FPL Captain Picks Gameweek 3
Welcome to FPL Captain Picks Gameweek 3
There were goals and assists galore last week, unfortunately not that many from the obvious picks! To illustrate how odd it got we had 4 picks for you in GW2 and they managed 1 goal and 2 assists between them. Kane got a goal and 4 assists all on his own. KDB was probably the least obvious of our picks and he accounted for 2/3 of those ‘returns’. Or to put it another way, when Leicester score 4 and Vardy is involved in exactly none of the goals you know it’s going to be one of those weeks. Let’s not even mention how the ‘confessional’ went…
So let’s go see if we can fare any better for you this week…
Cookie: KDB vs Leicester City (H)
Back in his stride on Monday night at Wolves, KDB looks as if he ready to carry on just where he left off last season and keep producing the goods for his owners. Already a goal and an assist to his name and of course on penalty duty, certainly at the very least until Kun returns, there seems little that can stop the Belgian churning out the points week after week. With attacking options in abundance, City look primed to mount a more clinical challenge to Liverpool this year and with goals never a problem for City who better to give the armband to than their chief creator, their penalty taker, their conductor. There is even the thought that it may just be the safe play to ‘perma-captain’ De Bruyne given his consistency.
Loud Atlas: Kane vs Newcastle United (H)
You may have heard the celebratory/sorrowful clamour on the boards recently: the Kane and Son double-act really got going last gameweek. After one goal, four assists and three bonus points, Kane had plenty to show for his 83 minutes on the pitch: 21 fantasy points! He became the first player in PL history to solely assist four goals by one player and even José wanted Son’s well-deserved Man of the Match award to go to Kane (see Son’s post-match interview!). His passing, vision, decision-making – all of it was top-notch. Some might say he was even KDB-esque at times. Frankly, Harry Kane was ace.
Spurs fans will rejoice that at last, he and the team are brimming with confidence. And with Gareth Bale expected to start at some point in October (well-timed with the golf courses getting a bit wetter over here), Spurs will have a front three to rival the very best out there. But let’s not jump to conclusions, dear scroller, let’s get September out of the way first.
Looking back to their last meeting, only two months ago, Kane scored twice against Newcastle in a 3-1 win. This coming weekend Kane faces a Newcastle side deflated by a 3-0 loss to Brighton. During that game, the Magpies failed to get a shot off until the 40th minute and couldn’t muster a single shot on target during the whole game. Another problem they have is a very large Dubravka-shaped hole between the sticks. All of this points to one thing: Newcastle are ripe for the picking and who better to do the picking than Captain Kane?
One slight caveat to this is that Kane and chums travel to Macedonia to play in the third qualifying round of the Europa League versus Shkëndija on Thursday at 7pm. After that warm-up game’s out of the way, the match on Sunday will go swimmingly!
Swirly: Salah vs Arsenal (H)
Before I was asked if I would like to feature in this article, I had done a bit of research of my own to look at who is best for the armband. After sifting through stats, Salah was the leader and will, indeed, be my captain this gameweek. In just seven times he has played Arsenal, he has scored six and set up another four. Then you look to Liverpool’s record against the Gunners at Anfield – they haven’t lost a game against them there since 2012 and in the eight games across all competitions since, have netted a whopping 30. The hat-trick and resultant 20 points in Gameweek 1 against an admittedly quite different team could still very well be an omen now the Egyptian is back at his home ground. His high ownership of 37.6 per cent also offers a bit of an insurance policy.
Kop: Raul Jimenez vs West Ham United (A)
When I agreed to write a piece for this week’s article, I said I’d confirm my choice at a later date. This was a stupid move on my part as it meant that the obvious choices were snapped up. Ah balls, I thought. But then it hit, Mr. Consistency A.K.A. Raul Jimenez! Having scored 17 last season, he has already picked up where he left off with a goal in each of Wolves’ opening fixtures. His stats are never the best but he’s always there or thereabouts. His eight goal attempts are only bettered by two forwards while his three attempts on target are only bettered by three forwards. For good measure he’s the designated penalty taker which appears to be a pre-requisite for capo material these days. He faces a West Ham side who have lost a couple of players to Covid and you’ve got to assume they could potentially lose a couple more ahead of the game. There’s also the fact that the Hammers have conceded two goals in each of their first two games.
Smash: Werner vs West Bromwich Albion (a)
Timo ‘Turbo’ Werner has not exactly got off to the fast start we were all hoping for. It’s probably been more Skoda like (not bad) than a turbo charged Ferrari. Over 300k FPL managers have had enough of waiting and shipped the German international out of their team ahead of this gameweek. Is that too dissimilar to Son last week? Well we all know what happened there – 4 goals and a massive headache for those that sold him. So what has Werner actually contributed so far? Well not that much, In two games so far, granted one was against Liverpool with ten men, Werner has registered 6 shots with 5 of them taken within the box. The data suggests he’s certainly due a goal. Werner has won a penalty in each of his Premier League outings and come close to scoring on a few occasions. Those are not exactly stats to jump out of your chair about.
So why captain Werner this week?
