Pre-season Hub for the 2017/18 FPL season
Hello and welcome to the Pre Season Hub for the 2017/18 season.
For those both old and new to the site this is an article which aims to bring to you in one convenient place, all the vital news from each of the twenty Premier League clubs’ friendly matches this summer. The ultimate aim is to build up a portfolio of information to help you in selecting your opening FPL squad when the game re-opens week commencing 10th July (next week)!
The hub is very much a living document which I personally will keep up to date as the matches take place. I encourage you guys to help out with any line-ups, goal scoring or assist information. We also like to see general notes being left here if you happened to witness on screen, or better still, in person, any particular player performance, style etc. Basically anything you deem FPL worthy.
How to use…
The whole article is intrinsically linked to the HOT COMMENTS section that appears above the Latest Comments. Basically we have created a comment link for each team. Simply scroll to the Hot Comments for the team you require info on and it’ll take you to their section and we will have all their pre-season info in one place courtesy of our fantastic community members.
The purpose of this is so that –
1. There is a specific place to post relevant pre-season info for each team –
Please post any findings – line-ups, signings, team news, match reports, etc…
2. It’s easy to find all the info.
Need to know the pre-season line-ups for Arsenal? Easy, just click on their link in Hot Comments and you will come to their hub.
So with the first pre-season friendlies involving FPL relevant teams taking place this Saturday the 8th with Watford beginning their schedule, please find below the fixtures…
(NB: At this stage there will still be pre-season matches being announced and I will endeavour to update these as we go along. Southampton for instance only have one friendly scheduled so far but this can be excused by their new manager only just arriving – expect further announcements soon).
Arsenal
13 July
Sydney v Arsenal
15 July
Western Sydney Wanderers v Arsenal
19 July
Bayern Munich v Arsenal
22 July
Chelsea v Arsenal
29 July
Arsenal v Benfica
30 July
Arsenal v Sevilla
6 August – Community Shield
Arsenal v Chelsea
Bournemouth
22 July
Portsmouth v Bournemouth
29 July
Queens Park Rangers v Bournemouth
30 July
Bournemouth v Valencia
2 August
Yeovil Town v Bournemouth
Brighton & Hove Albion
14 July
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Brighton & Hove Albion
22 July
Crawley Town v Brighton & Hove Albion
25 July
Southend United v Brighton & Hove Albion
29 July
Norwich City v Brighton & Hove Albion
1 August
Girona v Brighton & Hove Albion
6 August
Brighton & Hove Albion v Atletico Madrid
Burnley
14 July
Shamrock Rovers v Burnley
22 July
Kidderminster Harriers v Burnley
Alfreton Town v Burnley
25 July
Preston North End v Burnley
29 July
Nottingham Forest v Burnley
1 August
Burnley v Celta Vigo
5 August
Burnley v Hannover 96
Chelsea
22 July
Chelsea v Arsenal
25 July
Chelsea v Bayern Munich
29 July
Chelsea v Inter
6 August – Community Shield
Arsenal v Chelsea
Crystal Palace
15 July
Maidstone United v Crystal Palace
19 July
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
22 July
Crystal Palace v West Bromwich Albion/Leicester City
5 August
Crystal Palace v Schalke 04
Everton
13 July
Gor Mahia v Everton
19 July
Twente v Everton
22 July
Genk v Everton
6 August
Everton v Sevilla
Huddersfield Town
12 July
Accrington Stanley v Huddersfield Town
16 July
Bury v Huddersfield Town
22 July
Barnsley v Huddersfield Town
1 August
Stuttgart v Huddersfield Town
4 August
Torino v Huddersfield Town
Leicester City
19 July
Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion
22 July
Leicester City v Liverpool/Crystal Palace
26 July
Luton Town v Leicester City
28 July
Milton Keynes Dons v Leicester City
29 July
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leicester City
1 August
Burton Albion v Leicester City
4 August
Leicester City v Borussia Moenchengladbach
Liverpool
12 July
Tranmere Rovers v Liverpool
14 July
Wigan Athletic v Liverpool
19 July
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
22 July
Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion/Leicester City
29 July
Hertha Berlin v Liverpool
1 August
Bayern Munich v Liverpool
2 August
Atletico Madrid/Napoli v Liverpool
