Fantasy Premier League

The Scout’s FPL Gameweek 3 Ones to watch

22 Aug 2023

See the five players backed to deliver big hauls this weekend, including Man City’s Phil Foden

The Scout is tipping five players for big success in Gameweek 3 of 2023/24 Fantasy Premier League ahead of Friday’s 18:30 BST deadline.

Phil Foden (Man City) £7.5m

The Manchester City midfielder is thriving in a central role due to an injury to Kevin De Bruyne (£10.3m).

Foden has stepped up as his side’s playmaker in the Belgian’s absence, supplying the assist for the winner scored by Julian Alvarez (£6.5m) against Newcastle United last weekend to collect nine points.

Foden's assist v Newcastle

Pick that one out! 🎯🤟 pic.twitter.com/cQgmKoyx8N
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 19, 2023

The England international has created nine chances in the opening two Gameweeks, more than any team-mate.

SHU

1-2

MCI

TV Info - Broadcasters

A trip to Sheffield United starts a favourable run of matches that gives Foden the opportunity to continue his influential displays on Pep Guardiola’s attack.

According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), four of Man City’s next five matches score only two.

See: Analysis of Foden's masterclass in new Man City role

Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) £7.0m

Chelsea’s summer signing has frustrated his 16 per cent ownership in Fantasy with back-to-back blanks against Liverpool and West Ham United.

Nonetheless, Jackson has been the standout goal threat for Mauricio Pochettino’s side in those encounters.

CHE

3-0

LUT

TV Info - Broadcasters

Indeed, his six shots in the box are at least twice the total of any team-mate.

Chelsea’s kind upcoming schedule looks very encouraging for backers of the Senegal international.

Five of their next six matches score just two in the FDR, beginning with a pair of home matches against Luton Town and Nottingham Forest.

Chelsea's next six matches

GW	Opp.	FDR	GW	Opp.	FDR
3	LUT (H)	2	6	AVL (H)	3
4	NFO (H)	2	7	FUL (A)	2
5	BOU (A)	2	8	BUR (A)	2

Pedro Porro (Spurs) £4.9m

The Spaniard’s return to the Tottenham Hotspur line-up helped them claim their first clean sheet of the season in a 2-0 home win over Manchester United last Saturday.

Porro was a big success in his debut campaign in 2022/23 Fantasy thanks to his all-round style of play.

BOU

0-2

TOT

TV Info - Broadcasters

His average of 4.4 points per start ranked second among team-mates last season, after three goals, three assists and two clean sheets in those 13 outings.

See: Scout Selection: Best FPL team for Gameweek 3

Having dropped £0.1m in cost in Fantasy, Porro has the short-term schedule to immediately reward investors.

Each of Spurs’ next three matches, against AFC Bournemouth, Burnley and Sheff Utd, score just two in the FDR.

Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) £8.0m

Arsenal’s Brazilian has remained relatively overlooked in Fantasy ahead of a home meeting with Fulham.

ARS

2-2

FUL

TV Info - Broadcasters

Whereas Bukayo Saka (£8.6m) is found in over 66 per cent of squads, Martinelli has an ownership of only 15 per cent.

Although Martinelli blanked in the corresponding fixture last season, the numbers suggest he can deliver a big haul this time around.

Indeed, his total of seven shots against the Cottagers in Gameweek 4 was the most he managed in any match in 2022/23.

Fulham’s poor defensive form in 2023/24 only adds to Martinelli’s appeal.

They have conceded nine big chances, 29 shots in the box and 17 shots on target, with each of those totals ranking among the worst three in the league this season.