Agüero is back! Our favourite little Argentine returned from his one match Copa America hibernation period to bag the opener in City's 3-0 romp of Champions Chelsea. Elsewhere, Man United scraped a second 1-0 win over Villa, Everton confidently brushed aside the Saints and the Black Cats were cast in to further misery after losing 3-1 at home to new boys Norwich.
In the season-long game, wildcards are falling from the sky like bank notes in a Sepp Blatter press conference, with the likes of Riyhad Mahrez, André Ayew and Nathan Redmond ensuring the wheels on the bandwagon continue turning. Mahrez made it three goals in two whilst Ayew and Redmond converted their second in as many games.
Gameweek 3 kicks off in less than 24 hours and leaves us pondering a multitude of questions. Will Hazard start scoring? Will managers be punished for not instantly snapping up Agüero? How long will Mahrez's form last?
Luckily were here to answer those questions � albeit subjectively � so without further ado, here's our Gameweek 3 Daily Fantasy Football tips, focusing on FPL and the daily games provided by
Mondogoal &
FantasyBet.
Fixtures
Saturday 20 August:
Man United vs Newcastle
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
West Ham vs Bournemouth
Sunderland vs Swansea
Leicester vs Tottenham
Norwich vs Stoke
Sunday 21 August:
West Brom vs Chelsea
Everton vs Man City
Watford vs Southampton
Monday 22 August:
Arsenal vs Liverpool
Clean Sheet Potential
The bookies across the country are indicating that Man United, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Swansea and Arsenal are the five most likely teams to keep a clean sheet during Gameweek 3. With that in mind, you could certainly do a lot worse than just selecting defenders from the teams above � should it work for your fantasy team(s) financially.
Goalkeeper Tips
A few jokes were circulating when Man United signed Sampdoria's second choice keeper whilst Arsenal made the coup of a world-class, former Premier League winning stopper. Two games is too soon to pass a conclusive judgement, but it's certainly the reds who have a devilish smile on their faces.
Sergio Romero (FPL: 5.1M, Mondogoal: 9.9M, FantasyBet: 5.0M) remains our number one choice for the second successive week and we're going to have to start copying and pasting this segment if he doesn't begin conceding. Back-to-back clean sheets and a visit from the Magpies this weekend gives us reason to believe he'll make it three on the bounce.
An impressive debut against Norwich followed by a strong performance last week versus Arsenal was enough for Alan Pardew to publicly state that
Alex McCarthy (FPL: 4.0M, Mondogoal: 5.7M, FantasyBet: 4.0M) will hold his place between the sticks, and Hennessey will be used for cup matches. The former QPR keeper has narrowly missed out on clean sheets in two consecutive matches but will look to record his first in a Palace shirt this weekend as the Eagles play hosts to Aston Villa.
As we predicted last week, following their 3-0 drubbing against Manchester City, Tony Pulis would have his Baggies team doing suicides all week to inspire some form of Coach Carter defensive revival. A 0-0 away to Watford later, we've decided to put our
footballs on the table and tip a huge clean sheet at home to Chelsea. Call us crazy if you like, but
Boaz Myhill (FPL: 4.5M, Mondogoal: 6.0M, FantasyBet: 4.5M) made name for himself in FPL last season by clocking up back-to-back clean sheets against top four clubs.
Defender Tips
Another Man United new-boy who has been faultless since signing is right back
Matteo Darmian (FPL: 5.6M, Mondogoal: 9.1M, FantasyBet: 5.5m). Two clean sheets on the bounce has led to him scoring decent fantasy points early on and seen his price start to increase in FPL. Manchester United's defence seems revitalised this year, with Schneiderlin providing a safety blanket for the new boys to adjust to the pace of the Premier League. Visitors Newcastle haven't been the most convincing in attack and another clean sheet could well be on the cards. If you're thinking of loading up on one teams defence this weekend in daily fantasy football then Man United look your best bet.
Chelsea's start of season defensive consistency hasn't been reminiscent of recent years, and after two games they've already conceded five. John Terry was replaced at halftime for Kurt Zouma last week, rumours have circulated around Ivanovic's place in the first team and Baba Rahman is supposedly contesting for a place in starting line-up. We'll leave predicting Mourinho's moves to you though. All of this speculation has led to most people missing out on the fact that this weekend's opposition; West Brom, are yet to score this campaign.
Gary Cahill FPL: 6.5M, Mondogoal: 5.9M, FantasyBet: 6.5M) is the only player who seems nailed on and comes at a cheap price considering his potential for a clean sheet.
Crystal Palace have narrowly missed out on two clean sheets so far this year, though we expect that to change this weekend as they host Aston Villa.
Pape Souaré (FPL: 4.5M, Mondogoal: 6.5M, FantasyBet: 4.5M) is nailed on at left back and has looked promising in attack as well as solid in defence. With a tough schedule on the horizon, Pardew will be looking to take all three points from Villa at the Hawthorns. We think that Souaré is a bargain considering his potential for points at both ends of the pitch.
