The Pre-season Friendly Hub Part 3
We continue our pre-season round up by attempting to bring you the key information you will need ahead of the season, to assess ahead of the season proper in about two weeks time. Line-ups, scorers and assisters are all listed for the 20 FPL sides if they have played this weekend. The Gallant Pioneer has done a great job of posting other teams results in his last article’s comments section so check those out too!…
SWANSEA CITY
Plymouth Argyle 0-4 Swansea City
GOALS:
Rory Donnelly (unassisted) 9 mins
Jordi Amat (assisted by Gylfi Sigurdsson) 69 mins
Gylfi Sigurdsson (assisted by Alex Bray) 72 mins
Gylfi Sigurdsson (not stated) 92 mins
Fabianski (Cornell 66)
Rangel (Tiendalli 45), Chico, Bartley (Amat 45), Kingsley (Taylor 66)
Ki (Richards 45), Shelvey (Sigurdsson 66)
Routledge (Montero 45), Dyer (King 66), Sheehan (Bray 66)
Donnelly (Gomis 50)
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MANCHESTER CITY
Milan 1-5 Manchester City
GOALS:
Stevan Jovetic (assisted by Jesus Navas) 11 mins
Scott Sinclair (assisted by Gael Clichy) 13 mins
Jesus Navas (unassisted) 23 mins
Kelechi Ihenacho (unassisted) 26 mins
Stevan Jovetic (assisted by Aleksandar Kolarov) 58 mins
Caballero
Clichy, Boyata (Rekik 77), Nastasic, Kolarov (Richards 69)
Navas (Leigh 77), Fernando (Javi Garcia 60), Zuculini (Rodwell 77), Sinclair
Jovetic (Guidetti 69), Iheanacho (Huws 60)
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LIVERPOOL
Liverpool 1-0 Olympiacos
27 July 2014
GOAL: Raheem Sterling (assisted by Daniel Sturridge) 5 mins
Jones
Johnson (Kelly 62), Skrtel, Toure (Coates 62), Enrique (Robinson 45)
Henderson, Gerrard (Lucas 62), Can (Allen 45)
Sterling (Ibe 75), Sturridge (Lambert 75), Markovic (Coutinho 45)
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WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Nottingham Forest 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
Foster
Wisdom, Dawson, Olsson (Lescott 45 {O’Neill 81}), Pocognoli (Garmston 86)
Baird, Yacob (Anichebe 45)
Gardner, Mulumbu (Brunt 72), Dorrans
Berahino (Roofe 76)
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NEWCASTLE UTD
Malaga 3-1 Newcastle Utd.
2 August 2014
GOAL: Gabriel Obertan (assist not known) 60 mins
Elliot
Yanga-Mbiwa (Satka 84), Steven Taylor, Coloccini (Williamson 74), Haidara
Abeid (Vuckic 74), Colback (Anita 67)
Sissoko (Gouffran 45), Armstrong (Aarons 45), Cabella (Obertan 45)
Perez (Riviere 45)
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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Tottenham Hotspur 6-1 Celtic
GOALS:
Andros Townsend (assisted by Harry Kane) 8 mins
Roberto Soldado (assisted by Lewis Holtby) 12 mins
Lewis Holtby (assisted by Etiene Capoue) 45 mins
Erik Lamela (unassisted) 65 mins
Christian Eriksen (free-kick, assisted by Emmanuel Adebayor) 81 mins
Emmanuel Adebayor (PENALTY won by Danny Rose) 89 mins
First Half:
Friedel
Naughton, Dawson (Fryers 20), Kaboul, Davies
Mason, Capoue
Holtby, Kane, Townsend
Soldado
Second Half:
Friedel
Naughton (Fredericks 70), Fryers, Kaboul, Rose
Bentaleb, Capoue (Sandro 70)
Lennon, Lamela, Eriksen
Adebayor
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BURNLEY
Blackpool 0-1 Burnley
GOAL:
Marvin Sordell (assist not known) 64
Cisak (Gilks 45)
Lafferty (O’Neill 73), Long, Shackell (Duff 45), Reid (Trippier 64)
Wallace (Gilchrist 81), Marney (Hewitt 73), Jones (Mee 60), Taylor (Arfield 45)
Barnes (Ings 64), Sordell (Jutkiewicz 73)
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CRYSTAL PALACE
