As GW3 approaches, selecting the right captain is crucial for maximizing your FPL points. In this guide, we’ll explore the best GW3 captain options by analyzing fixtures, stats, and past performances to help you make an informed decision.
Key Takeaways:
- Fixture Analysis: Identifying favorable matchups for top captain candidates.
- Stats Overview: Reviewing player form, previous performances, and potential impact.
- Top Picks: Evaluating the best captain options for GW3 based on analysis.
- Final Decision: Recommending the optimal GW3 captain for your FPL team.
1. Top GW3 Captain Choices Based on Fixtures
If you’re selecting your Gameweek 3 FPL captain based on fixtures, consider choosing your GW3 captain from one of these teams, as they have the most favorable matchups:
- Fulham
- Aston Villa
- Brentford
- Chelsea
- Liverpool
- Arsenal
- Man City
These teams have the best fixtures this gameweek, with their fixture difficulty ratings leaning towards the easier side. Notably, Fulham, Aston Villa, and Brentford all face newly promoted sides, making their players strong candidates for captaincy.
On the other hand, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Man City are known for their ruthless attacks, so captaining one of their key attackers could also be a smart move this gameweek.
If you’re basing your decision on fixture analysis, here are the top players to target from each of these teams:
- Brentford: Mbeumo or Wissa
- Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins or Leon Bailey
- Fulham: Muniz or Smith Rowe
- Chelsea: Cole Palmer, Nico Jackson, or Madueke
- Liverpool: Mo Salah, Jota, or Luis Diaz
- Arsenal: Bukayo Saka or Kai Havertz
- Man City: Erling Haaland or Kevin De Bruyne
2. Top GW3 Captain Choices Based on Stats
Based on the fixture analysis metrics, we’ve narrowed down our shortlist to 16 top captaincy picks for Gameweek 3:
- Mbeumo
- Wissa
- Watkins
- Bailey
- Muniz
- Smith Rowe
- Cole Palmer
- Noni Madueke
- Nico Jackson
- Mo Salah
- Diogo Jota
- Luiz Diaz
- Bukayo Saka
- Kai Havertz
- Erling Haaland
- Kevin De Bruyne
To identify the optimal Gameweek 3 captain, we’ll analyze the underlying stats of these players to determine who’s in the best form and offers the highest potential for returns.
Related Read: FPL GW3 Wildcard Team – The Best Gameweek 3 Wildcard Teams
| Player | Goals Scored | xG | Assists | xA | Big Chances Created | Big Chances Missed | Shot Conversion | Opponent | Opponent Goals Conceded per Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mbeumo | 1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | Southampton | 1.0 |
| Wissa | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | – | Southampton | 1.0 |
| Watkins | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% | Leicester City | 1.5 |
| Bailey | 0 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | Leicester City | 1.5 |
| Muniz | 0 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | Ipswich Town | 3.0 |
| Smith Rowe | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | Ipswich Town | 3.0 |
| Cole Palmer | 1 | 0.7 | 3 | 0.3 | 2 | 1 | 14.3% | Crystal Palace | 2.0 |
| Noni Madueke | 3 | 0.6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | Crystal Palace | 2.0 |
| Nico Jackson | 1 | 0.6 | 1 | 0.1 | 0 | 1 | 50% | Crystal Palace | 2.0 |
| Mo Salah | 2 | 1.3 | 1 | 0.4 | 1 | 1 | 28.6% | Man United | 1.0 |
| Diogo Jota | 1 | 1.6 | 1 | 0.1 | 2 | 2 | 14.3% | Man United | 1.0 |
| Luiz Diaz | 1 | 1.2 | 1 | 0.6 | 2 | 1 | 16.7% | Man United | 1.0 |
| Bukayo Saka | 1 | 0.4 | 2 | 0.5 | 1 | 1 | 16.7% | Brighton | 0.5 |
| Kai Havertz | 1 | 0.7 | 1 | 0.1 | 0 | 1 | 16.7% | Brighton | 0.5 |
| Erling Haaland | 4 | 2.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 44.4% | West Ham | 1.0 |
| Kevin De Bruyne | 1 | 0.9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | – | West Ham | 1.0 |
Find out the best gameweek 3 differentials in our article: Top FPL GW3 Differentials – For Each Position
Out of the 16 picks, we have now narrowed down our options to eight and this is based on their stats and fixtures. Here are the top eight gw3 captain picks
1. Erling Haaland (Man City)
Haaland is a top captaincy pick for Gameweek 3, with 4 goals and an xG of 2.1. His 44.4% shot conversion rate highlights his lethal finishing. Facing a West Ham side that concedes 1.0 goal per match, Haaland is a prime candidate for the armband.
2. Mo Salah (Liverpool)
Salah has scored 2 goals with an xG of 1.3, and 1 assist. He faces Man United, who have conceded 1.0 goal per match. Salah’s consistent attacking threat makes him a strong captaincy option for Gameweek 3.
3. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Saka has contributed 1 goal and 2 assists, with an xG of 0.4 and xA of 0.5. Arsenal faces Brighton, a team with a solid defense conceding just 0.5 goals per match. Despite this, Saka’s ability to create and convert chances makes him a valuable captain choice.
Related read: check out the players most likely to start this gameweek in our article: FPL GW3 Predicted Lineups and Team News For All 20 PL Teams
4. Diogo Jota (Liverpool)
Jota, with 1 goal and 1 assist, has an xG of 1.6 and has created 2 big chances. Although he has missed 2 big chances, his involvement in Liverpool’s attack against Man United presents a high-risk, high-reward captaincy option.
5. Kai Havertz (Arsenal)
Havertz has scored 1 goal and provided 1 assist, with an xG of 0.7 and xA of 0.1. Despite Brighton’s strong defense, Havertz’s positioning and role in Arsenal’s attack could make him a potential differential captain for Gameweek 3.
You might also like: FPL GW3 Team Selection, Scout Picks and Player Picks
6. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Palmer has impressed with 1 goal and 3 assists, an xG of 0.7, and xA of 0.3. Facing Crystal Palace, who concede 2.0 goals per match, Palmer has both the fixture and form to make him an enticing differential captain option.
7. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Watkins has yet to score but has an xG of 1.0, showing he’s getting into the right positions. Against Leicester City, who have conceded 1.5 goals per match, Watkins could be a calculated risk as your GW3 captain.
8. Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
Mbeumo has started the season strong, scoring 1 goal with an xG of 0.1. Brentford faces Southampton, who have conceded 1.0 goal per match, providing Mbeumo with a favorable opportunity to add to his tally.
Conclusion – The Optimal GW3 Captain
Captaining any of these eight players would be a solid strategy for Gameweek 3. However, our optimal GW3 captain is Cole Palmer due to his favorable fixture, impressive stats, and a projected return of 7 points according to AI predictions.
More Gameweek 3 FPL Resources You Might Find Helpful
FPL GW3 Wildcard Team – The Best Gameweek 3 Wildcard Teams
FPL GW3 Predicted Lineups and Team News For All 20 PL Teams
FPL GW3 Team Selection, Scout Picks and Player Picks
Top FPL GW3 Differentials – For Each Position