GW2 of the Premier League saw raining goals as two players score hat-tricks with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Heung-Min Son stealing the headlines. It was not a pleasant one for defenders as only three teams managed to keep clean sheets and a total of 44 goals were scored in GW2.
We move on to GW3 where we have some interesting differentials, team selection and we speak on Wilfred Ndidi and how his injury could impact Leicester City (must read if you have one or both of James Justin and Timothy Castagne). So, let’s get started.
Top 5 differentials for GW3
5. Ollie Watkins
If you think I’m picking up a random player from the team that faces Fulham everytime, you are absolutely right. Fulham have conceded 7 goals in two league games and look quite open at the back. Their problems don’t seem to end as they conceded four goals to Leeds last week despite bringing in a new GK in Alphonse Areola. On the other hand, Villa have look stronger after the signing of Emi Martinez who saved a penalty against Sheffield United to win 1-0.
Ollie Watkins might have some score to settle too with the Cottagers, after his former side Brentford lost to Fulham in the final qualifying spot to gain promotion.
4. Helder Costa
Leeds United have some good attacking options in Patrick Bamford and Mateusz Klich but for me one man has been quite overlooked and that is Helder Costa. The Portuguese International started off with a brilliant assist against Liverpool to then scoring a brace against Fulham last week. It’s only a matter of time before we see his price rise rapidly.
What makes Helder Costa so tempting is that Leeds play some great attacking football under Marcelo Bielsa and that has a strong impact on the likes of Costa and Bamford. Make no mistake, they’re quite dodgy in defense (conceding 7 goals in two league games) but that doesn’t stop them from scoring a lot too (scored 7 goals in two league games).
3. Kai Havertz
The hat-trick in the Carabao Cup against Barnsley has changed everyone’s minds right? People will say it’s only Barnsley with due respect to them and that he needs to do it against a Premier League club first. Fair enough, but it’s not what makes him a differential. Kai Havertz played as a right-winger in the first game and a false 9 in the 45 minutes against Liverpool, not that he’s not played in those positions before but you can see the difference when he played at CAM. The linkup with Tammy Abraham was aesthetic and I think it might also earn a start for Tammy Abraham against West Brom, but the question still remains, where will Frank Lampard play Havertz at? If he plays at CAM, you know he’s going to have one crazy game against the Baggies who conceded 5 goals to Everton last week.
2. Phil Foden
Phil Foden has started right from where he left last season, scoring in their opening game of the new season. Normally, I would assume Foden drops to the bench after playing 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup but with Gabriel Jesus injured, there’s a high chance of him starting. He could play as a false 9 like he did in the Champions League games but I think Sterling gets the nod over him due to his experience playing in the centre of a front three.
1. Raheem Sterling
Pep Guardiola on Friday confirmed that Gabriel Jesus will be out with injury, this makes Raheem Sterling a favorite to start as a no.9 or a false 9 against Leicester City. We have also seen Phil Foden play as false 9 in the Champions League games but Sterling has played quite a few matches up front so he has the upper hand. Sterling has played 35 games in the centre of a front three and scored 16 goals and 9 assists which seems pretty decent. Raheem Sterling is particularly great with his off the ball movement which will be needed a lot against Leicester City who will have a lot of mean behind to defend.
Team Selection for GW3
GK : Emiliano Martinez
DEF : Romain Saïss
DEF : Lucas Digne
DEF : Reece James
MID : Kevin De Bruyne
MID : James Rodriguez
MID : Phil Foden
MID : Heung-Min Son
FWD : Raul Jimenez
FWD : Dominic Calvert-Lewin
FWD : Timo Werner
Will Ndidi’s injury force FPL managers to sell Leicester assets?
Wilfred Ndidi is the backbone of the Leicester City side. The Nigerian International is one of the major reasons why Leicester City concede less goals and keep those clean sheets. Jamie Vardy might win you games but Ndidi will keep you in the game long enough to have a winning chance.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers revealed that Wilfred Ndidi picked up an “awful groin injury” which could keep him out of action for about 3 months. Wilfed Ndidi isn’t a good option for FPL as he doesn’t score enough points but his contribution to the Foxes side is up there with the likes of Jamie Vardy. When you know you have Ndidi in your back line, you have the freedom to bomb forward and contribute to attack like we see with James Justin and Timothy Castagne.
So, is it really time to sell Leicester assets and move on? Absolutely not.
Ndidi is a CDM but he played the first two games as a Centre-back this season. Leicester City are already in the market for a new centre-back with the Foxes putting in bids for Wesley Fofana and James Tarkowski. Yes, there will be a certain drop-off with whoever comes in, and we have seen Leicester City drop massively whenever their key players get injured. However, I don’t think there’s a need to panic so early in the season, it’s a marathon not a race. For me, I would stick to Leicester players for now and see how they cope up without Ndidi. In case they fail, there’s always a free transfer for next week.
