FPL
2 August 2025 280 comments
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On the penultimate weekend of pre-season friendlies, we’ll see the bulk of the Premier League teams in action.

Crystal Palace kicked things off on Friday with a double-header against Mainz, while Liverpool bookend the kickabouts with two games against Athletic Club on Monday evening.

In between, we should see 16 top-flight clubs contesting warm-up matches.

Arsenal and Chelsea are the odd ones out. The Blues have been on a belated post-season break following involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup, while Arsenal aren’t scheduled to next be in action till next Wednesday.

Here are all the declared friendlies this weekend:

MatchDateKick-off time (BST)
Fulham v Sheffield UnitedSaturday 2 August? (behind closed doors)
Manchester City v Preston North EndSaturday 2 August? (behind closed doors)
Queens Park Rangers v BrentfordSaturday 2 August3pm
Stoke City v BurnleySaturday 2 August3pm
Leeds United v VillarrealSaturday 2 August3pm
Birmingham City v Nottingham ForestSaturday 2 August3pm
Sunderland v Real BetisSaturday 2 August3pm
Southampton v Brighton and Hove AlbionSaturday 2 August3.30pm
Nashville v Aston VillaSaturday 2 August10pm
Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle UnitedSunday 3 August12pm
Girona v Wolverhampton WanderersSunday 3 August7pm
West Ham United v BournemouthSunday 3 August7pm
Manchester United v Everton Sunday 3 August10pm
Liverpool v Athletic ClubMonday 4 August5pm/8pm

Times come from each club’s official website

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR

FPL Gameweek 1 differentials: Minteh, Munoz + Mbeumo 1 friendlies weekend

SATURDAY

This may be our best indication yet at which £4.0m defenders Burnley boss Scott Parker is going to favour come Gameweek 1. Parker split his squad across two friendlies last weekend, so there were no telltale signs there. Today, however, the line-up looks altogether stronger.

On a similar theme, we will witness Sunderland’s Reinildo (£4.0m) in action for the Black Cats for the first time. Recent captures Granit Xhaka (£5.0m) and Robin Roefs (£4.5m) are straight into the Mackems’ starting XI, too.

Speaking of new signings, Dan Ndoye (£6.0m) is included in Nuno Espirito Santo’s team this afternoon. Fellow summer recruits Jair Cunha (£4.5m) and Igor Jesus (£6.0m) get starts, too.

Newly reclassified ‘defender’ Keane Lewis-Potter (£5.0m) gets an ‘out of position’ run-out for Brentford, meanwhile.

SUNDAY

We will finally see Bryan Mbeumo‘s (£8.0m) Manchester United debut on Sunday, barring a last-minute hiccup. Matheus Cunha (£8.0m) only missed the win over Bournemouth with “fatigue”, so there’s a chance we could see the two big-money summer signings in tandem for the first time.

Everton’s Thierno Barry (£6.0m) could get his first start for the Toffees in the same game.

Elsewhere in the Premier League Summer Series, a newly exonerated Lucas Paqueta (£6.0m) will be hoping to build on four attacking returns in three pre-season friendlies.

Someone who won’t be featuring in FPL next season will likely have his Spurs farewell this weekend. After over a century of Premier League goals and 1,730 Fantasy points, Son Heung-min (£8.5m) is to depart for pastures new.

Both Spurs and Newcastle United will be without their main men up top: Dominic Solanke (£7.5m) through injury and Alexander Isak (£10.5m) due to his wantaway status. Isak is set to return to training on Tyneside, however.

280 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    4 months, 6 days ago

    Why does Guehi never seem to leave Palace, are clubs not that desperate to get a deal done?

    1. Hairy Potter
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      No one wants a protracted transfer saga with Palace. Maybe some late deals this summer for defenders.

    2. WVA
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      Weren’t they asking 70m? He ain’t that good!

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 12 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Never realised they were asking that much for him, better left alone for now then.

        1. WVA
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 6 days ago

          I think that may have been last year but guessing it’s still around 50m

          1. Milk, 1 Šuker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 months, 6 days ago

            I wouldn’t even rank him at that much

            1. x.jim.x
              • 11 Years
              4 months, 6 days ago

              £50m for an England international in his prime seems fair when Gvardiol just went for double that

    3. F4L
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      think hes down to his last year now, so no need to pay big this summer. also sounds like glasner is not happy atm, so unlikely to sell and make things worse. still a good chance to win uecl this season and make more history, even if glasner ends up leaving at end of season. guehi might as well stick around for another 12 months

  2. Steamer66
      4 months, 6 days ago

      Sanchez
      N.williams,,vvd,Aina
      Wirtz.,salah,palmer,Roger’s,
      Watkins. ?????

