Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 3

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 3, once again we have the new normal deadline of 11:00 BST – half an hour earlier than last season.

It’s been a rollercoaster start for FPL managers with a record number of goals scored last Gameweek. In the Scoutcast‘s ‘rough with the smooth’ many surpassed the 100-point mark while one poor soul mustered just 16 points.

The contrasting fortunes prompted a flurry of Wildcards in the Community, leading Az to reflect in this latest Pro Pundit article:

It does feel like people’s strategies – along with all sense of order and meticulous pre-season planning – have been thrown out of the window somewhat after a truly crazy start to the season.

– Az

Citing the differing experiences for managers with Man United and Spurs assets, Az pointed out that what we want one week can dramatically change the next:

With so many players performing, you simply can’t keep chasing last week’s points. You need to build a core squad of players who you feel are likely to deliver over the coming period, give them a chance to repay your faith.

– Az

Az went on to raise questions about several of this week’s targets:

  • Will Son be productive against a Newcastle side that likes to defend deep? He was afforded plenty of space by Southampton’s high line;
  • Everton are set to come up against some resolute defences in their next three matches, are Calvert-Lewin and James Rodriguez essential?
  • And will the acquisition of Nélson Semedo impinge on the Fantasy credentials of Daniel Podence and his Wolves’ teammates? 

David tackled one of those questions when he examined how the new arrival at Molineux could fit in under Nuno Espirito Santo:

The addition of Semedo to the Wolves squad should relieve Traoré of his wing-back duties very soon and shift him back into competition with Podence, Neto and Vitinha further up the field.

– David

It looks likely that those four will be vying for two places in the Wolves’ attack, although David reasons that Podence has probably done enough to secure a starting spot for now.

Semedo’s new club tops the list for upcoming fixtures, as Neale revealed earlier in the week. It’s a very appealing run:

Clashes with newly promoted Fulham and Leeds United are sandwiched by matches against West Ham United, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace, with three of those five games staged at Molineux.

– Neale

Encouragingly for owners and those considering their assets, recent comments from their Portuguese manager suggest we will see a more attacking version of Wolves this season: 

The idea is to give them freedom to put their talent onto the pitch… I would like to be more dominant, I would like to have more of the ball, I would like to improve our tally of goals scored and at the same time, decrease goals (at the other end).

– Nuno Espirito Santo

Continuing his frisk of the fixtures, Neale agreed with Az that Gameweek 6 might be a better time to invest in Everton, when their matches get really good.

And former FPL winner Simon March supported Az’s idea that now is not the time to panic and reach for the Wildcard.

A graduate in behavioural economics, Simon introduced the concept of “The House Money Effect”: 

The House Money Effect often occurs when we receive money in an atypical manner. For example; winning a bet, receiving a bonus or profiting from an investment. Behavioural psychologists have observed that people take far greater risks with such sums… [because] people don’t perceive these sums to really be their money.”

– Simon

Simon applied this idea to FPL noting that the top 10,000 managers in Gameweek 1 took on average more hits compared to the masses and, crucially – scored below average points in Gameweek 2.

For those of you reading this and perhaps regretting playing your Wildcard, there is hope in the shape of a three-time top 200 manager. 

Lateriser has made his name by starting slowly and finishing strongly. And the Pro Pundit wielded his Wildcard after an underwhelming couple of Gameweeks. The upside-chasing manager has seen enough to encourage him in the first two rounds of fixtures, in particular the emergence of a few ‘glue guys’:

Glue guys are the kind of picks in a particular ‘value’ price bracket that you just need to set in your team and forget about for a long time because they will continue to offer bang for buck for the mid-to-long term.

– Lateriser

The new attack-minded Wolves is good news for first-choice striker Raul Jimenez, argues the Pro Pundit. While Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey offers excellent value at £4.5m and can produce returns at both ends of the pitch. Last season the buccaneering defender had a better big chance creation rate than the two Liverpool full-backs. 

