FPL pre-season friendlies guide: Arsenal outclass City in Community Shield win
A guide to all the FPL pre-season results ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League season, including key information for fantasy managers.
Pre-season is drawing to a close for Premier League clubs ahead of the 2026/27 season – and this is the place to come for all the results and key information you need for your Fantasy Premier League (FPL) teams.
The majority of teams were in action on Saturday, with the rest – including the Community Shield between Manchester City and Arsenal – playing on Sunday.
Whether you play Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Telegraph Fantasy Football or Sun Dream Team, there will be plenty of insight below to help you pick your Gameweek 1 teams.
For all our FPL tips, team reveals, best player articles and much more, see our Ultimate Guide to FPL.
Last updated: 16/08/26
What happened in the Community Shield on Sunday?
Arsenal 3 – 0 Manchester City
- ⚽ Calafiori
- ⚽ Havertz
- ⚽ Odegaard
- 🅰️ Tzolis x 2, Lewis-Skelley
City were outclassed by a sharper-looking Arsenal side, who generated 2.19 expected goals (xG) to City’s 0.77. Here are our key notes:
- Riccardo Calafiori gave the Gunners the lead within 23 seconds, latching on to a Myles Lewis-Skelley pass
- Christos Tzolis impressed with two assists, creating two big chances
- City’s wingers were generally high and wide, although Antoine Semenyo had the most touches in the opposition box (11) and took three shots
- City gave starts to World Cup returnees Nico O’Reilly (54 minutes), Elliot Anderson (60), Jeremy Doku (46) and Erling Haaland (53). Marc Guehi and Rayan Cherki came on after 54 and 60 minutes
- Haaland had two shots on goal – one big chance on target and one off target
- O’Reilly got into some central positions from left-back but only had one touch in the box
- Matheus Nunes was injured in the warm-up, with Abdukodir Khusanov at right-back
- Arsenal started with David Raya in goal and Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel and Calafiori at the back. Calafiori was a 59th minute substitute for Piero Hincapie
- Bruno Guimaraes was handed 45 minutes, while Noni Madueke started and played 60 before Bukayo Saka came on. Declan Rice played 45 minutes
- Jeremy Doku was seen with an ice pack strapped to his calf and Omar Marmoush took a knock at the end of the game and needed assistance from the physios – but Enzo Maresca said post-match that the Egyptian ‘looked OK’
FPL pre-season: Selected top performers
- Joao Pedro – Chelsea: ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽🅰️🅰️
- Christos Tzolis – Arsenal: ⚽🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️
- Emiliano Buendia – Aston Villa: ⚽⚽🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️
- Evanilson – Bournemouth: ⚽⚽⚽🅰️🅰️
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Leeds: ⚽⚽⚽🅰️🅰️
- Dango Ouattara – Brentford: ⚽⚽🅰️🅰️🅰️
- Antoine Semenyo – Manchester City: 🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️
FPL pre-season results 2026: Club-by-club friendly news
Results and goalscorers have been filled in as matches have been played, with details of assists where available and brief notes of notable highlights from an FPL and fantasy perspective.
Players with three or more attacking returns will be highlighted as ‘star men’ for each team.
Arsenal
Star men
Christos Tzolis: ⚽🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️
Myles Lewis-Skelley: ⚽🅰️🅰️
New signing Christos Tzolis was the undoubted highlight of pre-season for Arsenal, who rounded off their preparations with a convincing win over City in the Community Shield.
It looks like there will at least be some minutes for their late-returning World Cup players, although it may be a stretch to expect Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka to start in Gameweek 1, considering they were not in peak physical shape for England and only played their first club minutes on Sunday.
Bruno Guimaraes has played two lots of 45 minutes for his new club and is a candidate to start against Coventry (H), particularly if Rice is gradually eased back into the side.
The starting back four, with William Saliba ruled out, is likely to be the one fielded in the Community Shield: White, Mosquera, Gabriel and Calafiori.
July 25: Arsenal 3-0 MK Dons | Nelson (Tzolis) Nwaneri, O’Neill (Agustien)
August 1: Arsenal 4 – 1 Girona (Girona) | Havertz (Dowman), Tzolis (Calafiori), Dowman (Lewis-Skelley), Jesus (White)
August 5: Arsenal 1 – 3 Real Betis (Dublin) | Hincapie (Tzolis)
August 9: Arsenal 2 – 3 Borussia Dortmund (London) | Nwaneri (Tzolis), Gyokeres pen (Tzolis)
August 12: Arsenal 1 – 1 Como (Emirates Stadium) | Lewis-Skelley (Martinelli)
August 16: Arsenal 3 – 0 Manchester City (Community Shield – Cardiff) | Calafiori (Lewis-Skelley), Havertz (Tzolis), Odegaard (Tzolis)
Aston Villa
Star men
Emiliano Buendia: ⚽⚽🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️
Brian Madjo: ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽
Luka Lynch: ⚽⚽🅰️🅰️
George Hemmings: ⚽⚽🅰️
Villa shared minutes across their squad in all of their friendlies, with the Super Cup loss to Paris Saint-Germain arguably a better indicator of their likely Gameweek 1 lineup than the final match.