      Verbruggen,Anderson’s,guiu,esteve

      Got 6.5 for a starting forward.Looking at bb gw1-2

      1. Flynny
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Welbeck

      2. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        Pedro

    • F4L
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      anyone considering salah tc gw1? i know theres your burnely/leeds/sunderlands etc but salah always turns up GW1 and the bournemouth LB is relatively new/without huijsen etc doubt bournemouth sit in as well, salah should have space to work with. not that its that important but salah had 4 shots, 6 chances created last season at home vs bou

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 12 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        With logically better fixtures to come for Salah and Haaland there is no need to play the chip in GW1.

      2. One for All
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Too early to triple captain, will wait for dgw.

        1. teddy.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          4 months, 6 days ago

          Won't be a DGW in the first half of the season when you have to use your first TC

          1. One for All
            • 7 Years
            4 months, 6 days ago

            Most likely Gw 14 Salah vs Sunderland. Will see who is on form, long way to go.

      3. F4L
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        thanks all

    • One for All
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      Kelleher
      Cucurella, Van Dijk, Vdv
      Anderson, Salah, Wirtz, Palmer
      Bowen, Pedro

      Vald, De Cuyper, A.Ramsey, Esteve

      gtg?

      Could transfer Bowen> Larsen, Anderson> Rogers?

      1. One for All
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Wissa is my 3rd striker

    • Bobby Crush
      • 11 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      Arsenal or LFC premium defenders?

      I am leaning Arsenal, as there are many changes at LFC.

      1. F4L
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        i know people say fixtures tough for arsenal, but remember last season when they kept cs at villa/spurs early on, and gabriel got a few goals thrown in as well. then conceded 3 (or 4?) at home to leicester and sou combined lol

        anyways vvd looks good, gets some DC points and very much still a goal threat. decent fixtures. surprised he came in a 6 and not 6.5

        1. Qaiss
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 6 days ago

          Really close between these two for me

      2. Ser Davos
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        If VVD and Gabriel are both available then I think go for both

        But outside of those two.... will they be worth it? Kerkez perhaps

    • g40steve
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      VVD & wait for others to appear.

    • Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      So if Isak does go to LIV, which LIV players are you starting with?

      1. F4L
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        just salah. isak is likely reduced minutes for gakpo/wirtz/ekitike. and isak is probably too much for no longer being a talisman/no pens and prob less mins as well. really hoping isak stays.

        some will still be happy with wirtz, but is szobo considered that bad by Slot he barely gets a look in anymore?

        1. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 12 Years
          4 months, 6 days ago

          Salah is all you need from Liverpool.

      2. yousunkmybattleship
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        Salah, Wirtz, VVD

    • garriq
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      Sanchez
      AWB, Virgil, VdV, DeCuyper
      Palmer, Rice, Wirtz, Kudus
      Solanke, Haaland (C)

      B Kelleher, Mbeumo, Beto, 4.0 def

      Thinking of BB week 1, so may shift to get the 4.0 to a playing def at 4.5

    • Scalper
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      Madderz at £7m ?

      I reckon him and Rogers are staples in peoples teams sooner or later

      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Yes, we're all looking forward to that three-game streak of decent performances in the middle of the season before he disappears again

      2. F4L
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        is he expected to line up more as a CAM, with 2 mids behind, instead of in a 3 like last season?

      3. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 12 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        He is too scrawny and lightweight to play regular PL football. Expect some stellar performances, some dart throwing and lengthy time out injured.

      4. yousunkmybattleship
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        Nope, not done much preseason

      5. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        Wait and see for me

    • Gazza1993
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      4 months, 6 days ago

      Petrovic/ Kelleher
      VVD, Konsa, Van Der Ven, Wan Bissaka, Reinaldo
      Salah, Palmer, Rogers, Ndiaye, Anderson
      Gykores, Solanke, Welbeck

      What do you guys think, planning to BB week 1 and then look to build team value over the first few weeks with some flexibilty before WC

    • Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      Which is the best stat showing defcon numbers for a match?

