Pre-Season Guide

Last Updated: 14/8 by Paul

Arsenal

Articles
Scout Report – Olivier Giroud
Scout Report – Lukas Podolski
Scout Report – Santi Cazorla
Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 14 – Anderlecht 1-0 (Lansbury)
July 14 – Southampton 1-1 (Gervinho)
July 24 – Malaysia XI – 2-1 (Eisfeld, Aneke)
July 27 – Manchester City – 0-2 (Winoly Cup)
July 29 – Kitchee – 2-2 (Walcott, Eisfeld)
August 12 – Cologne 4-0 (Vermaelen, Podolski (2), Gervinho)

Scout Notes: In the earlier games, Gervinho had taken turns with Marouane Chamakh as the central striker – only in the final match at Cologne did Arsene Wenger field all his new boys, with Olivier Giroud handed the central role, Santi Cazorla tucked in behind and Lukas Podolski on the left. Kieran Gibbs seems to have nailed down the left-back role; he has started ahead of Andre Santos in almost every game.

Form Players:

Aston Villa

Articles
Moving Target – Paul Lambert
Sleeper – Darren Bent
Sleeper – Charles N’Zogbia
Scout Report – Karim El Ahmadi
Scout Report – Brett Holman
Scout Report – Ron Vlaar

Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 14 – Burton Albion 2-1 (Holness (og), Holman)
July 18 – Philadelphia Union 1-0 (Delfouneso)
July 21 – Chicago Fire 1-0 (Agbonlahor)
July 24 – Portland Timbers 2-2 (Villa win 5-4 on pens) (Clark, Lowton)
August 1 – Peterborough 2-0 (Johnson, Holman)
August 4 – Nottingham Forest 1-3 (Bannan)
August 11 – Werder Bremen 3-3 (Bent (2), Clark)

Scout Notes: Villa’s pre-season has been blighted by injury, with the likes of Gabby Agbonlahor, Richard Dunne and Marc Albrighton all ruled out. Ciaran Clark has slotted in alongside new boy Ron Vlaar in central defence and notched twice, while at left-back, Paul Lambert has mainly chosen Enda Stevens over Stephen Warnock. Charles N’Zogbia has featured on the flank and in the hole due to injuries to others and Darren Bent returned from injury to grab a double in Villa’s final match.
Form Players:Holman, Clark, Bent

Chelsea

Articles
Scout Report – Marko Marin
Scout Report – Eden Hazard
Sleeper – Fernando Torres
Sleeper – Branislav Ivanovic
Scout Report – Oscar

Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 18 – Seattle Sounders 4-2 (Lukaku (2), Marin, Hazard)
July 22 – Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 (Piazon)
July 25 – MLS All-Stars – 2-3 (Terry, Lampard)
July 28 – AC Milan 0-1
August 4 – Brighton 1-3 (Lampard)
August 12 – Man City (Community Shield) 2-3 (Torres, Bertrand)

Scout Notes: Chelsea arrive for the season opener at Wigan on the back of four straight defeats. Branislav Ivanovic looks nailed-on at right-back, though Gary Cahill and David Luiz continue to rotate alongside John Terry at centre-half. With the likes of Juan Mata and Oscar away on Olympic duty, Ramires has featured mainly on the right of the attacking midfield three – Mata’s return for the Community Shield saw Eden Hazard shifted left, with the Spaniard tucked in behind compatriot Fernando Torres.
Form Players: Lampard

Everton

Articles
Scout Report – Steven Naismith
Moving Target – Steven Pienaar
Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 14 – Morecambe 4-1 (Junior, Vellios, Rodwell, Anichebe)
July 19 – Dundee United – 1-0 (Barkley)
July 21 – Motherwell – 1-1 (Duffy)
August 5 – Blackpool 0-2
August 8 – AEK Athens 4-1 (Naismith (3), Hibbert)
August 11 – Malaga 0-1

Scout Notes: The acquisition of Steven Pienaar towards the end of the window and the arrival of Steven Naismith has perked up the Toffees attacking threat. David Moyes has rolled out his first-choice options over the last couple of games – intriguingly, Pienaar has swapped roles with Naismith in “the hole” behind Nikica Jelavic in the familiar 4-5-1 system.

