Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 3?

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers face another tough captaincy decision for Gameweek 3, and for the first time this season, there are multiple viable options for the armband.

Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) was the top pick in each of the first two Gameweeks but surely won’t have it all his own way this time with Chelsea in town. Could it perhaps be a week for a captaincy differential, then?

First, we will assess the fallout of the Gameweek 3 captain poll, before then analysing the leading candidates, Rate My Team (RMT) and the Premier Fantasy Tools ratings ahead of Saturday’s 11:00 BST deadline.

THE CAPTAIN POLL

Michail Antonio (£7.8m) has emerged as the leader in this week’s captain poll, gaining just over 30% of votes so far. 

Bruno Fernandes (£12.1m) currently sits in second, backed by 15.8%.

Son Heung-min (£10.1m) occupies third place with 13.35% of votes, with the top-five list completed by Danny Ings (£8.1m) and Salah, with 6.72% and 4.66% respectively.

MICHAIL ANTONIO

Vestergaard injury latest as Antonio and Benrahma haul again 2

“Last year I was disappointed with my 10 goals, I wanted 15. Three in two now — who knows, I could even get 20.”

Michail Antonio became West Ham United’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer on Monday night, as his second-half brace helped the Hammers dispatch 10-man Leicester City 4-1.

Now, the question is: can he be relied upon for captaincy in Gameweek 3?

When zoning in on his 2020/21 performances, Antonio produced at least one attacking return in 11 of his 20 appearances in which he featured for over 60 minutes.

However, during that time, he registered just one double-digit haul against Burnley back in Gameweek 34.

That lack of explosive returns is a viable concern, but the fact he produced either eight or nine FPL points on five further occasions, and has started the new season strongly with 13 and 16-point hauls, does suggest that he can step up.

His attacking numbers catch the eye, too.

Across the entire 2020/21 season, Antonio had an expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes rate of 0.60 – a total, amongst all forwards, that only Jamie Vardy (£10.5m) could improve upon:

You can see why that total is so high via his xG shot map, which highlights his ability to get into good shooting locations close to goal:

He’s continued impressing this term, too, as he leads the goal attempts chart after the two opening rounds of 2021/22:

As for his opponents, Crystal Palace, there have been positives from their opening two games. For example, they have conceded just one big chance against Chelsea and Brentford combined, which is perhaps surprising. 

However, in Gameweek 2, despite having a shade more of the ball than Thomas Frank’s side, they still gave up 14 shots and offered very little going forward, which could invite pressure if a similar theme were to persist on Saturday.

Crosses into the box, a key part of the Hammers’ approach under David Moyes, could also be a route to points, given that Ivan Toney (£6.5m) was handed two chances from set-pieces last time out. While Tomas Soucek (£6.0m) and Craig Dawson (£5.0m) are often the intended targets from these types of situations, Antonio’s 11 headed goal attempts in 2020/21 indicate that he could perhaps be one to benefit, too.

Another impressive performer worth mentioning here is Antonio’s team-mate, Said Benrahma (£6.3m). The Algerian seems to have earned the trust of Moyes in recent weeks and is looking sharp in the final third.

It’s also worth noting that Joel Ward (£4.5m) had some difficult moments dealing with Brentford’s overlap last weekend. That suggests that we might see Benrahma deployed on the left again in an attempt to get in behind Palace’s right-back, having featured in a more central role against Newcastle in Gameweek 1.

BRUNO FERNANDES

765 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Start Ayling or Livramento?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Ayling

  2. ‘Tis the Season
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Sky Sports - ''Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Juventus training after saying goodbye to team-mates''
    He is coming to the Premiership, great for the league!

    1. Walter White (WW)
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      But City will be too strong.

      Damn! He could probably get 30 goals this season

      1. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        could do, his stats in italy suggest that for sure!

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Ronaldo / Lukaku / Antonio frontline is going to be fun this season

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Antonio 😀

      2. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Antonio won't last a full season especially now with Europa but let's enjoy him while it lasts

        1. ‘Tis the Season
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          agree, he will be replaced by Christmas with a snapped hammy

      3. james 101
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Ronaldo / Lukaku / Kane

        1. ‘Tis the Season
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          The rest of the team will be shlte in that scenario!

          1. james 101
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 7 months ago

            Mid season wc

        2. Scots Gooner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Enjoy your Brownhill / Gilmour / Bissouma / Romeu midfield.

          1. Limbo
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 7 months ago

            POWER

      4. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        def

    3. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Premiership doesnt exist 😉

    4. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Really disappointed that he leaves massive historical clubs like utd Madrid and juve for a petrol money club like city but that's for another debate.

      I m actually tempted to use my WC just to get him...

      1. Walter White (WW)
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        El Cashico in the UCL

  3. Junks
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Morning all! Thoughts on the below would be great:

    2FT 0ITB
    Sanchez
    TAA Pereira Shaw
    Barnes Salah Bruno Dele
    Toney Ant Ings

    Steele / TSI / White / Gilmour

    Gilmour / Barnes / Toney to Raph / Benhrama / Dennis - 4 Yay or Nay??