The PSG game saw teenage striker Brian Madjo announce himself on the world stage, scoring one of his five pre-season goals. But it has since emerged that the prospect will be out until September at least, while new signing Joao Gomes is likely to miss two to four weeks. Tammy Abraham was another casualty on Saturday.
Emiliano Martinez has not featured following his involvement in the World Cup final and there’s strong speculation he could join Juventus. Zion Suzuki from Parma could replace him. Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins have not played either after their England duties, with Konsa linked to Arsenal too. Watkins may be required amid Villa’s injury issues.
FPL managers may have to wait to see new midfielder Johan Manzambi in action, with the Switzerland international recovering from a knee issue. He was not in the final friendly squad.
Amid the injury woes though, Boubacar Kamara is back involved after a lengthy absence. And Emiliano Buendia looks a real option for FPL managers after six goal involvements.
July 21: Aston Villa 5 – 0 Walsall (Bescot Stadium) | Madjo x 2 (Nedeljkovic, Buendia), Hemmings (Buendia), Lynch, Borland (Lynch)
July 25: Aston Villa 1 – 2 Porto (Porto) | Lynch (Bogarde)
July 28: Aston Villa 2 – 4 Real Sociedad (Walsall) | Hemmings (Maatsen), Madjo (Buendia)
August 1: Aston Villa 3 – 1 Indonesia All-Stars (Jakarta) | Buendia (Nedeljkovic), Barkley, Madjo (Lynch)
August 4: Aston Villa 3 – 1 BG Pathum United (Pathum Thani) | Buendia (Cash), Lindelof (Alysson), Kamara (Hemmings)
August 7: Aston Villa 1 – 2 Bayern Munich (Hong Kong) | Gomes (Burrowes)
August 12: Aston Villa 1 – 2 Paris Saint-Germain (Super Cup – Salzburg) | Madjo (McGinn)
August 15: Aston Villa 1 – 2 Borussia Monchengladbach (Borussia-Park) | McGinn (Buendia)
Bournemouth
Star men
Evanilson: ⚽⚽⚽🅰️🅰️
Daniel Jebbison: ⚽⚽🅰️🅰️🅰️
Justin Kluivert: ⚽⚽⚽🅰️
Marcus Tavernier: ⚽⚽🅰️🅰️
Enes Unal: ⚽⚽⚽
Ben Gannon-Doak: ⚽⚽🅰️
Malcolm Dacosta Gonzalez: ⚽🅰️🅰️
New manager Marco Rose oversaw a thrilling start to pre-season, with the Cherries scoring 19 goals in their first three matches.
They were dealt an early blow when Eli Junior Kroupi was ruled out for several months after suffering a foot injury. This has increased the expected minutes of Justin Kluivert, who is likely to start the season in the number 10 position, with Rayan and Marcus Tavernier either side of him. Amine Adli being out for ‘some weeks’ only increases this likelihood.
Kluivert scored two penalties and could regain spot-kick duties after missing much of last season through injury. Tavernier was not on the pitch when they were taken though.
The departure of Marcos Senesi has left a gap at centre-back. James Hill was partnered by summer arrival Antonio Silva, who played 90 minutes.
Tyler Adams, David Brooks, Julio Soler, Alvaro Rodriguez and Juanlu Sanchez did not play in the final match but Rose indicated they would be back in time for Gameweek 1. Alex Scott was suspended after a red card against Real Betis.
July 24: Bournemouth 4 – 1 St. Pauli (Saalfelden) | Gannon-Doak (Tavernier), William (Christie), Jebbison (Toth), Diakite (Adli)
July 30: Bournemouth 5 – 2 Augsburg (Saalfelden) | Evanilson (Kluivert), Toth (Jebbison), Gannon-Doak (Jebbison), Tavernier (Dacosta Gonzalez), Unal (Tavernier)
August 4: Bournemouth 10 – 1 Genoa (Behind closed doors) | Kluivert x 3* (Truffert x 2, Gannon-Doak), Scott x 2 (Evanilson, Jebbison), Unal x 2 (Stevens, Dacosta Gonzalez), Jebbison (Smith), Brooks pen, Dacosta Gonzalez
*Two of Kluivert’s goals were penalties
August 8: Bournemouth 2 – 2 Real Betis (Seville) | Tavernier (Evanilson), Evanilson (Toth)
August 15: Bournemouth 1 – 2 Mainz (Mainz) | Evanilson (Silva)
Brentford
Star men
Dango Ouattara: ⚽⚽🅰️🅰️🅰️
Igor Thiago: ⚽⚽⚽🅰️
Kevin Schade: ⚽⚽🅰️🅰️
Mikkel Damsgaard: ⚽⚽🅰️🅰️
Callum Wilson: ⚽⚽🅰️
Brentford ran riot in their final friendly, beating Eintracht Frankfurt 7-0, with new record signing Mamadou Sangare scoring a volley from the edge of the area. It’s defensive contributions that have interested FPL managers though – but he earned just five in 71 minutes here. Prior to this, he played 109 minutes in two games since joining and is a candidate to start from Gameweek 1.