Form Players: Naismith

Fulham

Articles
Scout Report – Mladen Petric
Sleeper – Brede Hangeland
Moving Target – Hugo Rodallega

Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 15 – HB Koge 0-0
July 18 – Lokomotive Leipzig 4-0 (Trotta (2), Petric, Valle)
July 21 – Kaiserslautern – 2-2 (Petric (2))
July 28 – Wycombe – 3-0 (Petric, Ruiz, Sidwell)
August 4 – Nice – 3-0 (Petric, Kacaniklic, Diarra, Mesca)
August 7 – MK Dons 1-0 (Rodallega)
August 11 – Charlton 1-2 (Duff)

Scout Notes:Fantasy managers are more than aware of Mladen Petric after the summer signing struck five times in the Cottagers pre-season fixtures. Sascha Riether has stood out at right-back while Alex Kacaniklic has offered potentially cheap route into the Cottagers’ midfield – he has started on the left in the absence of Clint Dempsey, though Martin Jol has admitted he could also play new boy Hugo Rodallega there, now the Colombian has recovered from injury. Jol has shifted from 4-4-1-1 to 4-4-2, with Bryan Ruiz the preferred option in “the hole”, though the Costa Rican has shifted to the flank when Fulham go two up front.

Form Players: Petric, Ruiz

Liverpool

Articles
Moving Target – Brendan Rodgers
Sleeper – Daniel Agger
Sleeper – Steven Gerrard
Scout Report – Fabio Borini
Moving Target – Joe Allen
Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 21 – Toronto 1-1 (Morgan)
July 25 – Roma – 1-2 (Adam)
July 28 – Tottenham 0-0
August 2 – FC Gomel (Europa League Qualifier) 1-0 (Downing)
August 2 – FC Gomel (Europa League Qualifier) 3-0 (Borini, Gerrard, Johnson)
August 12 – Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 (Sterling, Lucas, Carroll)

Scout Notes:Brendan Rodgers immediately installed his 4-3-3 system upon arriving at Anfield. Much of his team selection has been blighted by Euro 2012 and Olympic involvement, though over the past couple of games we have been given a glimpse of what is likely to come. Luis Suarez and Stewart Downing have flanked Fabio Borini, with Steven Gerrard handed the most advance role of the central midfield three. Suarez was also played through the middle against Leverkusen, with Raheem Sterling handed a starting berth on the left.

Form Players: Suarez

Man City

Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 13 – Al Hilal 0-1
July 17 – Dynamo Dresden – 0-0
July 20 – Besiktas – 2-0 (Aguero, Kompany)
July 27 – Arsenal (Winoly Cup)- 2-0 (Zabaleta, Y Toure)
July 30 – Malaysia XI (3-1) (Aguero, Tevez, A Johnson)
August 4 – Wolfsburg 2-0 (Aguero, Y Toure)
August 5 – Limerick 4-0 (Dzeko (2), Boyata, Scapuzzi)
August 12 – Chelsea (Community Shield) 3-2 (Y Toure, Tevez, Nasri)

Scout Notes:It’s been all about the 3-4-1-2 formation for the league champions in pre-season. With many of his squad unavailable due to extended breaks following Euro 2012, Roberto Mancini has rolled out a new system with devastating effect. Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero have forged a strong understanding in the absence of Mario Balotelli up front, while the full-backs have prospered as wide midfielders thanks to the new tactic. Yaya Toure was handed a role in “the hole” in earlier pre-season matches before Samir Nasri took over in the Community Shield, with the Ivorian moving deep.