Finally he picked out Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who recently revealed the influence of manager Carlo Ancelotti:

Carlo Ancelotti is on me every day for first-touch finishes and to be in the box, in the right areas. It’s nice to know what I’m working on in training is coming off on the pitch.

– Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Good news for prospective buyers.

The Everton No 9 was also highlighted by Steven Reinaldo Rusli last week due to his impressive non-penalty xG stat. The Community Member looked at value (point per million) when making the case for a 3-4-3 formation to take advantage of the mid-priced forwards. 

While a value for money approach was echoed by TorpedoToien who looked back over recent seasons to reveal which players had provided the best bang for your buck. Will Jimenez and Calvert-Lewin be this season’s Mahrez and Vardy?

And the king of the puns Greyhead who finished in the top 100 overall just two seasons ago, examined the player ownership among his chosen managers in The Great and The Good. The Community scribe fancies Southampton players could be moved on after failing to live up to pre-season expectations. But with West Brom in Gameweek 4, is that a wise idea?

Captaincy and Manchester City

A major talking point this week has been Kevin De Bruyne’s performance for Manchester City as he lined up in an attacking midfield role. The question many have been asking is will Guardiola continue to use the Belgian as a No 10? 

David analysed his performance against Wolves and assessed the competition for places within the City squad.

And our new Captain Sensible writer Jan Sienkiewicz included the current PFA Player of the Year on his shortlist for the armband alongside Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mané. 

While City assets look particularly appealing, Neale and Andy reported a possible concussion for the De Bruyne sustained in Thursday evening’s EFL Cup tie.

And today, rumours of a possible injury to striker Gabriel Jesus were confirmed by the player himself:

Focusing on Chelsea, Jan described Werner and Havertz as the outstanding picks for Gameweek 3. The double-points maestro questioned whether the Baggies will have enough to stop the Blues from scoring.

While on FPL Black Box, Fantasy Football Scout founder Mark reaffirmed his strategy for selecting a captain this season – going with the player who has the best fixture – and following that rationale, he is handing Timo Werner the armband.

A look at the latest clean sheet odds provided by G-Whizz backs the decision to go with a Chelsea or Man City player. Their opponents West Brom and Leicester City have the worst odds of a shutout in Gameweek 3.

And BigManBakar revealed in his in-depth review of Gameweek 2 that he will be selecting De Bruyne for the captaincy: according to the bookies, Man City are the most likely team to score 2.5+ goals.

Community Round-up and The Scout Network

The spotlight in the Fantasy Football Scout Network this week fell on Mini-League Mate. If you want a stat-packed breakdown of how your mini-league rivals fare each Gameweek (complete with attractive charts and graphs) then this for you.

And it was also announced that Tor Mikkel Tokvamm, creator of the Transfer Algorithm, and FPL Poker Player will be joining the Scout Network

For an update on all FFScout Mini-Leagues and Community Competitions, please click here to read the latest round-up.

And for those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 3 can be found below:

Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

May your arrows be green!

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

3,543 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    GTG with my WC team?

    Martinez
    VVD James Saiss
    Salah KDB Son Zaha Podence
    DCL Werner

    Steer Mitchell Davis Justin

    1. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      James to Taylor to get VVD up?
      or.
      Jimenez over Werner... I think most people would say,
      TAA and Jim over VVD and Werner

  2. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Martínez
    TAA | Saïss | Taylor
    Salah | KDB | Son | Zaha | Podence
    Jiménez | Ings

    Forster | Mitchell | Dunne | Brewster

    Thoughts on this active WC? If Brewster transfers and Werner starts flying then Jimènez/Ings can go up and Podence (who may potentially get replaced by a new signing) can become a 4.5 mid. Depending on fixtures Brewster/4.5mid/Mitchell can rotate the last onfield position.

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Snap, you have Ings I went Dom

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        looking at your team below, would you do...
        sterling and r.james over salah and taylor?

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          For the next two, Leeds next & they only play one way?

          1. Gabbiadini
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Looking at Liverpool's next 9 they read more difficult than probably at first glance.

