FPL Gameweek 3 Review: Crystal Palace & West Ham Shine
Guéhi’s 15-point defensive masterclass leads Palace to 7.39 average, while 24.2% of players hit 5+ points in improved gameweek.
Gameweek 3 saw Crystal Palace emerge as the week’s standout performers with a commanding 3-0 away victory at Aston Villa. Our live FPL tracker analyzed all 302 players to identify the key trends, with clean sheets proving valuable and forward returns shared among multiple premium options. Here are the essential insights for your FPL captain picks and transfer strategy.
Top Performers by Position
Gameweek 3 delivered more balanced returns across positions, with defensive clean sheets and multiple forwards sharing top honors.
Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker & Roefs (8pts each)
Two goalkeepers shared top honors this week. Alisson delivered for Liverpool in their narrow 1-0 home win against Arsenal, while Roefs kept a clean sheet for his side. With two keepers hitting the top mark, goalkeeper reliability improved compared to GW2.
Defender: Marc Guéhi (15pts)
The standout defensive performance of the gameweek. Crystal Palace’s Guéhi delivered an exceptional 15-point haul in their dominant 3-0 away victory at Aston Villa, combining a clean sheet with attacking contributions. This performance showcases why selecting defenders from in-form teams remains crucial for any fantasy premier league manager.
Midfielder: Dominik Szoboszlai (13pts)
Liverpool’s midfielder topped the charts with 13 points in their crucial 1-0 home victory over Arsenal, providing the week’s best midfield return.
Forwards: João Pedro, Haaland & Bowen (9pts each)
Three premium forwards shared top honors with 9 points each. João Pedro continued his strong form, Haaland delivered despite Man City’s defeat, and Bowen impressed in West Ham’s 3-0 away win at Nottingham Forest. The shared returns highlight the depth of quality forward options available to FPL tools users this season.
Team Performance Analysis
Best Performing Teams
Crystal Palace (7.39 average) ⭐
The Eagles soared to the week’s top team performance with a commanding 3-0 away victory at Aston Villa. Their 7.39 average was led by Guéhi’s defensive masterclass and showcased excellent value across their squad. Palace assets deserve serious consideration for FPL tracker users seeking differential options with strong form.
West Ham United (7.29 average)
The Hammers delivered an impressive 7.29 average in their clinical 3-0 away win at Nottingham Forest. With Bowen among the top forwards and clean sheet points distributed across the defense, West Ham’s attacking assets combined with defensive stability offer excellent fantasy premier league tools for squad optimization.
Chelsea (7.01 average)
Chelsea’s 2-0 home victory over Fulham saw them average 7.01 points per player. Their clean sheet and attacking returns make them a reliable source of points, continuing their strong start to the campaign.
Bournemouth (6.03 average)
The Cherries’ narrow 1-0 away win at Tottenham delivered solid returns averaging 6.03 points. Their defensive resilience away from home suggests their assets could offer value in favorable fixtures.
Teams to Avoid
Aston Villa (1.73 average) ⚠️
Villa suffered the gameweek’s worst performance, conceding three goals at home to Crystal Palace without reply. Their 1.73 average makes them a team to target for FPL captain picks when planning your attacking strategy.
Nottingham Forest (2.10 average)
Forest’s heavy 3-0 home defeat to West Ham resulted in a poor 2.10 average. Their defensive frailties at home are concerning for those holding their assets.
Fulham (2.10 average)
The Cottagers matched Forest’s disappointing 2.10 average after their 2-0 away loss at Chelsea, continuing their struggles on the road.
Tottenham (2.28 average)
Spurs’ shock 1-0 home defeat to Bournemouth saw them average just 2.28 points, raising questions about their defensive stability and making managers reconsider their assets.
Key FPL Statistics
Of the 302 players who featured in Gameweek 3:
- 40.1% (121 players) returned more than 2 points - a significant improvement from GW2’s 30.8%
- 24.2% (73 players) achieved 5+ point returns - up from GW2’s 21.8%
These statistics show a marginal improvement in returns distribution compared to Gameweek 2, though premium picks and careful team selection remain essential. The increase in players returning more than 2 points suggests better overall gameweek performance, making comprehensive fantasy premier league tools crucial for identifying these opportunities.
