The Captaincy Master @AK_FPL1 returns with his FPL GW3 Wildcard Draft & Team Reveal. With three Top-5k finishes to his name, AK breaks down his final draft.
I was pretty certain that I would be playing a chip in Gameweek 3, but I was more certain that it would be the Free Hit. However, developments and price changes have forced me into an earlier Wildcard than anticipated. I will be pocketing the Free Hit now for later use.
Check out AK’s final FPL GW3 Wildcard team reveal here – AK’s FPL GW3 Wildcard Team Reveal | 3x Top 5K Finishes
Link to all our FPL GW3 blogs including scout picks, players to target, buy, hold, sell analysis, differentials, captaincy metrics, best forwards, and more. Completely free to access as well!
AK’s Wildcard Team Reveal for FPL GW3
Ticker from Fantasy Football Hub – Memberships are available for the 2026/27 season at a 50% discount along
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It is fun, exciting, and scary at the same time to play the Wildcard at such an early stage of the season. I have never planned to play the Wildcard chip this early into the season, but that’s just how the game has evolved, I guess.
I gambled with a non-Haaland team, and although it has not really worked out, it definitely could have been worse. Now that the Bench Boost chip has already been played in GW1, I can focus on setting the team for the longer term.
Goalkeepers
I am yet to commit here, and most likely will commit to a single playing keeper. But for now, that spot is undecided. I do not want to spend more than 9 million in price in this position. I am also thinking of taking a shot at the pair that I already own in Verbruggen (4.5) and Kinsky (4.5). I am more likely to keep Kinsky over Verbruggen though, paired up with a 4.0 keeper.
FPL GW3 Wildcard – Defenders
With Arsenal signing Ezri Konsa (4.5), it is expected that he will partner up with Gabriel (8.0) till the time Saliba returns from his injury, which should be months away. It has presented a beautiful opportunity to own an asset in the best defence of the league, at dirt-cheap price. This move has also made owning the double defence easier, and I have picked Calafiori (5.5) for now. The attacking threat is there, as is the rotation threat with Piero Hincapie (5.4) lurking in the back. I am comfortable taking that risk for the rewards on offer.
Gvardiol (5.5) has gotten off to a great start and although Manchester City are not exactly water-tight at the back yet, the Croatian is a favourite of Maresca’s it seems, and has been finding himself some attacking threat already (1 goal and 1 assist in 2 games). Newcastle United are going on a favourable run of fixtures from GW3 onwards and it’s only natural to pick Mallick Thiaw (5.0) as the fourth defender.
For the last spot, I feel getting a 4.0 defender from one of the promoted sides is valuable, as it enables us to invest money in other areas, particularly the attack. In my current set up, I needed a defender who is playable in GW6 and GW8, that can also get Defcon points. Ipswich’s Dara O’Shea (4.0) fits the bill. I am still waiting on more data from their game against Manchester United and will look into the Defcon numbers again.
Midfielders
Cole Palmer (9.6) has looked really sharp in his opening game and also started in the midweek game against Luton Town in the Carabao Cup. It looks like his fitness issues are behind him now and he seems to be enjoying life under new Head Coach Xabi Alonso.
“Physically I feel good, probably the best I’ve felt in ages, but I think I can [get fitter] with games and more minutes. Before my groin injury, I’d never really been injured. Well, rarely [injured]. So then I would just come back and play when I shouldn’t have played.”
“He [Alonso] just said I’d have more freedom to drift about the pitch. Just like you saw [against Fulham] with the goal I scored. Last season, I wouldn’t have even made that run because it’s not a ‘safe zone’. But he’s saying move across that zone, drop into play, come get on the ball, create and just do what you do.”
With encouraging quotes and no European games to deal with, picking Cole Palmer is looking like a no-brainer to me, especially with their amazing run of fixtures from GW4 onwards.
After my X post where I predicted the FPL asset playing behind Haaland to be good for points, it looks like Rayan Cherki (7.5) will be it, for now. AK on X: “FPL Eyes: The No. 10 behind Haaland is the one to watch. Foden fits it naturally, but Cherki’s got the magic feet for it too. Whoever nails down that role down could be a genuine differential steal.” / X
There are still concerns minutes-wise, as he himself said that he was about to be taken off at half time, his 2 goals against Crystal Palace in GW2 should buy him some time to produce more points.
Dominick Szoboszlai (7.0) is the ultimate FPL pick, and there is no way I am going without him. He is on set pieces, penalties, direct free kicks and also has the knack to get Defcon points if he is shifted to Right Back.
For the final 2 spots, I have gone with Morgan Gibbs-White (7.9). He took the penalty against Liverpool earlier today and if confirmed to be on them, will be a great pick. Nottingham Forest are not in Europe this year and have set up a really good team with Glasner in charge. This is assuming Illman Ndiaye (6.0) is off from Everton. If not, I would not hesitate to include Ndiaye over MGW in my team.
As for the final spot, I have gone for Mamadou Sangare (5.6) from Brentford. We all knew that he would be great for defcon numbers, but he has also chipped in with 2 assists in his Premier League debut. He has also assisted in the mid-week after coming on against Birmingham City in the Carabao Cup and is making a mockery of his price. Expectations from him for returning with Goals/Assists need to be kept low, but he definitely has the potential to chip in with a few should definitely be documented.
FPL GW3 Wildcard – Forwards
Erling Haaland (15.5) is back in my team in the Wildcard and I had forgotten about the scary feeling of not having him, until now. He may look invisible during games, but as soon as he gets that ball in the box, you know he will just score. It’s good to own him again and possibly captain him in GW3 vs Coventry (H).
Joao Pedro (7.6) keeps his place in the team, as he looks to be in really good form, with some great fixtures up ahead after playing Arsenal (A) in GW3.
The final pick on the wildcard is Yoane Wissa (6.0). He has surprised a few people with how sharp he has looked in his game against Liverpool in their season opener. The Newcastle penalties could also be up for grabs if Woltemade (6.0) is not on the field. Could Wissa be on them? He does have a decent record of 13 penalties scored out of 15 in his career, and took one for his country in the World Cup, this past summer.
Full FPL GW3 Wildcard Team
Blog will be periodically updated between now and Friday’s GW3 deadline.
Further reads from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL GW3
FPL GW3 Scout Selection based on Stats, Analysis and Matchups
FPL GW3 Team Selection- Transfer Plans and Chip Strategy
2026/27 FPL Chip Strategy Guide – First Half of the Season
AK’s FPL GW3 Wildcard Team Reveal | 3x Top 5K Finishes
FPL GW3 Free Hit Guide – Tips, Players to Target and Best Drafts
FPL GW3 Wildcard Guide- Best Drafts for Different Strategies with Pros, Cons and Key Notes
FPL Gameweek 3 Transfer Tips: Players to Buy, Avoid, Sell & Hold
FPL GW3 Ultimate Guide: Tips, Captaincy, Differentials & More
Link to all our FPL GW3 blogs, including buy, hold, sell analysis, differentials, captaincy metrics, transfer targets, and more. Completely free to access as well!
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