Fantasy Premier League Rankings: Gameweek 3

Fantasy Premier League Rankings: Gameweek 3

This article is part of our Fantasy Premier League Rankings series.

I have been asked by a few people to expand the weekly rankings to help those in deeper leagues, so instead of going with 20 forwards, 20 midfielders, 20 defenders and 10 goalkeepers, I've gone with 25, 44, 34 and 10, respectively, this week. If you have any feedback (positive or negative), please leave a comment below, hit me up on Twitter @RotoWireAndrew or reach out in our subscriber Discord chat.

For detailed stats and odds, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Gameweek 3 Cheat Sheet.

Updated Friday morning (EDT).

FORWARDS

RankPlayerTeamOPPH/AWIN%CS%FPL PriceNotes
1Harry KaneTOTNEWH78.3151.4111.0Kane was amazingly invisible against Man City, but home against Newcastle is making people consider a triple captain in the Premier League's official game (I wouldn't do it).
2Sergio AgueroMCIBOUA79.3846.3412.0The rift with Pep seems overblown, and a hat trick and huge hug as he walks off the pitch at 75 minutes wouldn't surprise anyone.
3Roberto FirminoLIVARSH64.8732.489.5Two games, two appearances on the scoresheet. Oh, and people will tell you the hat trick he scored against Arsenal at Anfield last season matters.
4Marcus RashfordMUNCRYH69.0846.348.6Rashford and Anthony Martial are finally playing like we always wanted them to, and after Paul Pogba's saved penalty on Monday, Rashford may have more of the subsequent chances; unfortunately, OGS isn't

I have been asked by a few people to expand the weekly rankings to help those in deeper leagues, so instead of going with 20 forwards, 20 midfielders, 20 defenders and 10 goalkeepers, I've gone with 25, 44, 34 and 10, respectively, this week. If you have any feedback (positive or negative), please leave a comment below, hit me up on Twitter @RotoWireAndrew or reach out in our subscriber Discord chat.

For detailed stats and odds, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Gameweek 3 Cheat Sheet.

Updated Friday morning (EDT).

FORWARDS

RankPlayerTeamOPPH/AWIN%CS%FPL PriceNotes
1Harry KaneTOTNEWH78.3151.4111.0Kane was amazingly invisible against Man City, but home against Newcastle is making people consider a triple captain in the Premier League's official game (I wouldn't do it).
2Sergio AgueroMCIBOUA79.3846.3412.0The rift with Pep seems overblown, and a hat trick and huge hug as he walks off the pitch at 75 minutes wouldn't surprise anyone.
3Roberto FirminoLIVARSH64.8732.489.5Two games, two appearances on the scoresheet. Oh, and people will tell you the hat trick he scored against Arsenal at Anfield last season matters.
4Marcus RashfordMUNCRYH69.0846.348.6Rashford and Anthony Martial are finally playing like we always wanted them to, and after Paul Pogba's saved penalty on Monday, Rashford may have more of the subsequent chances; unfortunately, OGS isn't just naming Rashford the penalty taker, which always means Pogba could snipe a few.
5Raul JimenezWOLBURH52.4041.217.5Jimenez has taken multiple shots in both Premier League games this season, but his goals are coming in Europa League play.
6Jamie VardyLEISHFA41.7535.648.9One shot, zero chances created and zero fouls drawn in two matches is a bit concerning.
7Teemu PukkiNORCHEH22.4615.096.8On pace for 76 goals this season
8Pierre-Emerick AubameyangARSLIVA16.349.8311.0The Liverpool defense is obviously great, but these matches are usually not low scoring.
9Gabriel JesusMCIBOUA79.3846.349.5Jesus is certainly not going to start as much as Aguero, but his upside is as high as anyone else's when he's in the first XI (and he'd be higher if we knew he was starting).
10Olivier GiroudCHENORA52.4027.967.0Tammy Abraham has done nothing to solidify this job, though neither has Giroud. Is iime for Michy Batshuayi after he scored a brace in a U-23 match this week?
11Gerard DeulofeuWATWHUH47.0127.686.4He's not going to be a consistent shot-taker or chance-creator, but Deulofeu can always break out in easier matchups.
12Dominic Calvert-LewinEVEAVLA44.2726.096.0Calvert-Lewin continues to start, but this has to be Moise Kean's job at some point.
13Glenn MurrayBHASOUH39.6430.086.0It seems like Neal Maupay should be starting, right?
14Diogo JotaWOLBURH52.4041.216.5A really poor start to the season, but home against Burnley is always a prime spot.
15Alexandre LacazetteARSLIVA16.349.839.5Despite the lopsided odds in favor of Liverpool, only one match this weekend has a higher total at most sportsbooks.
16WesleyAVLEVEH29.2920.286.0There's plenty of talk about the Aston Villa midfield, but they need some production up front.
17Che AdamsSOUBHAA32.7325.895.9The bad: Adams has zero shots on goal and one chance created in 141 minutes. The good: only 10 players have more touches in the box, and he has 3x more than Ings.
18Andre GrayWATWHUH47.0127.685.9Gray could get a start in place of the injured Troy Deeney, though Danny Welbeck and Ismaila Sarr (midfielder on FPL) could get the spot as well.
19Sebastien HallerWHUWATA26.1219.647.4I guarantee you I am lower on Haller this season than most, and this matchup doesn't make me feel any better about him. He's also coming off injury, so we could get another start for Chicharito, who scored last week.
20Danny IngsSOUBHAA32.7325.896.0No revenge goal narrative this week, but now he's hot!
21Ashley BarnesBURWOLA19.8622.126.6This is starting to feel like Jamie Vardy in that he can score against anyone.
22Christian BentekeCRYMUNA11.0811.366.0One of my favorite Benteke goals came against Manchester United.
23Joshua KingBOUMCIH7.225.836.5Bournemouth's best bet for a goal is a penalty, right?
24Moise KeanEVEAVLA44.2726.096.9He'd obviously be much higher on this list if I knew he was starting.
25Neal MaupayBHASOUH39.6430.086.0Same situation as Kean
26Danny WelbeckWATWHUH47.0127.686.0Could get his first Watford start against West Ham, though Andre Gray is fully fit to replace Deeney in the lineup.

