Here’s our Fantasy Premier League Tips 2021/22 where we check on our preseason watchlist and how the teams and players are doing in FPL preseason. This is part 1 Arsenal through to Leicester. We also note anything else that catches our eye after reviewing all the preseason games and activity to date.
Fantasy Premier League Tips 2021/22 – Preseason Update 5 August – Part 1 Arsenal To Leicester
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Introduction
Firstly here’s the FPL preseason watchlist article link. Also our article on which players could be late back due to International tournaments is relevant
There’s also last weeks update on the 29th July
I’m looking at specific players and issues within a team so my FPL preseason work is focused rather than giving you a mass of information on players who have no FPL relevance.
I won’t repeat the watchlist article here but from the commentary you will understand what I’m looking for.
Sofascore is a great resource for giving you lineups although not in every game.
Arsenal
Our interest here is £5.5m mid Smith Rowe, £6.0m mid Willock, £4.5m Def Ben White and £5.0m attacking LB Tierney. Saka’s return is also of interest.
Just the 1 game that being the 1-2 loss to Chelsea. Smith Rowe started v Chelsea and it’s a transfer in of Maddison or Odegaard that are the only impediments to him having the CAM shirt I think. The transfer window unfortunately is open to the end of August. Maddison seems more likely than Odegaard as I write this so Smith Rowe remains a gametime risk.
The Willock transfer to Newcastle has got a bit of steam now supposedly a deal agreed for £25m. I guess given he was there on loan he could start GW1 but it’s not completely certain.
Ben White got some minutes in v Chelsea so likely to see him start in GW1. The injury to Partey is a negative for the defence though and it’s not looking good for him although subject to a scan.
Unfortunately no sign of Saka so that should at least help Smith Rowe in the short term as even with a signing he could move left.
Tierney played v Chelsea.
Aston Villa
Given that we’ve seen £6.5m mid Bailey and £8.0m fwd Ings join in the last couple of days the most recent friendly loses some of it’s relevance. I can see a situation now where the front 4 is Ings with Bailey, Watkins and Buendia behind him as AMs. Perhaps with Watkins on the left. That certainly diminishes Watkins appeal. It’s the end of El Ghazi and I imagine Ings will take Pens
In the last friendly it’s worth noting that there was no Martinez, no Mings, no Douglas Luiz after International rest and no Matt Targett who’s injured.
The weekend friendly v Sevilla will clarify the position more hopefully as to who will play GW1
Brentford
I’m only interested to see if £5.5m Mid Mbeumo plays as a forward. I don’t think preseason is going to be the decision maker on £6.5m fwd and penalty taker Ivan Toney
In a 0-1 loss to West Ham, a seemingly 3-5-2 saw a wingbacks and seemingly Mbeumo coming on after 60 minutes as a forward
Here’s my newly promoted article on Brentford
Brighton
In reality were only interested in £4.5m GK Sanchez and a £4.5m Defender preferably a wing back.
Just the 1 game a 3-1 win over Luton since last weeks update and Sanchez did have an injury scare which seems like it won’t be an issue
With Dunk, Welbeck and Lamptey all looking like they’ll miss GW1 and Webster a further doubt the defence looks a disaster area. Even given that, I’m still not sure though who to nail the £4.5m Def to. Welbeck missing the start of the season should give £6.5m Brighton fwd Maupay the CF spot for what it’s worth.
1 more friendly at the weekend vs Getafe
Burnley
Only the 2 £4.5m mids of interest here in Brownhill and Cork.
2 games and 2 wins against Tranmere and Newcastle. Brownhill played in the first game which was a pretty strong team at CM with Cork on the bench. That was reversed for the next fixture. Gudmundsson Brownhills competitor for the RM spot played both games.
The weekends friendly v Cadiz will be the decider but if Brownhill doesn’t start it will be a very negative message. Even if he does at CM it could be a rotation risk with Cork
Chelsea
The rotation and multitude of players at the Euros, plus the tricky fixtures means no one really of interest for GW1
2 friendlies vs Arsenal (2-1 win) and Spurs (2-2) since last week
Mendy, Rudiger, Pulisic, Havertz, Werner and Ziyech are the players who could be considered something like first team material. The defence is decimated and no sign of £6.0m Chilwell .
£8.5m Havertz’s form at the end of last season was excellent playing in the false 9 position. However he played on the left of the front 3 here.
I don’t believe there are any more friendlies
Crystal Palace
No one of interest.
Just the 3-1 win at Reading which had a fairly strong team out. £4.5m def Mitchell continues to play and £4.5 mid McArthur lined up in this one.
1 more friendly v Watford
Everton
Only £5.5m Digne and £8.0m Calvert-Lewin’s return from Euro duties is of interest. Plus general Benitez stuff including the acquisition of 2 wingers pushing back Digne.
No further games. Digne has been active in the friendlies. No sign of Calvert-Lewin yet but hopefully on the weekend vs Man Utd
Leeds
Raphinha and Ayling are of interest and both played here but both are safe starters and I’m not really worried about form in pre-season. Rodrigo as a £6.5m starter fwd would be interesting
2 games a 2-3 loss to Betis and a 0-4 loss to Ajax but nothing to report although Rodrigo started both games seemingly as a CAM
The Firpo injury sounded like it wasn’t significant so shouldn’t mean Dallas back to LB
Leicester
We will see Leicester in the Community Shield on the 7 August which will be helpful so to some extent the rest of preseason is fairly superfluous
However, a desired 3-5-2 formation for £4.5m Def Fofana and £7.5m fwd Iheanacho are firmly on our minds
2 games since the last update. A 3-3 draw with QPR and a 3-2 victory over Villareal
Unfortunately a Fofana serious injury rules him out as a GW1 option. With Evans still injured £4.0m Amartey could be an option as could £5.0m mid Ndidi.
Worryingly Iheanacho didn’t make either lineup with £6.0m Perez who was pretty much out of favour last season starting both games. His last chance for my team is the Community Shield
Other posts
Attacking players fixture difficulty Schedule
Defensive players fixture difficulty schedule
Kev and Rob’s first draft teams
An overview of Promoted Norwich City
Players who could miss GW1 due to International tournaments
The FFGeek Pre-season watchlist
Andrew Whitfield’s latest draft team
The Youtube and Twitter template
A team with 3 premium captain picks
4 more FFGeek Contributors drafts
The FFGeek Contributor tracker team
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