Fantasy Premier League: Matchweek 3

DrogbaGetty

By AVI CREDITOR

How bout all them goals?

After one 6-0 scoreline in Matchweek 1, the Premier League had three more last week, breaking some fantasy scoreboards in the process. We've already seen three players notch hat tricks along with a handful of other players secure two-goal games. And all this has happened while Wayne Rooney has yet to score once.

The widespread goal scoring is a boon for fantasy owners in the early going. While the 29.3 percent of fantasy managers who own Rooney wait for him to spring back into 2009-2010 form, it certainly helps that 12 players (Didier Drogba, Theo Walcott, Andy Carroll, Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou, Gareth Bale, Kevin Nolan, Craig Gardner, Marlon Harewood, Carlos Tevez, Nicolas Anelka, Johan Elmander) already have multiple goals this season.

Rooney will eventually straighten himself out, regardless if his goalless streak of 1,081 minutes continues for a bit. Until then, be patient and ride the coattails of those who have gotten off to a hot start.

Here are some other Fantasy Premier League notes along with our captain pick for the week and an SBI League standings update:

SUPER SCHOLES

While Rooney might be struggling at the onset, one Manchester United player is not, and that man is the ageless Paul Scholes.

The soon-to-be-36-year-old Scholes is off to a marvelous start, coming up with two assists in the Red Devils' opener against Newcastle and a goal and three bonus points in Man U's draw with Fulham. At a price tag of just 6.2, Scholes is worth a look this week when he faces point-less West Ham at Old Trafford.

AMERICAN WATCH

Brad Friedel had a day to forget against Newcastle, giving up six goals in a surprise rout. That's more of an exception than the ru! le, and you're safe to keep Friedel in your lineup. Tim Howard and Marcus Hahnemann squared off against each other in a 1-1 draw, with neither keeper being able to do much about the goals and each making one save. Howard and Friedel will face each other in another American goalkeeper showdown this weekend.

As for the field players, Clint Dempsey earned the start and played 61 minutes against Manchester United, which is a good sign moving forward. Should he get the start against Blackpool this weekend, he could be in for a nice fantasy output. Stuart Holden continued his solid overall play for Bolton against West Ham, though defensive hustle plays aren't worth any fantasy points. Both should be considered as fourth or fifth midfield options for now.

Defensively, Jonathan Spector has yet to crack a matchday roster in league play for West Ham, and Eric Lichaj has made the 18 for Villa in both of its matches but has yet to see the pitch. Neither player is worth a spot on your roster.

INJURY QUICK HITS

Jermaine Defoe has opted for groin surgery, which will reportedly sideline him up to a month and makes Champions League qualifying hero Peter Crouch a very nice option this week against lowly Wigan...Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor has yet to feature this season because of a hamstring injury, but he started and scored on Thursday in Europa League action and should make his league debut against Everton...Same goes for Villa defenders James Collins and Carlos Cuellar...According to reports from England, Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres should be in the squad for the team's match with West Brom after sitting out Thursday's Europa League tilt.

LAST WEEK'S CAPTAIN PICK

Didier Drogba, Chelsea (13x! 2=26 poi nts)

WHAT I REALLY MEANT TO SAY WAS...

Theo Walcott, Arsenal (21x2=42 points)

THIS WEEK'S CAPTAIN PICK

Drogba again. Chelsea's schedule is a cakewalk right now, and they are making their opponents pay big-time with consecutive 6-0 victories to start the season. Even though Drogba didn't score against Wigan, he managed to rack up three assists, and his involvement has been key for Chelsea in the early going.

Stoke City has the misfortune of waltzing into Stamford Bridge after back-to-back 2-1 losses to start the season. It all adds up to another Chelsea rout and another top-notch Drogba performance.

Other options: Chelsea's Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda; Tottenham's Gareth Bale (vs. Wigan); Arsenal's Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas (at Blackburn); Liverpool's Steven Gerrard (vs. West Brom); Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (vs. West Ham); Manchester City's Carlos Tevez (at Sunderland).

Soccer By Ives League Standings (Top 10)
1. Palisades SC...............................176 points
2. Austin KillBotz!!............................168
3. The 14ers FC...............................167
4. Sloppy and Careless.................164
5. DlewisChelsea............................158
6. Angel City Rovers........................157
7. camp bergkamp..........................152
7. Bella Vista Sounders.................152
9. Top Shelf.......................................151
10. Christman..................................149

LAST WEEK'S SBI LEAGUE TOP SCORER

Palisades SC (100 points)

--------------------------------Hart(7)----------------------------
--Richards(8)--------------Toure(6)------------Dawson(2)--
--Bale(15)---Scholes(10)---Malouda(9)---Lampard(6)--
--Drogba(C-26)------Chamakh(10)------Harewood(1)--

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Did you start Walcott and/or Carroll last week? Who are you making your captain th! is week? What's your lineup looking like?

Share your thoughts, questions and predictions below.