New signing Jaidon Anthony could take minutes off Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade. He replaced Schade after 71 minutes against Frankfurt – but only after the German had scored two and assisted two.
Who starts alongside Nathan Collins at centre-back has been subject of speculation. Kristoffer Ajer is in the driving seat, playing 71 minutes at the weekend, with Ethan Pinnock playing the remainder of the match.
Callum Wilson has picked up plenty of pre-season minutes meanwhile but Igor Thiago remains the main man up front.
July 15: Brentford 3 – 2 AFC Wimbledon (Behind closed doors) | Morgan (Nunes), Anthony (Damsgaard), Damsgaard (Ouattara)
August 1: Brentford 0 – 1 Watford (Behind closed doors)
August 5: Brentford 4 – 1 Wycombe (Behind closed doors) | Damsgaard (Janelt), Henry (Ouattara), Wilson (Anthony), Lewis-Potter
August 8: Brentford 4 – 2 Stade Rennais (Rennes) | Thiago (Jensen), Pinnock (Janelt), Ouattara (Wilson), Wilson (Ouattara)
August 8: Brentford 2 – 1 Stade Rennais (Rennes) | Meghoma (Nunes), Furo (Damsgaard)
August 15: Brentford 7 – 0 Eintracht Frankfurt (Gtech Community Stadium) | Schade x 2 (Collins, Thiago), Sangare, Thiago x 2 (Schade, Jensen), Ouattara (Kayode), Lewis-Potter (Schade)
Brighton
Star men
Ibrahim Osman: ⚽⚽🅰️
Georginio Rutter: ⚽⚽🅰️
Olivier Boscagli: ⚽🅰️🅰️
Who will start at the back for Brighton is the question on FPL managers’ lips ahead of Gameweek 1, with new signing Luka Vuskovic of most interest. Vuskovic hit 10 defensive contributions in 66 minutes in the Seagulls’ final friendly and has aerial threat from set-pieces too.
It was Vuskovic and Olivier Boscagli who started the final two friendlies but Lewis Dunk is a factor, playing a combined 69 minutes from off the bench in these games. New signing Pascal Struijk has not yet made his debut and there’s been no sign of a switch to a back three to accommodate all the Seagulls’ centre-backs.
Georginio Rutter leads the race to replace Danny Welbeck, who joined Chelsea. He started the final two matches and played 133 minutes over Charalampos Kostoulas.
Yankubah Minteh is set to miss two to three months after picking up an injury against Roma, while Kaoru Mitoma is recovering from a hamstring problem. Diego Gomez is a real option at £5.0m as a result.
Pascal Gross is another FPL budget midfield option, with his penalty responsibilities seemingly confirmed when he scored one against Strasbourg. Set-pieces increase his appeal.
A Europa Conference League playoff on Thursday before Gameweek 1 is the last opportunity to see Fabian Hurzeler’s team before Gameweek 1.
July 18: Brighton 4 – 1 Wycombe (Behind closed doors) | Kostoulas x 2 (Minteh, Osman), Osman (Keogh), Rutter (Boscagli)
August 1: Brighton 4 – 3 Strasbourg (Behind closed doors) | Gross pen (Wieffer), Boscagli (Gross), Cashin (Boscagli), Osman pen
August 8: Brighton 3 – 0 Roma (Amex Stadium) | Rutter (Gomez), Ayari x 2 (Rutter)
August 15: Brighton 1 – 0 Bologna (Amex Stadium) | Hinshelwood (Wieffer)
Chelsea
Star men
Joao Pedro: ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽🅰️🅰️
Jamie Gittens: ⚽⚽🅰️🅰️
Xabi Alonso used a back four in his first friendlies in charge but shifted to the 3-4-3 he was famed for at Bayer Leverkusen in the first team’s final two matches. The Spaniard said the Blues would be ‘versatile in our approach and system’.
