In this article…
Attack, Attack, Attack, this was the constant theme throughout GW2. With so many attackers returning on such a large scale, price changes started to take effect and nailed-on starters became benchwarmers, we break down all the fallout from GW2 and forge a path forward onto FPL glory.
Each week I summarise all the critical information you need to know, in order to continue your march towards the top spot in that work league.
You can also follow our Fantasy Premier League Football Tips throughout the season for gameweekly insights and opinions.
The new season is now just over a week away, and our experts are already rolling out the first of their Premier League predictions, so now is the perfect time to get involved.
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⚔️ Gameweek 2 Review – 79 Points (69 Average)
Not having Erling Haaland and him scoring a hat-trick was not ideal this gameweek, though the funds I saved without him meant I afforded £10m midfield maestro Heung-min Son (16 pts) to lessen the blow.
My strong backline continued with Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7m), Antonee Robinson (£4.6m) and Pedro Porro (£5.5m) all registering clean sheets and again being amongst the bonus points. Diogo Jota (6 pts) continued his great partnership with Mohamed Salah (10 pts) and Emile Smith Rowe (£5.6m) repaid us for the faith we showed in keeping him for GW2.
Christopher Nkunku (£6.4m) was surprisingly benched and with Chelsea scoring six goals, if he started he could have been a good differential. Unfortunately, Dominic Solanke became injured before the perfect fixture against Everton at home but at least the bench remains strong with Gabriel (£6m) the first starting sub to come on.
✅ The Best 3 Transfers IN for Gameweek 3
🏴 Cole Palmer – Chelsea (£10.5m, 37.0%)
Known in the FPL community as ice-cold Cole Palmer and hugely overlooked at the beginning of the season, you can be sure this is no longer the case with 400,000 managers already bringing him in. The ex-Man City midfielder reminded us exactly what he is capable of with a goal, three assists, 2 bonus points and an exceptional display, amounting to an enormous 17-pointer.
In a Chelsea side with so many options in every single position, one thing is certain… Cole Palmer plays. With Chelsea now managing to find their shooting boots and unlocking the best formation to suit their best players; expect this to become the norm and his name to continue flashing up amongst the goals, assists and bonus points from now on.
🏴 Ezri Konsa – Aston Villa (£4.5m, 12.5%)
With so much talk about attackers this gameweek, let us not forget about the potential points hauls at the back. With only 3 points in two games, many have overlooked this centre-back powerhouse, but trust me – don’t.
Aston Villa have the best next three fixtures in the league with Leicester (A), Everton (H) and Wolves (H) which simply cannot be ignored. Against Arsenal, he had a 94% pass completion rate, won all his aerial duels and four out of five of his ground duels, but Konsa also gets attacking returns. In his last four games against Leicester, he has 2 goals and in his last outing against Wolves, he also scored.
History has a habit of repeating itself and if he also manages to keep a clean sheet, this £4.5m defender will make a mockery of his current price tag.
🏴 Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa (£9.0m, 29.0%)
The second of our Aston Villa players and for good reason. With the ability to bank up to five transfers and play mini wildcards, doubling up on a team for a great fixture run will become a new cheat code for the game. Watkins has two goals in his last three appearances against Leicester and in a side full of attacking promise in both wide and central areas, this is sure to continue.
Watkins has not had a return yet as he is building his minutes back up from the Euros and pre-season, but he will be back to his best in GW3, of which I am sure.
❌ The Best 3 Transfers OUT for Gameweek 3
🏴 Dominic Solanke – Tottenham (£7.5m, 15.0%)
This selection, I currently have no joy in recommending to you. Solanke in his opening match against Leicester was very unlucky not to register any returns and despite that, was on 2 bonus points before they conceded. This means he is a bonus points magnet and the game against Everton at home would have been the perfect fixture to highlight this, potentially even getting close to Erling Haaland’s mega haul.
At half the price of Haaland, this would have been set to be a game changer but alas, it was not to be. He played every single game for Bournemouth last season but has become injured after playing only one game for Tottenham, very Spursy indeed. With a strong chance he misses GW3 & GW4 against Newcastle and Arsenal, get rid before his price plummets.
🇫🇷 Christopher Nkunku – Chelsea (£6.4m, 11.5%)
Let me put this in perspective for you, Chelsea have six goalkeepers you can choose from in FPL currently. This shows you the scale of their transfer business and the resulting size of the squad they have this season, pure madness. Add into the concoction of a new manager, returning players such as Ben Chilwell and Reece James and a club that signs players on 8-year contracts, leaving you with one outcome – uncertainty.
Though Nkunku signed for £60m last year, his minutes are just not secure despite the fact he scored in midweek in Europe for the Blues. At this stage of the season, you can’t afford passengers in your squad and it’s simple, take him out for another asset sooner rather than later.
