The article you've been waiting for is back, the complete pre-season form players guide. Everything you need to know about every team. Who's putting up the best numbers, tactical observations, all results and more. Let me not waste your time so let's jump straight in.
ARSENAL
Arsenal first and the Champions have given us a lot to think about following the Community Shield. They've been a difficult team to get a read on as far as owning their players from the get go, Tzolis has been the pre-season standout with a goal and 6 assists to his name including the Community Shield. Coventry home is a stand out fixture as well, can he sustain good numbers in the Premier League after impressing in the Belgian league the last few years?
In the Arsenal defence Raya and Gabriel are the two nailed picks, the others have questions marks over them. Calafiori looks set to start but will Hincapie get a game later? It might not matter if he continues to take up such advanced positions like in the Community Shield, leading to his goal and another half chance on the volley to bag a second.
Calafiori on his competition with Hincapie: "I don’t see it as a battle. He’s one of my best friends, and we’re very different players. If I was the manager I’d be very happy about the options."
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It's been widely reported Arsenal are in the market for a new CB as well, which casts some longer term doubt over Mosquera's nailedness. And Timber is a few weeks away from returning potentially, which would make White a problem when that happens. Arsenal were very dominant against Man City after some mixed results earlier in pre-season, and that was with the likes of Rice and Saka on the bench, Timber and Saliba missing. Calafiori go 59 minutes, bad news on FPL but in the context of that game it was 3 - 0 already. Odegaard absolutely bossed the game, is he back to his best? He'd make a mockery of 6.5m if he can get back to his form of a few years ago.
Arteta post match: "If we can maintain him fit, available with the players around him, we’re going to see a very different Martin."
ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa have been very busy with 8 pre-season games, no real stand outs besides wonderkid Madjo though, who is now injured for a while. Buendia with 2 goals 4 assists could be one to consider for 6m, likely on pens and direct free kicks. Konsa for 4.5m is one of the names being linked with Arsenal, he'd be a game breaker if that materialises. Joao Gomes and Onana are both inured for the start of the season, Villa players probably avoids at both ends of the pitch initially.
BOURNEMOUTH
Kroupi Jr is sidelined with injury for a while, which has seen Kluivert getting lots of minutes in the same sort of role in pre-season, the forgotten man after barely playing much last year, but of course the year before had 18 goal involvements, 158 points. He and Tavernier are interesting for 6m. Kluivert on pens, Tavernier with some free kick and corner duties.
Antonio Silva (5m) is one to watch, their Senesi replacement. Rayan has been playing like a second striker at times and is a really interesting option for 6.5m but perhaps not from the get go either given it's Man City away first.
BRENTFORD
Brentford had an unbelievable end to their pre-season, they absolutely battered Eintracht Frankfurt 7 - 0. Schade with a 10 match rating after 2 goals 2 assists, so much food for thought from this game. Thiago bagged a brace and assisted one of Schade's goals, then you had Dango scoring as well, Kayode assist, Sangare scored as well!
An incredible piece of business by Brentford, and while common advice is to avoid new signings in FPL to see how they get on he could be an exception, only 5.5m so it's low risk and only 1m of your budget allocated given you have to spend 4.5m minimum there, but this graphic from Alex Vollo underlines how good his defcon numbers are.
12 required in a game for +2 points, and he averages more defcons per 90 than last season's best mid in the league Anderson.
Of course still a question mark over if he can sustain the numbers in the Premier League, but he seriously is a baller. Good ball carrying, very physical. Do not sleep on defcon picks as unglamorous as they are they add up. Anderson quietly went about his business last season for 5.5m and ended up on 180 points which is mad for 5.5m.
Should we own Thiago then for 8m? It's a huge price jump and a tall ask to replicate last year's numbers, if he does then 8m is good value, he's not currently in my GW1 draft. There's players like Joao Pedro and Calvert-Lewin for cheaper that could provide more points per million early on.
BRIGHTON
Brighton kept two clean sheets in their final two pre-season games.
Hinshelwood looking very threatening continuing to take up promising positions like last season. Vuskovic is a huge aerial threat, over his career has averaged a goal every 4 games albeit a different league still only a teenager so not very comparable but the numbers leap off the page compared to others his age. Defcon monster.