5 August
Liverpool v Athletic
Manchester City
20 July
Manchester United v Manchester City
26 July
Real Madrid v Manchester City
29 July
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur
4 August
Manchester City v West Ham United
Manchester United
15 July
Los Angeles Galaxy v Manchester United
17 July
Real Salt Lake v Manchester United
20 July
Manchester United v Manchester City
23 July
Manchester United v Real Madrid
26 July
Manchester United v Barcelona
30 July
Valerenga v Manchester United
2 August
Manchester United v Sampdoria
8 August – UEFA Super Cup
Real Madrid v Manchester United
Newcastle United
14 July
Heart of Midlothian v Newcastle United
22 July
Preston North End v Newcastle United
26 July
Bradford City v Newcastle United
29 July
Mainz v Newcastle United
2 August
Wolfsburg v Newcastle United
6 August
Newcastle United v Hellas Verona
Southampton
22 July
Brentford v Southampton
Stoke City
10 July
Neuchatel Xamax v Stoke City
12 July
Young Boys v Stoke City
15 July
Monaco v Stoke City
25 July
Sheffield United v Stoke City
29 July
Bolton Wanderers v Stoke City
30 July
Crewe Alexandra v Stoke City
5 August
RB Leipzig v Stoke City
Swansea City
12 July
Barnet v Swansea City
15 July
Philadelphia Union v Swansea City
19 July
Richmond Kickers v Swansea City
22 July
North Carolina v Swansea City
29 July
Birmingham City v Swansea City
5 August
Swansea City v Sampdoria
Tottenham Hotspur
22 July
Tottenham Hotspur v Paris Saint-Germain
26 July
Tottenham Hotspur v Roma
Watford
8 July
Woking v Watford
15 July
Wimbledon v Watford
18 July
Viktoria Plzen v Watford
22 July
Eibar v Watford
West Bromwich Albion
12 July
Slavia Prague v West Bromwich Albion
19 July
Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion
22 July
West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool/Crystal Palace
26 July
Burton Albion v West Bromwich Albion
Walsall v West Bromwich Albion
29 July
Bristol Rovers v West Bromwich Albion
Slough Town v West Bromwich Albion
1 August
Kidderminster Harriers v West Bromwich Albion
Port Vale v West Bromwich Albion
5 August
Deportivo La Coruna v West Bromwich Albion
West Ham United
28 July
Werder Bremen v West Ham United (Match 1)
29 July
Werder Bremen v West Ham United (Match 2)
1 August
Altona 93 v West Ham United
4 August
Manchester City v West Ham United
Thanks for reading Pre-season Hub for the 2017/18 FPL season. This article was written by The Gallant Pioneer 
The Fixture Tracker…
ARSENAL Pre-Season Hub Home
Some interesting thoughts from Wenger here http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/arsene-wenger-to-hand-alexandre-lacazette-his-arsenal-debut-in-sydney-20170711-gx8teg.html
Looks like he might stick with 3 at the back this season
Hey Kop looks like a lot of rotation to me suggesting he will chance tactics depending on whom they play , I had also forgotten about Wellbeck as well , where does he fit in now.
Arsenal v. Sydney FC
Arsenal XI: Cech, Mertesacker, Bielik, Kolasinac, Bramall, Nelson, Coquelin, Willock, Ozil, Walcott, Welbeck.
Subs: Martinez, Monreal, Maitland-Niles, Malen, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Elneny, Xhaka, Iwobi, Giroud, Nketiah, Lacazette
And for our friends playing Fantasy A-League this season:
Sydney XI: Redmayne, Zullo, Buijs, Ryall, Retre, Brillante, O’Neill, Carney, Lokolingoy, Brosque, Simon.
Subs: Dragicevic, Iredale, McGing, Flottmann, Bobo, Ninkovic, Ku;eski, Curtis, McIllhatton, uvela, Zapata, Green, Agamemnonos
As noted by Kop above, it is 3 at the back in Sydney…
Lacazette scores 15 minutes into his debut. Great positioning and movement. Nothing special about the finish.
Sydney FC 0-2 Arsenal
Goals:
Per Mertesacker, Alexandre Lacazette
https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/arsenal/2017-Jul-13/arsenal-2-0-sydney-fc-match-report
Game 2 vs Sydney Wanderers
Team and score below.
Moreal 2 assists, Elneny 1.
Elneny played as part of a back 3. Apparently he came on and played there in the last game too.
Kalasinac subbed on the 43m against Bayern. Was that an injury?
Got food poisoning, DMC. Played like it too!
Game #3:
Arsenal beat Bayern to win the Franco-Prussian Cup!
Line-up below.
Iwobi scores in the 94th minute to tie the game 1-1, with Ramsey getting the assist.
In the shootout, Ramsey, Monreal & Iwobi all converted, while Elneny reminded Wenger why Elneny should not take penalty kicks in the future.
