GW3 Deadline Alert: Bruno's Record Haul, Essential Transfers & The Only Armband Decision That Matters

Welcome back, FPL managers! Gameweek Three's deadline is fast approaching and there's a lot to digest - a record-breaking haul, fresh injury concerns, and some seriously decisive transfer calls to make. We've got your full briefing right here. Let's get into it.

Before we get into the transfers, here's what you need to know from the Gameweek Two fallout.

Bruno Fernandes put up a record haul in Gameweek Two, bagging a hat-trick and an assist as Man Utd dismantled Ipswich Town 5-2. If you had him as a differential tip, you're counting your points with a smile. Bruno now has 3 goals and 1 assist on the season, totalling 25 points overall with a staggering 23 points in GW2 alone.

Meanwhile, Chelsea put on a seven-goal thriller against Brighton, with João Pedro described as terrific throughout - more on him shortly. Chelsea's attack is the most potent in the league right now.

One more highlight from GW2: a £4.5m midfielder got on the scoresheet this weekend, proving that budget options can still deliver real points returns. Always worth keeping an eye on the lower-priced options.

This is the most urgent transfer of the week. João Pedro has been absolutely electric in the opening two gameweeks, notching 2 goals and 2 assists already this season for 20 total points. He bagged 9 points in Gameweek Two alone and carries a form rating of 10.0 - as high as it gets.

Chelsea host Arsenal on Sunday afternoon in what promises to be a blockbuster fixture. With Chelsea having scored nine goals in their first two games, Pedro is at the heart of everything going forward - a creative, clinical menace in front of goal. At 69.3% ownership and rising fast, the template is forming around him for good reason.

One key strategic tip: if you can fit both João Pedro AND Palmer into your squad, Chelsea's ceiling this week against Arsenal is enormous.

The standout budget defensive pick of the season so far. Gvardiol has accumulated 14 total points already, contributing 1 goal and 1 assist from the left back position. He marauds forward relentlessly and offers attacking returns on top of clean sheet points - a deadly FPL combination.

Man City face Coventry City at home in Gameweek Three. Coventry conceded three goals against Arsenal on the opening day and City are in devastating form - the xG differential for this fixture screams clean sheet. Over 210,000 managers have already brought Gvardiol in this week. Don't be left behind.

The smart differential of the week. Wissa has 12 total points this season, including 1 goal and 1 assist, and erupted for 8 points in Gameweek Two. Newcastle face Bournemouth at home in GW3 - a very manageable fixture for a side that has conceded just 2 goals across their opening two games.

With over 130,000 managers transferring him in already this week and ownership still sitting at just 7%, Wissa offers the perfect combination: differential status, attacking threat, and a kind fixture. He's a livewire forward who can win you green arrows in a single match.

The most transferred-out player in the game this week, with over 113,000 managers shipping him out - and it's easy to see why. Calvert-Lewin has just 9 total points and 1 goal this season. Leeds face Brighton away in GW3, and Brighton hammered Aston Villa 4-0 in Gameweek One and are playing high-intensity, aggressive football.

The fixture, the form, and the transfer trend all point in the same direction. Get your money working harder elsewhere.

At £9.0m, Isak is eating a significant chunk of your budget without delivering premium returns. He has just 10 total points and 1 goal this season. Liverpool have been leaking goals - conceding 4 already in two games - and GW3 takes them to Ipswich, who have shown defensive intent at home.

Over 69,000 managers have already made the decision to sell. At this price point, you simply need more production. Reinvest in players who are consistently delivering.

Man City beat Crystal Palace 4-1 in Gameweek Two and yet Guéhi only managed 2 event points. When a defender doesn't earn clean sheet points in a 4-1 win, something isn't right. Over 60,000 managers have moved him on this week.

With Gvardiol flying forward and earning attacking returns from the same defence, Guéhi feels redundant in your squad at this price. If you have both, the upgrade path is clear.

These are the picks under 10% ownership that could make you look like a genius come Sunday night.

It feels almost criminal that Palmer is this low-owned. He has 20 total points already this season, contributing 2 goals and 1 assist across the opening two gameweeks. Chelsea have scored 9 goals in 2 games - the best attack in the league - and Palmer is their creative hub, the player everything flows through.

With Arsenal visiting Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Palmer is primed for a haul. At 17.7% ownership, there is a huge green arrow opportunity here. He is firmly in our recommended picks for GW3.

Already covered in the transfers section, but worth flagging again as a differential. Just 7% owned, 8 event points in GW2, and Newcastle are flying on both ends of the pitch. At £6.1m, this is exceptional value for a player with genuine goal threat against a manageable Bournemouth side at St. James' Park.

Your ultra-differential for the week. Isidor is owned by less than 1% of managers and scored in GW2 as Sunderland beat Fulham 1-0. He has 8 event points already this season. GW3 takes Sunderland away to Brentford - a tougher task, no question. But at this ownership level, even a modest haul means green arrows across every mini league. High risk, high reward.

There is no ambiguity this week. Erling Haaland is your captain for Gameweek Three.

At £15.5m and 69.5% owned, Haaland is the most captained player in the game - and rightly so. He bagged 13 points in Gameweek Two, scoring 2 goals and taking his season tally to 2 goals from 2 games. Man City face Coventry City at home. Coventry conceded 3 goals on the opening day against Arsenal, and City's attacking machine is firing on all cylinders right now.

This is not a week to be clever with the armband. Haaland is the standout choice and it isn't close.

Chelsea have the best attack in the Premier League through two gameweeks, scoring 9 goals. If you can fit two Chelsea assets - João Pedro and Palmer - into your squad ahead of the Arsenal fixture on Sunday, your ceiling this week is sky high. Both players are involved in everything Chelsea do going forward, and Arsenal away is exactly the kind of game that produces massive hauls for in-form attacking players.

That's your Gameweek Three prep done. Good luck with the deadline - may your captain double up and your differentials haul. We'll see you next time! 🚀