Form Players: Aguero, Y Toure, Tevez

Man United

Articles
Scout Report – Shinji Kagawa
Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 18 – AmaZulu – 1-0 (Macheda)
July 21 – Ajax Cape Town – 1-1 (Bebe)
July 25 – Shanghai Shenhua – 1-0 (Kagawa)
August 5 – Valerenga 0-0
August 8 – Barcelona 0-0 (Barcelona win 2-0 on pens)
August 11 – Hannover 4-3 (Rooney(2, 1 pen), Hernandez, Kagawa)

Scout Notes:Despite the return of Nemanja Vidic, Sir Alex Ferguson has had plenty of injury worries at the back. Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have all been sidelined and with Rafael on Olympic duty, Antonio Valencia’s game time has mainly came at right-back – a worrying sign for his Fantasy suitors. This has afforded Nani the role on the right flank, with Ashley Young on the left – new boy Shinji Kagawa has mainly featured in “the hole”, though started in a deeper role in United’s final match. Ferguson has switched between 4-4-1-1 and 4-4-2, with Kagawa and Danny Welbeck taking it in turns to partner Wayne Rooney up top; perhaps a sign on his intentions for the upcoming campaign.

Form Players: Rooney, Kagawa

Newcastle

Articles
Sleeper – Steven Taylor
Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 13 – Chemnitzer 0-1
July 16 – Monaco 1-0 (Ba)
July 21 – Fenerbahce – 1-1 (Abeid)
July 27 – Olympiacos – 1-1 (S Taylor)
July 28 – FC Braga – 2-1 (Ba, R Taylor)
August 4 – Den Haag 0-0
August 7 – Hartlepool 5-1 (Shola Ameobi, Marveaux 2 (1 pen), Vuckic, Obertan)
August 11 – Cardiff 1-4 (Shola Ameobi (pen))

Scout Notes:Alan Pardew has utilised Davide Santon in both full-back positions, while the likes of Ryan Taylor and Jonas Gutierrez have also shown plenty versatility. The latter has featured in central midfield, on the wing and – due to the current injury problems – in “the hole” in a 4-4-1-1 behind Shola Ameobi. When fit, Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse have featured together in a 4-4-2 but both have missed the last game, while Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye have barely featured due to their Euro 2012 participation; Sylvain Marveaux has subsequently prospered wide right and could be set to start the season.

Form Players: Marveaux, Shola Ameobi

Norwich

Articles
Moving Target – Chris Hughton
Scout Report – Steven Whittaker
Scout Report – Robert Snodgrass
Moving Target – Michael Turner

Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 21 – Hertha Berlin – 2-3 (Vaughan (2))
July 24 – Celtic – 1-0 (Holt)
July 28 – Peterborough 2-0 (Morison, Vaughan)
July 31 – Ajax 1-1 (Pilkington)
August 3 – MK Dons 0-0
August 7 – Hull 0-0
August 11 – Borussia Monchengladbach 0-2

Scout Notes:The main point of note has been an upturn in defensive resilience under Chris Hughton. The Canaries shipped 66 goals last season but have now racked up four clean sheets in the last six games as they come to terms with the new manager’s tactics – the downside to this is a lack of cutting edge, with no goals in the last three. Robert Snodgrass looks an intriguing prospect; he has been handed a role in “the hole” of late, tucking in behind Grant Holt as Hughton has gradually shifted from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 to 4-4-1-1 to help shore up his defence.

