Here’s our FPL preseason update where we check on our preseason watchlist and how the teams and players are doing in FPL preseason. This is part 2 Liverpool through to Wolves. We also note anything else that catches our eye after reviewing all the preseason games and activity to date.
FPL Preseason Update After The Final Weekend – How’s The FFGeek Watchlist Doing – Part 2 Liverpool To Wolves
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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
Part 1 Arsenal to Leicester link here
There’s also last weeks Part 2 update on the 6th August
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.
You can read match reports from the premier league site here
Liverpool
The fitness of Van Dijk especially in defence plus Jota’s chances of starting are key
The team that started looks fairly first choice
£5.0m Matip starts. £6.5m Van Dijk starts
Elliot starts but not in FPL £7.5m mid Jota starts Firmino not on bench so Jota looks likely to start GW1
The game was drawn 1-1 with Jota scoring for Liverpool. Robertson was injured and it didn’t look great but it is subject to a scan. £4.0m Tsimikas is a left back and could replace him as could FPL mid Milner. Liverpool have another friendly tonight apparently so it will be interesting to see who starts at LB
Jota should start GW1 given Firmino wasn’t even on the bench but how much longevity he has depends very much on Klopps formation and whether he plays 4-2-3-1 over 4-3-3 which he’s been very reluctant to do
Manchester City
The 1-0 loss in the Community Shield saw a very understrength team being played. £6.0m def Cancelo, £6.0m def Dias, £7.5m Mid Gundogan, £9.0m Mahrez and £7.0m Torres the only “first teamers” that started which makes guessing the GW1 lineup difficult indeed.
Gundogan was a bit deeper than I’d like. Mahrez was bright in the first half but faded Torres as a false 9 was disappointing.
Grealish came on in the 2nd half to little effect. Given the absences I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts GW1
Before the match it was stated that De Bruyne and Foden will miss GW1 and it will be longer than just GW1, “for a while” was Pep’s helpful words.
Manchester United
Maguire and Shaw’s return dates are the key lookouts as well as Greenwood v Cavani for the CF position is what were looking at
Man Utd easily beat Everton 4-0. Shaw and Maguire started as did surprisingly Martial at CF. No Sancho, Cavani who are only due back this week and Varane who’s in isolation. So I’d be surprised if any of those 3 start GW1
Goals from Fernandes and Greenwood and Maguire. Shaw was very impressive. Positives for all 4 of those players.
Newcastle
Only £4.0m Def Manquillo of interest here. He was on the bench and it seems FPL midfielder Murphy will be the RWB.
The GK was Woodman in the absence of Darlow and Dubravka. Woodman’s not in FPL but I’d be surprised if he doesn’t start GW1 given the others absences which don’t seem to have an early return. £6.0m Joelinton starts over Saint Maximin although I’m not sure if that means anything given Saint Maximin is coming back from an illness. Wilson started after a knock. £5.5M Fwd Gayle interestingly scored twice although he had to come off the bench to do that so I’d be surprised if he started GW1.
Norwich
Only £4.5m Gilmour of interest.
Gilmour did start so looks a fairly safe choice for a £4.5m mid. £4.0m def Omobamidele also continues to start. However Hanley is out of isolation so I expect him to take over early in the gameweeks.
Southampton
Nothing of interest here
The last friendly didn’t see a first team lineup so hard to take much from it. £4.5m Obafemi started but how much this means when Adams didn’t is questionable. He’s probably the best £4.5m Fwd pick now though even though I’d be very surprised if he starts
Spurs
Looking at the Kane transfer saga. £5.0m Doherty as a wingback would be of interest as potentially could £6.5m mid Dele Alli as a CAM.
Kane only back in training this week and apparently will have to isolate and train by himself to Thursday. It seems impossible for him to start GW1.
Spurs beat Arsenal 1-0 with Son scoring the winner from CF. He looked excellent. Doherty didn’t start GW1 and £4.5m Defs Dier, Tangana and Sanchez all started in a back 4.
Dele had a load of chances but hit the post twice. In 16/17 he scored 18 goals and 11 assists. Even in 19/20 it was 8 goals and 6 assists for a goal or assist every 130 minutes.
If Kane stays Son will move to an AM spot and who makes way has yet to be determined. Spurs have been linked with Fiorentina fwd Dusan Vlahovic
Watford
Only the £4.5m FBs and £4.5m GK Bachmann is of interest here and even then it’s hard to assess how strong defensively they will be
So the 1-3 loss to Crystal Palace saw a fairly mixed team which didn’t help us with who the CF might be and didn’t confirm the FBs either. At least Bachmann started. I still think the FBs will be £4.5m Masina and Femenia although this friendly certainly didn’t increase my confidence
West Ham
A £4.5m defender, £4.5m Masuaku in a back 3 would be a bonus, £5.5m Yarmolenko and a return for £7.0m Lingard is what were looking for. £6.0m Benrahma suddenly becomes an option if Lingard doesn’t return
In the 2-0 win over Atalanta, £5.0m GK Fabianski starts over Areola, £4.5m CB Diop for injured Ogbonna although it’s not conclusive how long he’ll be out for. Coufal and Soucek were back in the starting lineup and look good for GW1. FPL £5.5m Yarmolenko given a run out over Bowen. £6.0m Benrahma starts again. Despite Yarmolenko starting last season makes me think I can see the midfield 3 being Bowen, Benrahma and Fornals. Lingard has Covid and nothing happening on the return to West Ham front.
No Masuaku even on the bench as still injured
Antonio continued his good goalscoring form with 1 of the goals. Benrahma the other also continuing his form
Wolves
Looking for the fitness of £7.5m Jimenez. The emergence of £4.5m LB/LWB Ait Nouri and the possibility of £4.5m Mid Gibbs White playing
£4.5m Marcal beats Ait Nouri in the battle of the £4.5m LWBs. Marcal has started the last 2 now. £4.5m mid Gibbs White again benched. £4.0m Hoever only in as Semedo got the dreaded “ping” but interestingly he was excellent on the highlights I saw.
Jimenez played 77 minutes in this 0-1 loss and looked lively. As did Wiolves generally despite the loss. Traore was his direct self. Trincao I thought was disappointingly quiet on the left with Traore on the right
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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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