Manchester City are the team to target in GW3
Manchester City's home match against Coventry is the standout fixture of FPL Gameweek 3.
The important question is not whether City are worth targeting. It is which three City players offer the best combination of points potential and minutes security.
Our ranking:
| Rank | Player | Price | OneFPL view |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erling Haaland | £15.5m | Priority pick and best GW3 captain |
| 2 | Rayan Cherki | £7.7m | Best City midfield pick |
| 3 | Phil Foden | £7.0m | High-upside third attacker |
| 4 | Josko Gvardiol | £5.6m | Hold if owned; buying now carries rotation risk |
| 5 | City defence | — | Great fixture, uncertain personnel |
1. Erling Haaland
Haaland is the clearest Manchester City pick.
Through two Gameweeks he has produced:
- 10 shots
- nine shots in the box
- three big chances
No other City attacker matches that direct goal threat.
He also delivered 13 points in GW2 and remains the safest captain for the Coventry fixture.
OneFPL verdict: Buy and captain.
For the chip decision, see OneFPL's Triple Captain guide.
2. Rayan Cherki
Cherki is the best City midfielder for managers buying this week.
He has opened the season with two goals and two assists and has attracted around 1.2 million transfers ahead of GW3.
His early output is stronger than Foden's, while his price remains well below the premium tier.
Cherki has also been involved in three big chances across the opening two matches.
OneFPL verdict: Best City midfielder.
3. Phil Foden
Foden is the interesting upside play.
His headline FPL returns have not matched Cherki's, but the chance involvement is encouraging:
- two big chances of his own;
- three big chances created;
- five total big-chance involvements.
That is more than either Cherki or Haaland over the same period.
The reason Foden ranks third rather than second is minutes certainty. City have enough attacking depth that managers need to monitor the latest lineup signals.
Check the OneFPL Team News & Lineups page before the deadline.
OneFPL verdict: Excellent aggressive third City pick, especially for Free Hit teams.
What about Gvardiol?
Gvardiol has already produced a goal and an assist and sits among City's leading FPL scorers.
The fixture also carries strong clean-sheet potential.
So why not rank him above Foden?
Rotation.
Manchester City's squad depth means defensive starts are harder to predict. The official FPL Scout has similarly advised that existing City defenders can be held and played, but buying into the defence now is less attractive.
If you already own Gvardiol, starting him against Coventry is an easy decision.
If you do not own him, an attacking City triple-up may offer greater upside.
Should you triple up on City?
For GW3 alone, yes — there is a strong case.
For a normal transfer, however, distinguish between three situations.
You own Haaland only
Cherki is the best second City player.
You own Haaland and Cherki
Foden is the best high-upside third slot if your squad structure allows it.
You own a City defender already
Start the defender. You do not need to sell him simply to force an attacking triple-up.
Use the OneFPL Transfer Planner to check whether adding another City player creates a difficult transfer in GW4 or GW5.
Is the defence worth targeting?
Manchester City have the highest projected clean-sheet probability of GW3 in Fantasy Football Scout's current model and are the only side above 40 percent.
That makes the fixture attractive.
But FPL points depend on the defender actually starting.
For that reason:
- Hold and start a fit City defender you already own.
- Do not take a hit simply to buy one for Coventry.
- Check predicted lineups before any late transfer.
- Prefer a defender with a clearer medium-term role if you need the transfer to last.
Compare defensive fixtures on OneFPL Fixtures.
Haaland vs Cherki vs Foden
| Metric after GW2 | Haaland | Cherki | Foden |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big chances | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Shots | 10 | 3 | 5 |
| Shots in box | 9 | 2 | 3 |
| Big chances created | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Total big-chance involvement | 3 | 3 | 5 |
The table explains the roles neatly.
- Haaland is the dominant finisher.
- Cherki has delivered the strongest FPL output.
- Foden has shown the strongest creative big-chance involvement.
For GW3, that makes Haaland + Cherki the preferred pair, with Foden the aggressive third slot.
OneFPL verdict
Haaland first, Cherki second, Foden third.
Do not let the Coventry fixture convince you that every City asset is equally strong. Attack offers the best combination of upside and identifiable roles, while the defence comes with more selection uncertainty.
Use FPL Picks and Player Lab to compare the City options before making the move.
FAQ
Who is the best Manchester City FPL pick for GW3?
Erling Haaland is the best City pick and OneFPL's preferred GW3 captain.
Is Cherki better than Foden for GW3?
Cherki is the safer first City midfielder based on his early returns and role. Foden is an excellent higher-risk third City option.
Should I buy Gvardiol for Coventry?
If you already own him, start him. Buying him specifically for GW3 is less appealing because City's defensive rotation is difficult to predict.
Is a Manchester City triple-up worth it?
It can be for GW3, especially on a Free Hit. For normal transfers, make sure the third City player still fits your plan beyond this fixture.
Sources
OneFPL analysis. OneFPL is an independent Fantasy Premier League companion and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Premier League or Fantasy Premier League.
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