Form Players: Vaughan, Snodgrass

QPR

Articles
Moving Target – Ji Sung Park
Moving Target – Fabio
Moving Target – Junior Hoilett

Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 17 – Sabah XI- 5-0 (Zamora, Helguson, Bothroyd, Cisse (2))
July 20 – Kelantan – 5-0 (Wright-Phillips, Harriman, Mackie, Zamora, Helguson)
July 23 – Persebaya Surabaya – 2-1 (Taarabt (pen), Zamora)
July 31 – Wycombe Wanderers 3-0 (Mackie, Wright-Phillips, Onouha)
August 4 – Trabzonspor 1-1 (Wright-Phillips)
August 11 – Augsburg 2-2 (Cisse (2))

Scout Notes:With plenty of new signings on board, Mark Hughes’ side look a different prospect altogether from the one that struggled so badly in 2011/12. Unbeaten in their six matches, QPR have been bolstered by the goals of Djibril Cisse and Bobby Zamora up top as Hughes switches between 4-4-2 and 4-4-1-1; Adel Taarabt has flourished in “the hole” in the latter system, new boy Junior Hoilett has impressed on the left flank, while Shaun Wright-Phillips has been a prominent figure going forward. Intriguingly, full-backs Fabio and Armand Traore have also featured in midfield on occasion.

Form Players: Taarabt, Zamora, Wright-Phillips

Reading

Articles
End of Season Report
Moving Target – Pavel Pogrebynak
Moving Target – Nicky Shorey
Scout Report – Adrian Mariappa
Scout Report – Jobi McAnuff
Scout Report – Chris Gunter

Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 14 – AFC Wimbledon 7-0 (Le Fondre (2, inc 1 pen), Antonio, Church (3), Obita)
July 21 – Quarteirense 1-1 (Harte)
July 24 – Sheffield Wednesday – 0-2
July 27 – Olhanense – 1-1 (Guthrie)
August 4 – Bournemouth 2-2 (Mariappa, Robson-Kanu(pen))
August 7 – Brighton 1-1 (Robson-Kanu)
August 11 – Crystal Palace 2-0 (Pogrebnyak, Le Fondre)

Scout Notes: Reading approach the double Gameweek 1 with both of last season’s first-choice wide men currently injury doubts. Hal Robson-Kanu could well start on the right flank and, intriguingly, scored from the spot against Bournemouth, despite both Ian Harte and Pavel Pogrebnyak being on the pitch. Chris Gunter has only just returned from injury, meaning there are still question marks over who is likely to start at right-back, while a front two of Pogrebnyak and Adam Le Fondre seems to be Brian McDermott’s preferred option right now, with Jason Roberts suspended.

Form Players: Robson-Kanu

Southampton

Articles
End of Season Report
Scout Report – Nathaniel Clyne
Scout Report – Rickie Lambert
Scout Report – Adam Lallana

Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 14 – Anderlecht 0-1
July 14 – Arsenal 1-1 (Rodriguez)
July 18 – Etoile Carouge – 4-1 (Shaw, Sharp (3))
July 21 – Evian – 1-0 (Puncheon)
July 28 – Ajax – 0-1
August 4 – Wolves 2-0 (Sharp, Puncheon)
August 7 – Bristol City 1-1 (Sharp)
August 11 – Udinese 0-4

Scout Notes:Nigel Adkins has shifted from last season’s preferred 4-4-2 to a lone striker system as he prepares for the step up to the Premier League. This has mainly seen Rickie Lambert as the lone front man, with Jason Puncheon impressing in a wide role and Adam Lallana moved from the flank to a central midfield three. New signing Jay Rodriguez has been used as a winger, while Nathaniel Clyne – having made his debut in midfield – looks to have nailed down the right-back role.
Form Players: Puncheon, Sharp, Lallana

Stoke

Articles
Sleeper – Roberto Huth
Moving Target – Michael Kightly

Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 19 – Sion – 1-0 (Etherington (pen))
July 24 – Columbus Crew 1-2 (Walters)
July 28 – Orlando City 1-0 (Walters)
August 1 – Sporting Kansas City 1-1 (Tonge)
August 6 – Torquay 1-1 Downes (og)
August 7 – Yeovil 1-1 (Jones)
August 10 – Greuther Furth 1-1 (Kightly)

Scout Notes:Tony Pulis has stuck to his tried and trusted 4-4-2 formation, with Jon Walters up front alongside Peter Crouch – the former is likely to maintain his out-of-position appeal in FPL again this term. At the back, Robert Huth’s illness has afforded Matthew Upson a chance to establish a partnership with Ryan Shawcross, while Marc Wilson’s left-back berth could come under threat following the capture of Goran Popov. Pulis continues to rotate Thomas Sorensen and Asmir Begovic in goal, while Michael Kightly marked his debut with a goal and could well be set to oust Jermaine Pennant from the right wing role.

