, Pereira, Dier, Soucek 0ft .5itb

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nice team. Some picks in there that I haven't seen in many teams. Good luck

      1. COLLIN QUANER
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Would possibly play Dier over Bertrand, however looks good either way

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Thanks Quaner

    2. FeedTheGoatAndHeWillScore
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Play Perreira, Kepa will still be in goal

  10. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I've had this team set for half a week now (0.4 ITB):

    Guaita
    TAA / R. James / Saiss
    Salah / KDB / Son / Foden / Podence
    Jimenez / DCL

    Forster // Lamptey / Brewster / Mitchell

    A) Martinez/Steer instead?
    B) Chelsea player in? How? Hear me out...

    A could also get me:
    Brewster/Foden >> Abraham/Anguissa.

  11. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    WC Team, a few differentials. Will get some pool in GW6 onwards:

    Martinez

    James, Saiss, Digne
    Sterling(C), KDB, Foden, Havertz, Son
    Jimi, DCL

    Steer - Lamptey, Mitchell, Brewster

    1. Alan Hansen's Emu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Triple City MF! Love the bravery, I thought having 2 myself was ballsy.

      1. Garlana
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeh it is, its exciting stuff...i wanted to take this chance to WC to get in alot of players i felt could do well that many wouldnt be able to easily get. I know the Liverpool risks btw.

  12. Alan Hansen's Emu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A) KWP
    B) Taylor

    Both Southampton and Burnley have a good run of fixtures ahead of them. Both also appear to be leaky in DF :/

  13. clownbot2000
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    ultimately its coming down to this - anyone mind help me decide.?
    a) DCL + Son + 3.0m i.t.b
    b) Kane + JamesRod + 1.2m i.t.b

    1. icanseethroughyou
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A for me. Can’t see Son carrying on his run. J Rod looking good. That said I don’t have either of them - Alli and Richarlison 🙁

  14. chrismoo75
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    what do we reckon to delap getting minutes now jesus and aguero out , and pep saying there are only 13 fit players?

  15. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is this g2g. No fts left

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA Davies Justin (Ferguson Egan)
    Salah KDB Podence JWP (Reed)
    Werner Vardy Adams

  16. makaveli
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Does anyone reckon azpilicueta will start?

  17. 0james0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A) Foden with Davis on bench

    B) Podance with Bamford on bench

    Although it means I lose a player, I'm leaning towards Foden now with Jesus out. Thoughts?

    1. jc001
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I like second option

  18. jc001
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    On WC

    Martinez, Steer
    Robertson, Saïss, kwp, Mitchell, Dunne
    KDB, Bruno, Havertz, Alzate, Stephens
    Werner, Jimenez, Martial

    What do u think?

  19. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    On wc. Zaha or Foden?

    1. irishblue29
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'd say Foden but have got them both in on WC

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Pereira.

      Foden not nailed on. Zaha inconsistent.

  20. choco27
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    For Gabriel Jesus' replacement:
    How about Mahrez?
    Nobody talk about Mahrez this GW
    Mahrez or Foden?
    Or both?
    Is it worthy to triple up City?
    Already have KDB

    Thanx

  21. wheelz91
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    My WC! Son is out!

    Martinez
    TAA Robbo Saiss
    KDB Salah Podence Barnes
    DCL Jiminez Mitro
    (Burke Mitchell Justin Forster)

    Should i get Werner or stay with Jim?

    Any thoughts?

  22. irishblue29
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Kneejerk wildcard after a terrible GW2. Pretty set on the midfield/forwards. Considering the two options below for GK/Defence

    Ryan (Steel)
    VVD Doherty Taylor (Justin) (Mitchell)

    0 ITB

    Martinez (Nyland)
    Robbo Saiss Mitchell (Justin) (Lamptey)

    0.3 ITB

    Rest of Team
    Salah KDB Rodriguez Zaha Foden
    Kane Mitro (Brewster)

  23. 1nonly
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    On WC which one would you choose?

    Option 1
    Martinez (Forster)
    TAA Saïss Taylor (Lamptey Justin)
    KDB Mo Son Rodríguez Podence
    Werner Mitrovic (Brewster)

    Option 2
    Martinez (Forster)
    Robbo Saïss Taylor (Lamptey Justin)
    KDB Mo Rodríguez Foden (Stephen)
    Werner Mitrovic Jiménez

    1. irishblue29
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Option 1, based on having some spurs cover for their good run of fixtures

  24. Mid budget coach
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Jimmy for Captain? Looks like he is being slept on or am missing something..

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not fancy enough but a decent option for sure

      1. Mid budget coach
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thats more like it.

  25. Cheshire Duck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any Crystal Palace fan in here ? I have a ew questions about the team.
    They got Batshuayi on loan, he's fit, but Ayew is starting. I watched 20 minutes of the game last week but Ayew was awful, why has Hodgson so much confidence in him ?
    And Crystal Palace trying to recruit Brewster, would it mean a possible leave upfront ? Zaha maybe ? What would be the point of having 4 forwards ?

  26. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    ASM > Podence worth a hit? Saw pictures of ASM in training so probably in contention to start

  27. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who are ppl giving the armband to?

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kev