Fantrax & Sleeper Waiver Wire Pickups for Premier League Gameweek 3
Gameweek 3 is an ideal time to attack the waiver wire in Fantrax and Sleeper Fantasy EPL leagues. New transfers are entering the player pool ahead of the transfer deadline, while early-season lineup changes are creating new low-rostered fantasy options.
These are the best Fantrax and Sleeper waiver wire pickups for Gameweek 3, based on projected minutes, role, matchup and fantasy scoring upside. With several new signings potentially stepping into immediate starting roles, there are both short-term streamers and players worth targeting as longer-term additions.
For more GW3 prep, check out our Fantrax & Sleeper rankings, predicted lineups and fantasy EPL cheat sheets before locking in your moves.
Premier League Player News & Updates
Best Fantasy EPL Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantrax & Sleeper GW3
| Pos. | Player | Club | Fantrax | Sleeper | Why Add? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Zion Suzuki | Aston Villa | 20% | % | Martinez departure clears path to No. 1 |
| DEF | Amar Dedic | Newcastle | 17% | % | Started both games, 24-point GW2 haul |
| DEF | Thomas Meunier | Sunderland | 6% | % | Nailed starter, 13.5 points in GW2 |
| MID | Ayyoub Bouaddi | Manchester City | 27% | % | Speculative add, City midfield upgrade |
| MID | Malick Yalcouye | Brighton | 3% | % | 20-point GW2, possible second start |
| FWD | Bradley Barcola | Liverpool | 0% | % | Window's best signing, starter immediately |
| FWD | Dan Ndoye | Nottingham Forest | 31% | 30% | Two starts, Spurs matchup ahead |
Best Goalkeeper Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantrax & Sleeper GW3
Zion Suzuki, Aston Villa (20% Fantrax, 36% Sleeper)
Suzuki was worth monitoring last week and now he's fully on the radar with Emiliano Martinez at Chelsea. Suzuki will be Villa's No. 1 for the entire 26/27 season which was the plan all along. Despite Hull's fast start to the season, Suzuki should be in line for a solid performance in Gameweek 3. He should be on more than 50 percent of teams in the coming weeks with his spot guaranteed.
On the flip side, Villa have a lot of new players, and Konstantinos Tzolakis has two clean sheets in two top-flight starts. Spurs also look shambolic through two matches making Matz Sels another name worth monitoring for Gameweek 3.
Best Defender Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantrax & Sleeper GW3
Amar Dedic, Newcastle (17% Fantrax, 7% Sleeper)
Dedic has started and played the entirety of all three Newcastle matches this season including Cup play. He impressed with an assist during a 24-point performance in the clean sheet win over Tottenham at the weekend, which followed his two-assist performance in the EFL Cup. The right back is not expected to be a massive source of attacking output, but he did have five goal involvements to go with 37 crosses last season at Benfica. Dedic has the trust of Matthias Jaissle after their time together at RB Salzburg and should remain in the XI as long as he is fit.
Use our Fixture Difficulty Ranker to spot easy or tough schedules for the rest of the season.
Thomas Meunier, Sunderland (6% Fantrax, 4% Sleeper)
At 35 years old, Meunier's best days are likely behind him, but he has been fit enough to play both of Sunderland's first two matches in full. The right back scored 13.5 points during the 1-0 win over Fulham this weekend, and while the clean sheet bonus did some lifting, Meunier added a little bit of everything else. He took a shot, created a chance, crossed twice and made six clearances in the victory. The schedule is not kind over the next three gameweeks, with away trips to Brentford and Manchester City sandwiching a home clash with Arsenal, but Meunier is one to watch if he can keep his grip on a starting role.
Want to stay informed on Premier League injuries? This article captures any update within the past 48 hours.
Best Midfielder Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantrax & Sleeper GW3
Ayyoub Bouaddi, Manchester City (27% Fantrax, 10% Sleeper)
Bouaddi got a glimpse of Premier League football during Friday's 4-1 win over Crystal Palace, coming off the bench for an eight-minute cameo following his move from Lille. On the surface, he's worth a speculative add as he should become a starter in relatively short order.
The main question is whether he will be a difference-maker in fantasy. Bouaddi had just one goal involvement across 30 Ligue 1 appearances last season and operates as a defensive-minded midfielder. That role should deliver a solid floor but limited ceiling, and settling into a new country and league takes time. He should be picked up but is not a priority add worth spending top waiver currency on.
Malick Yalcouye, Brighton (3% Fantrax, 0% Sleeper)
Anytime a Brighton starter surfaces, attention is warranted. When that starter puts up 20 points and is widely available on waivers, action is needed. Yalcouye impressed during Sunday's 4-3 loss against Chelsea, scoring a goal from two shots while also creating a chance. The circumstances are worth noting: Brighton were without Georginio Rutter, Kaoru Mitoma, Yankuba Minteh, Yasin Ayari and Jack Hinshelwood. Only Minteh is expected to be a long-term absence from that group, but after Sunday's performance, Yalcouye is worth a speculative add in case he makes a second start against Leeds at the weekend.
Best Forward Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantrax & Sleeper GW3
Bradley Barcola, Liverpool (0% Fantrax, 0% Sleeper)
Barcola's move to Liverpool was confirmed Monday, so he could be in the starting XI as soon as Gameweek 3. He's likely to be the standout signing of the transfer window, at least in the last couple weeks.
The winger had 12 goal involvements across 29 Ligue 1 appearances last campaign, added six more in the Champions League. He should slot straight into a starting role on Liverpool's left wing as Cody Gakpo looks set to leave the club. Unlike Bouaddi, this is a case where spending the top waiver priority is justified. The upside is immense. Big-money transfers have struggled to settle in the past, but few players entering the league before the window closes carry more ceiling than Barcola.
Dan Ndoye, Nottingham Forest (31% Fantrax, 32% Sleeper)
Ndoye has started each of the first two matches but has not yet surpassed the 65-minute mark. He still scored during a 17-point performance Saturday in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Liam Delap has signed for the club and Chris Wood is still around, but new manager Oliver Glasner appears to prefer Ndoye alongside Igor Jesus and slightly ahead of Morgan Gibbs-White. Ndoye is worth the pickup ahead of a clash with Spurs' leaky back line at the weekend.
Fantrax & Sleeper GW3 Waiver Wire: Final Thoughts
Gameweek 3 brings new transfers into the player pool along with several emerging Fantrax and Sleeper waiver wire targets. Minutes, starting roles and set-piece responsibilities will determine which of these pickups develop into season-long fantasy options and which are better suited as short-term streamers.
Confirmed lineups remain the best way to create late waiver value, especially when low-rostered players unexpectedly start in advanced roles. Check RotoWire's lineups and injury updates before finalizing GW3 claims.
