Dec 14

Take it as Red Devils - Gameweek 3 Tips 2017-18

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With the first of his weekly gameweek previews, @JWoodfield365 takes a look to weekend ahead. Who makes the cut and who should be avoided for gameweek three?

Take it as Red Devils

Manchester United was the hub of all the grandstand chit-chat during GW2: their 4-0 win at Swansea provided FPL managers with quandaries aplenty. Romelu Lukaku (£9.6m) repaid the faith of the 39% of managers who captained him with another goal, but it was his supporting cast that arguably made the more notable impressions.

Paul Pogba (£8.1m) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£8.2m)'s one goal and four assists, respectively, against Swansea, turned them into prize assets for United's GW3 clash with Leicester. Of course, acquiring both may be fiscally problematic, so if you opt for just one, opt for Pogba.

The ex-Juve man's influence is growing at a stark rate, as is his goal threat. Meanwhile, the Foxes' last away outing saw them ship four goals to Arsenal; bet against Pogba and Mkhitaryan adding to their tallies at your peril. In two games the duo have collected two goals and five assists between them (including Pogba's technical assist for Eric Bailly).

Then, of course, there's Anthony Martial (£8.1m). An enigma of a conundrum, do you gamble on a player likely to be benched for 75-odd minutes? Well, maybe.

In two brief cameos, Martial has registered two goals and an assist. He's a risk, for sure. And pricey too, but worth a punt for those brave enough, particularly if you've fallen behind in your mini league already to rivals possessing Pogba and/or Mkhitaryan.

GW3 Risk factors

Mohamed Salah (£9.0m) was the highest-price casualty of Jurgen Klopp's rotation for Crystal Palace in GW2 - infuriating enough for Salah's owners, let alone those captained him.

But Salah wasn't alone. Trent Alexander-Arnold (£4.5m) was another unexpected absence, along with Dejan Lovren (£5.0m) and Emre Can (£5.0m). Those changes followed Liverpool's Champions League qualifier with Hoffenheim four days prior, and Wednesday's return leg points to considerable doubt over Klopp's plans for GW3.

Moreover, Liverpool's next two league games are against Arsenal (H) and Man City (A). Sadio Mane (£9.1m) and Roberto Firmino (£8.6m) are likely immune from rotation, but Liverpool are hazardous options in the interim.

One man many thought would have been dropped at the season's start was Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m). The Leicester winger has been the subject of summer-long advances from Roma, and has since handed in a transfer request, but the 2015-16 player of the year has dazzled so far, collecting three assists. While Man United (A) are up next for Leicester, and there are no guarantees Mahrez will remain after the Old Trafford clash, the Algerian is in sparkling form and will provide a stern test for United's defence. Providing Mahrez hasn't left Leicester by the week's end, he's a fascinating GW3 option.

Then there's Ahmed Hegazi (£4.6m). Twenty-three points from two games is sensational, but Jonny Evans (£5m) and Gareth McAuley (£5m) are both nearing full fitness. The Egyptian's fine run could be abruptly ended; persistent team news checking is advised for current owners, and even more so for those contemplating acquiring Hegazi for GW3.

Essentials Collection

While Tottenham's defeat to Chelsea was a blow to owners of Dele Alli (£9.5m), Harry Kane (£12.5m) and Ben Davies (£5.6m), among others, it's Burnley next up for Spurs "at home", which (sorry Burnley fans) should yield greater point tallies for the Londoners. The Clarets' Stamford Bridge heroics notwithstanding, it would take a brave soul to champion Sean Dyche et al to emerge from Wembley with a share of the spoils. And despite the 2-1 scoreline against the Blues, Spurs looked every bit as likely of grasping victory at Wembley. Kane's August goalscoring drought extended to GW3 only through the woodwork and heroic Chelsea defending, and we're keen on him breaking his duck in GW3.


However, it's another Spurs man we're tipping as an essential purchase. Christian Eriksen (£9.1m) already has three assists and five bonus points from two games, and the Dane is bolstering his standing as Spurs' standout midfield option. Yes, Alli is the more prolific goalscorer, but his relative anonymity against Chelsea was concerning. Eriksen far from had his best game, but his set-piece duties assuaged a poor performance - it was his second-half free-kick which led to Chelsea's equaliser - and his consistent threat cannot be ignored.

A name which somewhat slipped under the GW2 radar was Watford's Richarlison (£6m). The Brazilian forward, generously classed as an FPL midfielder, was electric against Bournemouth. As well as scoring, Richarlison scooped all three bonus points, adding to his GW1 assist against Liverpool. It's Brighton next for Watford at Vicarage Road, and Richarlison is a promising, low-budget differential in fine form.

Javier Hernandez (£7.1m) roared back from a blank in GW1 by rewarding his 832,000 owners with two poacher's finishes against Southampton. West Ham's next three fixtures read Newcastle (A), Huddersfield (H) and West Brom (A) - now is the time to climb aboard the Little Pea bandwagon; his value will surely soar in the weeks to come.

Left on the bench

If the exclamation mark warning symbol indicated fixture difficulty than a string of defenders would have red marks to their names for GW3. Four of last year's top seven are entwined – Liverpool v Arsenal and Chelsea v Everton – and with such attacking talent on display, their defences will be harder to rely upon for clean sheet bonuses. The mid-table teams don't have it any easier. Recent cult FPL heroes Charlie Daniels (£5m) and Ben Mee (£4.5m) face daunting afternoons as Bournemouth host Man City and Burnley travel to Spurs. Providing you have adequate cover, benching or even transferring out those with difficult fixtures could provide short-term gains until the fixtures realign more favourably.

 

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EDITORS NOTE:

Thanks to Jack for a great gameweek preview.

Be sure to follow Jack for more FPL insight.

Gameweek two was torturous for a lot of FPL managers, many are thinking about playing their wildcard.

If that's you be sure to check out @FPLHollys tips on when to play your wildcard.

Del.

 

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