Brentford 3-2 Crystal Palace
GOALS:
Glenn Murray (unassisted) 56 mins
Marouane Chamakh (assisted by Joe Ledley) 58 mins
Hennessey (Speroni 45)
Ward, Delaney, Dann, Mariappa
Puncheon, Bolasie, Jedinak, Ledley
Murray, Chamakh
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LEICESTER CITY
Preston North End 1-1 Leicester City
GOAL: Liam Moore (assisted by Gary Taylor-Fletcher) 25 mins
Schmeichel
De Laet (McCourt 78), Wasilewski (Morgan 70), Moore (Kennedy 70), Konchesky
Drinkwater (Hammond 70), James (King 70), Knockaert (Albrighton 70), Taylor-Fletcher (Wood 62)
Vardy (Mahrez 34), Ulloa (Nugent 62)
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Shamrock Rovers 0-4 Queens Park Rangers
GOAL:
Junior Hoilett (assisted by Alejandro Faurlin) 15 mins
Charlie Austin (unassisted) 32 mins
Junior Hoilett (assist not known) 88 mins
Charlie Austin (assisted by Steven Caulker) 90 mins
Green
Caulker, Dunne, Onuoha
Simpson, Barton, Faurlin (Henry 65), Hoilett, Traore
Austin, Zamora (Wright-Phillips 63)
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SWANSEA CITY
Reading 1-3 Swansea City
GOALS:
Wayne Routledge (assisted by Wilfried Bony) 23 mins
Wayne Routledge (assisted by Gylfi Sigurdsson ) 25 mins
Bafetimbi Gomis (unassisted) 65 mins
*Note – Wilfired Bony misses penalty 14 mins
Fabianski
Tiendalli (Rangel 90), Williams, Bartley, Taylor
Ki, Shelvey
Sigurdsson, Gomis, Routledge (Dyer 66)
Bony (Montero 66)
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STOKE CITY
Burton Albion 0-0 Stoke City
Butland
Shotton, Cameron (Watkins 45), Teixeira, Wheeler
Odemwingie (Alabi 45), Palacios (Shenton 59), Sidwell, Ness, Shea
Jerome
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WEST HAM UTD
Schalke 04 0-0 West Ham Utd.
(West Ham Utd. win 7-6 on penalties)
2 August 2014
Jaaskelainen
O’Brien, Tomkins (Reid 45), Collins, Potts
Nolan, Kouyate (Diame 53), Poyet, Fanimo (Lletget 53)
Cole (Lee 82), Downing (Vaz Te 79)
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ASTON VILLA
Groningen 4-1 Aston Villa
GOAL: Charles N’Zogbia (assist not known) 77 mins
Given
Hutton, Senderos, Clark, Baker
Westwood, Delph, Richardson
Weimann, Bent, Agbonlahor
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ARSENAL
Arsenal 5-1 Benfica
2 August 2014
GOALS:
Yaya Sanogo (assisted by Aaron Ramsey) 25 mins
Joel Campbell (assisted by Hector Bellerin) 40 mins
Yayo Sanogo (assisted by Joel Campbell) 45 mins
Yaya Sanogo (assisted by Kieran Gibbs) 45 mins
Yaya Sanogo (assisted by Aaron Ramsey 55 mins
Martinez
Bellerin, Chambers, Monreal (Miquel 75), Gibbs
Flamini, (Areteta 60) Rosicky (Coquelin 60)
Campbell (Alexis 73), Ramsey (Wilshere 60), Oxlade-Chamerlain (Cazorla 45)
Sanogo (Akpom 75)
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HULL
One team have already played competitively this season and that is Hull City.
AS Trencin 0-0 Hull City
31 July 2014
[Tom Huddlestone missed penalty (won by Shane Long) 60 mins]
McGregor
Elmohamady, Davies, Bruce, Chester, Rosenior
Meyler (Snodgrass 65), Huddlestone, Livermore Aluko (Ince 65)
Long (Jelavic 86)
The HCT (Hull City Tigers anyone?) No . . . oh well, ‘Hull’ then, begun their first ever European campaign last night in Slovakia where they secured a 0-0 draw with Trencin. The second leg of this is Thursday 7th followed by a friendly in Stuttgart on the Sunday (10th). Thereafter if they qualify next week, they face the final play-off round for the Europa League on Thursday 21st and 28th August – just as the Premier League campaign is beginning to take off. Beware rotation in the Hull ranks.