            1. g40steve
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Villa & Everton look different teams to this time last year.

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dunne and Mitchell will cause you trouble down the line when they lose their starting spots, imho

  3. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is this a bad idea?

    Playing WC - for the next two weeks play STERLING then swap back to SALAH??

    Who to C Sterling ?

    Martinez
    Robbo, Saiss, James
    KDB, Son, Sterling, Podence, Zaha
    DCL, Jimenez,

    Steer, Mitchell, Delap, Lamptey,

    .7

    🙂

    1. Jack Burton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      That's my plan and C KDB for me

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Pens is the crusher, Soy is known to lunge in.

  4. Jässi
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Captain

    A) Salah
    B) KDB
    C) Werner

    1. No_Mo_Salah?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      all very good Cap choices; KDB this week but Salah at home is so tempting too.

    3. Deece
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  5. Deece
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    GTG? No Saïss or DCL but can’t have them all...

    Martinez
    TAA Lamptey Taylor Mitchell Dunne
    KDB Salah Son Foden Podence
    Werner Jiménez Brewster

    Not a penny in the bank

    1. Glad He Ate Her
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Defense too weak to play 352

      1. Glad He Ate Her
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Downgrade TAA to Robbo and upgrade Lamptey to Saiss

  6. Teomi
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I’m on havertz and ings instead of Werner and dcl atm...
    Gtg or reconsider?

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Havertz and Jimenez is how I'd do it, but up to you. Werner's potential is very high.

      1. Teomi
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Have jimi as well

  7. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ready to rock, fellas? 1.0 ITB for flexibility 🙂 (WC) Thanks!

    Martinez (Steer)
    Robbo Saiss Lamptey (Taylor Mitchell)
    Salah KDB JRodriguez Foden Podence
    Werner(c) Jimenez (Davis)

    Mitro or Podence? Robbo or Trent?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Great team - leave as is

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers lad - many tinkers and think I'm settled. Scared going without Trent though tbh - always have the money to get him back if it looks an awful decision though...

        Other than that it's mostly Son I'm scared of - hope Martinez can keep Mitro out!

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I like Robbo more than TAA at the minute. Gotta ignore ownership sometimes

    2. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Podence
      Trent
      Brewster over Davis... looks likely to get a move.
      would be tempted by Foden to Zaha also considering $ ITB.

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers for the reply!
        Any reason why Trent not Robbo? Since lockdown think Robbo has been better.
        & does that move definitely look likely? Cos Davis will at least get sub minutes, not a chance for Brewster unless he does move

        1. Gabbiadini
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          a move looks likely IMO, up to you.
          I still think Trent will score more season's end. Depends how reliant you are on the 0.5

  8. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Play one:
    a) Dallas
    b) Soucek
    c) Justin

    1. No_Mo_Salah?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  9. Boo Ya Ka Sha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Going to bed. Would appreciate some insight.

    a) DCL / Digne
    b) Rich / Reece
    c) DCL / Reece + 1.0m

    1. Deece
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      going to bed? where do you live? or are you on N/S?

      1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        United States for now

  10. vova
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Rate my WC team please guys.

    Martinez Steer
    VVD James Saiss Taylor Mitchell
    Salah KDB Son Foden Anguissa
    Werner DCL Mitrovic

    0 ITB

    Was thinking about Hamez and Jimenez too, perhaps at the cost of downgrading the defence.

  11. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Start Dunne or KWP?

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      KWP

    2. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dunne

  12. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Martinez Steer
    TAA James X Lamptey Mitchell
    Salah KDB X X X
    Jimi DCL X

    Best way to complete this WC?

    a) Vinagre, Sterling, Foden, Burke, Brewster

    b) Saiss, Son, Foden, Podence, Brewster (+1.0)

    c) Saiss, Foden, Podence, Burke, Werner (+0.5)

  13. AlternativeB
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who to cap? Son, KDB, Salah?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      KDB or salah for me

  14. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    WC - Brewster or Davis ?