New full-back Marco Palestra can play on either side but might have to fill in on the left while the more naturally left-sided Pep Chavarria settles in. Pedro Neto started the latter games at right wing-back.
Chelsea’s late World Cup participants Morgan Rogers, Reece James and Enzo Fernandez played 62, 62 and 28 minutes apiece against Real Sociedad, with James starting in central midfield. Fernandez has attracted strong interest from Manchester City.
Joao Pedro has been in superb form, including a hat-trick and two braces, making him an extremely popular fantasy option to start the campaign.
Cole Palmer only managed an assist but has plenty of minutes under his belt as he looks to put a disappointing and injury affected 2025/26 behind him.
July 18: Chelsea 3 – 1 Crawley (Behind closed doors) | Gittens, Delap, Emegha
July 28: Chelsea 6 – 4 Western Sydney Wanderers (Sydney) | Satpayev (Kavuma-McQueen), Essugo (Walsh), Gittens (Pedro), Pedro x 3 (Gittens, Palmer)
August 1: Chelsea 1 – 2 Spurs (Sydney) | Estevao (Gittens)
August 5: Chelsea 0 – 1 Juventus (Hong Kong)
August 8: Chelsea 3 – 0 AC Milan (Jakarta) | Pedro x 2 (Caicedo, Neto), Caicedo (Lavia)
August 9: Chelsea 3 – 3 Johor Darul Ta’zim (Johor) | Delap x 2 (Gittens)*, own-goal (Mudryk)
*Both of Delap’s goals were penalties, with him winning the first
August 15: Chelsea 3 – 1 Real Sociedad (Stamford Bridge) | Rogers (Pedro), Pedro x 2 (James, Gusto)
Coventry
Coventry are of high interest early on in FPL, with their Gameweek 2 match against Hull (H) key to Bench Boost teams that week.
Carl Rushworth will play in goal having sealed a long-awaited permanent move from Brighton but the centre-back picture is a little unclear. Bobby Thomas, Liam Kitching and new signing Aurele Amenda are competing for two places, unless Lampard switches to a back three. It was Thomas and Amenda who played 90 minutes together in their final friendly against Monaco, perhaps giving them the upper hand. Amenda also had a headed goal ruled out for offside.
Caleb Yirenkyi impressed Frank Lampard in that game, making him a possible budget midfield option with defensive contributions potential. He contributed an assist in the 2-0 Monaco win on Friday.
Ellis Simms could start the season up front for the Sky Blues. Haji Wright, who played at the World Cup, has a quad injury which was still being investigated when Lampard spoke after the Monaco match. Taiwo Awoniyi is set to sign from Nottingham Forest though, along with fellow striker Sidiki Cherif from Fenerbahce.
July 11: Coventry 2-3 AFC Wimbledon (Behind closed doors) | Bassette, Van Ewijk
July 18: Coventry 0 – 0 Northampton (Northampton)
August 1: Coventry 1 – 0 Leicester | Latibeaudiere (Kitching)
August 8: Coventry 3 – 1 Espanyol (Coventry) | Sakamoto (Kitching), Eccles (Bidwell), Simms (Eccles)
August 14: Coventry 2 – 0 Monaco (Coventry Building Society Arena) | Simms (Grimes), Tchaouna (Yirenkyi)
Crystal Palace
Star men
Matheus Franca: ⚽⚽⚽
Eddie Nketiah: ⚽⚽⚽
Oliver Glasner might have left for Nottingham Forest but their familiar 3-4-3 formation remains, with Pierre Sage so far sticking with the blueprint laid out by his predecessor.
Many of Palace’s key players did not feature until late on, with Jean-Philippe Mateta not getting any minutes against Freiburg.
Daniel Munoz could join Everton and Palace fans think he might have been saying farewell to them at the end of Saturday’s match. Oscar Mingueza played 77 minutes in his place.
July 18: Crystal Palace 5 – 1 Swindon (Behind closed doors) | Franca x 3 (Drakes-Thomas, Canvot), Nketiah x 2 (Esse)
July 25: Crystal Palace 0 – 3 Bromley (Bromley)
July 28: Crystal Palace 0 – 0 RC Lens (Lake Como)
July 28: Crystal Palace 0 – 3 Famalicao (Lake Como)
July 31: Crystal Palace 3 – 1 Al-Ula (Lake Como) | Devenny (Cardines), Nketiah (Cardines), Canvot (Jemide)
August 7: Crystal Palace 2 – 1 Fulham (Behind closed doors) | Sarr (Richards), Franca (Mingueza)
August 15: Crystal Palace 0 – 3 SC Freiburg (Freiburg) |
Everton
Star men
Thierno Barry: ⚽⚽⚽🅰️
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: 🅰️🅰️🅰️
Who takes penalties for the Toffees has been the key question in pre-season.