MIDFIELDERS

RankPlayerTeamOPPH/AWIN%CS%FPL PriceNotes
1Mohamed SalahLIVARSH64.8732.4812.5Liverpool are playing in a match they are heavy favorites in and multiple goals are expected. 
2Raheem SterlingMCIBOUA79.3846.3412.2No player has more touches in the box this season than Sterling.
3Kevin De BruyneMCIBOUA79.3846.349.6Twenty four players have created at least four chances through two matches this season; KDB is the only one with more than eight (12).
4Sadio ManeLIVARSH64.8732.4811.5While I will almost always have Salah higher than Mane, the latter could absolutely TORCH the Arsenal back line this weekend.
5Anthony MartialMUNCRYH69.0846.347.7Martial looks right at home as United's no. 9, and there's a very real chance he leads them in goals this season.
6Jack GrealishAVLEVEH29.2920.286.0The Villa attack is really flying thanks to their midfielders, and Grealish is the top guy.
7Christian EriksenTOTNEWH78.3151.418.9Eriksen is playing like he wishes he played for anyone else.
8Erik LamelaTOTNEWH78.3151.416.0While Eriksen looks awful, Lamela looks like he's ready to take over his spot in the lineup.
9James MaddisonLEISHFA41.7535.647.0Sheffield are pretty strong defensively, but Maddison is able to produce against anyone.
10Mason MountCHENORA52.4027.966.1Mount has played a huge role early on for Chelsea, and the biggest benefit might be the total absence of Ross Barkley from the fantasy conversation.
11Lucas MouraTOTNEWH78.3151.417.5He's made the scoresheet in both matches this season, though the return of Son Heung-Min could keep him on the bench.
12Gylfi SigurdssonEVEAVLA44.2726.098.0Sigurdsson has been horrible the first two matches, but he could take on a bigger role if Lucas Digne is forced to miss out this weekend.
13John McGinnAVLEVEH29.2920.285.6If there's one guy at Villa who might be better than Grealish, it's McGinn.
14RicharlisonEVEAVLA44.2726.098.0Zero shots on goal and one chance created isn't ideal, but his six total shots and six fouls drawn are encouraging.
15Paul PogbaMUNCRYH69.0846.348.6His days on penalties should be over, but as long as OGS doesn't specifically say it's Rashford, there's always a chance for Pogba.
16Riyad MahrezMCIBOUA79.3846.348.5The injury to Leroy Sane was supposed to make the Man City rotation a bit easier, but Mahrez getting benched after two assists in the opener is super annoying. Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan could always have spots in the starting XI, and that's not even considering the possibility that Fernandinho and Rodri start together in big games. Other than Sterling and KDB, it's really tough to rely on any of them.
17PedroCHENORA52.4027.967.0The Norwich defense should certainly allow for some attacking points, and Pedro comes in with seven chances created in two games, including five away to Manchester United.
18Dani CeballosARSLIVA16.349.835.6Ceballos looked awesome last weekend against Burnley (I know, I know, it's Burnley), and with goals to be scored, why not grab Arsenal's presumed set-piece taker?
19Emiliano BuendiaNORCHEH22.4615.096.0Not the easiest matchup but Norwich will attack anyone.
20Son Heung-MinTOTNEWH78.3151.419.5Unfortunately, Spurs are best when Son is on the pitch, and he's eligible to return this weekend. The only thing keeping me from moving him up is that he may not start right away.
21Christian PulisicCHENORA52.4027.967.5Pulisic had a pretty forgettable first Premier League start last week, but playing Norwich should allow him to create his first chance.
22Roberto PereyraWATWHUH47.0127.685.9Despite playing only 135 minutes, Pererya leads Watford in shots and co-leads them in touches in the box.
23Todd CantwellNORCHEH22.4615.094.6Buendia has the set pieces but Cantwell has been their most productive midfielder.
