Welcome to FPL PAZ’s (Twitter) Best Matchups series, where I highlight the three best fixtures in each gameweek and the players to target in each fixture. The goal is to help managers look at the best matchups to exploit and the best players to target each gameweek. Let’s get into our FPL GW3 players to target and matchups blog!
All chances created and conceded heatmap from FFScout
FPL GW3 Fixtures & Players to Target | Best Matchups
Manchester United vs Liverpool
Bookie Odds Total Goals: 3
Liverpool Team Analysis
Back-to-back draws are not the start that Liverpool envisioned this season. Offensively, Liverpool has spread around their chances created, but most of them are coming down the right flank, with Salah and TAA doing most of the damage. Defensively, the injuries to Konate and Matip have exposed Liverpool’s high line, but Liverpool has limited the amount of Chances conceded. In GW3, Liverpool will face a Manchester United defense who are in absolute shambles. United conceded plenty of chances down the left, making assets like Robertson and Diaz more appealing. Defensively, Liverpool needs to contain United’s wingers from getting behind their high line to avoid any dangers. Overall, Liverpool will be motivated to get the first win of their season, and given United’s defensive struggles, this could be another Liverpool thumping.
Further Read: FPL Stats Of Shithousery | GW2 Team Of The Weak
Manchester United Team Analysis
Where do we even start with Manchester United? The defense keeps allowing chances left and right, conceding the joint most goals in the league. Offensively, United has no cohesion, and no players have even looked remotely close to being decent fantasy options. Against Liverpool, United will have to contain the right flank to try and neutralize Liverpool’s attack. On attack, United will have to use speedy players like Rashford and Sancho to get behind Liverpool’s high line. Overall, I think Liverpool will be extra motivated to get their first win of the season, so this could be an ugly night for Manchester United.
Players to Target in FPL GW3 from the Manchester United vs Liverpool Fixture(Ranked)
- Mohammad Salah (£13.0): Still has never scored in GW2 but faces a Manchester United side he loves to score against. Last season Salah had 5 goals and 2 assists in two league games against United.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5): slightly disappointing with no clean sheets or attacking returns. Still posting a 1.18 xGI leading all defenders. The returns are coming, and they can start in GW3 against a weak United defense.
- Luis Diaz (£8.0): Scored a Golazo against Palace. Without Nunez on the field, Diaz seems to have more freedom to drift inside. He should have a field day against a weak United defense, conceding most of their chances down the left flank.
- Andrew Robertson (£7.0): Similar to TAA, Robertson has disappointed managers with just 3 points in their first two games. Should have an improved performance against a United side conceding plenty of chances down the left flank.
- Allison (£5.5): With Konate and Matip injured, Allison offers the cheapest alternative to the Liverpool defense. Does not make that many saves, so it should either be a 2 or 6-pointer for Allison.
Arsenal vs Bournemouth
Bookie Odds Total Goals: 2.5
Arsenal Team Analysis
The Jesus show was off and running for Arsenal in GW3 as the Brazilian was involved in all four of Arsenal’s goals. For the first two GWs, Arsenal’s attack has been focused down the middle, with Jesus and Martinelli doing most of the damage. There is some worry regarding Saka’s lack of production, but the return of Tomiyasu could allow Saka to be freer on the attack. Defensively, teams have been targeting Zinchenko on defense as most of the Chances Conceded by Arsenal have come down the Ukrainian flank. Bournemouth creates most of their chances down the middle, so as long as the Arsenal defense contains the middle, then they will be on track for another clean sheet in GW3. Overall, Arsenal should dominate this fixture, making both their attacking and defensive assets must-haves in GW3.
Bournemouth Team Analysis
After their impressive GW1 win, Bournemouth was hit with the harsh reality of the Premier League in GW2 as they got demolished by Manchester City. Now they face an Arsenal side who are hitting on all cylinders. Offensively, we need to see whether forward Solanke starts but for Bournemouth to have any luck against Arsenal, they will have to attack down Zinchenko’s flank. Defensively, Bournemouth needs to limit the chances from corners as Arsenal has good aerial threats like Gabriel. This fixture against Arsenal will present problems for Bournemouth, so I would avoid any of Bournemouth’s assets for now.