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Brewster

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        +1

  15. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    God, please do me proud today Timo. Counting on you

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hoping so too

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        captain, bemba?

  16. Spurrsy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Martinez (Forster)
    Robertson/Saiss/Taylor (lamptey/mitchell)
    Bruyne/Son/Foden/Salah (Anguissa)
    Wood/Jimenez/DCL

    1m in bank. Gtg? Really wanted Podence but would have sat on bench and think the 1m will help future transfers. (Hide behind couch when Chelsea play)

  17. wokkie
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    WC team (almost) ready

    Martinez, Steer
    TAA, Saiss, Dunne, Lamptey, Justin
    Salah, KDB, Son, Podence, Burke
    Werner, Wood, DCL

    Any changes? Feels too template to me

  18. Titchmalpas
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Dead bottomed.

    Zaha and Mitro
    Or
    Havertz and Brewster

    For long term

  19. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Locked in, G2G?

    Martinez (Steer)
    Trent - Saiss - Taylor (Lamptey & Dallas)
    Salah - KDB - Foden - Podence (Burke)
    Werner (c) - DCL - Jimmy

  20. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Captain Son or Werner?

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner hasn't scored yet so Son

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        You don’t base your captaincy purely off past results...

      2. Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Interesting logic

      3. Glad He Ate Her
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        That logic..

      4. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        This makes little sense

  21. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Leaning towards Salah as a safer captain pick then KDB?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Definitely not safer

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Why not?

    2. Titchmalpas
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'm thinking the same

    3. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Been on him all week

    4. Gazpilicueta
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      either could get a haul. go with your instinct

  22. adstomko
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Rip it apart:

    Guaita, Steer
    Robertson, Chilwell, Semedo, Targett
    Salah, KDB, Mahrez, Rodríguez, Podence Jimenez, Wood
    (Steer, Justin, Anguissa, Davis)

    1. adstomko
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      oops

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like it.

    3. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not 100 % template. Like it. Mahrez punt could really pay off.

  23. FPL AXE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What do you guys think....is Lamptey worth a risk over Walker Peters?

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yep

    2. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      what risk?
      Lamptey is a safer and better pick than KWP, no?

      1. FPL AXE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Projected points for keep are double that of lamptey

  24. kinghenry14
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Robertson or Zaha?

    1. Tasty Jerk
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Zaha

  25. Giovanni Giorgio
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Captain Son or Werner?

    1. Tasty Jerk
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Son

    2. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner

    3. Francescoli
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner

    4. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner hasn’t scored yet so Werner

    5. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wern

    6. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Son

    7. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The one who scored 4 last week

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Let’s not overthink it 😉

  26. Baron Penguin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Are people ignoring Man Utd assets because they looked terrible, or because their fixtures don’t look great for attacking returns?

    1. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Both I'd say

    2. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Martial owner here. Cautiously optimistic about this gw but they did look terrible.

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Impatient, they will be punished

  27. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any reason Son isn't that popular as captain choice? Do people think Spurs will be sluggish after a Euro trip?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Newcastle don’t play a high line like the awful Soton defence we witnessed last week

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Doubt Spurs have the creativity to unlock Bruce's 5-4-1.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Brighton did...

  28. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Probably should've wildcarded, already used 2FT for Auba Egan to KDB Saiss.

    Think I'll get away with this?

    McCarthy
    Saiss TAA Robertson Bedna
    Salah(C) KDB(vc) Norwood
    DCL Ings Werner

    Nyland Mitchell ASM Bissouma

    0FT £0.5itb.

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks fine

      1. Evasivo
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers mate, so many issues with Norwood, Bissouma, ASM, Bedna, McCarthy

  29. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Werner has the fixture. But Sterling/KDB have the form. I said to my self I’d captain the fixtures this season, but it’s really hard to look past Sterling/KDB this week.

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What form does Sterling have lol

    2. Easy Cheesy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Same here. I defo should be captaining werner but...

  30. JackQualt
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Aub => KDB for -4 made worthwhile due to the KDB effective ownership?