Gameweek Guide

The Complete Guide to FPL Gameweek 3: Captaincy, tips, team news and best players


With an international break upon us and the imminent arrival of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo further swelling the premium asset pool, saving two Fantasy Premier League (FPL) transfers for Gameweek 4 may look like a sensible ploy this week.

If only there weren’t so many tempting players to spend our money on…

Romelu Lukaku (£11.5m) could well break the so-called template team, with the FPL community split between snapping him up now and waiting for a Gameweek 7 fixture swing.

A glut of starting £4.0m-ish defenders are helping many of us afford the Belgian and other high achievers.

And West Ham’s free-scoring duo of Michail Antonio (£7.7m) and Said Benrahma (£6.3m) are being bought in their droves after back-to-back double-digit hauls.

Away from transfer talk, the Gameweek 3 captaincy poll is wide open and could help separate some hitherto ‘samey’ scores this week.

Help with armband conundrums and transfer dilemmas is something you’ll find on this page ahead of the deadline, along with fixture analysis, team reveals, Members articles, videos and more.

This is also the last week where you can lock in a full-year Premium Membership to our site at the discounted pre-season rate of £19.99, with prices rising after Gameweek 3.

Click here to see what you’re missing out on…

GAMEWEEK 3 FIXTURE DIFFICULTY

(from the FFScout Season Ticker)

WHO IS THE BEST CAPTAIN FOR GAMEWEEK 3?

RATE MY TEAM PROJECTIONS FOR GAMEWEEK 3

These are the top players that our Rate My Team algorithm has come up with for this week – you can check the six-week projections and evaluate your own team here.

WHO ARE THE BEST FPL PLAYERS TO OWN FOR GAMEWEEK 3?

GAMEWEEK 3 TEAM AND INJURY NEWS

For more information, check out our Predicted Line-ups page and Injuries and Bans feed.

GAMEWEEK 3 TEAM REVEALS

BEST FPL STRATEGY AND EXPERT TIPS FOR GAMEWEEK 3 AND BEYOND

GAMEWEEK 3 VIDEO CONTENT

Head over to our YouTube channel for more videos.

USEFUL TOOLS

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM GAMEWEEK 2

FPL Gameweek 2 round-up: Sunday goals, assists, bonus and injuries 4
1,045 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wildcard Timing
    RedLightning
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 24 days ago

    When do you expect to play your First Wildcard, and why?
    (a) Already played it in Gameweek 2 or 3.
    (b) Gameweek 4 (after the first International Break and the end of the transfer window)
    (c) Gameweek 5 or 6
    (d) Gameweek 7 (for the fixture swing)
    (e) Gameweek 8 (after the second International Break)
    (f) Later
    (g) When my team needs it

    There will probably be a proper poll about this sometime soon.

    1. Bubz
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      G

    2. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      Looking like B or D for me atm

    3. el polako
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      G - team scoring well, can get to any player in 2 moves so no need to panic.

    4. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      Was hoping for gw7 or 14/15 but unsure now

    5. The Legend Squad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      a) setting up team structure to bring in Lukaku and Ronaldo/Kane.

      Salah, Lukaku and Kane in my team this GW feels good.

    6. Andy_Social
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      It was going to be (d) but I went and played it today, so (a)

      1. The Legend Squad
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 24 days ago

        How are you shaping up this GW?

        1. R.C.
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          Terrible WC team imo - sold both Salah and Bruno

          1. FPL Brains
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 24 days ago

            I'd agree tbh. Massive 6.3 in the bank though so there could be a masterstroke we are missing.

        2. Andy_Social
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          I really like it actually. Might backfire by tomorrow, but:
          Sanchez Gunn
          TAA Shaw Semedo Duffy Livramento
          Son Raphinha Benrahma Harrison Bissouma
          Vardy DCL Antonio

          Vardy to Big Gun next GW, Son to Salah GW after, or DCL/Antonio to 'other big' depending on how things go.

          Sorry for the delay - there's a metre long monitor lizard in the house

          1. Carlton P
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 24 days ago

            Contemplated WC but would have gone with kane and didn’t want to lose Bruno + greenwood this week

      2. Sharkytect
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 24 days ago

        Bit panicky, no?