Players to Target in FPL GW3 from the Arsenal vs Bournemouth Fixture(Ranked)
- Gabriel Jesus (£8.0): Arsenal’s man of the moment after a 19-point haul with 2 goals and 2 assists. Now faces a Bournemouth side with the 8th most xGC over the season and most of their chances conceded are down the middle.
- Gabriel Martinelli (£6.2): The best value midfielder in the game continues to impress with 2 goals in as many matches. Against Bournemouth, he can find success making those darting runs down the middle.
- Bukayo Saka (£8.0): Has not gotten to the best start with only 1 attacking return despite Arsenal scoring 6 goals in their first two matches. xGI of 0.70 is not ideal, but with a favorable matchup against Bournemouth, he is a great player to target.
- Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.1): Zinchenko has looked lively in his first two games for Arsenal. Leads all Arsenal defenders with an xGI of 0.61. Now plays a Bournemouth side that allows a big portion of their chances down the flanks
- Gabriel (£5.0): A consistent cog in the Arsenal defense. Gabriel could have a big game against Bournemouth thanks to his aerial ability as the Cherries have allowed most of their chances from corners. Big potential for a clean sheet and attacking returns here for the Brazilian.
Spurs vs Wolves
Bookie Odds Total Goals: 2.5
Spurs Team Analysis
It took until the second half for Spurs to start playing decently against Chelsea. Their performance was not the most impressive, but they still managed a 2-2 draw against Chelsea. Offensively, most of Spurs’ chances have been generated down the right flank and from Kane dropping deep and picking off passes to the wingbacks. Defensively, teams have managed to create chances down the middle against Spurs despite having strong central defenders such as Dier and Romero. In GW3, Spurs have a great matchup against a Wolves side who conceded most of their chances through the flanks. This might be a Son game as his counterattacking runs down the flanks could be the Key to unlocking the Wolves’ defense. Overall, Spurs enter a favorable stretch of games beginning with GW3 making their assets must targets.
Further Read: FPL GW3 Wildcard Team & Drafts To Consider | Wildcard Guide
Wolves Team Analysis
A couple of bad breaks have made Wolves underperform their underlying offensive stats with just 1 goal from a 2.73 xG. Defensively, Wolves have been decent with 2 goals conceded from a xGC of 2.29. In GW3, Wolves will have to attack Spurs down the middle, which can prove difficult with the absence of Centre Forward Raul Jimenez. Defensively, Wolves will have to prevent the Spurs wingbacks and Son/Kulusevski from getting behind their defense via the flanks. Overall, GW3 will prove to be difficult for Wolves, so their assets are avoids in this gameweek.
Players to Target in FPL GW3 from the Spurs vs Wolves Fixture(Ranked)
- Heung-Min Son (£12.0): A bit underwhelming this season with only 1 attacking return. Son should pick it up against a Wolves side that allows plenty of chances down the flanks.
- Harry Kane (£11.5): A great header against Chelsea punished all those managers who sold him. Still, he is the creative cog in the Spurs attack as he is involved in everything they do. Kane is a great player to have going into GW3.
- Dejan Kulusevski (£8.1): Kulu had a quiet game in GW2, primarily due to the strong defensive presence of Cucurella and Koulibaly. Should go back to his GW1 form against a Wolves struggling to defend down the right flank.
- Ivan Perisic (£5.4): Admittedly, Perisic is a huge risk for those trying to buy him in GW3. However, he showed what he could do in little minutes of action with an assist against Chelsea. The only way he can regain full fitness is to get minutes, so those should increase going into GW3.
- Emerson Royal (£5.0): Spurs wingbacks are a cheat code. With Doherty struggling to regain full form, Royal should continue to see minutes. Not the best end product, but still capable of hauls as seen in GW1.
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