24Daniel JamesMUNCRYH69.0846.346.0James seems to be all over the pitch, but he has just two shots and zero chances created through two appearances (105 minutes).
25Johann Berg GudmundssonBURWOLA19.8622.126.0Dwight McNeil has been taking more shots but Gudmundsson has been creating more chances.
26Joao MoutinhoWOLBURH52.4041.215.5Ruben Neves long-distance goals are always fun, but Moutinho's role on set pieces will always keep him of interest when they're favored.
27Leandro TrossardBHASOUH39.6430.086.0Pascal Gross will get more attention, but with his set pieces possibly being eaten by others, let's focus on the guy who does more in open play.
28Oliver NorwoodSHFLEIH29.3525.965.0The set pieces are nice, and he leads Sheffield in chances created, but Norwood's upside is always going to be limited due to his lack of shots.
29Nathan RedmondSOUBHAA32.7325.896.4Co-leads Southampton in touches in the box and shots
30TrezeguetAVLEVEH29.2920.285.5Three Aston Villa midfielders in the top 30 seems silly, but Trezeguet deserves a spot with the second-most shots and most touches in the box.
31Dwight McNeilBURWOLA19.8622.126.0I really want McNeil to be better than JBG, but he's not quite there yet overall.
32Youri TielemansLEISHFA41.7535.646.5Last season's Tielemans looked a lot better than this season's.
33Tanguy NdombeleTOTNEWH78.3151.416.1Ndombele has made the scoresheet in both of his Premier League starts after doing so eight times in 34 appearances (31 starts) last season in Ligue 1. Who said the Premier League is better than France's top flight?
34Anwar El GhaziAVLEVEH29.2920.285.5El Ghazi needs to work on his accuracy a bit, as only one of his five shots was on target and none of his nine crosses were key passes.
35Felipe AndersonWHUWATA26.1219.646.9Missed last weekend's match with a slight injury but should come back in against a Watford side that allowed three goals to Brighton in their home opener. If not, Robert Snodgrass could be back on set pieces.
36Luke FreemanSHFLEIH29.3525.965.5Took some corners away from Norwood last week and could start if John Fleck sits out due to injury.
37James Ward-ProwseSOUBHAA32.7325.896.0Continues to take most of Southampton's set pieces, though they haven't led to much.
38Nicolas PepeARSLIVA16.349.839.4Every shot he's taken has been on target and he's averaging 4.22 chances created per 90 minutes.
39Pascal GrossBHASOUH39.6430.086.5Gross has already shared set pieces with Solomon March, and the potential addition of Aaron Mooy to the starting XI only takes more away.
40Adama TraoreWOLBURH52.4041.215.0People (me included!) get really excited about how good Traore is when he plays, but his numbers as a starter leave plenty to be desired. Plus, Matt Doherty left Monday's match with an illness, so it's certainly possible he starts this weekend.
41Manuel LanziniWHUWATA26.1219.646.5Lanzini is able to display his creativity more when Felipe isn't on the pitch, but that doesn't mean they can't co-exist well against Watford.
42Alex IwobiEVEAVLA44.2726.095.9It's only a matter of time before Iwobi supplants Bernard in the starting XI, and this weekend would be a great time.
43Wilfried ZahaCRYMUNA11.0811.367.0Only three players have more touches in the box this season and they've all played at least 58 more minutes than Zaha. Also, revenge game!
44Ayoze PerezLEISHFA41.7535.646.5Ayoze started off last season with seven straight appearances (six starts) without getting on the scoresheet, taking just six shots and creating two chances. None of that really applies to this season, but it at least looks similar.
45Ismaila SarrWATWHUH47.0127.686.5Sarr has reportedly been impressive in training now that he's fully fit, and there's a chance he starts this weekend ahead of Gray and Welbeck.