After an impressive campaign last year, Garry Monk's Swansea appear to have returned even stronger. An impressive opening day draw away to Chelsea, followed by a comfortable home win against Newcastle makes them clear favourites as they face Sunderland side who're spiralling out of control. Captain
Ashley Williams (FPL: 5.0M, Mondogoal: 7.1M, FantasyBet: 5.0M) can be credited with their strong, regimented defensive displays and after his man of the match performance last week he's our go-to Swansea defender. Sunderland's defence looks at sixes and sevens, so don't be too surprised if he even crops up with a goal.
Attacking Potential
Another look at the bookies odds suggests that Man United, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Crystal Palace are the five teams with the highest chance of scoring. Sitting just outside the top five are West Ham, Swansea and Leicester who could provide some solid budget options going forward. Formulating the basis of your attack around these teams seems the logical way to go.
Midfielder Tips
Yeah, Agüero is back… but don't let that distract you from the absolute wizardry that
David Silva (FPL: 10.0M, Mondogoal: 14.3M, FantasyBet: 10.0M) has been conducting in recent weeks. Three assists in two games speaks for itself and the return of the Agüero can only complement this. Man City have won their last eight games in the Premier League, and despite opponents Everton picking up an impressive win at the weekend, we can only see this fixture ending one way. Leave David Silva out of your sides at your own risk!
Sunderland have conceded at least three goals in their last three Premier League matches. Dick Advocaat must regret reconsidering his decision to step down as the Black Cat's boss and with Swansea visiting this weekend the future looks equally as bleak.
André Ayew (FPL: 7.1M, Mondogoal: 12.8M, FantasyBet: 7.0M) has exploded on the scene since arriving from Marseille this summer. Two goals in two games has seem him establish himself as a bit of a point magnet. You could do a lot worse than selecting any of the Swansea top four this weekend with Montero, Shelvey and Sigurdsson all looking hungry in attack.
It's only a matter of time until Manchester United started scoring more than one goal per game in the league and for that reason we're covering ourselves by tipping one of their attacking midfielders. We would tip Mr Rooney but we've seen how that's resulted in recent weeks! We saw in the Champions League qualifiers what
Memphis Depay (FPL: 8.5M, Mondogoal: 14.4M, FantasyBet: 8.5M) is capable of when played in his preferred role on the left. Having scored two and set up one in United's 3-0 win over Club Bruges during the week, we're hoping he can carry that form over to his home match vs Newcastle. As Man United's fixture is the early kick off we'll have access to the line-ups before submitting our daily fantasy football teams. If
Adnan Januzaj (FPL: 5.5M, Mondogoal: 6.8M, FantasyBet: 5.5M) is given the nod again, he could well be a cheap way in to the Red's front line that is poised to explode sooner or later.
With the big names expected to do the business in attack this week, we felt it was our duty to pull out a few names who could free up some cash in your midfield.
Cheikhou Kouyaté's (FPL: 5.5M, Mondogoal: 7.5M, FantasyBet: 5.0M) performances have been swept under the rug slightly due to equally as good performances from new boy Payet. A goal and an assist going in to a home fixture vs Bournemouth spells more points for the Senegalese midfielder.
Wesley Hoolahan (FPL: 5.0M, Mondogoal: 9.7M, FantasyBet: 5.0M) has matched David Silva on assists so far this season with three in his last two. Like Kouyaté, Hoolahan is a diamond that only a few people have seen in the shadow of teammate Nathan Redmond. A home fixture against Stoke this weekend could be tough, but not doubt Hoolahan will have an important role if Norwich leave with three points.
Forward Tips
Sergio Agüero (FPL: 13.0M, Mondogoal: 14.3M, FantasyBet: 7.0M) is ours � and everybody else who writes FPL tips � main choice in attack this weekend. The Argentine returned from his premature resting period and smashed in the opener against Chelsea last weekend. City are playing with real venom and have started the season with a couple of 3-0 wins against decent opposition. This weekend Agüero visits Everton and questioning a goal from him should be considered blasphemy. With a goal to his name already, he'll no doubt be looking to retain his top goalscorer title and build on his 26 from last season.
It's been hard putting a finger on which Arsenal player is going to claim the most points with so many to choose from in midfield. With a goal last weekend vs Palace, we think that
Olivier Giroud (FPL: 9.0M, Mondogoal: 8.8M, FantasyBet: 9.0M) fights a strong case for a place in your fantasy team. With so much quality behind him we expect him to score at least 15 this season and playing alone up top he's arguably going to be the most consistent point scorer for the Gunners.
Bafétimbi Gomis (FPL: 7.1M, Mondogoal: 10.6M, FantasyBet: 7.0M) hasn't been given enough credit for how quickly he filled Wilfried Bony's boots. An impressive end to last season followed by two in two this campaign shows he's adjusted to the English game and is looking to build on his goal tally. This weekend he faces Sunderland who have conceded seven in their opening two. Not having any Swansea coverage in attack this weekend could prove dangerous.
Finally,
Diafra Sakho (FPL: 6.5M, Mondogoal: 6.7M, FantasyBet: 6.5M) stands out for us this weekend with Zárate becoming the latest to join the long list of West Ham's attacking absentees. This weekend the Hammers host new-boys Bournemouth who have failed to pick up a point in the Premier League so far. With pinpoint balls coming in from Payet, Sakho stands out on paper as one of the strikers with the highest goal scoring potential this weekend.