        1. Andy_Social
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          Time will tell. They say you should WC from a position of strength; I'm in the Top 1K before kick-off, so let's see if I've blown my advantage or not.

          1. Sharkytect
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 24 days ago

            Who says that? That implies you shouldn't wildcard from a position of weakness...but sometimes it's literally THE way to get put of a position of weakness

            1. AIRMILES
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 24 days ago

              Oooh, Sharky & George, crime-busters of the sea!

    7. R.C.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      h) Not using my WC - it will backfire

    8. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      B or s for me

    9. SADIO SANÉ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      D - saved my FT this week even though that looks a poor decision (Mahrez) - need to decide which Chelsea 3 I want in that time, could end up being James, Chilwell and...Alonso 😀

    10. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      E

    11. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      Always G.

      G covers every scenario in A-F with the added benefit of flexibility.

    12. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      I imagine some answers will change in the next 48 hours

      1. Riverside Red
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 24 days ago

        Agree...I think most are getting twitchy with the ingress of new high profile signings

    13. Gunneryank
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      Probably b. Haven't had a great start, and it will allow a proper team going into GW 4 after we see what the IB does, the red list players, Ronaldo coming back, etc.

    14. The 12th Man
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      A. This week.

    15. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      B - 2 premium forwards and Salah seems the way to go now

    16. Baines on Toast...
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      Aiming for D or later. Need to see how United shape up and think Bruno is fine for now.

    17. Joey Tribbiani
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      a

    18. gergin
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      easy F

    19. Ross Geller
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      E most likely

    20. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      F

    21. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      D or F

    22. Stuck in the Mudryk
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      E

    23. Essan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      B - partly because also G

    24. Valar(Keith)
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      I am a hit away from Salah, lukaku, ronaldo, grealish, raphinha, antonio, benrahma which is the ideal front 7 for me... So il probably just take it over the international break. If I WCed that would be my front 7 anyway

    25. Mr. O'Connell
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      G. So now.

    26. We Go Again
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      D, tempted by B for Ronaldo but figure I'll just take a hit

    27. Zalk
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      G

    28. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      G at the minute

      And that could be any of (b) through (f) depending on what the FPL Gods have in store for us

    29. A-L
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      Probably GW12 for a decent MCI and MUN fixture swing

    30. Rassi
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      G (prob F)

    31. Flair
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      G

    32. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      G

  2. Zimo
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 24 days ago

    Guys why are u mad? Its been years. Its your own fault u have the rotation risk.

    1. Glad He Ate Her
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      Kids can't hold their L's these days

  3. The Mandalorian
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 24 days ago

    I don't get all the Ronaldo hype, he hasn't scored a goal at United for 12 years.

    1. Glad He Ate Her
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      You here all week?

  4. Woy_is_back
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 24 days ago

    I think F. Torres will get a brace today. Arsenal defence looks kak

    1. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      and benched next week,pep is a joke

    2. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Wow this was pretty prophetic.

    3. BC1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Nice one.

  5. HollywoodXI
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 24 days ago

    Mahrez is a perfect cash cow to downgrade as part of a move to get Ronaldo. Jokes on you Mahrez non owners.

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      That's the spirit

    2. Glad He Ate Her
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      Acceptance part of the grieving stage

    3. Mr. O'Connell
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      Easiest transfer I'll ever make. Small mercies.

  6. Gazwaz80
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 24 days ago

    Mahrez to score a brace when he comes on at 60.
    Have faith people 🙂

  7. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 24 days ago

    Oh loads have captained Antonio...bit worried now ...( Went Bruno)

    1. Glad He Ate Her
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      The most voted captain surprises you? Shocker

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      I capped Antonio, and my cap record is shocking, so Bruno should be fine..

