Game-Week 3 FPL Player Picks

“La tranquilidad” — I don’t know Spanish, but I’m familiar with the term. Word is that wildcards and free hits are being utilized by thousands of FPL managers, and this is where la tranquilidad is necessary. Folks, there is nothing wrong using a wildcard at this point, but I caution against going into panic mode.

That’s it for the pep talk, let’s look ahead to week three and try to find some players who will potentially boost our scores. There is a conundrum this week with Liverpool and Arsenal meeting at Anfield. Many will own Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Liverpool defenders in a fixture known to have high scoring. The promoted teams have been varying levels of decent so far, which makes the strategy of selecting those who face them not as easy as in previous years. Who do we then select this week, let’s have the picks.

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Forwards

Marcus Rashford (£8.6, Man United v. Crystal Palace)

Here’s a striker you can own for the entire season; the keys to the team belong to him now. Rashford has started the season with returns in both games so far, and this is an opportunity for more against a sluggish Palace.

Harry Kane (£11.0, Tottenham v. Newcastle)

We’re going heavy on the budget to begin with, but think back to a week ago when Teemu Pukki went wild against Newcastle. Imagine what someone with the quality of Kane can do to this mediocre defense; he will be captained by many.

Diogo Jota (£6.5, Wolves v. Burnley)

Balancing our budget, the Portuguese international will be looking to get off the mark in the league. Burnley are a solid team as usual, but Wolves can challenge for a top six place this season and will be looking for the points here.

Midfielders

Leandro Trossard (£6.0, Brighton v. Southampton)

Belgian League football is not something that I’m familiar with, so this player was not on my radar. Highlights of his debut for the Seagulls were enough for me to include him in the picks. He just might be my personal transfer this game week.

James Maddison (£7.0, Leicester at Sheffield United)

This one is admittedly a small gamble, because the Sheffield defense has been solid to this point. Brendan Rodgers has gotten good performances in spurts from his team against Wolves and Chelsea, I believe this is the game they might just put it all together and provide Chris Wilder and his men with a ‘welcome to the league’ moment.

Mo Salah (£12.5, Liverpool v. Arsenal)

Reggae fans should know the song by Sizzla, solid as a rock. The lyrics say “They can’t keep a good man down / Always keep a smile when they want me to frown / Keep the vibes and I stood my ground / They would never ever take my crown.” The crown, ladies and gentlemen, is top scoring FPL player (two seasons running). Don’t panic; he will deliver consistently.

Riyad Mahrez (£8.5, Manchester City at Bournemouth)

Big time gambling here, not choosing Raheem Sterling or Kevin De Bruyne. Mahrez had three assists in gameweek one and can feel harshly done by as he was left out the eleven the following week. City only managed a draw last week thanks to VAR. He should be restored to the lineup and should be in the mix against the always suspect Bournemouth back line.

Mason Mount (£6.1, Chelsea at Norwich)

Everton midfielders almost took this final place, but just like the Maddison pick, I feel Chelsea may be on the verge of erupting against someone soon. Mount has grabbed his chance and is making it hard for Frank Lampard to take him out the team.

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Defenders

Martin Montoya (£4.5, Brighton v. Southampton)

With the style of Graham Potter, Montoya is getting forward and should set himself a target of five assists at minimum this season.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.5, Manchester United v. Crystal Palace)

Hosting his former team, he will be aiming to do well.

Toby Alderweireld (£5.5, Tottenham v. Newcastle)

Newcastle look like they will be among the bottom teams when it comes to goals scored. A clean sheet and bonus are a huge possibility for the Spurs man.

Willy Boly (£5.0, Wolves v. Burnley)

Defense was solid in the Monday night game. Burnley create havoc, but Boly also does in the opposing box. He can be a good punt this week.

Andrew Robertson (£7.0, Liverpool v. Arsenal)

This is a difficult game to choose a Liverpool defender, so assists will be the hope in a clash known for goals. Joe Gomez is chosen for difficult fixtures on the opposite flank against some big six teams so the Scot is given the call.

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Goalkeepers

Ederson (£6.1, Manchester City at Bournemouth)

There were only two clean sheets in the Premier League last week, which causes uncertainty. Ederson is as certain as it can get though, with 36 clean sheets in the past two seasons.

Jordan Pickford (£5.6, Everton at Aston Villa)

Everton have two clean sheets to start the season, so Pickford is an easy choice this week. Marco Silva has his men on a great run since the second half of last season.

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How many Liverpool and Arsenal assets are you going into the game week with in your eleven? Which fixtures are you expecting to provide points? Have you used your wildcard yet? Please let us know in the comments.

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