Vuskovic was the only Brighton player to hit defcon, with 10 that match. Gross took corners both left and right side, plus a direct free kick shot. I'm a little conflicted by him, he's 35 now, they play in a Europa qualifier this Thursday, then Sunday, then Thursday again, then Sunday again. Plus you've got Minteh and Mitoma out, plus Gomez spotted limping down the tunnel and rumours he left the stadium limping. But there really is so many routes to points, corners both side, free kicks and penalties. Perhaps Boscagli and Vuskovic will be the CB pairing, or Struijk and one of those two, he was absent from the squad last match. Some are arguing Vuskovic will be eased in or used in Europa initially - could be a slight risk there. He's the real deal though, elite signing from Brighton. He will be great in FPL.
CHELSEA
The single most in form player in pre-season is Joao Pedro with a whopping 8 goals 2 assists. The theory was with a full summer off he'll be rearing to go and well rested, he's looked electric. The same theory hasn't landed for Palmer though who has only 1 assist and looking like an avoid for 9.5m.
Some players joined up late following the World Cup, Rogers and James didn't play a minute until their final match. This was how new manager Xabi Alonso lined up. Palestra has looked electric in wingback in pre-season, extremely attacking. 5.5m is a lot to pay though, he's on the watchlist.
If Colwill can stay injury free he's got potential for 5m. 6m for Lacroix is steep and he was priced in based on last season's defcon numbers which may not continue at Chelsea to the same degree. The same applies to other CBs like Senesi who have moved and something to keep in mind.
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COVENTRY
Coventry's appeal is mostly restricted to their defenders, and Rushworth as well if you're on bench boost GW2. With that Hull home game in the second gameweek. Van Ewijk and Thomas the two stand outs. New signing Amenda probably partners Thomas in CB. Van Ewijk produced good attacking numbers in the Championship, but whether he can replicate that in the Prem remains to be seen. I prefer the CBs since they're likelier to get defcon than a fullback is to get an assist.
Haji Wright was their top scorer last season, has a reported injury which made Simms look an interesting option for BB2 at only 5m, scored against Monaco in their final game. They've now reportedly signed Awoniyi so back to the drawing board and basically avoid everyone except the defensive assets for now. Rudoni is highly rated but still working his way back from injury. Grimes is a 5m mid so if you're really stretched he might work, Yirenkyi as well but he's a new signing.
CRYSTAL PALACE
It looks like Munoz could be set to leave Palace this window, Mingueza joined this window. Mateta hasn't played a single minute so avoid. Franca has 4 goals in pre-season but he won't start. Canvot produced some of the best defcon numbers in the league last season, among defenders only Senesi and Hill could better hit 64% hit rate and those both were at Bournemouth, Senesi's gone to Spurs. He's an interesting one for 5m.
EVERTON
How have Everton got on? After a slow start to life in the Premier League last season I'm backing Barry to have a much better year. He grew as the season went on, and has looked really impressive in their friendlies, good link up play, 3 goals 1 assist. Only 5.5m with Palace home GW1 so he's nice for the bench boost, you could just bench him until GW5 for Ipswich.
Barry won a pen which he took himself despite Ndiaye on the pitch. So there was some concern that Ndiaye is off pens, but they actually won 2 further pens in later games and Ndiaye took them both. 6m is steep for Tarkowski, he does still have potential to be worth it though. 3 assists from Dewsbury-Hall who has been getting advanced plenty still. Has played in every single game. Norgaard hasn't so avoid him for 5m, might be a good enabler later.
Garner had a good year, 53% success rate with defcons among the best in the entire league but he's had surgery, maybe he'll be available for 5.9m later after a price drop. Some rumoured transfer interest in Ndiaye, if he stays then he looks great for 6m. Don't be phased by last year's numbers, he missed 5 games at AFCON, and is capable of scoring more than he did.
FULHAM
Fulham ended pre-season with a 1 - 0 win, Gonzali Garcia comes in at 6m arriving from Real Madrid having played under Arbeloa. Fulham's opening fixtures are rough, with Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd in the opening 5. But look at that fixture swing from GW6, they play all 3 promoted teams in a row. I guarantee you many will be all over them for that run in GW6, which is also a wildcard window given it's the big international break and there's some other fixture swings too. Iwobi with 2G 2A has impressed, only 5.5m.
HULL
Not much to report on with Hull, they are basically complete avoids. McBurnie for 5.5m could be handy if you're on BB2 but they are massive favourites to go straight back down so it's hard to see where the best picks will be, when we've got 4m defenders from Ipswich and Coventry. 4.5m forward Destan could get some minutes.