  8. SAUCY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 24 days ago

    Pep pulling in all the Grealish punters so they think he’s nailed, so sly

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      This

  9. Ginkapo FPL
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 24 days ago

    Nice to see Arteta staredown Pep with his tactics again. You want some? He gonna giv it ya

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 24 days ago

        Pep will beat him 9-0 and then proclaim it was his toughest match ever and Arteta's tactics were perfect

        1. Zimo
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          U reckon they're secret lovers?

          1. Scots Gooner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 24 days ago

            Secret? I thought it was quite obvious

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 24 days ago

        Teams are still so similar in my ML's, clicking through and 9/11 players are the same with most players the whole week really comes down to 2 players! Template going strong for now,.Lukaku kane, and Ronaldo to smash it hopefully

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          This

        2. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          Wait until Pep declares KDB fit aswell

      • Stupendous
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 24 days ago

        Prolly asked 1000 times already but why hasn't he been added yet?

        Wildcard time

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          Bas he officially signed? Passed medical etc

        2. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 24 days ago

            He hasn't officially signed yet 100% right? Medical etc still to go

          • SAUCY SALAH
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 24 days ago

            Who’s he?

            1. Stupendous
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 24 days ago

              Messi

            2. Nomar
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 24 days ago

              Ronaldo

          • Stupendous
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 24 days ago

            Gotcha

        3. mezza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          Kane(c) with 4% EO. Make or break week.

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 24 days ago

            Gl !

            1. Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 24 days ago

              But too early for make or break though 🙂

          2. SADIO SANÉ
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 24 days ago

            nice!

        4. Zilla
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          What's Antonio EO overall?

        5. Gudjohnsen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          Just rage transfered Mahrez out of team.
          Feels good

          1. Gunneryank
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 24 days ago

            In Emperor voice: "Gooood. Gooooooooood!"

        6. OPTA FPL
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          so, what is the case of Firmino now? Leave for Brazil or stay and not allowed to play gw4??

        7. Gudjohnsen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          Ferran Torres will 100% score today.

          Congrats owners.

          1. Bored Bear
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            3 years, 24 days ago

            I agree.

        8. FPL Brains
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          Jeez. @Andy Social.

          Bold moves.

        9. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          Haha. I sold Gundo last minute. Oh dear me.

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 24 days ago

            this is the thing, people can be smug about Mahrez keepers, but it is horrible when the City player you sold starts - knowing what that's like made me keep (especially as I couldn't use the extra funds without a hit) - hope you don't get punished

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 24 days ago

              Annoying but I had 2 FTS. Should have sold last night if I was going to.

          2. Nomar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 24 days ago

            Probably better off without City assets now anyway.

        10. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          Cancelo and Gundo owner. Anyone else got 2 Man City starters in the first game?

          1. Gudjohnsen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 24 days ago

            Just Mahrez on the bench.

        11. R.C.
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          People sold Salah and Bruno on WC XD

          1. FPL Brains
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 24 days ago

            Lol

        12. Stupendous
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          I can't believe it!

          Torres starts AGAIN!

          Anyone else keep him for one last match???

        13. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          My selling value is down to 9.8 🙁

        14. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 24 days ago

            Could see arsenal scoring today

            1. SADIO SANÉ
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 24 days ago

              gonna be a counter-attack fest, could see Auba getting one for sure

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  3 years, 24 days ago

                  Yeah for sure, people rag on arsenal but there is talent in that attack and city have holes right now

              2. Revival
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 24 days ago

                Our defence looks shocking do, City could do a lot of damage if they have the right attitude today.

                1. @persecuted_by_mods
                    3 years, 24 days ago

                    Yeah that's why I think you'll still lose but an early goal and parking the bus could work out

                2. HollywoodXI
                  • 10 Years
                  3 years, 24 days ago

                  Hope so. I hope Arsenal beat City and Pep has to go into the centre circle at the end of the match and apologise for benching Mahrez and Sterling. Disclaimer - I might own Mahrez…

                  1. @persecuted_by_mods
                      3 years, 24 days ago

                      Haha

                  2. HODGE
                    • 10 Years
                    3 years, 24 days ago

                    Lol I doubt it

                    1. @persecuted_by_mods
                        3 years, 24 days ago

                        Score, not win

                  3. StevenW
                    • 5 Years
                    3 years, 24 days ago

                    Pogba & Greenwood’s appeal now Ronny has joined. I assume both have become less desirable?

                    Shaw, Ronaldo, Bruno only considered FPL picks?

