Welcome back to the Hive FPL head to head previews for game week 3.
This is a tricky post to write not least of all because the transfer deadline closes at 11pm (BST) this Friday, 12 hours before the GW3 deadline and there's likely to be a fair bit of activity prior to that.
By the time this post is finished and published, the likes of Raheem Sterling (MID), Ivan Toney (FWD) and Kieran Trippier (DEF), all popular FPL picks over recent seasons may have made a move.
As for individual teams, there are still plenty of questions to be answered that will have FPL managers interested. Will Arsenal buy a centre forward, will United reinforce their midfield, will Liverpool sign.... anyone?
Of course, we know that Chelsea will need to be busy this week, potentially with incomings but certainly with outgoings as the manager looks trim down a squad that can't possibly all fit into the changing rooms at their Cobham training ground let alone into a match day squad.
As for fixtures this week, it's a nominal 'top of the table' clash between Arsenal and Brighton. The Gunners are yet to concede this season but will be challenged on Saturday by a team playing some free flowing football.
Elsewhere, Brentford play a Southampton side looking for a first goal on their return to the Premier League. Before you rush to buy in Bees defenders, you might want to check their fixture list going forwards.
There are big matches at Everton, Leicester and Ipswich who are all looking for a first win of the season. Another defeat for any of the 3 involved and the panic might just start to creep in.
Champions Man City travel to West Ham who got their first victory in GW2 under their new boss Julen Lopetegui who was of course a one time teammate of Pep Guardiola.
On Sunday, Spurs travel to Newcastle in a fixture that has often turned into a bit of a nightmare for them. They haven't kept a clean sheet at St James park since 2017 and have conceded 4 of more goals in 3 of their last 8 visits to the North East.
Meanwhile, will Chelsea's demolition job on Wolves last weekend prompt FPL managers to put faith in their assets at home to a struggling Palace team? Eagles fans will be counting down the minutes to the transfer window closing in the hope that they don't lose any more of their star players.
The cherry on the cake comes in the form of United v Liverpool. Arne Slot's side has looked assured in the early part of the season which is more than can be said for a Ten Hag team still struggling to find an identity. However, these big matches seem to bring out the best in the United players. Liverpool's trips to Old Trafford last season finished in a 2-2 draw in the league plus the epic 4-3 win for United in the cup. More of that please!
Division 1
GW2 Results
GW3 Fixtures
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Another week, another chip played. BlockchainFPL followed their bench boost in GW1 with a wildcard in GW2, a bold move before the transfer window shuts and the season really gets started. The ploy didn't work out in GW2 as the lack of Haaland as captain couldn't be overcome, even with the points that Salah (MID) and Palmer (MID) offered.
This week, they'll have a big interest in the Liverpool match at United with both full-backs in the team while it's interesting that they've opted against an Arsenal defender, at least for now...
Skander will be looking for Haaland (FWD) to continue his excellent start to the season and for Newcastle's Isak (FWD) and Gordon (MID) to get on the scoresheet against Spurs. The former has 4 goals in 3 previous appearances against the North London team.
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Neither side was able to build on their opening win, suffering defeat in their GW2 match and leaving them with identical records of won 1, lost 1, 140 points total.
Solat FC's ploy of doubling down on Arsenal defenders has worked well so far with Raya (GK) also picking up bonus points for his performances this season. By contrast, Hungry Lions have 2 Palace defensive assets in Henderson (GK) who must start and Munoz (DEF). With the real possibility that Palace will have lost both their starting centre-backs by the weekend, the hope that FPL managers had for them being a difficult team to score against may be fading fast.
Into midfield and both teams will be disappointed that a couple of their picks in Adringa (MID) and Garnacho (MID) have been left on the bench in the opening rounds. That being said the Brighton man has still managed to deliver a goal and an assist, while United's young Argentinian really should have 2 goals this season but for a horror miss and moment of bad fortune.
