GW3 Essentials: Cherki's a Must-Have, Newcastle's Secret Weapon & A 0.6% Differential You Can't Ignore

Welcome to your Gameweek 3 briefing. The transfer window has slammed shut, Gameweek 2 is done and dusted, and the GW3 deadline hits today - Friday 4th September - at 5:30pm. We've broken down the key transfers in, transfers out, differentials, and captaincy pick so you can act fast and act smart. Let's get into it.

Over 1.2 million transfers in this gameweek, and it's easy to see why. Cherki bagged two goals against Crystal Palace in GW2, picking up 14 points and taking his season total to 22 points. He's averaging 11 points per game through two gameweeks - a truly elite rate.

Man City host Coventry City in Gameweek 3. Coventry are bottom of the table and are yet to score a goal this season. The ceiling for Cherki this week is enormous. If you don't have him, the clock is ticking.

One of the standout value picks in the entire game right now. Dedić racked up 11 points in GW2 - an assist, a clean sheet, and two bonus points. Nearly 190,000 transfers in already this gameweek and the price hasn't moved yet, meaning you can still get him at £4.5m.

Newcastle host Bournemouth in Gameweek 3 - a very winnable home fixture. Two clean sheets in two games from this Newcastle defence tells its own story. At £4.5m, Dedić is exceptional value and still well under the radar at just 2.3% ownership.

A goal and an assist in GW2 against Brighton, 9 points on the day, and 20 total for the season. With 2 goals and 2 assists already, João Pedro is one of the best-performing midfielders in FPL so far. The form is undeniable.

The caveat: Chelsea face Arsenal on Sunday 6th September - a tough Gameweek 3 fixture. If you already own him, he's worth keeping. If you're not on board yet, be aware of that match difficulty before committing.

Brentford drew 1-1 with Leeds in GW2 - no clean sheet, no big haul. In GW3, Brentford face Sunderland in what looks like a competitive mid-table clash. With better goalkeeper options available at similar price points, there's little reason to hold onto Raya right now.

Only 3 points in GW2 despite 7 saves on the season. Leeds drew 1-1 with Brentford - no clean sheet. In GW3, Leeds travel to Brighton, which is a tough away fixture. Around 60,000 transfers in this week suggest some managers are still buying, but the risk-reward simply isn't there.

Yes, he delivered 11 points in GW2 with a goal and an assist in the 5-2 win. We recommended selling and he hauled - it happens. But over 500,000 transfers out this week tells the real story. Man United travel to Everton in GW3, who are in decent form having won GW1 and drawn GW2. United's defensive numbers are poor and Mbeumo's £8m price tag is hard to justify.

All picks in this section are under 12% ownership - ideal for managers looking to gain ground in mini-leagues.

8 points in GW2 - a goal, a clean sheet, and two bonus points. Wissa already has a goal and an assist this season and is causing problems every single week. Newcastle host Bournemouth in GW3, and an extraordinary 721,000 transfers in this gameweek means ownership will rocket. Get in before today's deadline.

This is the under-1% gem you cannot afford to ignore. Ndoye scored in GW2 against Liverpool, picking up 9 points including two bonus points. Forest host Spurs in GW3 - and Spurs have lost both of their opening games, conceding five goals without reply. Forest are organised and hard to beat at home, and Ndoye is flying completely under the radar.

At just 0.6% ownership, he could be your biggest differential return of the week. Browse more differentials to find similar gems flying under the radar.

6 points in GW2 including a clean sheet, and already 2 assists on the season from a £4.5m defender. Fulham host Crystal Palace in GW3 - Palace have lost both of their opening games and shipped 6 goals. This is a fantastic home fixture for a Fulham side that's been defensively solid.

At under 1% ownership, Castagne could post the week's biggest differential return from the defensive line. Check the full fixture difficulty ratings to see just how good Fulham's upcoming schedule looks.

The captaincy decision for Gameweek 3 is straightforward: Cherki. Man City host Coventry City at home - Coventry are bottom of the table and are yet to score a season goal. Cherki has scored in both gameweeks so far, is averaging 11 points per game, and the ceiling for a big haul is enormous.

Newcastle host Bournemouth in GW3 - a very favourable home fixture. Two clean sheets in two games, with multiple assets delivering. Dedić (£4.5m, 2.3%) is the standout pick for the clean sheet potential, but don't sleep on Wissa (£6.1m) either for the goal threat on top. Stacking two Newcastle assets ahead of this fixture is a smart move.

Keep an eye on price changes for Newcastle assets - Dedić in particular hasn't risen yet but near-190k transfers in means that could change before tonight's price update.

That's your Gameweek 3 briefing. Good luck today - the deadline is 5:30pm. Make your moves count.