                    1. Glad He Ate Her
                      • 4 Years
                      3 years, 24 days ago

                      Bruno's appeal gets hit the hardest.. no pens

                      1. SAUCY SALAH
                        • 7 Years
                        3 years, 24 days ago

                        There’s no guarantee Ronaldo takes them

                    2. Podge
                      • 13 Years
                      3 years, 24 days ago

                      Shaw improves, Bruno is a sell now for me

                      1. Gunneryank
                        • 3 Years
                        3 years, 24 days ago

                        Yeah i like the idea of Shaw's crosses landing on Ronaldo's head tbh, or just dropping in for a half volley goal and what not.

                  4. zes
                    • 9 Years
                    3 years, 24 days ago

                    Antonio on 168% EO wow

                    1. Forza
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 9 Years
                      3 years, 24 days ago

                      In the top 10k though, and almost nobody's in the top 10k without owning the top scorer.

                      1. zes
                        • 9 Years
                        3 years, 24 days ago

                        What’s your point? That still shows the vast majority went for him over anyone else.

                        1. SAUCY SALAH
                          • 7 Years
                          3 years, 24 days ago

                          His point is due to his hauls, and how early in the season, naturally everyone currently in the top 10k will have him

                        2. Forza
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 9 Years
                          3 years, 24 days ago

                          His top 10k EO was always going to be huge by virtue of the fact that he got those managers into the top 10k in the first place. It's almost impossible to have that high of a rank so early on without him. Plus those managers will inevitably be very attentive to the plethora of content creators telling them that Antonio's the standout pick. The overall EO will be much lower, although I can't see it on LiveFPL.

                      2. Sun Jihai
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 12 Years
                        3 years, 24 days ago

                        162% EO for the Elite managers on LiveFPL too and 167% for the Fantasy Football Scout minileague. So quite representive of the typical FPL player on here

                  5. Jordan.
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    3 years, 24 days ago

                    torres does nothing still gets picked ,scores today next weeks bandwagon,gw4 benched,just get lost pep,its beyond annoying for people who still pick city players,not me just ranting on behalf of mahrez selectors..

                    1. DGW Sane TC Fail....
                      • 13 Years
                      3 years, 24 days ago

                      He's played well deserves his spot. It's not about fantasy points for pep.

                  6. SAUCY SALAH
                    • 7 Years
                    3 years, 24 days ago

                    Good to see my rival do something different to LTFPL Andy this week, until now he had the same team barring 4.5 str fodder.

                    He did Mahrez, Gundogan & 4.5 str to Raphinha, Bamford & Gilmour.

                    Surprised he didn’t get Ings tbf

                  7. FPL Brains
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 13 Years
                    3 years, 24 days ago

                    How is effective ownership calculated?

                    1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
                      • 5 Years
                      3 years, 24 days ago

                      total ownership + captain % i think

                      1. Harry the Hack
                        • 15 Years
                        3 years, 24 days ago

                        I think it has to be in starting 11, with some players where EO < Owned By. 50% of top 10k own Tsim, but EO only 11%

                    2. Coys96
                      • 7 Years
                      3 years, 24 days ago

                      % of players with player in their starting XI + % of players that have captained that players

                    3. FPL Virgin
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 8 Years
                      3 years, 24 days ago

                      Ownership + captaincy = an Az rant

                    4. Hazz
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      3 years, 24 days ago

                      Same as normal owenership, but it counts a Captaincy as 200% & Triple Captaincy as 300% (for an individual).

                    5. FPL Brains
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • Has Moderation Rights
                      • 13 Years
                      3 years, 24 days ago

                      How do you work out % captained by?

                      1. FPL Brains
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • Has Moderation Rights
                        • 13 Years
                        3 years, 24 days ago

                        As in where is that information available, not how to calculate the percentage haha.

                  8. Sharkytect
                    • 10 Years
                    3 years, 24 days ago

                    I just wish I could have found out about mahrez before the deadline. I would have taken a hit to get Kane in

                  9. Nomar
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    3 years, 24 days ago

                    Digne to punish sellers?

                    One can but hope.

                    1. FPL Virgin
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 8 Years
                      3 years, 24 days ago

                      Not unless Keane finally gets dropped.