There was some doubt when Thierno Barry won one and converted against Stuttgart recently, while usual taker Iliman Ndiaye was linked to a move abroad. Helpfully though, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall won back-to-back spot-kicks in the final two friendlies, with Ndiaye scoring both.
There is less certainty over summer signing and possible defensive contributions magnet Christian Norgaard however. While Tim Iroegbunam has a hamstring injury, James Garner has undergone surgery and Idrissa Gueye has left the club, Norgaard was nowhere to be seen against Lille on Saturday.
Thierno Barry has looked sharp in pre-season and played 90 minutes in their last match before Gameweek 1.
July 18: Everton 4 -0 Dundee (Dundee) | Beto (Dewsbury-Hall), Barry, Foster, McNeil (Alcaraz)
July 25: Everton 0 – 0 Bolton (Bolton)
July 28: Everton 0 – 1 Stoke (Stoke)
August 1: Everton 2 – 1 Hamburger (Hamburg) | Rohl (Barry), own-goal (Graham)
August 8: Everton 1 – 3 Stuttgart (Stuttgart) | Barry pen
August 12: Everton 3 – 1 Newcastle (Edinburgh) | Barry (Armstrong), Ndiaye pen (Dewsbury-Hall), George (Armstrong)
August 15: Everton 1 – 1 Lille (Hill Dickinson Stadium) | Ndiaye pen (Dewsbury-Hall)
Fulham
Star men
Alex Iwobi: ⚽⚽🅰️🅰️
Timothy Castagne: ⚽🅰️🅰️
Alvaro Arbeloa has taken over from Marco Silva at Craven Cottage and striker Gonzalo Garcia and midfielder Cesar Palacios have joined the ex-Real Madrid boss in making the switch from Spain.
Garcia, who has plenty of history working under Arbeloa, looks to be winning the race to be Fulham’s number nine. He started against Stuttgart, Malaga and Palace, averaging 78 minutes.
Penalties are up for grabs. Alex Iwobi scored one with Rodrigo Muniz off the pitch in match three but Muniz scored one later on with Iwobi still on the pitch. Could Garcia end up taking them if he becomes first-choice frontman?
July 25: Fulham 0 – 2 Norwich (Behind closed doors)
July 28: Fulham 1 – 1 Al-Ahli (Al-Ahli) | Sessegnon (Iwobi)
August 1: Fulham 2 – 1 Farense (Portugal) | Iwobi pen (Smith Rowe), Muniz pen (King)
August 7: Fulham 1 – 2 Crystal Palace (Behind closed doors) | Robinson (Bobb)
August 12: Fulham 2 – 2 Malaga (Malaga) | Sessegnon (Castagne), Iwobi (Castagne)
August 15: Fulham 1 – 0 Stuttgart (Craven Cottage) | Castagne (Iwobi)
Hull
An extensive injury list for this point of the season is problematic for Hull, while new signings are expected to shake-up the starting lineup.
Club record signing Konstantinos Tzolakis will start in goal with Jack Butland injured, while Ryan Giles, John Egan, Regan Slater and Oli McBurnie the more nailed of our predicted 11.
The Tigers’ starting 11 for their final friendly was as follows – but new signings could yet disrupt the lineup: Tzolakis, Coyle, Ajayi, Egan, Giles, Slater, Crooks, Belloumi, Hjerto-Dahl, Stroud, McBurnie
July 25: Hull 3 – 0 Konyaspor (Slovenia) | Destan (Tinsdale), own-goal, Kamara (Millar)
July 28: Hull 2 – 1 Caykur Rizespor (Slovenia) | McBurnie (Dowell), Dowell (Omur)
August 1: Hull 1 – 1 Kasimpasa (Istanbul) | McBurnie (Omur)
August 8: Hull 0 – 2 Eintracht Frankfurt (Frankfurt)
August 15: Hull 0 – 0 OGC Nice (MKM Stadium)
Ipswich
Star men
Leif Davis: ⚽⚽🅰️🅰️
Emersonn: ⚽⚽️🅰️
Sindre Walle Egeli: 🅰️🅰️🅰️
Kjell Scherpen is expected to start in goal for the Tractor Boys and will be among several new signings who are likely to start in Gameweek 1.
Gary O’Neil could play a back four or use three centre-backs but a four looks more likely judging by the recent friendlies. Dara O’Shea has played at right-back in the last two, at the likely expense of his defensive contribution numbers, and this would allow newcomer Issa Diop to partner Jacob Greaves at the back.
FPL budget forward Sindre Walle Egeli has featured heavily, albeit in midfield, but he could be a short-term option on a Gameweek 1 Bench Boost or a third bench pick at £4.5m.