    1. -GK22-
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I would take out Barnes and deli and have Ben and Raphinha

  4. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    pick 2 to start: Ayling, Livra + Toney?

    Sanchez (Foster)
    TAA Shaw X X (tsimi)
    salah bruno greenwood benhrama(brownhill)
    Ings Tonio X

    1. -GK22-
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Ayling and toney

  5. Dion D's Solo Shower
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Sorry, bottomed a few pages back:

    Who do I transfer in this GW?

    A) Tsimikas --> Livramento (to sit on the bench)

    or

    B) Ayling --> Dier (to hopefully catch a couple of Spurs CS's before moving him out in GW5)

    Got 2 FT's, but plan to only do one transfer this GW.

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      A before Livra price rise

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Don't think he'll rise again tonight, lots of wild cards being thrown, but you never know. Prize changes atm are crazy

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Should have done it yesterday then. Would have been better than today.

      2. Suitengu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        The rise already happened

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      A if no pressing issues
      Tsim wastes a Liverpool spot and will be sold by the more casual players who've brought him in this week if he is benched

  6. james 101
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Score prediction this GW?

    A. Kane
    B. Son
    C. Salah
    D. Antonio

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      A. 8-10
      B. 6-8
      C. 3-6
      D. 6-9

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      2
      9
      2
      13

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        No faith in Kane mate?

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Not this week

          1. james 101
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 7 months ago

            Any specific reason or just gut?

            I know you are a solid player.

            1. Miguel Sanchez
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 7 months ago

              Historically a slow player to get going and wouldn't read too much into goals against a mid-tier Portuguese side. Think Watford will make it difficult for Spurs and can't see more than a couple of goals in that game.

              1. james 101
                • 12 Years
                2 years, 7 months ago

                True, to be fair. Starts very slow usually. Not sure if the summer tourney would help that though…

    3. Xna
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      2, 2, 2, 2

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Ha. Hoping not!

    4. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      A: 12
      B: 12
      C: 2
      D: 8

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I could see this

    5. drughi
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      13
      13
      7
      7

    6. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      A. 11
      B. 7
      C. 3
      D. 6

    7. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      13
      10
      7
      7

  7. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Got 2 FT... thinking should use on 2 of the below, any thoughts which?
    Mahrez
    Tsmikas (time to cash 0.1?)
    Veltman
    Toney

  8. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Ronaldo to City is going to cause shock waves through the wage structure, cannot see first team players being happy with a 35 year old grabbing 500k a week!

    150k more than KDB?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Its just for one year though

    2. devoncop
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      He has apparently offered to take a 50% wage cut so it would put him on about 250,000 a week which is eminently doable for City and well within the current structure.

      Still not sure its a great move for City unless they still go for Haaland next year.

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Or Kane?

    3. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      He's the GOAT, he gets paid wtf he wants

      1. Walter White (WW)
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        This

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Why mentioning his age ? He s still one of the greatest players out there.

    4. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Im sure he'll be well worth the money over the season

  9. james 101
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Will CR be a guaranteed starter most games for city. Or another 70-80% player?

    City are frustrating!

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      He’ll be rotated especially as they prioritise CL

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Yep

      2. drughi
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        ronaldo would slap peps bald head if he gets benched

        1. Walter White (WW)
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Absolutely 😆

        2. Salan
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          This

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Unless injured he won't miss a game

  10. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Messi to PSG and Ronaldo to Man City. This is the biggest transfer window ever and we're here to witness it.

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 7 months ago

        And don't forget Mbappe to Madrid

      • 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        And Ben White to Arsenal!!!

        1. Salan
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Like this

          1. Jafalad
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 7 months ago

            ...and Junior Firpo to Leeds. 😉

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Time to concentrate more on team value...

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        More hits?

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          just try to avoid drops, wouldnt waste points/hits for team value.

          1. Baps hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 7 months ago

            I did Omobamidele to Livramento for a hit. There are a lot of future transfers that just have to be done (like Ings > DCL) and I decided that it's better to bite the bullet now and catch at least that .2 price swing now, since it will be even bigger when casuals start to sell Tsimikas.

      2. Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        WC right after gw 3 starts 🙂

      3. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I took -8 this week. Can't afford even this rate 😉

    3. chocolove
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Any thought of the mighty back 5 (Livra, Duffy, Amartey, Tsimi, Williams)?
      Less benching headache tho. Lol

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        after 3 GWs, only 2 of them might survive 😀

      2. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        It's the only way to fit in Ronaldo, Kane, Bruno, Salah and Lukaku. Sorted.

    4. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Opinions pls:
      TAA + Barnes to Son + Coufal/Cancelo/Regulion for a hit Y?N

      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        No

    5. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Who would you rather play?

