FPL GW3 Watchlist – Stand Out Players Who Impressed In GW2

Welcome back to the FPL Watchlist, where we’ll be discussing about some players that caught our eye during the last gameweek (GW) & who we believe should be a good bet going forwards as well. Rather than dive in on the players that everyone is targeting (bandwagon syndrome) based only on returns, let’s look at some players based on the past GW(s) performance(s) as well as their upcoming fixtures & opposition’s weaknesses. Some might already have had huge hauls & some might have been unlucky.

3 out of 4 picks from last week’s Watchlist article returned. Benrahma & Greenwood scored double-digits & DCL had a 7 point return but he should also have had a double-digit return. Mbeumo went close with a free-kick & was unlucky not to have any returns. This week, on our FPL GW3 Watchlist we look at Traore, Mount, Duffy & A. Armstrong who impressed & look like good budget options going forward as well.

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FPL GW3 Player Watchlist based on their GW2 Performance

Adama Traoré – 6m mid, 1.2% owned

GW2 performance: 2 points

Traore is a mystery to many & even more so to FPL managers. He has always been a player to watch out for whenever he has played for Wolves. It is evident that under Bruno Lage the team is looking to play attacking football. Also, with Jiménez back, they have looked like a goal hungry pack of Wolves, except that the ‘goal’ is yet to arrive this season. On his day, Traoré can easily glide past an entire opposition team and he has proven his ability to create & score gilt-edged chances. But he has underperformed massively in both the games thus far. Against Spurs, Wolves finished with a higher xG & had better metrics in almost all departments.

• Chances created – 4
• Goal attempts – 4
• Shots inside box – 3
• Penalty area touches – 12
• xG – 0.64, xA – 0.26

Next fixture: Manchester United (H)

Wolves face Manchester United next at home & should be hopeful of putting up a show for the fans. Traore could trouble Lindelof (or Varane if he makes his debut) & Maguire with his quick feet & change of pace. Hopefully he regains the composure to shoot on goal & score. Last GW, Southampton showed how United could be vulnerable with quick pressing from the front. After GW4, Wolves have a great fixture runs until GW14. If your FPL team has no immediate concerns & you have a luxury free transfer in hand, why not go for the macho man himself.

Further Read: Ivan Toney Hold or Sell? | Best FPL Forwards ahead of FPL GW3

Mason Mount – 7.5m mid, 18.9% owned

GW2 performance: 6 points (1 assist)

Chelsea annihilated Arsenal and the score line could have been much worse than a 0-2 loss with the amount of chances Chelsea had. Last season Mount created tons of chances, but owing to the lack of a reliable striker Chelsea suffered in front of goal. Much has already been said about Lukaku and around 400k managers have already bought him in to their teams already. The Chelsea striker brought back memories of Drogba harassing the Arsenal defence in years gone by. But it was another masterclass performance from the playmaker, who ran the show effortlessly. Also, Reece James played exceptionally well combining with Mount on the right side. Mount was the 2^nd most advanced player as well.

• Big chances created – 3 (most in GW2)
• Chances created – 4
• Penalty area touches – 5
• Goal attempts – 3

Next fixture: Liverpool (A)

Chelsea travel to Anfield next to face Liverpool in GW3, one of four sides yet to concede a goal yet. But, at times Liverpool have looked suspicious defensively & if not for Alisson, they would have conceded in both games. Liverpool might try to force the game onto Chelsea in front of the vocal Reds supporters. Now this could complement Chelsea players like Mount/Havertz/Werner who play as the inside forwards alongside Lukaku to run in behind the Liverpool defence. Lukaku’s holding up of the ball to facilitate this quick transition is world class & against the marauding Liverpool full backs, Mount should find the space & opportunities to run into.

Also, Liverpool conceded the 4^th most headed goal attempts (4) in GW2, so Mount being on most free kicks & corners is an added bonus. Bringing in Lukaku at 11.5m would require reallocation of midfield funds to the front & I would not suggest taking unnecessary hits to bring him in owing to the next few tight fixtures. So, Mount at 7.5m is possibly an easier & safer bet to rely on for consistent returns. After GW7 though, Lukaku should be back in the conversation.

Further Read: How and When do we Fit Lukaku in our FPL Teams | Stats Analysis

Shane Duffy – 4.1m def, 9.7% owned

GW2 performance: 14 points (1 goal, CS)

There are FPL mangers who are still haunted by that ‘triple captain Duffy’ in a double gameweek disaster! Shane Duffy became an overnight sensation before the start of that DGW34 in the 2018/19 season owing to some serious bandwagon syndrome. This season at 4.1m he has emerged as one of the best bargain picks. With the defensive injury crisis at Brighton, Duffy started both games & is considered to play regularly by Brighton fans as well. From the heatmap below, Duffy’s presence at the attacking end is quite evident & his presence adds an extra dimension to Brighton’s attacking capabilities.