Cheers Lawdogg. Judy coming to do that this morning.
Ramsey is putting a shift in huh?
Arsenal 0-3 Chelsea
https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/arsenal/2017-Jul-22/arsenal-0-3-chelsea-match-report
Arsenal 5-2 Benfica
Theo Walcott (assisted by Sead Kolasinac)
Theo Walcott (assisted by Francis Coquelin)
Lisandro OG (assisted by Theo Walcott)
Olivier Giroud (assisted by Reiss Nelson)
Alex Iwobi
https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/arsenal/2017-jul-29/benfica#!match-news
Arsenal 1-2 Sevilla
Alexandre Lacazette (assisted by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain)
https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/arsenal/2017-Jul-30/arsenal-1-2-sevilla-match-report
FA Community Shield
Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea
(Arsenal win 4-1 on penalties)
Arsenal: Sead Kolasinac (assisted by Granit Xhaka)
Chelsea: Victor Moses (assisted by Gary Cahill)
http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40766983
BOURNEMOUTH Pre-Season Hub Home
Estoril 1-2 Bournemouth
Jordan Ibe (assisted by Max Gradel)
Max Gradel
https://www.afcb.co.uk/matches/first-team/2017-18/gd-estoril-praia-v-afc-bournemouth
Portsmouth 1-2 Bournemouth
Lys Mousset (assisted by Benik Afobe)
Benik Afobe (assisted by Ryan Fraser)
https://www.afcb.co.uk/matches/first-team/2017-18/portsmouth-v-afc-bournemouth
Queens Park Rangers 0-1 Bournemouth
Jordan Ibe (assisted by Max Gradel)
Boruc (Ramsdale 70)
Francis (c), Cargill, Mings, Daniels
Ibe, Surman (Worthington 86), L Cook, Gradel
Mousset (Surridge 80), King (Taylor 61)
https://www.afcb.co.uk/matches/first-team/2017-18/cherries-earn-narrow-qpr-pre-season-win
Will keep an eye on Gradel if he can keep fit 😉
Bournemouth 0-1 Valencia
Begovic
A Smith, Cook, Ake, B Smith, Mahoney, Arter, Gosling, Pugh
Fraser, Defoe
https://www.afcb.co.uk/matches/first-team/2017-18/afc-bournemouth-v-valencia
Yeovil Town 1-3 Bournemouth
Lys Moussett (assisted by Ryan Fraser)
Benik Afobe (assisted by Nathan Ake)
Benik Afobe (assisted by Marc Pugh)
https://www.afcb.co.uk/matches/first-team/2017-18/yeovil-town-v-afc-bournemouth
BRIGHTON Pre-Season Hub Home
Brighton line-up(s)
Result…
Match report link via the tweet…
Knockout injured
Crawley Town 0-6 Brighton & Hove Albion
Solly March (assisted by Beram Kayal)
Pascal Gross (assisted by Markus Suttner)
Tomer Hemed (assisted by Solly March)
Jamie Murphy (assisted by Lewis Dunk)
Connor Goldson (assisted by Jiri Skalak)
Glenn Murray PEN (won by himself)
https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2017/july/match-report-for-crawley-town/
Brighton v Southend
3-0
Murray
March x 2
Match Report –
https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2017/july/match-report-for-southend-united/
Norwich City 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Pascal Groß (assisted by Bruno)
https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2017/july/match-report-for-norwich-city/
Cheers GP. I’m thinking this Gross fella could be a decent 5.5 mid.
Is he playing off front?
I think he could be Matt
Looks like he was the ‘1’ behind Murray in a 4-4-1-1 Smash.
The goal was a header from a set piece.
Thanks GP could be worth a punt. Think his stats last season were decent
His ‘big chances created’ weren’t bettered in the Bundesliga so yeah there is something there.
I wrote about him in the Brighton article.
Girona 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2017/august/match-report-for-girona-v-brighton–hove-albion/
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-3 Atletico Madrid
Pascal Groß (free kick, won by Tomer Hemed)
Steve Sidwell (assisted by Solly March)
https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/matches/fixtures/first-team/201718/august/atletico-madrid/
BURNLEY Pre-Season Hub Home
Burnley line-up. Walters has just scored apparently
Shamrock Rovers 0-4 Burnley
Jon Walters (assisted by Jack Cork)
Ashley Barnes (assisted by Tom Anderson)
Robbie Brady (assisted by Sam Vokes)
Sam Vokes (assisted by Jeff Hendrick)
https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/2017/july/match-report-for-shamrock-rovers-vs-burnley/
Burnley vs Alfreton
And also…
Burnley vs Kidderminster
Alfreton Town 2-3 Burnley
Andre Gray (assisted by Jon Walters)
Andre Gray (PEN won by himself)
Andre Gray (assisted by Jack Cork)
Heaton, Darikwa, Tarkowski (Whitmore 32), Mee (Birch 80), Taylor, Gudmundsson, Cork, Defour, C Long (Limb 83), Gray, Walters (Chakwana 70). Subs: Mitchell, Thomas, O’Neill.