IPSWICH
Ipswich have been busy and made lots of sisnings. the Brazilian striker Emersonn arriving and has 3 goal involvements, Davis the stand out performer with a brace and 2 further assists. Something worth noting is that O'Neill has been using O'Shea in right back, with Diop and Greaves in CB, that will reduce his defcon potential. O'Shea did actually score a curler top bins in their final game, didn't know he had that in his locker. It's got me wondering if Diop or Davis are the best 4m defenders to own.
Diop very highly owned though so he could be prone to an early price fall if they concede in the opening 3 which is very possible. You might have spotted Florentino's name on that midfielders defcon list earlier, he had a 56% hit rate when starting at Burnley, Ipswich have signed him, only 5m. Very low attacking potential though. Walle Egeli is my favourite of the 4.5m forwards, he won't be nailed but has a good chance of starting GW1 and should get occasional starts and cameos. Has 2 assists as well.
LEEDS
I've been so impressed by Leeds, they've made smart recruitments, have a really well rounded squad. Trafford and Muharemovic immediately look like top class signings. Muharemovic's defcon numbers are elite, he could be this year's Senesi along with Vuskovic. Scored a ridiculous bicycle goal as well which was very unexpected, didn't think he had that in his locker either!
You'll see him spraying very long balls in games, it'll lead to the odd assist or pre-assist. Loads of good options, Rodon is 4.5m and will start the season in CB playing in the back 3. Bornauw set to leave, Elvedi arriving but Leeds fans not predicting Rodon to lose his spot. It could happen much later if they have some bad results and he switches to a back 4, or if he picks up an injury then he might have to fight for a way back in.
Rodon's got an interesting new role in the current system, he's been pushing to wing back and then Bogle goes RW. Sometimes further than Bogle. Getting so far advanced Might be pre-season tinkering but he did it a bit end of last season. Led to a cracking quote after their final friendly, 4 - 0 win over Augsburg where Farke called him Joe Salah.
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool's attackers are very popular, only Bruno is higher owned than Szobo among mids, and Wirtz has been playing as a 10 just behind Isak in pre-season with 2 goals. For 7.5m he's got huge potential, and they face Newcastle GW1 who have lost so many key players plus now Joelinton is out injured. It's a valid strategy to double up with Szobo and Wirtz.
Isak will be an incredible pick if he can get back to form and I see no reason why he can't. Given Ekitike's out for the rest of the year I could see his minutes being managed and some early subs, so I like the two mids more. Leoni and Jacquet haven't played a single minute, and Gomez is injured for the start of the season so the defence could be a bit iffy. Araujo has joined on loan to partner Van Dijk. Kerkez of course earned a move to Liverpool after playing very well under Iraola at Bournemouth, who is now Liverpool manager so I like him for 5.5m.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Mbeumo is Man Utd's most in form player with 4 goal involvements. Sesko has been out which has seen Mbeumo actually playing up top as well, scored against PSG! I prefer him to Cunha. Mbeumo registered 17.2 xGI last season, Cunha 10.3 so it wasn't even close in that respect but Dorgu's been playing Cunha's position as well, and where does Rashford fit in? Man Utd have the best two opening fixtures so some are opting for a triple up which is valid. Maguire scored vs AC Milan in their final game off a Bruno corner, he's the new target on those set pieces. But they lost 4 - 2 in that final game, Amroim's AC Milan by the way! Bruno missed a pen, that's two missed in a row now and 3 of his last 7 converted which is crazy.
MANCHESTER CITY
Man City have had a very short pre-season, which is typical for them and not new. Semenyo has been the stand out with 5 assists, could still make a mockery of 8.5m this season. He'll play a lot of 90 minutes. One thing we'll have to see is what's different under Maresca compared to Pep, wingers could be used more as creators rather than direct goalscorers, that's what we've seen lots of in the pre-season games but that isn't to say they'll never score, of course they will. The tactical set up could be tailor made for Haaland to thrive though and he's by far the most owned player in the game despite also being the most expensive player in FPL history!
