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Gameweek 2 was another good one for FPL managers with an average score of 59 points. Many players emerged as great FPL options, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin(EVE)(£7.2 m), and James Rodriguez(EVE)(£7.5 m) impressing. It was the Spurs attackers who turned it around for most FPL managers, with Son Heung-Min scoring 24 points, and Harry Kane, 21.
The most popular FPL captaincy picks didn't have that great an outing, with Bruno Fernandes, Mohammed Salah, and Jamie Vardy all blanking. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was the most popular option, could register just an assist.
I had a great Gameweek 2 despite captaining Aubameyang, with the likes of Calvert-Lewin, Son, James Justin, and Eddie Nketiah delivering the FPL points for me.
With all teams having played their matches, FPL managers will be looking to make some adjustments to their team and get the likes of Aubameyang out of their teams, given their tough schedule.
They have until the afternoon of Saturday, 26th September, to make transfers, with Brighton hosting Manchester United at the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Gameweek 3 Deadline: Saturday, 26th September at 11:00 AM (British Summer Time), and 03:30 PM (Indian Standard Time)
Also Read: FPL 2020-21: Best Fantasy Team for Gameweek 2 | FPL Tips
The Fixtures
Brighton & Hove Albion will take on Manchester United at home to kick off Gameweek 3. Chelsea play away at West Brom and will look to bounce back from their loss against Liverpool. Manchester City host Leicester City on Saturday evening, while Liverpool take on Arsenal at Anfield on Monday.
Click here to view the full fixtures for Gameweek 3.
FPL Team Suggested for Previous Gameweek
Here is the suggested team for Gameweek 2 and the points scored.
Goalkeepers: Alex McCarthy (SOU) and Mathew Ryan (BHA)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV), Eric Dier (TOT), Ruben Vinagre (WOL), Kyle Walker-Peters (SOU), and James Justin (LEI).
Midfielders: Mohamed Salah (LIV), Heung-Min Son (TOT), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ARS), Marcus Rashford (MUN), and Oliver Norwood (SHU).
Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (EVE), Eddie Nketiah (ARS), and Keinan Davis (AVL)
Captain/Vice-Captain: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang/ Mohammed Salah
Points Scored: 88
Money Remaining: £0 m
Factors to Consider
1) Keep or sell Arsenal assets: The answer to this question is pretty evident considering the amount of sales Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang(ARS)(MID)(£12.0 m) is suffering. Arsenal didn't look that convincing against West Ham and have a tough run of fixtures where they face some defensively resilient sides.
My choice would be to sell premium assets like Aubameyang or even Kieran Tierney, but maybe hold on to the likes of Rob Holding(DEF)(£4.5 m) if you have him.
2) Aston Villa, the new Sheffield United?: Although it's been just one game into this season, Aston Villa's new defensive resilience is hard to ignore. It played a huge part in Dean Smith's side surviving the relegation battle. Bolstered by signings in both attack and defence, Villa look a more dangerous than they were last season.
Most of their defensive options cost just £4.5 m when compared to the £5.0 m base price of teams like Sheffield United or even Burnley.
While I would advise caution in going for their attackers right away, getting defenders like Ezri Konsa Ngoyo(DEF)(£4.5m), who scored the winner against Sheffield, or new signing Emi Martinez(GK)(£4.5m) in goal, could prove to be fruitful.
Transfers
Having banked my free transfer for this Gameweek, I'm planning to do a mini-Wildcard ahead of this round and am planning to bring in Timo Werner(CHE)(FWD)(£9.5 m) into my side. While I was looking to avoid hits at any cost, an unexpected price drop for Eddie Nketiah means that I will have to downgrade Oliver Norwood(SHU)(MID)(£5.0 m) to a £4.5 m midfielder.
#1 Riyad Mahrez in for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Out: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang(ARS)(MID)(£12.0 m) - I have made my reasons for selling Aubameyang pretty clear. While he does have the potential to finish this season at the top of the FPL points standings, Arsenal's tough run of fixtures makes me sure that I should sell him.
In: Riyad Mahrez (MCI)(MID)(£8.5m) - After Aguero's injury, I was considering Gabriel Jesus(FWD)(£9.5 m) as a great option. However, due to uncertainty over Chelsea's FPL options in midfield, I opted to stick with my original plan of bringing in Mahrez.
Mahrez should get more game-time this season, and he has been very effective whenever he starts. He averages a goal involvement once every 90 minutes and provides good cover for the more expensive Man City FPL assets like De Bruyne or Sterling.
#2 Steven Alzate in for Oliver Norwood
Out: Oliver Norwood(SHU)(MID)(£5.0 m) - This wasn't a transfer I intended to make, but with Norwood benched in Sheffield's second game against Villa, and with me needing some funds to get Werner in my team, downgrading Norwood seems to be the right choice.