Mateta (FWD) returned to goalscoring form in the EFL cup and Solat FC will hope that Watkins (FWD) has packed his scoring boots for the short trip to Leicester. Those 2 players will essentially have to overcome the scoring machine of Haaland (FWD).
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Likodra FC are one of just 3 teams with a 100% record in Division 1, underlining the competitive nature of the top flight H2H league. For their part, Whyte FC got their first win of the season in GW2, largely thanks to Haaland's (FWD) impressive haul.
At the back, Likodra FC have far more flexibility in their choice of keeper and might well bring Nick Pope (GK) in for the home game against Spurs as opposed to chancing Henderson (GK) whose Palace side face a rampant Chelsea, fresh off the back of scoring 6 at Wolves on Sunday. Otherwise in defence, the likely differentials in the starting XI will both be Arsenal players.
Into midfield and Likodra FC took the option to bring in Phil Foden (MID) for GW2 but forgot the golden rule of FPL - Pep Guardiola hates FPL managers! They ultimately have the depth in their squad to cope with his absence but it's still a lot of money to have sitting on the bench.
Whyte FC may face a similar problem with Nkunku (MID) who was left on the bench for Chelsea's win and is likely to find it difficult to get back into the starting XI given the performances of some of those who did play.
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No win yet for Suffragette City who are experiencing another slow start to the season. By contrast, INEOS REVIVAL were able to get their campaign up and running with victory in GW2.
The most obvious point when comparing the teams is the lack of differentials in the forward positions, meaning this game will be one in defence and midfield.
In that regard, a Fulham defender on either side could well cancel each other out leaving the primary differential as Alexander-Arnold (DEF). The Liverpool full-back face a trip to Old Trafford this weekend and it's noticeable that he's been subbed off at around the 70 min mark in both games so far. Is that a result of a shortened pre-season or a reflection on his weaker defensive qualities as Liverpool look to close the game out? Time will tell but FPL managers will hope for maximum minutes on the pitch for the most expensive defender in the game.
In midfield, there are some good inter-club battles with Salah (MID) vs Jota (MID) and Gordon (MID) vs Murphy (MID). The later has been rewarded for a good pre-season with a starting place in both games so far. Suffragette City's Eze (MID) and Ineos Revival's Fernandes (MID) have both blanked in their opening games despite having very good xG. Surely the barren run will end for at least one of those players this weekend.
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Defending H2H champions Shamzy FC's poor start to the season continued as they hit a score well below average in GW2 to record a 2nd successive defeat.
The big differences in this game come at the back. Both teams have 2 keepers who are starters for their relevant clubs and 5 genuine options in the backline too. Shamzy FC look likely to be reliant on Arsenal keeping a 3rd clean sheet of the season against a free Brighton. Lewis (DEF) and Gvardiol (DEF) of City may cancel each other out meaning that the result of the Newcastle v Spurs game could be a key factor with Shamzy having Burns (DEF) and Vickoly having Udogie (DEF).
Shamzy FC might be able to match off the points of Alexander-Arnold (DEF) if they transfers out Reece James (DEF). The perennially injury full-back is actually suspended at the moment but you'd be a brave man to expect him to play a good chunk of any Premier League season.
Further forward and Shamzy FC will be hoping that Gibbs-White (MID) can celebrate his first England call-up by scoring against his old club Wolves. Meanwile, Vickoly are looking for Mateta (FWD) to get his first goal of the EPL season after a brace in midweek.
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We had to wait almost half a season to get a drawn match in Division 1 last year but Nonz FC were involved in one as early as GW2 this time around to secure their first point of 24/25.
Not a huge number of differentials on this one and if both teams stay true to picking the attacking full-back they have in common as part of a back 3 then it leaves just 1 defensive differential to choose from.
Nonz FC could go for Mazraoui (DEF) who appears more likely to produce an attacking return but United face a tough game against Liverpool. Alternatively, they could back Burn (DEF) at home to Spurs. Lazz will probably opt for Gabriel (DEF) given Arsenal's defensive record. Andersen (DEF) would be more of a gamble in regards whether he's given a starting place even though Fulham face an Ipswich side still looking for their first points of the season.
