A high scoring weekend of action has seen a flurry of activity in the transfer market ahead of FPL Gameweek 3, with form picks heavily purchased and some with proven pedigree being shipped. 

Reigning PFA Player of the Year Phil Foden missed out on Manchester City’s 4-1 victory over Ipswich and has subsequently dropped in price to £9.4million, while Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has also fallen to £8.4m following a fruitless start to the campaign.

With transfer activity as chaotic as it will be all season, Fantasy Football Hub expert Holly Shand takes a look at the top targets according to AI predicted points ahead of Gameweek 3.

7.3 predicted points vs West Ham (A)

It should come as no surprise to see Erling Haaland top the rankings for the second successive week – I’m one of many owners regretting not playing the Triple Captain chip on him for his hat-trick against Ipswich Town last weekend. 

He managed a 17 point haul in that game, as the early high scorer of the season so far.

Haaland already has four goals in two games and looks to be in his best ever form. He has scored four goals in four appearances against his opponent this week, West Ham, scoring on every trip to the London Stadium. 

The Hammers have conceded six big chances on their goal already in this campaign.

Haaland’s routes to points are plentiful, with penalties in his locker. He leads the way for shots on target this season with six, big chances on goal with four and xG on 2.12 – I’d be very surprised if he didn’t score his fifth goal of the season in this game, following a free midweek, making him the obvious captain pick.

Best differential pick: Bryan Mbeumo

5.4 predicted points vs Southampton (H)

Bryan Mbeumo is the best differential pick for FPL Gameweek 3 according to the AI predictions, with the 5.1 per cent owned Brentford midfielder predicted to score 5.4 points in his home game against Southampton. 

He got off the mark with a goal in the 2-1 home win to Crystal Palace in Gameweek 1.

His credibility as an FPL pick will only improve with the departure of Ivan Toney, allowing Bryan Mbeumo to play more advanced and dominate set pieces, including penalties. 

We do need to be mindful that there’s still time for Brentford to sign another attacking player to compete for places before the window closes on Friday.

Mbeumo is the talisman of this Brentford side, with four corners and three free kicks taken. 

He’s created two big chances for his team-mates who have failed to convert so far. Meanwhile Southampton are without a clean sheet so far this season, conceding seven big chances on their goal in their opening two games.

Best premium midfielder pick: Cole Palmer

7.0 predicted points vs Crystal Palace (H)

Cole Palmer rewarded his loyal owners with a 17 point haul in Gameweek 2 having blanked on opening weekend and is seeing a mass movement of transfers in ahead of Crystal Palace’s trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday. 

The difficulty for FPL managers is finding a space for him in a congested price bracket.

There were some concerns around the viability of Palmer as a FPL pick this season under Enzo Maresca after being played wide against Manchester City on opening weekend. 

A move more central against Wolves proved fruitful and given the swing in Chelsea’s fixtures too, he’s becoming hard to ignore.

Palmer’s underlying numbers are encouraging, with seven shots and six key passes showcasing his routes to points. 

Only Erling Haaland can match his output of four goal involvements across the opening two gameweeks and it’s a Crystal Palace side up next who have yet to win a game this season, conceding four in two.

Best budget midfielder pick: Eberechi Eze

6.2 predicted points vs Chelsea (A)

Eberechi Eze has frustrated his owners so far this season, with nothing to show in terms of goal involvements from two sound performances to open the campaign. 

That resulted in him being among the top five most sold players in the game heading into FPL Gameweek 3.

However, AI still predicts him to be the sixth highest scoring FPL asset going into Gameweek 3 and ahead of those with significantly higher price tags like Heung-min Son, Kevin De Bruyne and Anthony Gordon. 

Eze has had a leading 12 shots in the first two gameweeks, including one big chance, with a free-kick incorrectly ruled out.

The Eagles opponents this week are Chelsea, who themselves have looked vulnerable defensively, conceding four goals across their opening two fixtures. 

They’ve conceded two attempts from set pieces which could be something for Eze to target, with his dead-ball delivery among the best in the Premier League.

Best mid-priced forward pick: Alexander Isak

6.6 Predicted Points vs Tottenham Hotspur (H)

At the time of writing, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, who started the season as the most owned player in the game, is the top transferred out player ahead of FPL Gameweek 3. 

It’s been a frustrating start to the season, with just an assist to show for his efforts, after a red card for Schar impacted his opening weekend potential.

However, AI still expects Isak to be the second best forward ahead of the weekend, behind Haaland. 

He has scored a brace against Spurs in their last two visits to St. James’ Park, with those games ending 6-1 and 4-0 in Newcastle United’s favour. This demonstrates that the fixture is far better than it seems on paper.

Despite a disappointing start to the season, there’s still promise in Isak’s numbers, with five shots in the box and two key passes. 

He’s on penalties for the Magpies and we could see a more potent attack in future games with Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes flanking him. They are a formidable force in home games.

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