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So there you have it – up to date on all pre-season (and relevant European) matters so what have we learned?
HOT:
Stevan Jovetic
The Manchester City striker has had a great pre-season so far scoring four goals in his last two matches against Milan and Liverpool. Those Edin Dzeko supporters who were rubbing their hands excitedly after Alvaro Negredo’s injury will now be wringing their hands nervously at the form of the Montenegrin. The likliehood is that rotation will occur to partner Sergio Aguero in attack for Manuel Pellegrini’s charges. It really is so difficult to second guess the Chilean. Interestingly though Dzeko and Jovetic were paired together in the Liverpool match but I don’t see Aguero NOT playing or City going for three strikers.
So, who will start in attack when the Sky Blues open up at Newcastle on the opening weekend? Ask me a question on geography!
Southampton
Amidst the frenzy of activity at Southampton this summer due to the mass exodus of playing staff, it sort of has gone unnoticed that they have now played five pre-season matches and until 15 minutes from the end of last night’s win at Brighton, they had not concede one single goal, winning all those matches.
It bodes well for the Saints defence going into the season and it may be the same for our fantasy teams. You can pick up Jose Fonte, Ryan Bertrand or Nathaniel Clyne as probable first choices for Ronald Koeman. More interestingly, providing they don’t sign further defensive reinforcements, there may be decent value in Maya Yoshida (4.5) or Jos Hoiveld (4.0).
My following of all of Southampton’s matches via club reporters and twitter have shown me that Nathaniel Clyne is being involved regularly in the offensive half of the field and with Chambers now off to the Emirates, he will be my investment in the Saints backline.
Additionally, for those investing in some of Southampton’s new attacking talent, both Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic have scored for their new clubs already and also laid on a few goals between them.
NOT
Vito Mannone
This may well all be part of Gus Poyet’s grand plan but Vito Mannone has played just 45 minutes of Sunderland’s first match (against Darlington) and then 60 minutes versus Carlisle United. Those were the club’s first two pre-season matches and in the preceding three, he has not seen a minute of action with Costel Pantillimon and the youth goalkeepers preferred. It has been revealed at the time of writing this article, that he is also not involved in tonight’s friendly against Vitoria Setubal, reportedly through illness. Therefore we only have two Sunderland pre-season matches to come so we’ll see if this changes but his current absence raises some issues for some fantasy managers.
The good news for prospective fantasy owners is that you can have his likely replacement, the huge Romanian Pantillimon, for exactly the same outlay of cash so this shouldn’t disrupt the rest of your fantasy team plans in any way.
My predicted Chelsea defensive lineup in the BPL:
_______ Courtois _______
Azpi – Cahill – Terry – Luis
If I’m right, Luis would be preferable, as he’d have Hazard on his side.
But, on the flipside, Azpi can play on both sides so he might be safer…
…who would be your pick out of the two?
james,
I can’t see Ivanovic not playing regularly. The man is a machine, rock solid in defence and always a threat on the attack.
I’d go:
Ivanovic – Cahill – Terry – Luis
more often than not.
I rate Ivanovic highly: it just seems many, including a lot of Chelsea fans, don’t. So annoying we don’t have any definitive answers. If you’re right though Luis is obviously my man. Why else would they pay 16 million for him afterall?
james,
Bear in mind that today’s football, for teams who want to win both the league and Champions League, like Chelsea do, need a big squad and in essence, two players for every position. Azpilicueta has already played left back in parts of three matches so far this pre-season.
I’m not saying Luis will be playing every second game, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he is rested in some league games and Azpi preferred.
This is such a tricky one. Do Chelski have any more friendlies? Don’t most cosches gravitate towards there preferred starting XI as the season gets closer? Might be a clue.
I might go one of the CBs, just to be safe.
Chins,
Still three friendlies to go so we should get a clearer picture during those. We hope.
Cheers TGP.
3? Wow. I was thinking 1 at the most. You’re going to be busy! 😉
Pottys fine First pre-season player tip for you all.
Due to the many faces that have left Southampton this summer there is a silver lining within the gloom that surrounds St Marys.