Into midfield and at the time of writing, McTominay (MID) is still a United player. However, it appears there's a very good chance that by the time kick-off rolls around he won't even be a Premier League player. That will leave Lazz either looking for a transfer of their own or baking on Mario Jr (MID) who has 13 Premier League goal involvements since debuting 7 years ago.
For their part, with Solanke (FWD) only rated 50/50 to play on Sunday, then Nonz's hand may also be forced. However, they have a strong looking midfield with Gordon (MID) and Smith-Rowe (MID) both enjoying favourable fixtures.
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Newly promoted Simcard FC are finding Division 1 all too easy as their 2nd win of the season puts them top of the table. Legion FC got fortuitous victory in GW2 with a below average score.
There's a nice intra-club battle here with Lewis (DEF) so far being preferred at right-back to Walker (DEF). Pep has given the England internationals in his squad a little longer to come back into the side after the Euros. Will this be the game he reintroduces them or has the youngest now supplanted Walker as first choice?
Legion FC have a selection issue with Nkunku (MID) and Dendoncker (MID) unlikely to start while Fraser (FWD) is out injured for both sides. It means they'll almost certainly need to transfer in a midfielder or otherwise play with 5 defenders.
For Simcard FC, Gibbs-White (MID), Fernandes (MID) and Joao-Pedro (FWD) all face difficult opposition this week, will that prompt them to bring in a player with a more favourable match-up?
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HallAnd Oats FC are 1 of just 3 sides with a 100% record in the division with FC McKane unable to follow-up on their opening round win.
At the back, FC McKane will be concerned that neither Zinchenko (DEF) or Tuanzebe (DEF) scored points last week. The former in particular is an expensive defender to have in the side if he's not starting the vast majority of games. Expect HallAnd Oats FC to continue with their 3 good full-back options for this game with Robinson (DEF) providing an important differential.
Garnacho's (MID) lack of starts and Eze's (MID) lack of points will be a concern for FC McKane as will the fact that both their other attacking differentials have far tougher fixtures than the equivalent Halland Oats' players.
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Both sides recorded 80+ points in GW2 but neither tasted victory. For Herbae that was as much a result of the 8 points it cost them to reshape their team.
At the back, Herbae will be waiting on fitness news for Cash (DEF) who limped off early in the game against Arsenal. Even if he's not fit, they appear to have enough depth to cover at the back. Perhaps the same can't be said of Yagman FC whose 4 defensive differentials delivered just 1 point between them in GW2.
Herbae are banking on Chelsea to continue where they left off against Wolves. Saka (MID) at home to Brighton looks like a key pick while Yagman will be hoping that we get the kind of open matches at Old Trafford we saw in both the league and cup last season in order for Salah (MID) and Fernandes (MID) to prosper.
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2 sides made up entirely of differentials! That's the first time this has happened in the history of Division 1.
On the basis of last week's results I know which squad I prefer! Espressos fell just short of becoming the first team to hit the 100 point mark this season with 4 of their players hitting double figures in GW2.
Espressos squad mix which includes 2 budget midfielders does mean that they are highly likely to play a back 4 in this game so it'll be interesting to see if they stick with the 2 Spurs defenders who face a tough fixture away at Newcastle.
Creekside FC have the issue of having Trossard (MID) and Martinelli (MID) in their squad, 2 players who appear to be competing for the same position at Arsenal. Of course with the signing of Raheem Sterling (MID) that might dilute the available minutes of those 2 even further. Similarly, Nketiah's (FWD) arrival at Palace will provide competition for Mateta (FWD) but Creekside will be relieved that Chelsea failed to bring in another centre forward, leaving Jackson (FWD) as a pretty decent option in an otherwise bloated Blues squad where rotation appears a given.