Leif Davis is an attacking left-back option for those who are interested in chasing attacking returns rather than defensive contributions.
July 25: Ipswich 0 – 0 FC Cartagena (Behind closed doors)
July 29: Ipswich 1 – 2 Osasuna (Colchester) | Akpom (O’Shea)
August 1: Ipswich 0 – 2 Oxford (Oxford)
August 1: Ipswich 2 – 1 Wycombe (Wycombe) | Humphreys x 2 (Davis, Mendel)
August 4: Ipswich 1 – 0 Le Havre (Portman Road) | Akpom (Fatawu)
August 8: Ipswich 3 – 0 Rayo Vallecano (Portman Road) | Davis x 2 (Emersonn, Walle Egeli), Emersonn (Florentino)
August 15: Ipswich 4 – 2 Union Berlin (Berlin) | Clarke (Davis), Emersonn (Walle Egeli), O’Shea (Walle Egeli), McAteer (Philogene)
Leeds
Star men
Dominic Calvert-Lewin: ⚽⚽⚽🅰️🅰️
Brenden Aaronson: ⚽⚽🅰️🅰️
Leeds’ final pre-season friendly looked close to their likely Gameweek 1 lineup, with a back three of Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and summer arrival Tarik Muharemovic the favourites to start in front of James Trafford in goal.
Muharemovic – who scored a bicycle kick on Saturday – is another player being tipped for his defensive contributions potential. He reportedly passed the threshold within 45 minutes in an early friendly and averaged more than 17 per 90 minutes at the World Cup.
Rodon is not tipped to be as nailed as he was by some Leeds fans, however he has caught the eye for his progression down the right-hand side and two assists in pre-season. So much so that Daniel Farke joked that he looked like ‘Joe Salah’. He offers an alternative to the £5.0m Muharemovic if looking to save £0.5m.
July 25: Leeds 2 – 3 Wrexham (Tampa) | Piroe pen (James), Longstaff (Mills)
July 30: Leeds 1 – 0 Sunderland (New Jersey) | Nmecha (Tanaka)
August 2: Leeds 4 – 2 Liverpool (Chicago) | Aaronson (Ampadu), Calvert-Lewin x 2 (Rodon, Bornauw), Longstaff (Aaronson)
August 8: Leeds 2 – 0 RB Leipzig (Leeds) | Calvert-Lewin (Rodon), Nmecha (Gnonto)
August 12: Leeds 1 – 1 Manchester United (Dublin) | Aaronson (James)
August 15: Leeds 4 – 0 Augsburg (Elland Road) | Stach (Aaronson), Muharemovic (Calvert-Lewin), Justin (Calvert-Lewin), Nmecha (Tanaka)
Liverpool
Star men
Dominik Szoboszlai: ⚽🅰️🅰️
Andoni Iraola has spent pre-season with a central defensive dilemma after Joe Gomez was injured early on. Teenage signing Jeremy Jacquet was only fit enough to start in Liverpool’s final friendly and is the main candidate to replace the departed Ibrahima Konate long term. Jacquet shared minutes with Ronald Araujo, a loan signing from Barcelona, and scored a debut goal. Either could start against Newcastle alongside Virgil van Dijk.
A deeper role for Dominik Szoboszlai is likely for now, with Florian Wirtz in the 10. Wirtz has looked almost like a second striker at times.
Iraola is expected to make tactical tweaks to the way Liverpool play in comparison to former Reds’ boss Arne Slot. Sunderland centre-back Dan Ballard noted there were ‘a lot of differences’ when Sunderland faced them early on, with an ‘aggressive press’ and players ‘going straight for goal’.
July 25: Liverpool 4 – 2 Sunderland (Nashville) | Morrison (Elliott), Szoboszlai, Chiesa (Ramsay), Koumas (Szoboszlai)
July 29: Liverpool 1 – 0 Wrexham (New York) | Ngumoha (Szoboszlai)
August 2: Liverpool 2 – 4 Leeds (Chicago) | Chambers (Kerkez), Wirtz (Frimpong)
August 9: Liverpool 2 – 3 AS Monaco (Anfield) | Isak (Gravenberch), Wirtz (Isak)
August 16: Liverpool 2 – 0 Como (Anfield) | Gakpo (Frimpong), Jacquet (Gakpo)
August 16: Liverpool 0 – 0 Como (Behind closed doors)
Manchester City
Star men
Antoine Semenyo: 🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️
Divin Mubama: ⚽⚽🅰️
Enzo Maresca has opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation in pre-season, with Antoine Semenyo starring with five assists.
We’ve yet to see City at their fluent best, with all of their expected first-team regulars. We had a glimpse of Elliot Anderson, Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Nico O’Reilly in the Community Shield but the late returners generally looked rusty after their recent returns.