Form Players: Walters

Sunderland

Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 19 – Seongnam (Peace Cup) – 0-1
July 22 – FC Groningen (Peace Cup) – 3-2 (Wickham, Campbell, Noble)
July 27 – Hartlepool 0-1
August 4 – Helsingborgs 0-2
August 8 – Derby County 1-1 (McClean)
August 11 – Leicester City 0-1

Scout Notes:With Stephane Sessegnon sidelined due to an ankle problem and Nicklas Bendtner back at parent club Arsenal after his loan stint ended, Martin O’Neill has plenty of concerns up front. Sunderland have scored in only two of their six pre-season friendlies – a real worry for the Black Cats, with Fraizer Campbell failing to produce any real goal threat. Craig Gardner has mainly been played in “the hole” in a 4-4-1-1, while an injury to Phil Bardsley has seen John O’Shea and Ahmed Elmohamady both fill in at right-back. James McClean has been utilised on both flanks by O’Neill, with Seb Larsson featuring centrally on occasion.

Form Players: McClean

Swansea

Articles
Scout Report – Jonathan De Guzman
Scout Report – Jose Manuel Flores
Scout Report – Michu
Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 21 – Port Talbot – 5-0 (Dobbie (3, (2 pen)), Lita, Jones)
July 24 – Colorado Rapids 1-2 (de Guzman)
July 28 – Ventura County Fusion 1-0 (Moore)
July 31 – San Jose Earthquakes – 2-2 (Graham, Chico)
August 7 – Blackpool 4-2 (Graham (3), Michu)
August 11 – Stuttgart 3-3 (Graham (2, 1 pen), Dyer)

Scout Notes:While Swansea seem to have lost some of the defensive solidity instilled under Brendan Rodgers, they look to have discovered an extra attacking thrust under Michael Laudrup, going on pre-season results. Danny Graham has flourished under the Dane, grabbing six goals in his last three, while new boy Michu seems to have slotted in nicely in “the hole” behind. Jonathan De Guzman looks a ready-made replacement for Joe Allen alongside Leon Britton, through the former also has his fair share of set-pieces. At the back, Chico has filled the gap created by Steven Caulker’s return to parent club Spurs, while Scott Sinclair has been limited to just one game out wide following his recent Olympic duties.

Form Players: Graham, Michu

Tottenham

Articles
Moving Target – Gylfi Sigurdsson
Moving Target – Andrea Villas-Boas
Scout Report – Jan Vertonghen

Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 18 – Stevenage – 2-0 (Sigurdsson, Falque)
July 24 – LA Galaxy 1-1 (Bale)
July 28 – Liverpool 0-0
July 31 – New York Red Bulls – 2-1 (Bale, Sigurdsson)
August 5 – Watford 1-0 (Defoe)
August 9 – Valencia 0-2

Scout Notes:Much of the focus has been on the Gylfi Sigurdsson/ Rafael Van der Vaart conundrum. The Dutchman has missed a handful of games, which has allowed Sigurdsson to flourish in “the hole” but the latter has dropped into the double-pivot whenever the pair have been on the field together. Much may be down to a lack of transfer activity, though; a move away for Luka Modric is likely to free up funds for Andre Villas-Boas to strengthen in this position and Fantasy managers might not get a clearer picture until the close of the transfer window. Up front, Harry Kane, Jermain Defoe and even Gareth Bale have been handed a chance in the lone forward role but again, it’s surely a matter of time before Spurs splash the cash on a forward more suitable to the new manager’s system.

