Defenders have been producing the highest individual Gameweek scores so far, so we’ve decided to back two with promising home fixtures to score big this weekend.
A wretched start to the season for Newcastle United means we’re also going for one of West Ham’s leading attacking threats to pile further misery on the Geordie faithful.
Michail Antonio
A hugely impressive showing in last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Southampton has seen us opt for West Ham United midfielder Michail Antonio as our headline selection.
The 27-year-old may have only produced an assist at St Mary’s, but his underlying statistics were outstanding.
Antonio registered four goal attempts, with three coming from close-range, and hit the target with three of those shots.
He also shone creatively, producing two key passes, and all in just 67 minutes of playing time as he continues to build up his match sharpness.
Up next is a trip to Newcastle United this afternoon.
Rafa Benitez’s side have lost both of their first two matches and also crashed out of the EFL Cup in midweek, losing 3-2 at home to Nottingham Forest.
With confidence low at St James’ Park, and with players missing due to injury and suspension, now looks a good time to face the Magpies.
So, owned by just 0.4% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, Antonio looks a fantastic option – not just for Gameweek 3, but for the longer term.
That’s because the Hammers have a very favourable upcoming schedule, including home matches against Huddersfield Town, Swansea City and Brighton & Hove Albion over the next seven Gameweeks.
While Antonio does set us back 7.5 in FPL, his tally of 17 goals and 15 assists over the past two seasons illustrates his potential as a mid-price asset.
While team-mate Javier Hernandez has attracted all the attention this week, it could be Antonio who rises to the occasion this afternoon.
Daley Blind
The potential to deliver points at both ends of the pitch makes Manchester United defender Daley Blind an intriguing differential option.
The left-back has boasted a significant attacking threat so far this season – he has supplied five successful crosses to this point, with no other FPL defender managing more.
His left-footed deliveries have also been a feature from set-plays – Blind has taken nine of Man United’s 16 corners, succeeding with four.
It was Blind’s ability at corners that helped defeat today’s opponents Leicester City in the corresponding fixture last season.
He gained two assists direct from corners in the 4-1 victory, while his quick set-piece also led to a third goal as the defender earned maximum bonus and a tally of 11 points in that encounter.
But it’s defensive returns that appear likely, given Jose Mourinho’s side have registered back-to-back clean sheets.
They have conceded a mere nine shots in the box, with only Manchester City (eight) allowing fewer.
With an ownership of just 2.8% in FPL, Blind offers enough upside to warrant taking one of our three Man United slots in our 15-man squads.
The 5.5-priced defender has seen off the challenge of Matteo Darmian to emerge as the first choice left-back, although rotation is a slight concern when the UEFA Champions league group stage gets underway next month.
But as a short-term gamble, the Dutchman looks well worth a roll of the dice.
Patrick van Aanholt
Another defender capable of producing attacking points has caught our eye this week, with much expected from Patrick van Aanholt when Crystal Palace host Swansea City.
The Eagles defender has registered a modest two points so far, but his ability to produce big points hauls in plum home fixtures means he could be a fantastic differential option for Gameweek 3.
Van Aanholt has been one of Palace’s most prominent attacking players, relishing the chance to bomb forward from his position at left wing-back.
He has produced more key passes (four) than any other Eagles player, and ranks joint-second for shots with three.
The Dutch international is also Palace’s primary set-piece taker – no FPL defender has registered more successful corners (four) than the 3.2%-owned van Aanholt.
Swansea have conceded more chances down their right flank (15) than any other side, so this afternoon’s match-up promises much in terms of the defender’s attacking prospects.
And the Welsh club are also struggling at the other end of the pitch.
They have yet to score this season and have managed fewer goal attempts (nine) than any other team.
While van Aanholt is costly at 5.5 in FPL, he looks a tempting one-week punt for those Fantasy managers who expect to use their Wildcard over the international break.