Notable Results & Talking Points
Liverpool Edge Arsenal in Title Clash
Liverpool’s narrow 1-0 home victory over Arsenal was the fixture of the gameweek. While Arsenal’s 2.56 average disappointed managers, Liverpool’s 5.75 average provided solid returns, with Szoboszlai and Alisson delivering premium hauls.
Manchester City Stumble Again
City’s 2-1 away defeat at Brighton resulted in a 3.10 average, continuing their inconsistent form. Despite Haaland’s 9-point return, the team’s defensive vulnerabilities are concerning for the best FPL tools users who typically rely on City’s template picks.
Leeds-Newcastle Stalemate
The 0-0 draw between Leeds (4.75 average) and Newcastle (4.83 average) provided disappointing returns for attacking assets but solid defensive points for clean sheet hunters.
Everton Continue Strong Away Form
Everton’s entertaining 3-2 away victory at Wolves (5.01 average) suggests their assets could offer value, particularly when playing away from home where they seem more comfortable.
Tactical Takeaways for FPL Managers
1. Clean Sheets Deliver Premium Value
Guéhi’s 15 points demonstrate that defenders from teams keeping clean sheets in dominant victories offer exceptional value. Palace, West Ham, and Chelsea all secured shutouts with excellent average returns.
2. Forward Returns More Distributed
With three forwards sharing top honors at 9 points, the premium forward options are delivering consistent but not explosive returns. This suggests spreading funds across multiple positions rather than loading up on premium forwards.
3. Away Form Patterns Emerging
Palace (3-0 away at Villa), West Ham (3-0 away at Forest), and Bournemouth (1-0 away at Spurs) all delivered excellent away performances. Don’t automatically assume home advantage will prevail - use FPL tools to analyze form alongside fixtures.
4. Manchester City No Longer Template Picks
Despite Haaland’s points, City’s inconsistent results (0 wins in 2 home games, 1 loss away) suggest their assets need careful selection rather than automatic inclusion. Their defensive vulnerabilities make them less reliable than in previous seasons.
Looking Ahead: Transfer Priorities
Based on Gameweek 3 data, consider these strategic moves for your FPL squad:
Priority Targets
Crystal Palace defenders (particularly Guéhi if available), West Ham attackers (Bowen especially), Liverpool’s Szoboszlai for midfield coverage, and consider doubling up on Palace or West Ham defensive assets given their clean sheet potential.
Consider Offloading
Aston Villa assets after their 3-0 home defeat, Tottenham players given their defensive frailties, and potentially Arsenal assets if their schedule toughens. Nottingham Forest and Fulham players also look vulnerable based on recent performances.
Differential Options
Everton’s away form makes them interesting differential picks, Bournemouth defenders for budget enablers with clean sheet potential, and Sunderland (4.94 average) could offer value after their 2-1 home win over Brentford.
Monitor Closely
Manchester City assets including Haaland - while he scored, the team’s form is concerning. Brighton (4.01 average) showed improvement with their home win over City and could be worth watching for upcoming fixtures.
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FAQs
- Who were the top performers in FPL Gameweek 3?
- Marc Guéhi led defenders with 15 points in Crystal Palace’s 3-0 away win. Dominik Szoboszlai topped midfielders with 13 points, while three forwards - João Pedro, Haaland, and Bowen - shared the forward honors with 9 points each. Alisson Becker and Roefs both kept clean sheets for 8 goalkeeper points.
- Which teams had the best average points in GW3?
- Crystal Palace led the way with a 7.39 average following their impressive 3-0 away victory at Aston Villa. West Ham (7.29) and Chelsea (7.01) also delivered excellent returns for their managers.
- Should I transfer in Crystal Palace players after GW3?
- Palace’s 7.39 average and 3-0 clean sheet win make their defensive assets particularly attractive. Guéhi’s 15-point haul demonstrates their potential, and attacking assets showed promise in their emphatic victory.
- How many players returned 5+ points in Gameweek 3?
- 24.2% (73 out of 302 players) achieved 5+ point returns in GW3, a slight improvement from GW2’s 21.8%. This shows marginally better returns distribution but still emphasizes the importance of premium picks.