In: Steven Alzate(BHA)(MID)(£4.5 m) - Brighton's Steven Alzate seems to be the best £4.5 m FPL midfielder right now. He's playing in central midfield and is getting into advanced positions. His place in the side seems safe enough, and he's a good enabler.
#3 Timo Werner in for Eddie Nketiah
Out: Eddie Nketiah(ARS)(FWD)(£5.9 m) - I was pretty lucky to get any returns from Eddie Nketiah and his match-winning goal against West Ham was very important in boosting my GW 2 total. My initial plan was to get rid of him post-Gameweek two and that's exactly what I'm gonna do.
In: Timo Werner(CHE)(FWD)(£9.5 m) - After being one of the most-owned FPL players, Timo Werner is being shipped out by loads of FPL managers. I believe that those FPL managers are, however, committing a blunder. Werner was a huge goal threat in the first two games and won two penalties. He could get off the mark when Chelsea face the Baggies in Gameweek 3.
Best FPL XI for Gameweek 3
Chips activated: None
Point Hits taken(if any): 1 extra transfer: - 4
Captain/Vice-captain: Mohammed Salah or Timo Werner/ Son Heung-Min or Marcus Rashford.
The main captaincy choices for this week will be Mohamed Salah and Timo Werner. It's the classic form vs fixture dilemma. Werner faces West Brom at the Hawthorns, where the Baggies have been poor defensively. Salah, meanwhile, takes on the Arsenal defence at Anfield. In the same fixture last season, he scored twice.
While it'll be a tough decision to choose between the two, I'm convinced that both of them will return some FPL points this Gameweek.
Also Read: FPL 2020/21: Top 10 best budget players
Goalkeeper:
Mat Ryan (BHA) - £4.5 m | Opponent: MUN(H): After Southampton's game against Spurs, I'm not backing any of their FPL assets to keep any clean sheets anytime soon. Ryan offers better value against United. While he's not likely to keep a clean sheet, he should get plenty of save points.
Defenders:
Ruben Vinagre (WOL) - £4.5 m | Opponent: WHU(A): With Marcal out injured, Ruben Vinagre should start this game. The left-wing back could get some attacking returns besides clean sheet points and is a decent FPL option for the next couple of Gameweeks.
Eric Dier (TOT) - £5.0m | Opponent: NEW(H): Spurs haven't kept a clean sheet yet this season and a home fixture against Newcastle should allow them to do so.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV) - £7.5 m | Opponent: ARS(H): Liverpool kept the first clean sheet of their season against Chelsea last Gameweek. Alexander-Arnold hasn't recorded an attacking return yet and has the opportunity to get a huge FPL haul at home against Arsenal.
Kyle Walker-Peters (SOU) - £4.5 m | Opponent: BUR(A): Walker-Peters recorded an assist in the Saints' 5-2 loss to Spurs. While he isn't guaranteed to keep a clean sheet, his promise for attacking returns makes him a decent FPL option.
Midfielders:
Heung-Min Son (TOT) - £9.0 m | Opponent: NEW(H): Dropping Son after his massive 24-point FPL haul would be a blunder. While Newcastle won't be that easy to score against, Son can be backed for attacking returns.
Mohamed Salah (LIV) - £12.0 m | Opponent: ARS(H): Despite blanking in Gameweek 2, Salah is very much among the top FPL options this week. He has a great record against Arsenal at Anfield and is one of the top FPL captaincy options this week.
Riyad Mahrez (MCI) - £8.5 m | Opponent: LEI(H): While he isn't guaranteed to start, I'm backing Riyad Mahrez this season. He went under the radar last season and is owned by just over 2% of FPL managers currently. I think he can be a major differential this season.
Marcus Rashford (MUN) - £9.5 m | Opponent: BHA(A): Rashford scored as a substitute in United's midweek win in the Carabao Cup. The Red Devils will look to bounce back from the disappointing Gameweek 2 loss and that could bring some FPL points for Rashford.
Forwards:
Timo Werner (CHE) - £9.5 m | Opponent: WBA(A): Timo Werner might not have set the league alight, but he hasn't done bad enough to be transferred out in droves by FPL managers. His underlying stats suggest that he's primed for a goal and I'm backing him to get it against the Baggies.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (EVE)- £7.0 m | Opponent: CRY(A): My decision to back Calvert-Lewin has worked out superbly well with the striker scoring four goals in two games. An away game against Crystal Palace could see him add to that tally.
Bench:
GK: Alex McCarthy (SOU)- £4.5 m | Opponent: BUR(A)
1st Sub: Steven Alzate (MID) (BHA)- £4.5 m | Opponent: MUN(H)
2nd Sub: James Justin (LEI) - £4.5 m | Opponent: MCI(A):
3rd Sub: Keinan Davis (FWD) (AVL) - £4.5 | Opponent: SHU(H)