🏴 Taylor Harwood-Bellis – Southampton (£4m, 11.0%)
3 points from two gameweeks… it’s not good, is it? Southampton have scored zero goals and conceded two goals in two games, and it was extremely fortunate to only be a single goal in each. Though he is only £4m, even at that price he is just a wasted slot and with the next fixtures against Brentford (A), Man United (H) and Ipswich (H), I don’t see anything other than a 2-point ceiling.
Most promoted teams struggle to stay in the Premier League and Southampton will be no exception, as the season progresses, they will become the fixture to target from an attacking point of view and that means, Harwood-Bellis needs to go. A better alternative is Ipswich’s Ben Johnson at the same price (£4m).
Top Tip – With most teams playing in the cup midweek, hold off those 50/50 transfers for more information gathering. Remember, transfers are to be used wisely and treated like gold dust, do not waste them.
🦸 Gameweek 3 Captaincy Selections
🇳🇴 Erling Haaland – Manchester City (£15.0m, 52.5%)
Yes, I know he was in the captaincy selections last week but be prepared to get used to it. Every single week I will endeavour to investigate all the data and eye-tests for you to try to find a suitable alternative of who I think attains the most points in that gameweek, but this is not that week to go against.
Haaland is fresh off a hat trick and a 17-pointer in a Man City side that is starting to find their feet and only operating in second gear.
It is a frightening thought, especially when next up they play against a leaky West Ham side that currently ships goals at will, seemingly at home just as much as away. Haaland has four goals in the last four games against West Ham and I only see that continuing.
🇪🇬 Mohamed Salah – Liverpool (£12.5m, 35.0%)
When you do not captain Haaland, usually it’s the Egyptian King you turn to.
Over the first two gameweeks, both are on identical points of 24, making it even more difficult to choose your weekly captain moving forward. The odds are slightly with Haaland this weekend as Man Utd (especially at home) have a decent record against Liverpool, remaining unbeaten in the last four and winning three of those. However, pre-season Liverpool beat Man Utd 3-0 and over the last three or four seasons, have inflicted heavy defeats on Man Utd at Old Trafford namely a 5-0 trouncing with Mo Salah bagging a hat-trick.
Those who follow my X page will know I always see Man Utd one game away from disaster, and the game on Sunday will showcase exactly why I think this. I think he outscores Haaland.
❓Top Gameweek 3 Differentials (<15%)
🇰🇷 Son Heung Min – Tottenham (£10m, 10.0%)
The second-most clinical finisher in the Premier League came back with a bang in GW2. Fresh off his blank against Leicester, Son blitzed Everton with two goals and all 3 bonus points in a fantastic performance that re-ignites managers in considering him. Yes, next up he plays Newcastle and Arsenal, but he is a big game player, especially against the top six sides.
Newcastle have only kept a clean sheet once in the last ten against Tottenham, making good reading for Son. At that low percentage, you can be sure if he scores highly your rank will vastly improve for the better!
🏴 Danny Welbeck – Brighton (£5.6m, 9.0%)
Danny Welbeck, granted it’s a boring pick you ideally don’t want to start the season within your team, but his points speak for themselves. Amassing a mighty 21 points in fixtures against Everton and Man Utd sits him third in total points for all players in FPL, only behind the duo of Haaland and Salah.
Brighton are a mighty attacking team with managers taking note fresh off their 2-1 win over Man Utd. Yes, Brighton have a lot of attacking options and players that can inter-change and start from the bench, but Danny Welbeck is the focal point of that attack. It’s rare to have an old legend of the Premier League and FPL in such form, possibly it’s time to take advantage of that.
🇧🇷 Savio – Manchester City (£6.5m, 1.6%)
10 Points over two gameweeks for the current Premier League champions is something to be noted.
Yes, you expect more from a high-scoring Man City side but wait, the fact he is starting and costs only £6.5m is one thing; but watching his performances is another. With quite possibly both winger starting positions up for grabs for the Cityzens, this exciting, jinking, direct winger is certainly making his case to secure one.
With two assists and 9 points against Ipswich, I am warming to the option of including him in my squad with West Ham next, and then onto Brentford. Historically Man City have always had important wingers crucial in their winning seasons and this year is no exception. Yes, it’s risky but quite possibly a calculated risk that pays off handsomely.
👁️ FPL Veteran’s Vision and Verdict
Again, another above-average performance and an extraordinarily powerful base from which to attack the next few gameweeks before the international break.
With two free transfers (FT) I will bring in Aston Villa assets and set my team up for GW2-6, possibly even taking a hit.
At this stage of FPL, price changes start to take effect so that must be factored into my/you’re thinking but is never the only consideration for a transfer in or out.
Points and ranks are always super close at the start of the season, so don’t let your rank weigh you down and continue with your initial gameplan.
Conclusion
For my final gameweek three team and football insights/analysis throughout the 2024-2025 season, follow me on X @FplVeteran_ for daily fantasy football content.
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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