Erling Haaland got 53 minutes in the Community Shield – more than some were perhaps expecting – but debate will rage among engaged FPL managers over the coming days as to whether he’s worth a place in our Gameweek 1 teams.
August 1: Manchester City 1 – 1 Inter Milan (Hong Kong) | Mubama (Semenyo)
August 5: Manchester City 3 – 1 K-League All-Stars (Seoul) | Ait-Nouri (Reijnders), Reijnders (Semenyo), Mubama (Semenyo)
August 9: Manchester City 3 – 1 Atletico Madrid (Seoul) | Marmoush x 2 (Semenyo x 2), Ait-Nouri (Mubama)
August 16: Manchester City 0 – 3 Arsenal (Community Shield – Cardiff)
Manchester United
Manchester United team preview
Star men
Bryan Mbeumo: ⚽⚽⚽🅰️
Joshua Zirkzee: ⚽⚽🅰️
Harry Maguire scored from a Bruno Fernandes corner as United fell to a final friendly defeat against AC Milan – an indicator that the defender could perhaps fill the void left by Casemiro as an aerial threat from set-pieces.
With Mason Mount missing having picked up a knock against Paris Saint-Germain and Kobbie Mainoo arriving late after the World Cup, Andrey Santos – an ever-present in pre-season – and Youri Tielemans are the most likely starters in central midfield come Gameweek 1.
Bryan Mbeumo has filled in up front with Benjamin Sesko not featuring in pre-season as he works his way back to full fitness following a late-season shin injury. He was benched against Milan though, with Matheus Cunha starting up top.
Bruno Fernandes has missed two penalties but surely has enough credit in the bank to retain spot-kick duties.
Marcus Rashford played 29 minutes of the Milan game and looks likely to remain at the club after two loan spells.
July 18: Manchester United 0 – 1 Wrexham (Helsinki)
July 24: Manchester United 5 – 0 Rosenborg (Trondheim) | Lacey (Zirkzee), Zirkzee (Amass), Devaney (Armer), Amass (Kamason), Williams (Kamason)
August 1: Manchester United 2 – 1 Atletico Madrid (Stockholm) | Mbeumo x 2 (Lacey, J.Fletcher)
August 8: Manchester United 1 – 1 Paris Saint-Germain (Gothenburg) | Mbeumo (Amad)
August 12: Manchester United 1 – 1 Leeds (Dublin) | Zirkzee (Mbeumo)
August 15: Manchester United 2 – 4 AC Milan (Wroclaw) | Maguire (Fernandes), Dorgu
Newcastle
Star men
Jacob Murphy: 🅰️🅰️🅰️
Newcastle’s pre-season was affected by Eddie Howe’s departure, with Matthias Jaissle replacing him. Jaissle began his tenure with a match against Valencia on August 8.
Outgoings have made the turbulence worse, with Anthony Gordon, Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali leaving big gaps to fill.
All this makes the Magpies ones to monitor rather than risk investing in straight away. Jaissle has admitted his team would not be at their ‘peak’ against Liverpool in Gameweek 1.
Two friendlies were played at the weekend, with the most likely starters facing Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday. Newcastle are in need of a right-back, among other signings, but it was teenager Mason Miley who started that game, playing 81 minutes. Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall completed the back four in front of new goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek. Dan Burn and Fabian Schar played on Sunday.
Eighteen-year-old central midfielder Sean Steur has done well throughout pre-season and could play more minutes than he might have initially anticipated with Newcastle losing two key players in his position. Yoane Wissa is leading the way to start up front, with Nick Woltemade possibly starting ahead of William Osula in the 10.
July 18: Newcastle 3 – 0 Darlington (Behind closed doors) | Willock (Murphy), Osula pen (Willock), Neave
July 25: Gateshead 1 – 1 Newcastle (Gateshead) | OG (Hall)
July 29: Newcastle 1 – 4 Bristol City (Bristol) | Barnes (Ramsey)
August 8: Newcastle 2 – 1 Valencia (Valencia) | Wissa x 2 (Toure)
August 12: Newcastle 1 – 3 Everton (Edinburgh) | Barnes (Murphy)
August 15: Newcastle 1 – 2 Bayer Leverkusen (St James’ Park) | Thiaw (Elanga)
August 16: Newcastle 1 – 1 Strasbourg (St James’ Park) | Osula (Murphy)
Nottingham Forest
Star man
Igor Jesus: ⚽⚽⚽⚽
Taiwo Awoniyi: ⚽⚽🅰️
Arnaud Kalimuendo: ⚽⚽⚽
Morgan Gibbs-White: 🅰️🅰️🅰️
Luca Netz: ⚽🅰️🅰️
Oliver Glasner started pre-season by saying his trusty back-three formation was his initial choice ‘just because we had so many defenders available’.
