After being starved of fantasy football for the past couple of months, Premier League sides are finally back in a action with their pre-season friendlies.
While by no means a guarantee of what will happen in the season ahead, analysing friendlies can give an indication of where certain players will be and how it bodes for their draft fantasy prospects (think Watford’s Etienne Capoue at the start of last season).
Here are the key matches so far…
ARSENAL
Game 1 vs. Sydney
After shelling out nearly £50 million on Alexandre Lacazette, you can imagine Arsenal fans were eager to see their new man in action.
The Frenchman’s debut will have fantasy managers excited as well as he scored the second goal in a 2-0 win over Sydney with a cool finish from Alex Iwobi’s cross.
It seems likely the 26-year-old will be Arsenal’s prime striker and likely be a first-round pick in many drafts, although it is also interesting that Wenger tried him with Olivier Giroud on the pitch as well.
Per Mertesacker gave the Gunners the lead with an acrobatic effort after just four minutes.
Game 2 vs. Western Sydney
The Gunners had the game tied up in the first half as they dispatched Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1.
Olivier Giroud – looking more and more like a decent late draft option if he gets minutes of the bench – opened the scoring with a neat finish before Aaron Ramsey and Mohamed Elneny added to the scoreline.
Ramsey looked sharp in preseason and seems like a decent option in the Arsenal midfield, while Elneny was fielded in centre-back once more.
There are a few options at the back whose stock will soon be rising as Nacho Montreal grabbed two assists and Sead Kolasinac also threatened.
Alexandre Lacazette was fielded on the wing as he gets used to his teammate. Potential investors will want to see him up top more often before committing their first pick.
BOURNEMOUTH
Bournemouth kicked off their preseason with a 2-1 win over Portuguese outfit Estoril.
Jordan Ibe and Max Gradel were on target for the Cherries, with the latter also registering an assist.
With Marc Pugh and Junior Stanislas preferred at the end of the last season it’s unlikely the pair will warrant too much interest early doors, but both have the potential to be explosive.
Elsewhere Jermain Defoe wasn’t in the match day squad, with a number of people keen to see how he fares on his return to Dean Court.
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Labelled as potential whupping boys in some quarters this season, Brighton showed they’ll be no pushovers with a 2-0 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf.
While neither goalscorer Jamie Murphy or Tomer Hemed are likely to feature regularly in the first team, defenders like Lewis Dunk may well be worth a look should the Seagulls show similar resilience at the beginning of the season.
BURNLEY
New signing Jonathan Walters got off to a goalscoring start with his new club as Burnley thrashed Shamrock Rovers 4-0 in Ireland.
The former-Stoke man has an eye for goal, having only failed to score at least five goals per season once for the Potters.
Fellow Irishman Robbie Brady also found the net while Ashley Barnes and Sam Cokes also bagged as they compete for a place next to Andre Gray.
CHELSEA
Chelsea proved they’ll have little problem scoring without Eden Hazard as they destroyed Fulham 8-2in their pre-season starter.
The Belgian will miss the start of the season with injury but Willian stepped up with a hat-trick and should be guaranteed match time at the beginning.
Michy Batshuayi bagged a brace and could be a great striking option after his late flourish last season although a new name is expected to be announced.
Loic Remy also scored two while Cesar Azpilicueta also managed a rare goal. Conte also kept the same back five as he did last season.
EVERTON
Wayne Rooney’s arrival at Everton has been met with a mixture of optimism and scepticism from fantasy manager, although he did no harm by scoring the opening goal in a 2-1 win over Gor Mahia.
In a carbon copy of that first Premier League goal against Arsenal that announced his arrival on the scene, Rooney instantly went up in the estimations of drafters who will now take a keen interest in his role this season.
Ademola Lookman and Tom Davies also grabbed assists and should be monitored for their minutes in a new-look Everton side.
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
Huddersfield Town may not be a side many people will look at being invested in, but their 1-0 win against Accrington Stanley highlighted a few potential options who could go later in some drafts.
Tom Ince has so far failed to hit the heady heights his career once promised, but he grabbed a goal in the second half after wriggling free on the edge of the area.
Ince struggled in his short spell in the Premier League with Hull City but will be hoping for success this year after three consecutive seasons of hitting double figures in the Championship.
LIVERPOOL
Game 1 vs. Tranmere
James Milner confirmed himself as one of the most sought after defenders in this year’s draft by slotting home a penalty in Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Tranmere.
The left-back scored seven goals from the spot last year, making him a potentially high-scoring player. Any confirmation he will still be stepping up from twelve yards is welcome news to his potential investors.
Sheyi Ojo also shined for the Reds and although his minutes are likely to be limited, his two assists demonstrate he could step up should Jurgen Klopp’s side struggle with injuries.
Game 2 vs. Wigan Athletic
New Reds signing Mohamed Salah scored on his debut as Liverpool drew 1-1 with Wigan Athletic.