DEFENDERS

RankPlayerTeamOPPH/AWIN%CS%FPL PriceNotes
1Aaron Wan-BissakaMUNCRYH69.0846.345.5It feels really ridiculous to have Wan-Bissaka this high, but he is headed to leading the Premier League in tackles won this season, and he's even joining the attack more than he did at Crystal Palace.
2Kyle WalkerMCIBOUA79.3846.346.0Only De Bruyne has more chances created for Man City through two games. A fit Joao Cancelo can always replace Walker at right-back, but he can also play on the left side.
3Harry MaguireMUNCRYH69.0846.345.5Maguire is still looking for his first shot as a Manchester United player, but he's interestingly had as many touches in the box as Rashford (that probably says more about Rashford than it does Maguire).
4Danny RoseTOTNEWH78.3151.415.5Co-leads Tottenham in chances created and comes in with excellent clean sheet odds.
5Aymeric LaporteMCIBOUA79.3846.346.5Laporte's goal upside isn't great, but the clean sheet chances are always strong.
6Luke ShawMUNCRYH69.0846.345.5Shaw is definitely a part of the set-piece mix at United, and the clean sheet odds sure are nice this week.
7Toby AlderweireldTOTNEWH78.3151.415.5Six Spurs have multiple shots and chances created through two games, and Alderweireld is the only defender in the group.
8Trent Alexander-ArnoldLIVARSH64.8732.487.0Clean sheet chances aren't that great this week, but a role on set pieces against an Arsenal side that continues to struggle against them is encouraging.
9Kyle Walker-PetersTOTNEWH78.3151.415.0Jan Vertonghen could slot back into the starting XI in place of Davinson Sanchez, and the uncertainty keeps KWP above them as long as Juan Foyth remains out injured.
10Ricardo PereiraLEISHFA41.7535.646.0His defensive contributions combined with his attacking upside will keep him high in the rankings most weeks.
11Virgil van DijkLIVARSH64.8732.486.5His size against Arsenal's set-piece defense is what we're after here.
12John LundstramSHFLEIH29.3525.964.1Every chance he's created this season has been a big chance (only De Bruyne has more) and yet he has zero assists.
 Davinson SanchezTOTNEWH78.3151.415.5Low attacking upside but solid clean sheet chances. The prospect of Vertonghen coming in lowers him though.
13Emerson PalmieriCHENORA52.4027.965.5Remember when Marcos Alonso was a thing?
18Victor LindelofMUNCRYH69.0846.345.5Pretty much just a clean sheet play.
14Andrew RobertsonLIVARSH64.8732.487.0Robertson flying up the wing against midfielder-turned-right-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles should be fun.
15Lucas DigneEVEAVLA44.2726.096.0Injured last week but pictured at training Wednesday (with his thumb up! maybe), he could move higher if it becomes clear he is fit to start. However, if Leighton Baines gets the call, he'd most likely in this range and not moving up.
16Ahmed ElmohamadyAVLEVEH29.2920.284.5The clean sheet potential is pretty low, even with Everton's attacking struggles, but Elmohamady's work in the attack surely makes him a consideration at Villa Park.
17Seamus ColemanEVEAVLA44.2726.095.5I'd put Coleman ahead of Baines if I knew both were starting, though Djbril Sidibe continues to lurk.
19JonnyWOLBURH52.4041.215.5Matt Doherty's illness last week could have Jonny as the only defender-eligible player among their wingbacks, though his attacking upside is still not that high.
20Dan BurnBHASOUH39.6430.084.5It's just noise, but Burn already has three shots and two chances created in two starts.
21Willy BolyWOLBURH52.4041.215.0If anything, focus on the center-backs and just go for the clean sheets with Boly, Ryan Bennett or Conor Coady, as they've all held onto their places ahead of Jesus Vallejo.
22Yerry MinaEVEAVLA44.2726.095.5It pains me knowing how good of a target Mina can be in the box and yet he's not getting anywhere near a shot, even on set pieces.
23Cesar AzpilicuetaCHENORA52.4027.966.0Creating a good number of chances
24Lewis DunkBHASOUH39.6430.084.6Always a threat on set pieces, but this is more of a play on the Southampton attack continuing to struggle.
25Ryan BertrandSOUBHAA32.7325.895.0A small role on set pieces and facing a weak Brighton attack.
26Yan ValerySOUBHAA32.7325.895.0Both of his chances created this season were big chances, and only Redmond and Adams have more touches in the box on the team.
27Kiko FemeniaWATWHUH47.0127.684.5More shots, chances created and touches in the box than Jose Holebas.
28David LuizARSLIVA16.349.836.0What a time it would be for one of his ridiculous free-kick goals.
29Kurt ZoumaCHENORA52.4027.965.0Zouma already has four shots in two games while Andreas Christensen has zero.
30Tyrone MingsAVLEVEH29.2920.284.5He's always going to do more work on the defensive end, but he does have a chance created in each start this season (and one assist).
31Jose HolebasWATWHUH47.0127.685.0One chance created on his nine corners, Holebas' low accuracy on his crosses should make Watford consider others.
32Ben MeeBURWOLA19.8622.125.0Only Ashley Barnes has more touches in the box for Burnley, and Mee is third on the team in chances created.
33James TarkowskiBURWOLA19.8622.125.0There's really not much that separates Mee and Tarkowski, with the latter third on the team in shots and touches in the box.
34Jamal LewisNORCHEH22.4615.094.5The Chelsea attack isn't exactly clicking right now, and Lewis small attacking upside would be a nice addition to a clean sheet.