Form Players: Bale, Sigurdsson

West Brom

Articles
Moving Target – Steve Clarke
Sleeper – Peter Odemwingie
Moving Target – Romelu Lukaku
Moving Target – Markus Rosenberg

Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 19 – Malmo – 0-1
July 25 – Copenhagen – 3-0 (Reid, Long Tamas)
July 28 – Barnsley 0-0
August 4 – Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 (Odemwingie)
August 7 – Walsall 3-1 (Dawson, Berahino, El Ghanassy)
August 10 – Nottingham Forest 2-0 (Mulumbu, Long (pen))

Scout Notes: Steve Clarke has tried a variety of formations as he comes to grips with the managerial reins at the Hawthorns. The Baggies have rolled out 4-4-2, 4-3-3 and 4-4-1-1, with Peter Odemwingie featuring mainly wide right under the new boss. Frustratingly for Fantasy managers, new signings Markus Rosenberg and Romelu Lukaku have arrived too late to feature in pre-season, meaning we are only likely to see their impact as the season unfolds. Fellow new boy Yassine El Ghanassy has impressed when given game time – he has played in “the hole” and was also on set-pieces in the recent win over Walsall.

Form Players: Long

West Ham

Articles
End of Season Report
Scout Report – Modibo Maiga
Moving Target – James Collins
Scout Report – James Tomkins

Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 7 – Austria Vienna – 1-3 (Baldock)
July 10 – Boreham Wood – 1-1 (Baldock)
July 14 – Southend – 3-0 (Maynard, Spence, Baldock)
July 17 – Oxford United – 0-1
July 21 – Colchester – 2-1 (Maynard, Noble (pen))
July 25 – FC Rot-Wieb Erfurt – 3-0 (Ofosu-Ayeh (o.g.), Vaz Te (2))
July 27 – Dynamo Dresden – 0-3
July 29 – Energie Cottbus 2-2 (Kazim-Richards, Baldock)
August 4 – Ipswich Town 1-3 (Taylor)
August 10 – Braga 1-1 (Reid)

Scout Notes: Sam Allardyce has mainly kept to his familiar 4-3-3 system, though has recently trialled a 4-4-2; Carlton Cole has kept a central role, whereas Modibo Maiga and Ricardo Vaz Te have both been shifted to the flank. At the back, George McCartney and Guy Demel continue to look assured cut-price starters in FPL, while James Tomkins was handed a central midfield role upon his return from Olympic duties. Kevin Nolan has failed to feature in the majority of the Hammers’ pre-season due to a toe problem sustained against Colchester on July 21.

Form Players: Baldock

Wigan

Articles
Scout Report – Fraser Fyvie
Scout Report – Ivan Ramis

Pre-Season Fixtures/Results

July 12 – Ostersunds FK 1-0 (Gomez (pen))
July 24 – GW Micheldorf – 3-1 (Boselli, Moses, McManaman)
July 26 – Botev Plovdiv – 2-2 (Jones, Boselli)
July 28 – Hoffenheim – 1-1 (Boselli)
August 5 – Real Mallorca 0-2
August 12 – Celta Vigo 0-1

Scout Notes: Roberto Martinez has mainly utilised the pre-season matches for fitness purposes and has made a vast number of changes in almost every match. Mauro Boselli has come to the fore once again; the Latics top scorer prior to the previous campaign, he is up to his old tricks again, notching three times in recent matches. Martinez has keep faith in the three-man defence that proved so successful in the second half of last season but trialled a back-four in Wigan’s trip to Celta Vigo, though this was partly down to a depleted squad, with many of his first-team joining up with their countries on international duty.

Form Players: Boselli

“We have dynamic players with good movement, so if he can link with them fine. He can play a bit higher because his timing getting into the box is very good.”

Rafa Benitez talks up the role that Frank Lampard can play in his Chelsea revolution