The third gameweek of the 2017-2018 Premier League fantasy season was dominated by players from Liverpool and Chelsea, including forwards Roberto Firmino and Alvaro Morata. At goal, Fraser Forster continues to do well for Southampton and the managers who picked him for his teams, while Ciaran Clark makes a first appearance by a Newcastle player.
Goalkeepers
Fraser Forster, Southampton: Forster kept a clean sheet for the second time in three matches, compiling 11 points thanks to 6 saves and 3 bonus points. He was the only goalkeeper this weekend in double figures, taking his tally up to 20 points, second overall behind Jonas Lössl with 23 points. The Huddersfield goalkeeper has yet to concede a goal.
Another goalkeeper worth mentioning is Kasper Schmeichel of Leicester City. He didn’t concede two goals, but finished with 9 points (2nd best this week) thanks to a penalty kick save, 5 saves overall and 3 bonus points. He has 17 points so far, 4th in the league.
Defenders
Ciaran Clark, Newcastle: The top scoring defender this weekend with 15 points, taking his tally up to 18, showing just how bad it’s been for the Magpies in their return to the Premier League. Clark scored a goal in the 3-0 win over West Ham, along with keeping a clean sheet through 90 minutes and picking up the bonus points. He is worth only £4.5 million, and is owned by 1.1% of teams.
Two other defenders in double figures this weekend are Kyle Naughton of Swansea and Joe Gomez of Liverpool. Naughton finished with 12 points due to an assist, a clean sheet and 3 bonus points in his team’s 2-0 win against Crystal Palace. Gomez played 90 minutes in Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Arsenal. He had an assist, clean sheet and 2 bonus points. Eric Bailly is on top of the defenders overall points rankings with 26, picking up 6 this week in Manchester United’s win over Leicester.
Midfielders
Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea: Fabregas returned from his suspension to lead Chelsea in their 2-0 win over Everton. The Spaniard finished with 11 points, scoring a goal, keeping a clean sheet and picking up 3 bonus points. Valued at £6.9 million, he should soon be more expensive, and on more than just 4.4% of teams.
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool: It’s been quite a start for the Egyptian at Anfield. Salah also picked up 11 points thanks to a goal, assist and a clean sheet in the 4-0 win over Arsenal. Valued at £9 million, he is owned by over 26% of teams. With 23 overall points, he is third among midfielders.
The two leaders are both from Manchester United: Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, both with 26 points. Pogba got 3 points this week (clean sheet, 90 minutes); Mkhitaryan had 5 (assists, clean sheet, yellow card).
Forwards: Another Chelsea-Liverpool split
Roberto Firmino, Liverpool: Firmino finished with 12 points. The Brazilian scored a goal, had an assists and picked up 3 bonus points in Liverpool’s win over Arsenal. Firmino is up to 26 points this season, the best forward in fantasy overall thus far. He costs £8.5 million and is owned by 26.1% of teams.
Alvaro Morata, Chelsea: Morata also picked up 12 points, scoring a goal, adding an assist and getting the 3 bonus points in Chelsea’s win over Everton. Morata costs £10 million, is owned by 11% of teams, and with 24 points this season, is trailing only Firmino.