Chelsea prepare to face West Bromwich Albion in Gameweek 3 – that’s the real reason. It’s a classic example of chasing the whipping boys and West Brom may be just that! The bookies make him the odds-on favourite to score this week with anytime scoring odds at 55% just ahead of Salah and Kane. We are only two games into the season and West Brom have already conceded 8 big chances this season, 5 of them to the opposition’s strikers. For context, two of them were when they were down to ten men. The Baggies have conceded the joint-highest number of shots over the first two matches and already given up two penalties in that time as well. After Jorginho missed from the spot last time out for Chelsea, Werner might now even be on penalties himself.
West Brom’s xGc (expected goals conceded) of over 7 in two games is comparable to a certain Norwich side in their slump after project restart and we all remember that Norwich side which we targeted last season for fantasy points. At least Michail Antonio owners certainly do! West Brom away certainly seems like a game for Werner to finally go off. A turbocharged hatty will be nice!
The confessional…
This is where we ask our entire writing team to tell us who they think they will pick this week…. There are more caveats and get out clauses than a Lionel Messi contract but this is their initial gut feeling based upon who they actually own.
DMC — Harry Kane
Jamesimmo — Kevin De Bruyne
Swirly — Mohamed Salah
Horse — Kevin De Bruyne
Matt — Timo Werner
Loud Atlas — Mohamed Salah
Smash — Kevin De Bruyne
Kop — Mohamed Salah
Cookie – Kevin De Bruyne
The Gallant Pioneer — Kevin De Bruyne
Rosco — Mohamed Salah
EFC — Mohamed Salah
Floydeth — Mohamed Salah
AT — Kevin De Bruyne
Init — Timo Werner
Mito — Kevin De Bruyne
VOTE ON THIS WEEK’S CAPTAIN POLL GW3
Thanks for reading FPL Captain Picks Gameweek 3. This article was written by everyone.
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What would you do here please?
1. Original plan, Auba to KdB / Sterling.
1.a If so pick which sub to replace Saint with!
2. Saint to Podence, bearing in mind Wolves great next 3 fixtures, although I haven’t actually seen the guy play yet! Don’t mind keeping Auba for this one as I think Arsenal score.
3…..
KDB perfect swap for the long term. Nothing much out there in the Saint’s range. Podence’s time seems to be in question with Semedo coming in. Talk of Costa joining WOL.
Please take a look at my WC below Init #62?
Wasn’t aware he was so at risk Bees, thanks.
Klich is worth looking at. Scored in both GWs.
Id prefer to have a cheap midfielder from a team that knows how to scores. Raises the probability of getting returns. But yes, his fixtures are horrible in the short term. Worth monitoring how he does against Sheffield.
Did think of them, but yes those fixtures….
In your situation, I’d probably do 2 (although l, I have done both 1 and 2 already hah). If you think Arsenal score it’s quite likely Auba to be involved. Podence is a very skillful player and I expect a lot from him (if he keeps his place, as bees mentioned that’s not 100% sure).
He does now seem risky. Probably a Jota / Troare in / out scenario ahead for him?
Yeah, I think it might be similar. I’m taking a chance with him solely on eye test. Also, I think that even if he doesn’t start in one/two of the next 5, he can still rack up some points from the bench. Then I can always sell him afterwards if things go south.
I would think if only one trf, Auba to KDB despite his knock.
Podence looks good. Lot on here and twitter appear to have bought him but he still only 4 or 5%.
The feeling I got from what I read was that Neto place more in question assuming Traore pushes up with Podence capable of playing both wings.
Any suggestions for my WC team? 0 mib
Thinking maybe Son to Pulisic and Werner to Jesus down the line…
Thanks guys!
Personally I’d have JRod in but that’s not happening without losing Son. Then again that may allow Kane. But no Jimenez… choices, choices.
JRod in allows for an upgrade of the midfield, would go for that imo.
Thinks Init and OD…will consider that.
I my self decided to keep faith in Auba. Your bench options are tricky though. CP aren’t likely to hold against Everton (and you already have richarlison). Same for NC against Tottenham. Any FT remaining?
Meant for 61 above
Just the 1, not done anything yet. About 0.5ITB.
Hey all,
Like most trying to nail down a WC team. This is like draft 500 for the week. Thought please, would be playing 3-5-2.
Could change DCL/rodders to like Mitrovic or Podence then use the funds to upgrade defence maybe.
Is Greenwood back yet though? I saw what Ole said and it seems up in the air. Maybe place hold with Zaha?
Hi Init,
Thanks. Zaha could be a good placeholder for the time being.
Thoughts on the rest? Balanced?
Seems to be. Persona preference again but I like Salah over Mane, mainly because of pens, but won’t be much in it.
Quick poll:
KDB or Sterling?
Cheers
KDB
Having watched last the game and for any one who did will say KDB
KDB is the safer option for now, unless Sterlong really starts to go strong.
Kdb but i would just try to check news to see if he is ok after that “distortion”. IMO I believe he plays.
Thanks all.- KDB it is
Which team below.
A.
Or B.
B long term. A this week #Werner
Yes indeed. I may just plan B, but drop Foden and Jimi this week and have klich and Werner.