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. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    1. Robbo + Wood + 4.5mid (3-4-3)

    2. TAA + Podence + 4.5fwd (3-5-2)

    1. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      2

    2. Goro Majima
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I've gone for 2.

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

    Play 1
    A) Taylor (SOU)
    B) Ayling (shu)

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

      A

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

      B I reckon

    3. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  3. Lingard’s Shin Guards
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who gets the armband

    Werner, KDB or Salah

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

      KDB

    2. James VARdy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Have all 3 aswell, going Werner

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

      Salah

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

        just switched from KDB to Salah.

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

      Werner

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

      Surprised with all the Werner love. Salah at home for me
      Best of luck

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

        Me too. If I had the two others, it would be one of them before Werner.

      2. BrutalLogiC
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Which option is the key to success:
        A) Foden / Werner
        B) Jim / Hamez

        I would captain Werner, if not it would be KDB for GW3

        Rest of team:
        Martinez Steer
        TAA Taylor Saiss Lamp Mitchell
        KDB Salah Podence Son
        DCL Brewster

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

          Fwiw I’m on Jimi and Foden

    6. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kdb

  4. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Has KDB been confirmed fit or is he out with concussion after that know and what Pep said ?

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      *knock

    2. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Photos from yesterday showed him training with everyone

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

    Play Mitchell or KWP?

    McCarthy between posts

    1. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitch

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

      Mitchell

  6. Shifty
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Quick thoughts would be appreciated!

    A) Werner + VVD + 4.5 mid
    B) Havertz + TAA + 4.5 striker

    Thank you!

    1. James VARdy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A but purely cause I think Werner is going to have a great day

  7. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Captain Salah KDB or Werner?

  8. Blender67
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Delap anyone?

  9. i wanna ORD
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Klich or Costa?

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

      Klitch for me but both look good

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

      Klich pens.

  10. Aaa
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    GTG here?

    Ryan
    TAA/Davies/KWP Salah/KDB(c)/Pereira/Podence Kane/Werner/Adams

    (Button/Burke/Taylor/Mitchell)

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

    a) Reece / Traore / DCL
    b) Digne / Podence / DCL
    c) Reece / Podence / Richarlison

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

        Ahh I was hoping it was either A or C

  12. C'mon the Fylde
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    This fine tuning... argh!

    Which option is best?
    A) Rodriguez & Werner
    B) Son & DCL

  13. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Feeling worried that Ings > DCL move is going to bit me on the bum

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

      same

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think it might. Then WBA next week

  14. Ghost86
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Play Mitchell or Vinagre?

  15. shady4revr
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Martinez
    Saiss Digne Ayling
    KDB(c) Fernandes Hames Son
    Wilson Vardy DCL
    Steer Reed Justin Mitchell

    0.8 in the bank, Vardy to kane or Werner for -4 hit?

    1. C'mon the Fylde
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Could work nice tbh. I would

      1. shady4revr
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Kane or Werner?

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Timo

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

    Have Semedo on WC, pair him with:

    1) Saiss (double Wolves defence)
    2) James

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

      Is James nailed?

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Probably James but I really like the Saiss pick

    3. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I have 2

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

      Semedo going to start?

  17. tom2224
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Don't see many people captaining Son at home to Newcastle. Did nobody learn their lesson after last week?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bruce masterclass incoming 😆

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

      Fair point, but giving Son the armband has failed every time in my experience

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very different game.

      Bruce isn't going to stubbornly insist on a high line like Ralph did.

    4. tm370
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      And look what happened GW1.

      Southampton gave them lots of space to play into - that wont be repeated often this season and I dont see Newcastle doing it away from home

  18. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Quick G2G here? No late dramas?
    Good luck all 🙂 I’m starting -8 down 🙂

    McCarthy
    TAA, Saiss, Davies, Mitchell
    Salah, KDB(C), Rodríguez, Zaha
    Werner(v), Ings
    (Nyland, Justin, Davis, Bissouma**)

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

      G2G for me apart from McCarthy (but maybe not essential if -8 down already) 🙂

  19. jai1212
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. Jimmy Greenwood/Jamez Burke (3-4-3)
    B. Brewster Son Foden (3-5-2)

    1. James VARdy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A by a mile

  20. The Wizard of Ozil
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which looks best?

    A) Mitrovic, Rodriguez & Taylor
    B) DCL, Foden & Vinarge/Dunne

    A offers me better backup at the back plus Mitro has nice fixtures and is on pens, JRod possibly on pens too

    B just looks more fun

    1. tom2224
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

      A is safer

  21. DT42
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    ASM replacement:
    A. Foden
    B. Podence
    No other city or wolves
    Getting KDB next week

    1. tom2224
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

      A my friend, even if he is not starting this w.e (what I doubt)

  22. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Choose cpt:

    A) Salah
    B) Sterling
    C) Son
    D) Werner

    1. tom2224
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

    2. Blue Moon Rising
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  23. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Think this is what I’m going with. Targetting the whipping boys with the captaincy. Could easily be any of Kev, Mo or Timo though

    McCarthy
    TAA, Digne, Doherty
    KDB(vc), Salah, Rodriguez, Soucek
    Werner(C), DCL, Adams

    Ayling, Bissouma, Ferguson... 0ft 0itb

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

      WC?

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

        No

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

      Awesome team

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

      You've maxxed your potential Bubz, (to be expected from you), nice work.
      Cover as well most weeks !
      I question Doherty's ability to reach a PB with Spurs & he needs to for that price ..... but you'll come out ahead on the odd gameweek because of his style of play I guess.
      I also question Adams, if STH keep conceding.
      I hated doing it after being more prepared than past years, but are there price rises/falls you need to take advantage of to get who you want ? ..... that triggered my early wildcard.

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

        Thanks! Yeah Doherty might become Semedo or Reece James soon. Adams’ stats are great so hopefully he starts converting them. I try not to think about price changes too much because more often than not they wnd up forcing you into mistakes

  24. Tricky FC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    more opinions. son+mitrovic or harvey barnes+jimenez?

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

      I don't rate Mitrovic & Fulham ..... so B.

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

    people on twitter saying podence wasn't in wolves training yesterday based off all the photos. anyone hear about this?

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

      depends who the people on twitter are

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

        theyve just based it on the photos it seems, but podence is in none of them take from that what u will

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

      Don't do this to me smh

  26. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Has lateriser posted his WC team?

    Need to copy a team:)

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What's the point in even playing the game then!

  27. Thunder Warrior
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Last puzzle on wc..
    A) TAA, Foden and DCL
    or
    B) Digne, Podence, Werner

    1. tom2224
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      Good luck ..... steering well clear of that one.

  28. mattressman
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    DCL and TAA or Jimi and VVD?
    Have James as EVE cover

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

      Love the consistency of B.

  29. soulsaver
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hello guys!
    Little help.....
    Can't decide...
    Salah and KDB or
    Mane and Sterling

    1. The Yorkshire Pirlo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Salah + KDB

      Mainly due to pens

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

        Cheers...makes sense

      2. James VARdy
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah agreed

    2. Visionaries
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

        Cheers

  30. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Everyone’s making me doubt no pool.

    A) Dunne, Robbo, Salah

    B) James, Semedo, Sterling

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

      A