Kidderminster 0-1 Burnley
Robbie Brady
Pope, Lowton (Hendrie 84), Ward, Westwood, Anderson, K Long, Ulvestad, Hendrick, Agyei, Barnes, Brady (Bayode 84). Subs: Stone, Leitch, Flowers, Howarth, Metz.
https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/2017/july/its-a-gray-day-as-clarets-win-at-alfreton/
Burnley v Preston
2-0
Walters
Vokes
Match Report –
https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/2017/july/preston-v-burnley/
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Burnley
Andre Gray (assisted by Matthew Lowton)
https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/2017/july/nottingham-forest–burnley-1/
Burnley 2-2 Celta
Robbie Brady (assisted by Jeff Hendrick)
Jeff Hendrick
Pope
Lowton (Bardsley 45), Long (Tarkowski 82), Taylor, Ward (Mee 45)
Brady (Gray 88), Defour, Cork (Arfield 65), Hendrick (Barnes 65)
Gudmundsson, Vokes (Walters 75)
https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/2017/august/burnley-2-celta-vigo-2/
Burnley A-A Hannover 96
Ben Mee had scored from Robbie Brady assist at abandonment (1-0).
https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/2017/august/burnley-1-hannover-96-0-abandoned-at-half-time/
CHELSEA Pre-Season Hub Home
Conte signs a new 5 year deal with Chelsea. Bye bye Diego.
Chelsea 8-2 Fulham
(closed doors game)
Willian (3) (Assists: Unassisted/Batshuayi/Batshuayi)
Batshuayi (2) (Assists: Unassisted/Fabregas)
Remy (2, 1 PEN) (Assists: Kenedy/Penalty won by himself)
Azpilicueta (1 PEN) (Assist: Penalty won by Tomori)
https://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2017/07/pre-season-report–chelsea-v-fulham.html
Arsenal 0-3 Chelsea
Willian
Batshuayi
Batshuayi (assisted by Alonso)
*Pedro sent home from tour for injury assessment*
https://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2017/07/pre-season-report.html
Chelsea 2 – 3 Bayern
Scorers:
Alonso (assisted by Moses)
Batshuayi (assisted by Morata)
http://www.espn.co.uk/football/report?gameId=477290
Lineup
Chelsea 1 – 2 Inter
No scorer for Chelsea – OG
Line-up below
FA Community Shield
Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea
(Arsenal win 4-1 on penalties)
Arsenal: Sead Kolasinac (assisted by Granit Xhaka)
Chelsea: Victor Moses (assisted by Gary Cahill)
http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40766983
CRYSTAL PALACE Pre-Season Hub Home
Maidstone United 1-3 Crystal Palace
Jordan Mutch
Jordan Mutch (assisted by Tyler Brown)
Jacob Berkeley
Crystal Palace: Perntreou, Woods, Brown, McGregor, Tavares, Owens, Lumeka, Flanagan, Coker, Lokilo, Mutch
Subs: Curtis-Henry (Perntreou), Berkeley (Lokilo), Fundi (Coker), Hungbo (Mutch), Daly (Taylor), Ossai (Lumeka), Norman-Williams (Flanagan).
https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2017/july/report-maidstone-united-1-crystal-palace-3/
Crystal Palace have confirmed that Jason Puncheon will be the first team captain for the coming season https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2017/july/puncheon-confirmed-as-palace-captain/
There’s a good chance that given the current squad that RLC could be battling Puncheon for a spot in the XI. This news can’t be good for those banking on RLC being a regular.
No that’s not good. Thought he might take his place.
Crystal Palace Starting XI vs Liverpool – Final Score 0-2
Hennessey
Ward, Dann, Delaney
Townsend, Milivojevic, Puncheon, Schlupp
Anderson, Benteke, Schlupp
Hennessey -> Did well to come off his line to punch away a Henderson long ball off the head of Firmino, Other than that his defenders kept it tight in front of him. When he was needed he performed well. Unlucky with the two goals as there was not much he could do about them.
Ward -> Cynical challenge on Woodburn which would have seen him booked in PL.
