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. gelisiguzel
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A or B?

    A) Foden, Robbo, Delap/Brewster
    B) DCL, VVD, 4.5 mid

    Current squad is:

    Martinez
    Saiss Dunne XXX
    KDB Salah Son Podence XXX
    Werner Jimmy XXX

    Subs: Martin, Mitchell, Justin

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B for me due to DCL nailedness, form and fixtures.

  2. Robson-Canoe
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Last decision on my WC - what would your pick be?

    A) Van Dijk & Salah
    B) Robertson & Sterling

    Already got KDB & TAA.

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  3. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    rp

    Captain ??

    A) KDB for safety
    or
    B) Sterling as differential

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B - plenty of GWs to chase it back if it doesn't work out

    2. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      KDB for me

    3. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  4. yalala
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I have no City or Chelsea, going with captain Jimmy

    I'm in trouble

    1. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Big trouble

  5. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which combination guys?

    A) Reece James Salah Podence

    B) TAA Havertz Foden

    C) TAA Podence Werner

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    4. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Even over the next three? Don't you think Chelsea attackers could outscore Salah?

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

    De Bruyne and Podence... or Mahrez and Jiminez?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      First one

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kdb

  7. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    WC done and dusted.

    No Taa.

    GL everyone.

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      (C) ??

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Raz

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Show us

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        30 m def
        Raz(c), KdB(vice)+Son+Salah
        No Taa
        No HRod

        1. Rolls-Royce
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          No Foden? No Timo?

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            nope

        2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Sexy

        3. Rolls-Royce
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Any advice on this?

          Martinez
          Robbo Digne James
          Salah KdB Foden Podence
          Timo Jimmy DCL

          Steer Anguissa Lamptey Mitchell

          1. Rolls-Royce
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Can downgrade defenders and do Timo-> Sterling (triple City mid)

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

    KDB ok to captain or play it safe and captain Werner ?

    Thanks.

    1. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      how is it playing safe if you captain Erner?

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

    Too punty of G2G?

    Too punty or G2G?

    Martinez
    Trent, Chilwell, Semedo, C.Taylor
    Salah, Sterling, Rodríguez, Foden
    Jimenez, Ings
    (Steer, Justin, Anguissa, Brewster)

  10. Ser Davos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Soucek 4.9 as an 8th attacker?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It's not a bad idea but every time I spend more than necessary on bench players I tend to downgrade them later on for the funds

    2. Das Boot
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I have him and looking to sell tomorrow, do you want to buy him off me

    3. Das Boot
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      pereira after tomorrow Davos

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

      Good player. Awful team. Go 4.5 and keep the cash.

    5. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks all

  11. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Do you think there is any defender(max 6m) who is gonna score more pts than Foden till gw 10?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No but it depends on minutes ofc.
      Maybe Digne, James or Semedo

  12. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Folks, which one?

    A) Coady/Keane and Podence
    B) Mitchell/Ferguson and Foden

  13. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son or Rodrigues?

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

      Son

  14. unholysmoke
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son or Bruno on a wildcard? Very little in it that I can see, except that Son is already firing.

    1. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno on penalties

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

      Bruno. But it's not even a fair comparison.

  15. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    WC okay? Play podence or connelly this week

    Martinez
    TAA, James, Castagne
    Zaha, Salah, KDB, Son, Podence
    DCL, Mitrovic

    4, Connelly, Lamptey, Dunne

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

    Pre-Jesus injury news, on WC, I had:

    KDB & Foden & Brewster

    Post-Jesus injury news, which would you go for?
    A) KDB / Foden / Brewster
    B) KDB / Foden / Delap
    C) Sterling / Foden / Brewster
    D) Sterling / Foden / Delap

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      higher chance to get a cs - Palace or Wolves?

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

        Eh?

        1. luk46
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          LOL didnt mean to post it there... A in your case tho

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

      Dont waste City spot with Delap. KdB.

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

      Thanks all. May jus stick.

