It’s been a slow start to the season from a fantasy football perspective, but things could pick up in the weeks to come, and here are some of the big talking points in FPL ahead of Gameweek 3.
2.6 million FPL managers bought Darwin Nunez after his cameo against Fulham in GW1, only for the Uruguayan to reward his new owners with a red card and -1 points score against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 2.
With the Uruguayan suspended for three games for violent conduct, transferring him out this week is a priority. Downgrading Nunez to Gabriel Jesus (8.0m) would be the easiest solution, freeing up 1 million in funds to relocate elsewhere in your Fantasy Premier League team. However, nearly 80% of FPL managers already own Jesus, so the assumption is he is already in your fantasy football team.
Amongst other FPL options to look at as Nunez replacements, the one that stands out is Brentford striker Ivan Toney. Toney has returned in each of his two games to start the new season, with one goal and two assists and has excellent fixtures on the horizon. Brentford play mid-table teams in each of their next five fixtures – including home games against Everton and Leeds – and the English striker has already racked up 1.5 nPxGi in his first two games this season.
Marc Cucurella (5.0m)
Marc Cucurella made his full debut for Chelsea in the 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur, and the Spaniard’s performance at left-wing back was promising for Fantasy Premier League managers.
Cucurella whipped in 7 crosses for Chelsea against Tottenham and had more final third touches than any other player in the game, indicating his exciting attacking potential as an FPL option. Cucurella also was on corners and free-kick duties alongside Reece James and Mason Mount, assisting Koulibaly’s goal from a set-piece, and at £5.0 million could be an attractive FPL asset for Premier League fantasy football managers.
Chelsea face just one ‘Big 6’ team in their next ten league games, and with Ben Chilwell still gaining full fitness following his ACL tear, Cucurella may be the first choice LWB for the next few weeks.
CAPTAINCY CANDIDATES | ||
PLAYER | FIXTURE | NPxGi per 90 |
Salah (13.0 m) | Manchester United (A) | 0.85 |
Haaland (11.7 m) | Crystal Palace (H) | 0.84 |
Jesus (8.0 m) | Bournemouth (A) | 1.16 |
Son (12.0 m) | Wolves (H) | 0.6 |
The captaincy is more of a mixed bag in Gameweek 3 for FPL managers, with the two standout choices, Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah, having potentially tricky fixtures away from home.
Salah and Haaland managed just one assist between them last week, and Fantasy Premier League managers may move away from both premium options with the armband this week in favour of Gabriel Jesus or Son. Jesus has recorded the most xG and xA in the first two games this season, and Son has the best fixture out of all the candidates, at home to Wolves.
However, while Son and Jesus are attractive options, Salah still might be the most popular captain in this Gameweek. The Liverpool forward has looked dangerous in both Reds’ fixtures this season, despite not picking up any victories, and has an excellent record against United. Haaland, meanwhile, racked up only eight touches against Bournemouth last weekend as the Norwegian struggled to connect with his City teammates and faces a tough test away to Newcastle United this weekend.
Shivaan’s Team Selection for GW3: Leon Bailey (5.0m) and Andrew Robertson (7.0m) to Luis Diaz (4.0m) and Luis Diaz (8.0m), Salah (Captain).
After another solid haul of 67 points in Gameweek 2 of FPL, I have already made two transfers to my team ahead of GW3. Leon Bailey and Andrew Robertson made way for Luis Diaz and Nico Williams, changing my team structure from five premium defenders to four and switching up my third Liverpool asset.
The primary reason for this transfer was that the five-at-the-back formation massively restricted my transfer flexibility. With all my money invested in the backline in my FPL team, I had no avenues or cash available if I wanted to upgrade any of my attackers, with most of the money spread out on the five defenders. Additionally, I took out a Liverpool defender in favour of a midfielder because the Reds defence has looked vulnerable in the opening two weeks of the season. Nat Phillips played at play centre-back against Palace while they have tonnes of injuries in midfield, causing them to look shaky at the back from a fantasy football standpoint.
Hence, although Robertson is still a great pick and arguably offers more value than Luis Diaz, the Colombian is a better fit for my Fantasy Premier League team now.
These transfers mean that Andreas Pereira starts in my FPL team this week, which is not ideal, and I could be burned by another Perisic benching. However, both players have a high upside for their price and have good home fixtures in GW3 against Brentford and Wolves at home.
The captaincy is a straightforward decision this week. Manchester United are the easiest team in the Premier League to play against right now, and Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick the last time he visited Old Trafford. Best of luck for Gameweek 3!
Shivaan Shah