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. Illu
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    anything new KDB is he playing ?

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

      Nobody knows for certain

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

      have strong bench just in case he doesn't start

  2. The Handsome Hunk
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mitrovic+Podence (Rotating 3-52/3-4-3)

    or

    Barnes+Brewter/Davis(3-4-3)

    1. The Handsome Hunk
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone interested in helping out?

    2. Dirtymeercat666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Probably the first option

  3. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    WC bottomed, all G2G here guys ??

    Martinez, Steer
    TAA, James, Saiss, Mitchell,Lamptey
    KDB, Burke, Salah, Son, Podence
    Werner, DCL, Mitrovic

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

    Gtg? On WC

    Taa - saiss - ake - (Taylor - Mitchell)
    Salah(c) - KDB - Rod - Podence - Havertz
    Jimi - Wood (Brewster

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

    Should i start Lamptey or Dunne ?

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

      definitely Dunne.

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

      To Dunne

    3. The Handsome Hunk
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Lamptey

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

    Is this g2g. No fts left

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

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

    Who gets benched?

    A - Mitchell (EVE)
    B - Digne (cry)
    C - Saiss (whu)
    D - Taylor (SOU)

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

      Easiest A of your life

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

        He has returned two weeks in a row while sitting on my bench

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

          Look forward, not behind - Probably Gandhi

  8. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Lamptey / James Rod

    B) Saïss / Zaha

    * got DCL

  9. RonnayBarkay
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    CAN anyone tell me what the top 3 captain choices are pls... the new Captain poll pie chart is rubbish!!

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

      KDB Werner Salah in that order last I saw

  10. 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. Thoughts?

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

      Sterling has form?

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

        His was in all the right areas last game. He may be playing striker this week. Definitely a good shout for captaincy.

  11. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Burning question on WC:

    A) VVD + Jimi
    or
    B) TAA + Werner ?

  12. Society
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    BAH !
    wildcarded by GW 3 as usual...

    Jimenez, Wood (Delap)
    De Bruyne, Fernandes, Mahrez, Podence (Keita)
    Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Castagne, Saiss (Charlie Taylor)
    Martinez (Meslier)

    Those in - Wood, Delap, Keita, Castagne, Taylor, Martinez = 0.7 ITB.

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

      Interesting team. I’d go Keita to Burke and upgrade VVD to Robbo. Or upgrade Castagne

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

        Virg aint going anywhere. Two season ave = 193 points for $6.5mil ..... can't get those numbers elsewhere.

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

      Only 8 are greater than 5.0% ownership ..... would've only been 7 if you all hadn't suddenly found Podence.

  13. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I'm done right?

    Martinez - (Steer)

    Robertson - Saiss - Lamptey - (Mitchell) - (Dunne)

    Salah - KDB (c) - Son - Rodriguez - Foden

    Jimenez - DCL - (Delap)

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

      Looks good but the bench is terrible. Not sure how long you can rely on one playing player off your bench.

      1. You've got red on you.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah, bench is awful. Hoping the on field players make up for it.

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

    A) VVD/Foden
    B) TAA/Hamez

    already have DCL

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

      ignore this, messed up the combination

  15. Benditlike
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Feels like my wc team needs some more Wolves. How does this look?

    Martinez, Nyland
    TAA, James, Justin, Mitchel, Lamptey
    Salah, Son, KDB, Foden, Podence
    Werner, DCL

    1. jc001
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Podence a risk with new signing

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

        The disrespect towards Podencinho is unreal

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

        who...

  16. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Just can’t decide this on wc please help!

    A) james saiss foden
    B) robbo taylor soucek

    1. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Do you have TAA?

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        No 🙁

        1. You've got red on you.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          B

    2. RichRover
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

      A

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

    Have had the armband on Werner since last deadline, through WC and all. Sod it, we'll stick with him.

    If he fails against the mighty WBA it may be time to ditch him for Martial anyway

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

      Ditch him after Ziyech and Puli return?

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

      Unless Martial goes bang I'll probably keep for the next three I reckon.

    3. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

  18. Goooo Rickie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Play Harrison (Shu) or Barnes (city) this week?

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

      Barnesy

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

      Barnes. They need to attack to try and get something from the game

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

    On a wc, which one to bring in please
    A - Robertson and Harrison
    B - James and foden

  20. zizoo10
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    i have no werner but own kdb+sterling. money is NO ISSUE

    A) Foden
    B) Havertz

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

      Money is always an issue. Don’t like either but A

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

      sounds like you like a punt so B

  21. SOTHPAW
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    G2G?
    Martinez
    TAA, Saiss, James
    Salah(V), KDB(C), Son, Foden, Pod
    Werner, DCL

    Forster, Lamptey, Mitch, Brewster

  22. Pavsboot
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Werner the only guy (besides Mitchell) I've kept on a WC. Come on lad!

  23. Alexis Nonsense
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So if Jesus is out, does that mean KDB back to a midfield 3 (4-3-3)?

    I don't know if Mahrez, Foden or Torres can play both right/left.

    Any City fans here with the knowledge?

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

      Not even the number 1 City fan in the universe could tell you

      1. Alexis Nonsense
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I kind of knew that...

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

          Yet....

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

      I’m no City fan but a false 9 looks likely which forces KDB back

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

      I'm not Pep sadly, but my guess is:

      Sterling - Foden - Mahrez
      KDB
      Rodri - Ferna

      I'm confident the 4-2-3-1 will be employed, and Foden will play as a normal center forward, not a false 9.

      1. Alexis Nonsense
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I mean, KDB was not exactly a bad option last season in a 4-3-3, but the 4-2-3-1 just makes him a monster. I'll take the chance

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

          I couldn't agree more.

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

      Maybe the only thing to change from last week is Sterling to go central and Torres/Mahrez starting?

      If it’s Mahrez, Foden will start on the left?

      1. Alexis Nonsense
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Let's hope so!

  24. jc001
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Please can I have some feedback on my team - on a WC

    Hi can I have some advice here please? am on WC

    Patricio, Steer
    Robertson, Saïss, Mitchell, Dunne, KWP
    Bruno, havertz, Mahrez, Foden, Alzate,
    Werner, Jiménez, martial

    Or I can do VVD & Lamptey instead of Robbo & Dunne?

    Cheers

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

    chances of Jorginho giving up a penalty to Werner this GW as he missed last GW?

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

      Would be a nice way for Werner to get off the mark

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

      Nah, he's just worked on his hopping technique all week

    3. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Really hope werner take if there is.

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

      Slim given his record

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

        +1

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

      thanks for the comments a few chuckles too 😉

      GL to you all this GW

  26. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Start asm or kwp?

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

    Brighton must win today.

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

      Must but they won’t lol

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

        They have a chance, but probably not.

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

      They must win every game. Actually, so does every other team.

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

      50/50

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

    Robbo, R.James and Salah
    TAA, Taylor and Salah
    TAA, James and Sterling

    (own KDB).

    Thanks.

  29. The King
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Dunne likely to play long term?

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

      depends on Tarki probably

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

      No, Think he's stand in for Tarkowski

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

    Is Ayew a viable alternative to Mitro if I need to find £ 0.1?

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

      He will tick along nicely, but everyone will always tell you to get rid of him.

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

        Good enough for me. Nice run of fixtures slso

    2. The Handsome Hunk
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Che adams. He was unlucky not to score in both games.

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

        txs