• Penalty area touches – 3
• Goal attempts from set plays – 3
• Headed goal attempts – 3
• Shots on target – 1

Many FPL managers are already invested in Brighton’s defence with 4.5m GK – Sanchez. Brighton have a good fixture run until GW8, so let’s analyze whether Brighton’s stats from the opening 2 GWs bode well for us to double up on their defence. League position in these stats is included in ().

Attacking points potential –

• Attempts from crossed corners – 10 (2^nd)
• Successful corners – 8 (1^st)
• Headed goal attempts – 8 (4^th)
• xG set play – 0.65

Defensive points potential –

• Big chances conceded – 3 (3^rd)
• Attempts from set plays conceded – 5 (3^rd)
• Goal attempts in box conceded – 15 (5^th)
• Shots on target conceded – 4 (2^nd)

* Only Chelsea & Man. City have kept more clean sheets than Brighton in 2021.

Next fixture: Everton (H)

With all the above stats, there is definitely scope to double up (or triple up?) on the Brighton defence. Duffy looks like a solid option to replace Tsimikas (Robertson is back) or Amartey (Vestergaard looming). In GW3, they face Everton at home, who have conceded the 4^th most attempts from set plays & have looked error-prone. With a good dead ball specialist like Pascal Groß, Duffy can repeat his GW2 heroics again.

Further Read: FPL GW3 Differential Picks To Consider Ahead Of Gameweek 3 Deadline

Adam Armstrong – 6m forward, 3.1% owned

GW2 performance: 2 points

Armstrong was brought in by Southampton to replace the influential Danny Ings. He has experienced Premier League football at Newcastle United from 2013 – 2016. Last season he had impressed with Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Championship. He was one of the most prolific strikers in the championship & finished with the 2^nd most goals behind Ivan Toney. In the one all draw with Manchester United in GW2, he had some very good opportunities to win the match for the Saints. From the 1^st two matches, it was evident that he has developed a good understanding with Che Adams. As the season progresses, team chemistry is also bound to increase. Armstrong was the most advanced Saints player in both GW1 & 2.

• Penalty area touches – 5
• Goal attempts – 2
• Shots on target – 1
• Chances created – 1
• xG – 0.37

The stats might not be too impressive, but his positioning & spatial awareness against a top half defence like Manchester United was impressive. He is selected purely based on the eye test criteria.

Next fixture: Newcastle United (A)

In GW3, Southampton face Newcastle, who have been pretty dire defensively. They have conceded 6 goals in the opening 2 GWs. After those fixtures, they have the most big chances conceded (7), most xG conceded (4.52) and 4^th most shots on target conceded. Armstrong relies on his electric pace & along with Adams will pose an uphill task for the Toons defenders. At 6m he might be the best budget (playing) striker with incredible points potential to facilitate other big hitters like Kane & Lukaku in our team.

Further Read: FPL Gameweek 3 Team reveal, Strategy, Captaincy, and Tips

All stats & heatmaps are courtesy of Fantasy Football Scout & SofaScore respectively.

Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL Ahead of FPL GW3:

FPL GW3 Differential Picks To Consider Ahead Of Gameweek 3 Deadline
Ivan Toney Hold or Sell? | Best FPL Forwards ahead of FPL GW3
FPL Gameweek 3 Team reveal, Strategy, Captaincy, and Tips
Assessing The Eye Test Of 3 FPL Players Who Caught My Eyes In FPL GW2
How and When do we Fit Lukaku in our FPL Teams | Stats Analysis
FPL GW 2 Fixture Wise Stats Review | Key FPL Stats that Caught our Eye
FPL Gameweek 2 Fixture Wise Review From FPL Perspective | Eye Test

Check out our Rules and Basics Guide, FPL Chip Strategy, FPL Chips, FPL Team reveals, FPL History, team reveals, FPL Tools here.

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What’s next from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL GW3?

We’ll be covering Gameweek three eye test analysis and review, fixture analysis, players to watch out for in FPL Gameweek 3, differential picks, captaincy metrics, transfer trend analysis, expected line up, press conference summaries, Buy, hold, sell analysis for FPL gameweek three, our expert panel team reveals and more. Keep checking allaboutfpl.com for all our blogs and subscribe to our free newsletter through the link below. We’ll also be posting regularly about the same on our social media accounts so follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook keep our notification ON.

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