And that is…..Lloyd Isgrove a brilliant Midfielder,he is a player that Koeman raves about and he is worth selecting for your FPL Team.
Check out his present pre-season form as young Lloyd is warming up nicely ahead of the big Kick-Off.
Potty
Potty,
Alrightey partner?
Been hearing Koeman on him as well. He could be a nice little find. Depends who else the go for between now and the end of August.
How’s our team looking for you?
Thoughts?
Since Aguero played in the World Cup final, I doubt he’d be fit for GW1. Actually, considering how he’s looked in the past few months I wonder if he’ll ever get fit again?
City’s opening fixtures aren’t great so I would swap Kompany out for probably a Chelsea defender.
I’d also try to upgrade Henderson and Bojan.
Gotta get some sleep, so I’ll just fire a few quick inital points:
– is Agüero fit and ready? Great differential if so!
– is Chester nailed now? I’m not so sure
– Davies has competion for his spot
– Kompany has come rough starting fixtures
– you have no defensive Chelsea coverage
– is Hendo likely to provide attacking returns?
Not really a fan of the 4-3-3. Chester is an iffy choice as he probably won’t start consistently and Hull might have to deal with Europa League this season. And why are you benching Sigurdsson? Aguero is fine, provided he doesn’t get injured. Which he probably will. Haha. I would downgrade Kompany to someone a little cheaper and get someone in place of Chester.
webstar87 – I echo bihom17, jamesimmo and Josh’s comments. I don’t like this squad at all. There’s ?’s over 9/15 of these picks, for me.
Alright, anyone want to comment on my team? I think I might have spent a tad too much in my defense… what do you guys think?
Josh, i think thats one of the best squads i’ve seen.
Good balance. Don’t agree that there is too much in defence. Lets wait to see how the BPs are split and the first few games might be tight affairs.
4 very attacking midfielders. You’ve got some of the form preseason guys.
Well balanced.
You’ve got Shrek.
The only watch out for me is your keepers. Guessing there’ll be some weeks you’re praying hard as you’ll have no choice but to play one of the big teams.
Other than that. “Good job”!
Thanks Chins! Yeah still not totally set on the second keeper. Could be one of the Sunderland keepers if we find out who first choice is.
Hi Josh. The two Sunderland GK’s are the same price as Heaton and rotate better with Krul so i’d bring one of those in, at the moment that looks like Pantilimon. Pelle is one who i think will struggle this season. Other than those two it’s a very good squad, for me.
Thanks NIN. Yeah might go for Pantilimon assuming he’s first choice. I’m hoping Pelle gets off to a good start, he’s my first week gamble
haha. Thanks for the comments though.
Hi folks
It’s not long to go now!! (I’m excited)
Can I get some health check on my draft as seen in the pic please?!
Max – The game time of Chester, Wisdom and Mariappa is still unknown so i’d tread carefully there as they’re the bulk of your defence. Jovetic isn’t really nailed on either.
I asked a Palace fan on Twitter this week and they seemed pretty set on Dann, Delaney, Ward and Mariappa. Now this was before Haggeland, but wouldn’t think his arrival would affect Mariappa. Still think Chester will start, unless I missed a new signing or something. He played in the Europa as a starter so it looks like he us still first choice.
Howdy Mito. I think Delaney will move to LB with Hangeland playing center. Time will tell i suppose.
Will have to keep an eye on that. I have Mariappa in also for now.
@Max just make sure Vito is set to start. I know he has been ill, but it is still concerning that he has not played much in the pre season. So Pants might be the option there. Wisdom most believe is not going to start, but not sure about that. Makes me wonder why Liverpool would lend him out to West Brom if he wasn’t going to play much. Nevertheless keep an eye out or just bring in Duff. Really hard to find any problems with that squad.
Thanks for the input guys much appreciated. Mannone is a concern atm, would also play Pant if I only knew who’s playing… what are the alternatives around 4.5? Jaask?
Max – We’ll know who’ll be the Sunderland first choice GK by the time the season starts.
Reading all the comments about Shaw has turned me a little cold on the idea of having him. Options I’m considering instead are Evans/Jones, Luis/Azpi or Debuchy. Any of the 5.5m options would give me the chance to upgrade Kane to Bojan – but maybe that’s a rubbish idea too