Pre-season friendlies round-up

The Premier League season is just over two weeks away which means Fantasy Premier League is just around the corner. With that in mind we take a look at the pre-season friendlies round-up to catch up with some of the goals, assists, formations and more.

Catching up with the pre-season friendlies gives FPL managers even more insight into teams and players. Knowing how teams are performing defensively and offensively, which players are returning and how teams are setting up can help bring clarity to the decisions we have to make before the season starts.

Greuther Furth 4-4 Liverpool

Goals: Luis Diaz (£7.5m), Darwin Nunez (x2 – £7.5m) and Mohamed Salah (£12.5m)

Assists: Trent-Alexander Arnold (£8m), Mohamed Salah (x2) and Darwin Nunez.

Notes

Liverpool played with a 4-3-3 formation.
Trent Alexander-Arnold played in a central midfield role but still picked up an assist.
Striker Cody Gakpo (£7.5m) started the game in a central midfield role.
Mohamed Salah came off at half time and still managed three goal contributions similar to Darwin Nunez.
Mohamed Salah claimed the highest player rating (9.3) – he created two shots on target, four key passes and two big chances.

Aston Villa 3-3 Newcastle

Goals: Ollie Watkins (£8m), Emiliano Buendia (x2 – £6m) | Elliot Anderson (£4.5m), Alexander Isak (£7.5m), Callum Wilson (£8m)

Assists: Emiliano Buendia, Douglas Luiz (£5.5m), Omari Kellyman | Jacob Murphy (£5m), Elliot Anderson, Anthony Gordon (£5.5m)

Notes

Newcastle played a 3-4-2-1 system whilst Aston Villa opted for a 4-2-3-1.
Buendia played a key role in all three of Aston Villa’ goals and stood out as one of the top performers.
Budget midfielder Elliot Anderson was also excellent throughout the game picking up two attacking returns.
New signing and midfielder Harvey Barnes (£6.5m) made a late appearance but made no significant contribution.
Other new signing Sandro Tonali (£5.5m) played the full first half before being substituted.

Brentford 2-3 Fulham

Goals: Yoane Wissa (£6m), Kristoffer Ajer (£4.5m) | Harry Wilson (£5.5m), Bobby De Cordova-Reid (£5.5m), Carlos Vinicius (£5m)

Assists: Keane Lewis-Potter (£5m), Rico Henry (£4.5m) | Harrison Reed (x2 – £5m), Harry Wilson

Notes

Both sides were without their top scorers Ivan Toney and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Yoane Wissa led the offensive line in the absence of Toney and scored.
Midfielder Bryan Mbeumo (£6.5m) struck the post after a fantastic effort from long range.
Mark Flekken (£4.5m) started the game and last season’ number one David Raya featured in the second half.
Brentford conceded from two long range shots but were arguably the better side throughout the game.
Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha (£5.0m) picked up an injury during the game – a big loss moving forward if long-term.

Yokohama 3-5 Manchester City

Goals: John Stones (£5.5m), Julian Alvarez (£6.5m), Erling Haaland (x2 – £14m), Rodri (£5.5m)

Assists: Julian Alvarez, Kalvin Phillips (£5m), Phil Foden (£7.5m), Aymeric Laporte (£5m), Joao Cancelo (£6m)

Notes

22 Manchester City players featured in the game and none lasted longer than 45 minutes.
Midfielder Riyad Mahrez (£7.5m) was the noticeable absentee after completing his move to a Saudi club.
Although Kevin De Bruyne (£10.5m) was confirmed to be injured in the early weeks of pre-season he was part of the matchday squad.
John Stones was playing in a midfield role similar to last season and also bagged a goal.
Haaland scored two goals after playing the full second half.
Could Joao Cancelo make a comeback? The Portuguese registered an assist during the second half.
Phil Foden had a fantastic opportunity to score but failed – he did however create an assist.