But the Austrian has stuck with it throughout and it would therefore be a surprise to see anything different come Gameweek 1. Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic are the surest starters, with new signing Ousmane Diomande likely to join them after playing 45 minutes against Bayer Leverkusen. Neco Williams and Ola Aina are locked in at wing-back.
Xaver Schlager started in central midfield on Saturday alongside what looked like Forest’s first-choice 11, however the Tricky Trees have been in the market for more signings after Elliot Anderson left for a fee north of £100m.
July 18: Nottingham Forest 2 – 0 Notts County (Nottingham) | Jesus (Gibbs-White), Kalimuendo (Bakwa)
July 22: Nottingham Forest 3 – 0 Blackburn (Albufeira) | Jesus (Gibbs-White), Kalimuendo (Awoniyi), Awoniyi (Moreira)
July 26: Nottingham Forest 1 – 1 Vitoria (Behind closed doors) | Jesus (Aina)
July 31: Nottingham Forest 1 – 4 Sporting (Faro) | Jesus (Wood)
July 31: Nottingham Forest 2 – 1 Portimonense (Faro) | Awoniyi pen (Hutchinson), Schlager
August 8: Nottingham Forest 0 – 2 Udinese/Barcelona (Udine)
August 12: Nottingham Forest 2 – 1 Bayer Leverkusen (City Ground) | Ndoye (Gibbs-White), Kalimuendo (Netz)
August 16: Nottingham Forest v Brest (City Ground) | Wood pen (Netz), Netz (Dominguez)
Sunderland
Star men
Enzo Le Fee: ⚽⚽⚽
Trai Hume: ⚽⚽🅰️
Timur Tutierov: ⚽⚽🅰️
Brian Brobbey: ⚽🅰️🅰️
Sunderland could be without Nordi Mukiele and Omar Alderete for Gameweek 1, with both recovering from injuries. Luke O’Nien, who is £4.0m in FPL, has started every friendly alongside Dan Ballard in central defence.
Fellow defender Trai Hume is also of interest at £4.5m, having spent lots of time on the right wing, and scoring in the final two friendlies.
Enzo Le Fee looks a lock in the number 10 role and is among a number of £6.0m midfielders to consider.
July 18: Sunderland 5 – 1 York (York) | Le Fee x 2 (Ta Bi, Tutierov), Rigg (Hume), Tutierov (Reinildo), Proctor (Dinsdale)
July 25: Sunderland 2 – 4 Liverpool (Nashville) | Le Fee (Rigg), Tutierov (Jones)
July 30: Sunderland 0 – 1 Leeds (New Jersey)
August 2: Sunderland 1 – 0 Wrexham (Philadelphia) | Mukiele (Brobbey)
August 8: Sunderland 2 – 0 RC Lens (Behind closed doors) | Hume (Rigg), Isidor (Talbi)
August 15: Sunderland 2 – 1 Stade Rennais (Stadium of Light) | Brobbey, Hume (Brobbey)
Spurs
Star men
Mathys Tel: ⚽🅰️🅰️
Spurs are a new-look side under Roberto De Zerbi, signing the likes of Jan Paul van Hecke, Sandro Tonali and Marcos Senesi. The trio started against Hoffenheim on Saturday.
Antonin Kinsky will start the season in goal, with Roberto De Zerbi saying the shot-stopper ‘deserves’ to be first choice.
Cristian Romero has joined Atletico Madrid and Micky van de Ven has not played since featuring at the World Cup.
Mathys Tel was among the star men in pre-season and was on some set-pieces. Dominic Solanke meanwhile has been absent amid reports of an ankle injury.
Matheus Fernandes, who rifled a volley home from outside the box on debut, played in a behind-closed-doors game on Sunday rather than in the Saturday fixture but is in the mix for a start in Gameweek 1. James Maddison made his first start in almost a year since his serious knee injury in the same game.
July 22: Spurs 1 – 0 MK Dons (Behind closed doors) | Fernandes
July 26: Spurs 2 – 0 Auckland FC (Auckland) | Scarlett (Solomon), Richarlison (Tel)
July 29: Spurs 1 – 1 Sydney FC (Sydney) | Tel (Solomon)
August 1: Spurs 2 – 1 Chelsea (Sydney) | Tonali, Richarlison
August 8: Tottenham 1 – 1 Getafe (behind closed doors) | Gallagher
August 15: Tottenham 3 – 0 Hoffenheim (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium) | Richarlison (Robertson), Moore x 2 (Tel x 2)
August 16: Tottenham 2 – 2 Hoffenheim (Behind closed doors) | Davies (Fernandes), Williams-Barnett (Sarr)