GOALKEEPERS

RankPlayerTeamOPPH/AWIN%CS%FPL PriceNotes
1Hugo LlorisTOTNEWH78.3151.415.5Home against Newcastle will always get you high in the rankings.
2David de GeaMUNCRYH69.0846.345.6I tabbed Crystal Palace for relegation if Zaha left, but they look the part even with him still there.
3EdersonMCIBOUA79.3846.346.1Bournemouth can score against anyone, and while the Man City back line can be leaky, the team is still significantly better.
4Rui PatricioWOLBURH52.4041.215.0Playing Thursday doesn't do Wolves any favors, but they should be able to control a match against Burnley.
5Kasper SchmeichelLEISHFA41.7535.645.0It's tough to think bad things are headed for Schmeichel this week against a Sheffield attack with few goals in them.
6Mathew RyanBHASOUH39.6430.084.5This game is headed to be a total snoozefest, right?
7Angus GunnSOUBHAA32.7325.894.5And if that's the case, both goalkeepers make sense for clean sheets.
8Ben FosterWATWHUH47.0127.685.0The Watford defense has been horrific, but the West Ham attack hasn't exactly been lighting the scoreboard on fire.
9Tom HeatonAVLEVEH29.2920.284.5Jordan Pickford probably makes sense, but I'm not sure I want to do it with Villa ready to break out.
10Lukasz FabianskiWHUWATA26.1219.645.0Watford continue to look for their first goal of the season.

CAPTAIN RANKINGS

RankPlayerTeamOPPH/AWIN%CS%FPL PriceNotes
1Harry KaneTOTNEWH78.3151.4111.0There are a number of heavy hitters with great matchups this weekend, but none are as good as Kane's.
2Mohamed SalahLIVARSH64.8732.4812.5If this game has five goals in it, surely Salah is on the scoresheet multiple times, right?
3Raheem SterlingMCIBOUA79.3846.3412.2Sterling's place in the starting XI seems more secure than anyone else's.
4Sergio AgueroMCIBOUA79.3846.3412.0Aguero seems to be behind Sterling in terms of fantasy production, and the easy sub of Jesus makes his playing time less reliable even when he starts.
5Troy DeeneyWATWHUH47.0127.686.4Not for the faint of heart

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew M. Laird
Andrew is a former RotoWire contributor. He was the 2017 and 2018 FSWA Soccer Writer of the Year. He is a nine-time FSWA award finalist, including twice for Football Writer of the Year.
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