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.
Quick update on the Arsenal game. Only watched the first 30 mins as unfortuantly there is a scheduling clash with Peppa Pig.
Anyhow…
Sanchez looks absolute class. Some great defense splitting passes and he is fast and direct.
Despite how the formation was presented before the game, it’s Wilshire sitting deep alongside Arteta with Ramsey pushing forward.
Giroud looking slow and clumsy. I can see him being a problem this year if he spends it undoing Sanchezs good work. And he’s had blond highlights put in his hair. Oh dear.
Chambers playing CB. Looks ok so far.l
Debuchy has been further forward than sanchez a few times already. Linking up well together too. He’ll def be in my team.
I’ll post a proper write up when i actually get to watch the rest of the game.
Cheers Chins! Really undecided between Sanchez and Ramsey now
I’d start with Sanchez and make the switch easy for yourself if you get it wrong.
I prefer ben & holly myself
Migs, you don’t fancy both then? Its a tough call isn’t it? I might go Ramsey and then jump on Sanchez if he gets off to a flyer.
Dreamers, i have to agree with you. Did you know they’re made by the same people? Same actors doing the voices too. Er, yeah, so back to the football….
Chins – sadly, yes I do know.
Chins,
That’s great – thanks.
Arsenal with a proper proper proper striker are contenders for CL. You might think I overstate it, but they have good keepers, good defence, exceptional mids, and ok striker. Its their weakness.
So far. this is what I got
You need some tinkering in the defence I think. No need of Clyne with Boruc at the back.
Williams at 5M is pricey, and Ill prefer Davies there from Spurs.
Santon is a dud, no one should get Newcastle defenders from what we can see in the friendlies.
Rest of the team looks great with Barkley with obvious pricey differential/punt.
Campbell is a good spot, i completely forgot to consider him for my team.
B – who are your strikers? Are you planning a 4:4:2 or 3 premium strikers?
Hi Slow!
Finally, a team that looks a little different!
Bold move on Boruc given all the changes at Southampton. I know the comment in the article said they’ve kept a lot of cleanies in pre season so far, but i’m not sure on the quality of the teams they’ve faced.
I’m not sure Roseniors 100% nailed now they’ve signed two new defenders (one an attacking left back). I like the rest though.
Barkley. Interesting. Could be great and i’ve not seen many other teams with him.
Campbell is probably going to face a fair amount of rotation i’d have thought with the other 3 strikers at Palace. Not too bad i guess as you’ll be going 3-5-2 i assume?
Chins – does it surprise you that Barkley is at something like 29% ownership?
Whatwhatwhaaaat?!
Yes, it really does!
He’s not even on my shortlist. Which might be a reason to buy him i suppose.
It doesn’t surprise me… half of the FPL players are causal Brits who pick 15 players they like… and Barkley is now a fan’s favourite after featuring in the England squad etc
James, where I agree. I think sometimes we forget we are a subset of the wider community.
Hi Tique, you don’t fancy Man Utd will start well?
Hey innit, Are you replying to my rmt?
Thanks GP for the update, really does help! How many more pre season games does United have?
Two left now, Liverpool tomorrow and then Valencia.
Sweet, Sanchez playing down the middle!
It’s great isn’t it! Giroud’s been poor from what I’ve heard.
not sure which team to stick with…
I like the 1st team tho, but I want some individuals from the 2nd team aswelll… right now Iv got a headache trying to decide as to which Im settling with
Slow, you clearly aren’t one to follow what everyone else is doing, but i’d say neither of those. Sorry.
Team 1: will Enrique play? Are you banking on Vlaar moving to Southampton or do you really want a villa defender? Has Markovic done enough pre season to get a guarenteed/ likely start? Is Aguero fit?
Team 2 i commented on above.
The problem is, I havent been following preseason… but Il find my ultimate team no worries… thanks, Im out for now, need to rest and do some thinking
Hey Slow, some nice elements in both, but I feel:
– Rooney (or RvP if you insist) is essential
– 5 mid priced defenders is too much… get Luis and a 4.0m
– Aguero is far too pricey given his fragility
– more than one Everton player is too much to start off with
– you need one dirt cheap attacker
Just my opinion on some FPL team essentials. I like your creativity though. Just not a fan of all the balance.
RMT
Team Value – 98.5m
De Gea – Krul
F.Luis – Debuchy – Cameron – Mariappa – Collins/Ferdinand
Mata – Eriksen/Lamela – De Jong – Shelvey – Tiote/Albrighton
Rooney – Costa – Adebayor/Dzeko
Considering dropping De Jong and getting both Eriksen and Lamela. Also thinking about Siggy in for Shelvey assuming I can still afford it, a want a Swansea midfielder to rotate with Cameron. I will change any player who is not starting consistently.
I would also like B.Davies and Shaw in defence but can’t see how to work them in, maybe Davies instead of Debuchy?
Any suggestions would be good.
Hi HCT,
I’d keep an eye on both Cameron & Mariappa. Stoke have signed Bardsley who could take Cameron’s spot while Palace are in the market for a new left back which could see Mariappa benched.
I stick with de Jong rather than double up on Spurs in midfield and I’d definitely try and find the cash to get SIggy over Shelvey.
I’d avoid Adebayor like the plague.