Dann -> Defence were compact and Dann seemed to be controlling the box well. Blocked Sturridge brilliantly to keep score 0-0. Almost took Salah’s head off as Salah put the ball past him and he took him out of it receiving a yellow card but it probably would have been a red in PL.
Delaney -> Was roasted by Salah down the side and tried to take him out of it but he is turning 36 soon!
Schlupp -> Played as the LWB. Probably should have done more to help contain Salah but Salah was in behind him all the time. Came off in the 58th min.
Milivojevic -> Didn’t do much in the match as he was mostly defending but did take a free kick which he blasted high and wide.
Townsend -> Played as the RWB so did not get forward much. If he stays as the wingback I wouldn’t touch him FPL wise. When he did get forward it seemed like he just had too much to do so usually lost the ball. Came off in the 58th min.
Puncheon -> New captain so one would think he starts every game! Seems to be taking all the set pieces.
Zaha -> Was attacking well and showing quick feet inside the box. Managed to get past a few Liverpool players in midfield to start a counter attack but it came to nought. Zaha definitely looked the most likely to score fro Palace as he was making bits of Gomez. In the 2nd half, he was causing lots of problems for Milner. Took a bad tackle from Grujic and he was treated but thankfully got back up. Was Palace’s best player by miles!!
Benteke -> Wasn’t given much supply so had to try and do a lot with long balls forward. Even had to come into his own half for the ball at times. Came off in the 71st min.
Anderson -> Don’t think he will start in PL! Never actually heard off him before but he was put in by Townsend which was saved. Didn’t do much else for the rest of the game bar a link-up with Wan-Bissake which led to a Liverpool counter-attack. Came off in the 64th min.
Van Aanholt -> Came on in the 58th min. Was fairly quiet but whipped in a brilliant cross in the 73rd min but Sako fluffed his lines.
Wan-Bissaka -> Came on in the 58th min. Seemed lively but I don’t think he will play in the PL.
Sako -> Came on in the 64th min. Apart from fluffing his lines from the PVA cross he didn’t do anything worthwhile.
Ladapo -> Came on in the 71st min.
Loftus-Cheek -> Came on in the 76th min. Only got 15 mins so can’t really be sure if he is a good FPL choice yet.
Kelly -> Came on in the 76th min.
Kirby -> Came on in the 76th min.
Phillips -> Came on in the 76th min.
Additional Comments
Very compact and played very deep so they weren’t very entertaining. This could be a good thing if you need a defender or goalkeeper.
De Boer seems to want to play out from the back and short passes but these defenders can’t seem to do this and Liverpool’s high pressure was causing them problems so De Boer seemed to change his tactics a slight bit in the 2nd half.
If Palace do continue to play this way then don’t expect them to score too many goals!!
Alright, we get it, you watched the game 😉
Haha didnt you?? 😉 :finger:
No need – come on here and save myself 90 minutes!
Nice one Matt! Agree with you and think Palace will take some time to adapt to De Boer. Zaha was brilliant tho!
Good stuff Matt have Salah in my draft at present but that could change to Firmino if J Rod doesn’t show. Also have RLC in will have to keep eye on pre season to see what happens with him cheers mate 😉
Worried about losing value on RLC should he not start, such is his ownership
AT I would expect him to be a starter but you never know we will all have to bail if he isn’t 😉
A bit early to judge. However you are right on losing value on him because of his high ownership. It’s not like there’s not other options though
Cheers.
Big Sam ‘get it out!’ to play from the back probs takes more than a couple of weeks.
Or a couple of players. Think the current 3 would make Stones look rock solid.
That starting XI close to their intended perhap thos
Crystal Palace 2-0 West Bromwich Albion
Luka Milivojevic (assisted by Wilfried Zaha)
Bakary Sako (assisted by Luka Milivojevic)
https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2017/july/match-report-for-crystal-palace-v-west-bromwich-albion/
Another start for RLC today
Where is Cabaye?
Palace fans on twitter are asking the very same question Smash.
Finished 1 – 1
Zaha goal, Puncheon assist
Match Report –
https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2017/july/match-report-for-metz-v-crystal-palace/
Pun could be a good option as 4th mid 😉
Crystal Palace 1-1 Schalke 04
Christian Benteke (no assist)
Speroni
Milivojevic, Dann, Reidewald (Tomkins 81)
Townsend (Ward 70), Puncheon, Loftus-Cheek, Van Aanholt, Zaha
Lokilo (Lee 79), Benteke
https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2017/august/report-crystal-palace-schalke/