      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        *Stat site

    • Ronnies
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      Evening chaps,

      Best option:

      A) Bowen in a 3-4-3
      B) Writz in a 3-5-2

      Cheers.

      1. Fat Frank
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        B I think

        1. Fat Frank
          • 8 Years
          4 months, 6 days ago

          Feels like he will hit the ground running

      2. F4L
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        b as of now. not sure bowen will play striker too often this season

    • Fat Frank
      • 8 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      Ok I’ve settled on this, what do you think?
      Can’t decide keeper and 4.5 def.

      4.5
      Munoz | Williams | 4.5
      Salah | Palmer | Bruno | Wirtz | Rogers
      Solanke | Evanilson

      Kinsky | Reinildo | Esteve | Guiu

      Thanks

      1. Fat Frank
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Anyone

      2. agueroo
        • 2 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        Good team, I don’t like any 4.5 goalkeepers, so would prefer to find the extra 0.5 for Sanchez/Sels. Are you concerned by Bruno playing deeper, perhaps lacking open play contributions?

    • _Freddo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      Is 442 being slept on as a formation this year?

      New rules make CBs more appealing & the top ones are only 6m.

      1. F4L
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        yeah for sure

        honestly think the defenders have in general been underpriced. if you can find this seasons' forest then you'd be getting 160-180 points from a 4.5 defender lol

        as for the 6s, its a good point. last season wasnt great, but if prime time vvd comes back (180-210 points) then you'd be looking at 200 points+ from 6mil lol, potentially more (220+ 😀 ). same could be said for gabriel who has the potential to go that big. honestly if the defenders were priced within a vacuum of only being allowed to pick 3 then it'd be fine as they're all getting more points across the board, but the chance to play 4/5 back, yeah can see the appeal

        think fpl towers are banking on the fact that the clean sheet days of the PL are (still) over and wont be coming back anytime soon.

        1 thing it is fair to say is its not more fun to play 4 back, losing out on an attacker.

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        I'll play 4-4-2 when 3-5-2 isn't looking brilliant in midfield.

    • jayzico
      • 14 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      With Dorgu now locked in I have one more 7 m mid space (got watkins). I'm thinking:

      A) Semenyo
      B) Kluivert

      Who would you pick?

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        A

      2. F4L
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        b, just.

      3. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 12 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        A

      4. teddy.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        I'd say B, but it's a total coin toss

      5. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        FWIW, Semenyo has been the one with preseason activity so far

      6. Zimo
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Kluivert hasn't been involved in preseason at all so far so you have your answer.

      7. jayzico
        • 14 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Sem or Kluv over Kudus? Save .5m

        1. teddy.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          4 months, 6 days ago

          They're defo better options for me. Better score last season, both nailed. Playing in a better team...

      8. jayzico
        • 14 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Thanks guys. I've ended up with meh anderson. And upgraded StandL to Solanke.

        Boring I know, I just can't see either JP or Malen getting as musc minutes

    • BlzE_94
      • 11 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      Best mid for £5.5?
      Anderson or Adingra?

      1. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Im thinking Harry Wilson

        1. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          4 months, 6 days ago

          Shhhh

      2. teddy.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Several good options. I prefer Anderson out of those two, but I'm on Malen.

    • Scalper
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      My plan is to BB GW1 and then WC GW4.

      I think 3 weeks of information is very important. There’s also a maximum of 5 transfers which can be saved up for after the WC and used until AFCON, until which we’ll have out transfers maxed again!

      Am I missing something in regards to waiting to WC until say GW 10-12? I hear this is popular strategy.

      Here’s my current squad, aimed at maximizing points for GW 1-3. No haaland/Salah 🙂

      Sanchez - Verbruggen
      Murrilo - Colwill - VDV - Udogie - Neco W
      Palmer - Saka - Wirtz - Marmoush - Rogers
      Wood - Solanke - Welbz

      Could do a straight swap for a couple players like wood -> pedro, but want to see how much he starts early on.

      Thoughts gents?

      1. teddy.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Generally I believe in playing the WC, especially this first one when blanks and doubles aren't a factor, when the need or opportunity presents itself. Rather than scheduling it in advance.

        That said, I've looked at the fixtures for my starting squad, and there's a point around GW9 with a conjunction of tricky fixtures when I think some surgery might be required.