There was a mix of regular starters and youth players out in a mixed performance for Jurgen Klopp’s side, with Roberto Firmino, Adam Lallana and Phillippe Coutinho building up their fitness.
After bagging 15 goals in Serie A last year, it’s Salah who is currently looking like the best option in a stacked Liverpool attack.
MANCHESTER UNITED
While all eyes were on new signing Romelu Lukaku, it was another Manchester United attacker who grabbed the headlines in a 5-2 win over L.A Galaxy.
Marcus Rashford showed his eye for goal in the centre forward spot and may well be worth a pick even if he plays on the wing.
Fellow widemen Anthony Martial and Henrik Mkhitaryan will give him some competition as they both found the net, while Jesse Lingered also bagged two assists.
Marouane Fellaini grabbed the other goal.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Dwight Gayle hit two goals on in Newcastle’s first warm up game; a 2-1 win over Hearts.
The striker, who managed an impressive 15 goals in 27 starts over three seasons at Palace, may well be a decent option in a Magpies side built around him.
Siem De Jong and Jonjo Shelvey grabbed the assists.
SOUTHAMPTON
Southampton played out a dull 0-0 draw/b> with St Gallen in their first pre-season outing.
The likes of Oriol Romeu, Jordy Clasie, Sofiane Boufal, Dušan Tadić and Charlie Austin were all on show while Fraser Forster started in goal.
Virgil Van Dijk was rested as he recovers from injury while Cedric Soares had previously been on international duty so was omitted. Saints fans and fantasy managers alike will be hoping both are fit.
STOKE CITY
Game 1 vs. Neuchatel Xamax
The Potters got their pre-season off to a good start with a 1-0 win over Swiss side Neuchatel Xamax.
The match was only decided by an own goal, but Stoke and fantasy fans alike will have been glad to see a side with Jack Butland, Ryan Shawcross, Bojan Krkic and Saido Berhaino in the first half.
Berahino will be of interest to managers and was looking noticeably fitter, suggesting he could take the mantle for Stoke this season. He did however miss a glorious second half chance as he gets back to match sharpness.
In their second friendly, a 2-2 draw with BSC Young Boys, Charlie Adam and Marc Muniesa grabbed the goals. Neither are likely to attract much attention however as low scorers in a Stoke side which struggled last season.
Game 2 vs. Monaco
Saido Berahino put himself to the forefront of a few drafting plans as he opened his account in a 4-2 loss to Monaco.
The former-Hawthorns man started his third game of preseason and looks to be the prime striker for Stoke this year,
Mame Diouf bagged the other goal while Geoff Cameron managed an assist.
SWANSEA CITY
Game 1 vs. Barnet
An uninspiring performance from Swansea City wasn’t all that troubled their fans in a 1-0 loss.
More worrying was Gylfi Sigurdsson’s poor performance amidst speculation he would be moving from the Liberty Stadium. The Icelandic has pulled out of their pre-season as he feels his head isn’t in the right place, sparking rumours of a move to Everton (with its effect on his fantasy prospects to be seen).
The Swans won’t worry too much about the result however, particularly as they were missing Fernando Llorente and Alfie Mawson; the only other players from the Paul Clement’s side likely to attract interest in the draft.
Game 2 vs. Philadelphia
Paul Clement saw an improved performance from Swansea City as they drew 2-2 with Philadelphia.
Both Jordan Ayew and Kyle Bartley got on the scoresheet for the Welsh side, the former looking like somebody who could grab a few goals should the Swans settle early.
Gylfi Sigurdsson was omitted from the lineup amidst speculation he will leave the club
Game 3 vs. Richmond
Swansea’s final game of the week ended in a 2-1 victory. This matched featured the winning goal from England’s U-21 Tammy Abraham, who may be someone to watch for later on this season.
The first goal was scored by Oliver McBurnie in a game in which neither Fernando Llorente or Sigurdsson played.
WATFORD
Last but not least Watford lost 3-2 against Wimbledon as new boss Marco Silva ran the rule over his new charges.
The Portuguese is clearly getting to know his squad as he used a blend of fringe and regular players but will know he needs to sort out a defence that shipped three to lower league opposition.
This was only Watford’s first senior game however after the development side won last week, and goals from Ben Watson and Steven Berguis (as well as an assist from attacking full-back Jose Holebas) will have given Silva and fantasy managers plenty to think about.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
West Brom were unfortunate to lose 2-1 to Slavia Prague after throwing away a one-goal lead.
The Baggies provided a surprise source of attacking points in the middle of last season, and fantasy managers will have been pleased to see Matty Phillips get the assist for James McClean’s goal.
Also noteworthy was Jay Rodriguez playing 45 minutes in the number ten role, although the attacker looked some way off the man who bagged 15 goals back in 2013/14.
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