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

      I wouldn’t change

  17. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    JRodriguez or Foden? Have KDB and DCL.

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

      Hamez

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

    Dont get at all this Podence hype

    1. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      best option at 5.5 right now, isnt he? looked very lively so far

  19. Snevitz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Martinez, Forster
    Saiss, Coady, James, Lamptey, Mitchell
    KDB, Son, Mahrez, Foden, Klich
    Werner, Jimenez, Ings

    If the defence can manage to match Liverpool's cleansheets this team could do pretty well. Klich permanently first sub in case Foden or Mahrez are rested.

    1. Firmino
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You have no players from the best team in the league - it wont end well

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He has three of them

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like it very much. Coady is only getting CS points at best though.

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

        Yeah, tough to see a better £5m option unfortunately and Wolves do have good fixtures for the next 5 so there should be 4 cleansheets there hopefully

  20. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you take any hits here:

    Martinez - Steer
    Digne - Saiss - Ayling - Justin - Mitchell
    Salah - Kdb - Bruno - Podence - Biss*
    Martial - DCL - Wilson

    0FT - 1.0 ITB

    I was thinking maybe:

    Martial -> Werner
    Martial -> Jimi
    Bruno -> Sterling
    Bruno -> Son

    I've made the huge mistake of wild carding on gw2

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sterling

    2. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      all the above can backfire. for me
      martial to jimi, if you are setting team up for a few weeks
      martial to werner and bruno to son, if you want a big one week punt

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

      Dont take a hit, do Martial -> Jimi or Bruno -> Sterling next week.

    4. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      cheers

  21. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    5 picks this week

  22. Seamy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is all hope of the Werner drop now gone?
    He is +70% on FPL Statistics

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

      He is -70, but rising.

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

        Sorry yeah. I may just bring him in tonight

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

    I really consider Mahrez, whats your thoughts? I know Foden is cheaper 😀

    1. unholysmoke
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      They have two strikers, both injured, and everyone here is losing their minds. Love it. Pep is sitting with a sangria laughing at us all right now.

      1. FPL Xylophone
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I think he is more of a martini guy

  24. One Wheels Enough
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Wood/Klitch with Podence on bench.
    or
    B) Mitro/Foden with up to 4.8 Mid on bench?

  25. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Are we being naive by not considering Man U assets this gameweek?

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Honestly think they wil struggle and their next 5 fixtures look tough.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No better options out there at the moment

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

      As a Utd fan I hope so.
      But i have no Utd assets in my WC

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

      Ok that’s great - just wanted to ensure that we are not missing out on something that could prove to be obvious

    5. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      at the moment their ownership is relatively low. you can get away not having them if they haul

  26. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Captain:

    A. Salah
    B. KDB
    C. Werner
    D. Son

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B - kdb will be the index tracker, any other choice will be betting against the house

      1. Das Boot
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        1 assist against Leicester in 4 league games isn't worth worrying about imho, especially with a team devoid of its strikers

        1. All about the galacticos
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          pens, and playing different role (in the silva role) - apples and oranges

    3. Das Boot
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      out of those, Son for me

  27. Jonesfromthere
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Jesus out is a nightmare. Does free hit cancel the hits I took?

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes and reverts back to the team on GW2

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

      Don't spunk your Free Hit now.

  28. HAMMERTIME107
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A | Martial & Diangana
    Or
    B | DCL & Foden

  29. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    WC last three spots...
    A Brewster Son James
    B Werner Anguissa Lamptey

    Front six include Salah KDB Podence Zaha DCL Jimi

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. Seamy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B as there is no news on Brewster's transfer yet

    3. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  30. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Swap Davies in for anyone?

    McCarthy
    TAA Saiss James
    Salah KDB Bruno Hames Podence
    DCL Mitrovic

    Nyland Davies Brewster Ferguson

    1. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      For me correct but think davies as capable of cleansheet as rest but other 3 have more potential going forward