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. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Pick 1/2 & A/B

    1- lamptey
    2- Taylor
    A- Martinez+TAA
    B- Guaita+Robertson

    Currently on 2B

    1. FPL Joker
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1A

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        On WC I should add

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

      2B

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

      2A

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

      1B

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

    Anyone going 2xWolves defence with Patrício? Or is 5.5 too much for a keeper?

    1. FPL Joker
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Too much

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

      Rather had Semedo for 5.5

    3. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thought about it but went Lloris because I don't want any other Spurs defender

  3. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which in each

    A) Play 1 ? (Justin davis mitchel soucek)
    B) captain ? (Jimi kdb salah bruno)

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

      Soucek

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

      Mitchell
      KDB

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

      Soucek
      Salah

  4. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Start Mitchell (EVE) or Justin (mci)?

    Cheers

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

      Mitchell!!!

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitchell

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

      Mitchell.
      If you are wildcarding I wouldn't be picking Justin FYI, Pereira back very soon.

    4. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      cheers all, already on Mitchell.

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

      Same. Benched Justin

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

    A) Havertz & Ings

    B) Foden/Barnes/Hamez & Werner

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

      close probably B (Hamez)

  6. FPL Joker
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) DCL & Rod
    B) Jimi & Podence

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

      B

    2. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

      DCL & Podence 😉

  7. United10
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who is a better season pick?
    a) Mitrovic
    b) Bamford

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

      close, probably Mitro but depends what you do with the 0.5 ITB

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        a

    2. adey70
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitrovic...

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

    G2G?
    0ft, 0.5 itb

    Mccarthy
    TAA | Davies | Mitchell | Vinagre
    KDB© | Salah | Zaha | Son | Jrod
    Werner

    (Button | Justin | Davis | Vassilev)

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      g2g

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

        Cheers fam!

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

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

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      b

  10. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A Watkins
    B mitro

    Thanks

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      b

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

  11. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    1 hour left or fpl will forget the deadline again?

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

      They'll update a few minutes early to make up for it 😉

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

      That happened before? Which would you choose btw?

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

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

        Last weekend the game was still open couple minutes after deadline.

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

    Last decision... help is much appreciated amid my indecision.

    A) Salah, TAA, Saïss and Taylor
    B) Salah, Robbo, Saïss and James
    C) Sterling, TAA, Saïss and James
    D) Sterling, TAA, Semedo and James
    E) Salah, Robbo, Semedo and Taylor
    F) Salah, VVD, Semedo and James

    (already own KDB)

    Thanks

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      a

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

        A was what I was sitting on, any reasoning?

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

      B for me good luck

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

        B was probably what I was tossing up between most, hence putting it second.
        If Robbo matches TAA then you're probably right as James should outscore Taylor.

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

      a or f

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

      A

  13. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How's this looking (WC)?

    Martinez
    James Saiss Robbo
    Salah KDB Foden Son Podence
    Werner DCL

    Forster Lamptey Mitchell Brewster

    Have 0.4m ITB so could do Lamptey to a 4.5m (KWP) and Robbo to TAA..?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      excellent.

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Where is Sterling?

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

      Foden to Zaha would have been the chose had you potentially got on some players earlier.
      Lamptey to KWP won't make you any $

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

        Saves me 0.1m if I go to KWP as I missed Lamptey's price rise (thought it wouldn't happen due to flag)
        I like Lamptey but wondering if it's worth forgoing him to get TAA over Robbo

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

      Saiss to Semedo?

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

        If I move Lamptey to a 4.5m, I can do either Saiss to Semedo or Robbo to TAA

  14. French Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    In terms of team structure, would you rather have:

    A) 3-4-3
    B) 3-5-2

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      b

    2. Good Times
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Depends on the players doesn't it

      1. French Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        On WC

        A) Salah KDB Hamez Podence Burke
        Werner Jimenez DCL

        B) Salah KDB Strerling Hamez Podence
        Jiemenez DCL - Brewster

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

    Pages flying!
    Answer some others and they might help back.
    I’m off!
    Good luck all.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      agreed, I am doing that, answered plenty of lads on this page

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

    Being a Chelsea fan, I hate what this temptation is doing to me (WC):

    Guaita
    TAA / James / Saiss
    KDB / Son / Havertz / Foden / Podence
    Jimenez / Abraham

    Forster // DCL / Lamptey / Mitchell

    (Havertz/Abraham > Salah/Brewster after.)

    Or, just stick with Salah/Brewster?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Saturday morning is the worst time to wc

    2. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Keep Salah for sure

    3. flipthebuzzard
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Personally I'm switching mane to kdb this week, not sure for how long

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

      Abraham + Havertz could be gold
      After all West Brom are a championship team!

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

    On WC. Should I go for Werner + 5m mid instead of Rodriguez and DCL?

    Why am I questioning my WC team with less than hour to go?

    Martinez - (Steer)

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

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

    Jimenez - DCL - (Delap)

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      difficult one. probably no

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

      Does Sterling not tempt you?

    3. flipthebuzzard
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You can't skip DCL for the moment, imo

      No.

  18. WWW.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you rather have

    Podence + Werner
    Jimi + Havertz

    1. Good Times
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1

    2. Goonsquad245
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yep, A

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

      They don't even cost the same...

  19. Good Times
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Sterling + klich + digne + Davis (3-5-2 Davis bench)

    Or
    B) foden + anguissa + werner + Keane (3-4-3 anguissa bench)

  20. # Young Gun SEAMUS #
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    People saying in twitter that podience didnt training with wolves group ...is he omit from squad after traore playing wide

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He plays on the left side

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

    Which option is best?
    A) Rodriguez & Werner
    B) Son & DCL (leaves me 1m to switch Sterling for Salah, soon)

  22. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    On an 8pt hit, should I WC?

    McCarthy
    TAA Dallas KWP
    Salah KDB Rodriguez Podence
    Werner Mitro DCL

    steer mitchell bissouma justin

  23. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Sakho or Ward worth a look on WC as a fourth defender (may play in a 3-5-2)

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

    Anyone else have a sneaky suspicion Wolves aren’t going to be quite as solid at the back this season?

    1. Good Times
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Better to. Keep an attacking fullback from then

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

      What, with no European football?

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

        Theyve changed their style of play

  25. Razmataz
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which 4.5m midfielder is most nailed on for game time and offers the most for returns?

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

      Someone like Reed/Alzate/McCarthy
      Burke

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

    A Werner Son Ake
    B Maupay Bruno Robertson

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

      If you don't have TAA, B

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

    Play 2 and bench order??

    A) Dunne
    B) Burke
    C) Mitchell
    D) soucek
    E) lamptey

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

    WC g2g?

    Martinez
    Saiss, Taa, Taylor, (Justin, Mitchell)
    Son, KDB, Salah, Podence, Greenwood
    Jiminez, DCL, (Brewster)

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

    Pick one on WC:

    A) TAA + Semedo
    B) Robertson + Digne

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

      B undoubtedly

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

    No ZAHA love this week...?

    Better option for same monies or less that's not poden??

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Plenty. See his transfers in.
      Twitter boys favor Podence and Foden

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

        I'll go for it then, thanks

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

          Mane n St Max out

          KDB n Zaha in