      A) Raya

      B) Sanchez

      I own Gray + Ings

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Raya (avl) vs Sanchez (EVE) - probably Sanchez

    6. Return of the FF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Any help here?

      Sanchez / Foster
      Shaw / TAA / Ayling / Veltman / White
      Bruno / Salah / Raph / Barnes / MGW
      Antonio / Ings / Tony

      2 FT, 0.5 itb.

      I'm thinking Barnes and Toney to Benrahma, Armstrong. Rest of my bench not great so ideally sticking with 3 strikers. Thoughts? Maybe roll Toney transfer?

      1. Die Hard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Just Barnes to Benrahma this week

    7. LE GOD(C)-AMERICAN DYCHO-(1…
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      A- Kane & Shaw & Bissouma 3-4-3
      B- Vardy & TAA & Bissouma 3-4-3
      C- Son & TAA 4.5 Forward? 3-5-2

      Sanchez
      Regulion Livamento ****
      Salah Bruno Benrahma Harrison ***
      DCL Antonio *****

      Gunn ***** Duffy Williams

      Help!!

      1. -GK22-
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        B but not with vardy

    8. cescpistols111
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Which combination would you recommend after GW3?

      A. Ings + Grealish -> Lukaku + Sarr
      B. Ings + TAA -> Lukaku + Digne

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        A

    9. Agger
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I have lost the plot. Not only have I wildcarded, I've sold Bentonio for profit, brought in Raul Jimenez and Sterling and also sold Salah and Trent. At this point I don't care. Yolo

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Yes Daniel yes!

      2. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        😀

    10. Junks
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      *Repost*
      Morning all! Thoughts on the below would be great:

      2FT 0ITB
      Sanchez
      TAA Pereira Shaw
      Barnes Salah Bruno Dele
      Toney Ant Ings

      Steele / TSI / White / Gilmour

      Gilmour / Barnes / Toney to Raph / Benhrama / Dennis - 4 Yay or Nay??

    11. tokara
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Who to sell for Antonio?

      Ings or Vardy or holddddddddddd

      1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Definitely hold, in fact (c) Vardy

      2. Die Hard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Ings, as fixtures bad after this week

    12. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Team SV down to 9.9 already ...

    13. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Would you do Mane to Son for a hit this gw?

      Gives me cash to do Tsimikas to TAA too.

      1. And nothing else Mata'…
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Play one this GW:

        A) Amartey (vsNOR)
        B) Mbuemo (vsAVL)

        1. And nothing else Mata'…
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Mistake, answer on your question: NO, dont do it if you have complete defence 🙂

    14. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      If CR signs with City, how much do you think his price will be in fpl?

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        12.5

      2. Jafalad
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        12 mill.

      3. Walter White (WW)
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        12.5

      4. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        13m

      5. Joey Tribbiani
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        12.5 or 13

      6. Gandalf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Reckon 12.5 to match Kane

      7. -GK22-
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Over 35 so surely they be kind and make him a 4.5m striker just for fun

        Help us out a bit

      8. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        12.5m
        Think it's hard to justify him being more than Lukaku and Kane
        Lukaku had 4 more goal involvements in Serie A, probably has less rotation risk and probably is a better bonus play given Ronaldo shoots a lot volume with more off-target

    15. And nothing else Mata'…
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Play one this GW:

      A) Amartey (vsNOR)
      B) Mbuemo (vsAVL)

      1. LiamK17
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        A

      2. Jafalad
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        A

    16. LiamK17
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Tskmi to Williams or Duffy? Got Livra already (Playing him this week and then Ben white for gw4/5)

    17. Agger
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Is Kane likely just to come back in start and play 90?

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        He played midweek and was subbed at 60 minutes so I'm guessing he plays

        1. internal error
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          70*

      2. And nothing else Mata'…
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        He will play enough minutes for a double digit score 😉

      3. DB_00
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Not 90. He'll either start and be subbed early or be benched and come on

    18. We Go Again
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I guess the big question is if CR7 is worth using a WC

    19. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Any Tsmi/Robertson news from Klopp?

    20. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Which 3 games this weekend are likely to have the most goals in them?

      1. DB_00
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Newcastle Southampton (2 bad defences)
        West Ham Palace
        Burnley Leeds

        1. internal error
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          What are you predicting the score to be for Burnley vs Leeds?

          1. DB_00
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 7 months ago

            3-1 Leeds

      2. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Hammers vs. very shite looking Palace. 3-5 goals

        1. internal error
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Yea, I'm captaining Antonio. Just trying to decide whether to bring in Son or Greenwood. Son restricts my options going forward

    21. Oggle22
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      G2G
      Sanchez
      TAA Shaw Digne Coufal
      Salah Bruno Barnes Jota
      Ings DCL

      Forster Amartey Brownhill Obafemi

      Cheers

      1. -GK22-
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Yep, captain Bruno?