O'Reilly, Anderson, Haaland all in the starting 11 in the Community Shield. As we were saying at the start of the article Man City was so poor, Arsenal looked so much sharper, a step ahead, more incisive. It's only one game and it doesn't necessarily mean anything of course. Guehi was benched with Dias and Gvardiol the CB pairing, Doku off at half time with a potential injury as well. Haaland only got a 53 minute run out, you'll feel better if you're on a no Haaland draft. If you have Haaland and Bruno who's your captain for GW1?
NEWCASTLE
Newcastle have some differentials that could turn out great like Wissa, Barnes, Thiaw but they are really in a rebuild right now having lost so many key players, Bruno G, Gordon, Tonali. Their fixtures are actually pretty great after the first couple gameweeks but Thiaw is the only one that's tempting right now given his aerial threat and defcon potential.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
It's been a great pre-season for Igor Jesus who has found the back of the net 4 times. Gibbs-White is the main man and everything runs through him, despite the 8m price tag he will be a good pick over the season, on pens plus set pieces.
Wood when starting could be ahead in the pecking order, he scored a pen in the final friendly with Gibbs-White not on the pitch. One thing to mention is that Igor Jesus is much more effective playing as a 10, which was his role when he was banging them in this pre-season, then Wood got injured and he had to go up top where he was less effective, Wood made it back for the final game so he could still be fantastic.
Forest fans are crying for a new striker, and of course Awoniyi has gone to Coventry to maybe it will happen. Ranking the 6m forwards I'd go Calvert-Lewin, Igor Jesus, Brobbey. They're all decent picks though. Williams could benefit from Glasner's arrival, we saw how good Munoz was over the years. He takes corners on one side as well, and has always done pretty well for baseline bonus so he's often got a good shot at earning bonus points, and his defcon numbers are great for a wingback. Given they've also tweaked the rules of BPS in a way that benefits fullbacks and wingbacks he could be great for 5m.
SUNDERLAND
Hume has been playing right wing in pre-season and has even scored twice, despite being a 4.5m defender. He's not first choice in any particular position is the thing going against him, but Le Bris loves him and will just fit him in the team wherever. Something worth flagging up is that Meunier missed their final friendly which saw Talbi in RW and Hume back in RB.
If Meunier looks fine for GW1 then Hume is a fun pick assuming he'll play RW against Ipswich plus they've got Fulham home in GW2. I'm less sure currently. Sunderland are set to start the season without Mukiele and Alderete so clean sheet potential is reduced, O'Nien is 4m and probably starts in CB but he's such a short term pick I'd avoid. Le Fee isn't the one getting in to dangerous positions that often, but does have some set piece and pen duties. Ballard the target on set pieces.
TOTTENHAM
Lastly Tottenham then we'll look at the form players table. Solanke has picked up an injury so 6m Richarlison has led the line and has 3 goals, has played in every game. Tonali could be good for 5.5m but I prefer others like Gross and Sangare. Van Hecke hit defcon in their final game vs Hoffenheim with exactly 10, only defender who did. Spence has joined Inter so Pedro Porro looks good to from GW1 and one to consider for 5.5m going under the radar.
Yes Spurs were terrible for most of last season, but after De Zerbi came in they were top in the league for expected goals conceded from then to end of season, and that was with a threadbare squad, they've changed the spine of the team with Van Hecke, Senesi, Fernandes, Tonali arriving, and most business to be done before the window closes.
SUMMARY & FORM PLAYERS
So let's bring it all together with a summary and a table of the most in form players.
Joao Pedro is miles ahead with 10 goal involvements. Then you've got Tzolis on 7 involvements, 1 goal 6 assists. Buendia 6. Calvert-Lewin, Semenyo with 5. Some players with 4 involvements are Igor Jesus, Thiago, Mbeumo, Barry, Schade, Davis.
Chelsea have no Europe to juggle this season either, and it cannot be understated how much that can help with league performances. We saw Man Utd bounce immediately back after a year out of Europe which will have helped a lot plus the manager change.
Who's got the best opening fixtures that will help translate the form straight over in to the season? Projected goals first, which has Man City top, then Arsenal, then Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth and Spurs.
Source: fpl.page/projections
Projected clean sheets is a different list, and that's the importance of breaking fixture difficulty ratings down by goals and clean sheets. Arsenal top, then Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool, Brighton, Chelsea, Spurs, Fulham, Newcastle and Brentford.
Thanks for reading!
I'm currently doing an 80% off flash sale on membership. Just go to fpl.page/subscribe to take advantage and see the list of benefits. That's 80p all the way til GW5!