By Opta Analyst | Created at 2026-09-02 13:24:16 | Updated at 2026-09-02 16:04:58
2 hours ago
The 10% Club returns to look at the best under-the-radar picks for Fantasy Premier League in Gameweek 3, selected with the help of Opta data. Do you own any of these potential gems?
Erling Haaland and Bruno Fernandes both announced their arrival for the 2026-27 Fantasy Premier League season with significant hauls last weekend, but who is going under the radar for Gameweek 3?
Most managers have already locked in at least one of that pair, plus a variation of Arsenal defenders, but our selections may help you move away from the FPL template and gain an advantage over your mini-league rivals.
Backed by Opta data, our quintet of picks are all in fewer than 10% of teams worldwide, and could make a difference for your XI heading into Gameweek 3.
DEF – Lewis Hall | 5.0m | 7.5% Ownership
Although Amar Dedic claimed an assist and 11 points for Newcastle United in their last victory over Tottenham, Lewis Hall would be our main priority from their defence.
The left-back is on corner-taking duties and hit the defensive contributions threshold against Spurs, also claiming 11 points for his efforts.
Hall managed 11 DEFCONs in the opening game against Liverpool, too. That suggests his floor is higher than the attacking option of Dedic, who is also yet to hit the threshold for clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles.
Plus, Hall offers a threat at the other end with his set-piece responsibilities. Only two defenders have recorded a higher expected assists (xA) total than Hall’s 0.66 this Premier League season (James Hill – 0.74, Rúben Dias – 0.71).
The fixtures are favourable for Newcastle as well. They next host Bournemouth before Leeds United (A), Hull City (H), Coventry City (A) and Aston Villa (H), making Hall a great long-term selection.
While many managers are looking at centre-backs to maximise their DEFCON potential, Hall has proven he can hit that from left-back, and could soon pay attacking dividends with his set-piece deliveries. His 7.5% ownership won’t stick around for long.
DEF – John Egan | 4.0m | 3.8% Ownership
Hull have made a flying start to life back in the Premier League, keeping two clean sheets in back-to-back victories over Manchester United and Coventry. They are one of only two teams yet to concede, along with Arsenal.
Central to their initial success has been Sergej Jakirović operating with a five-man defence in front of impressive Greek goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.
Although Tzolakis has returned consecutive 10-point hauls, we’d suggest looking at Hull’s defenders for the visit of Villa. They’ve replaced Ollie Watkins with Nicolas Jackson, lost Morgan Rogers to Chelsea, and have yet to register a shot on target this campaign.
Of course, the Tigers will concede goals, but their defenders will be frontrunners for defensive contributions (and the additional two points) based on their setup. Hull have already faced 73 crosses this season – 21 more than any other side before GW3 starts.
John Egan would be our pick for this consideration alone. His 34 DEFCONs are the most of all players in any position so far, helping him to 17 points, and he is the only Hull centre-back to play 90 minutes in both outings.
His early returns are only bettered by two defenders. Egan’s teammate Semi Ajayi, whose 20 points are boosted by a GW1 goal and his fitness record is less certain, and the more expensive option of James Tarkowski (18) for Everton.
Although the Tigers travel to Chelsea for GW4, Egan’s budget-friendly price means you won’t feel too guilty for leaving him on the bench, and allows you to spend elsewhere.
MID – Kevin Schade | 6.0m | 3.8% Ownership
Although Jaidon Anthony’s arrival has brought competition for a place in the Brentford attack, Kevin Schade remains Keith Andrews’ first-choice left winger.
Schade already has the underlying data to suggest he could repeatedly haul. No midfielder took more shots inside the box than his 56 in last season’s competition.
In the same 2025-26 period, no Premier League midfielder recorded a higher xG total – excluding penalties – than the 11.4 posted by Schade.
He’s carried those aspects into this season. He took a team-leading five shots (all inside the box) against Tottenham on GW1 without reward, and would have claimed a fantasy assist if Igor Thiago had not missed a late penalty.
The German forward then registered 10 points with a goal and maximum bonus points away at Leeds, but still only 3.8% of managers are backing him – that ownership will surely surge when Schade inevitably returns again.
His price point of 6m makes switching easy as well, should you prefer to go down another route later. Anton Stach and Marcus Tavernier are priced the same, plus reliable DEFCON midfielder James Garner.
MID – Phil Foden | 7.0m | 4.8% Ownership
Many FPL managers will be looking at Manchester City’s home clash against promoted Coventry and wondering how to exploit that fixture, whether it be via a Free Hit, Wildcard, or simply using a banked transfer.
Indeed, Coventry will be expected to sit back and absorb pressure at the Etihad Stadium, but they’ve already shipped three goals at Arsenal and may be low on confidence after their defeat to Hull.
However, goal-scoring machine Haaland is off our radar in the 10% Club, and so too are Rayan Cherki (23.1%) and Antoine Semenyo (21.3%) from City’s attack.
That leads us towards Phil Foden, who presents a perfect route into Enzo Maresca’s frontline. The Man City midfielder managed two assists against Crystal Palace, claiming nine points for his efforts.
Although Cherki and Haaland got the goals (two each) at Selhurst Park, Foden missed two Opta-defined big chances, and accumulated the highest expected goals (xG) of any City player with 0.90.
Foden has also scored three more points than Semenyo (7) already, despite his lower price point, and if the England international finds his form in front of goal, he will swiftly become a staple in far more squads.
FWD – Gonzalo García | 6.0m | 4.5% Ownership
Last week we backed Yoane Wissa, who returned eight points on GW2 with his smart finish against Spurs, but the 10% Club is looking at other forward options for the same price.
Nearly a third of all FPL managers own Leeds’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He also costs £6.0m and managed eight points on GW2 with his second-half goal against Brentford, but has a tough trip to Brighton up next.
Gonzalo García costs just the same as that pair, and the Spanish striker scored in his first home match for Fulham, finding the net on debut in the 3-2 defeat against Chelsea on GW1.
In that outing at Craven Cottage, he also accounted for 0.70 xG of Fulham’s 1.40 as a team. García then scored a lovely solo goal in the League Cup against AFC Wimbledon, although he did draw a blank in the away defeat at Sunderland.
But he could be dangerous in front of goal again on GW3. Fulham next host Crystal Palace, and it seems the Eagles are still adapting after replacing Oliver Glasner with Pierre Sage – they’ve lost back-to-back games and shipped six goals already.
There should be some caution, though. Fulham then face Liverpool (A) and Man Utd (H), but that fixture swing soon turns to meeting all three of the promoted sides in a row.
Even as a short-term punt, it’s hard to find many better options than García – selected by 4.5% of managers – and his price point means you can easily swap to the likes of Calvert-Lewin, Wissa or Evanilson for those ‘harder’ fixtures.
*FPL player values and ownership data accurate as of 2 September 2026
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