        1. Scalper
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 6 days ago

          To me, surgery is 6-7 transfers, so perhaps yes.

          Can’t say I’ve looked at fixtures out that far however, I trust that I’ll have at least 3-4 transfers after WC in GW4

    • AC Pilkington
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      Who is the most nailed striker 7m or under that isn’t Evanilson?

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        JSL

      2. Flynny
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Welbeck

        1. AC Pilkington
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 months, 6 days ago

          Minteh scored twice today as the striker with no Welbeck in the squad

          1. teddy.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            4 months, 6 days ago

            Didn't Welbz play in the earlier game today?

            1. AC Pilkington
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              4 months, 6 days ago

              Oh yeah forgive me he did

              1. teddy.
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                4 months, 6 days ago

                You are forgiven, my child

          2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
            • 14 Years
            4 months, 6 days ago

            Are they likely to continue the with minteh upfront

      3. Club-De-Belon
        • 4 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Strandt Larsen, I doubt Kalajdzic or Fabio Silva will bench him

        1. AC Pilkington
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 months, 6 days ago

          Not a fan of Strandl Larsen for BB though tbh

      4. teddy.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Potentially Thiago if Wissa is AWOL. Or how about Raul?

      5. CoracAld2831
        • 4 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Welbeck, Strand Larsen, Piroe, Mayenda.

    • Khalico
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      1. Semenyo + Strand Larsen
      OR
      2. 6.5m mid + Evanilson

      And if you went 2. which 6.5m or below midfielder would you go ahead with?

    • Scalper
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      Murillo or Milenkovic for next 3-4 GWs?

    • Qaiss
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      That picture of Son is when he scored a hattrick against Burnley and one of my all time favourite FPL moments (brought in GW4 wildcard and mocked like crazy in a group chat beforehand) 😀

      Then he hurt me when he missed that chance on purpose against Man City, to stop Arsenal winning the league

    • The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      I’m thinking that once the season starts, FPL will add a sort by DC drop down on the transfers page. Obviously they can’t yet, because it’s new.

      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Sorry, FPL are only in the business of making things worse

        1. Qaiss
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 6 days ago

          The site was almost perfect before, don’t know why they felt the need for such change

          1. x.jim.x
            • 11 Years
            4 months, 6 days ago

            So they can sack all of the human site developers and just use Microsoft's crap AI instead

      2. Timanfaya
        • 2 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        It's already there (but full of 0s).

        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          4 months, 5 days ago

          Ah, so it is.. right at the very bottom.

    • Qaiss
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      Anyone stooping as low as Beto?

      1. Fat Frank
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        No Evanilson is the lowest I’m considering

      2. Salarrivederci
        • 9 Years
        4 months, 6 days ago

        Piroe has been in my BB GW1 team since day of the launch.
        Will FH GW2, bench in GW3 and WC GW4 though.
        So just for GW1 really 😉

      3. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 12 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        Everton fan?

      4. Snoop Udogie Dogg
        • 5 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        I was but have changed to Piroe

        1. Qaiss
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 5 days ago

          What made you change?

      5. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        Giui at 4.5 bargain

        1. Qaiss
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 5 days ago

          How about him AND Beto

          1. Stranger Mings
            • 5 Years
            4 months, 5 days ago

            Pedro

    • Count of Monte Hristo
      • 12 Years
      4 months, 6 days ago

      If I need to lose Bruno to improve two positions should I go for Cunha, Mbeumo or Semenyo?

      1. Qaiss
        • 9 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        Man U fan?

      2. Salarrivederci
        • 9 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        Which other 4 midfielders do you have? Any plans for chips first 4 GWs?

        1. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 12 Years
          4 months, 5 days ago

          Salah Palmer Malen Le Fee

      3. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        Cunha

    • Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      4 months, 5 days ago

      Is sels the best 4.5/5m keeper?thanks

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        Yes. 😀

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 5 Years
          4 months, 5 days ago

          Cheers my back up is darlow

    • Strike me a Gakpose
      • 12 Years
      4 months, 5 days ago

      Happy with this:

      Sanchez
      VVD Milenkovic AWB
      Palmer Bruno Wirtz Rogers
      Watkins Gykores Bowen(c)
      (Foderingham, Munoz, Esteve, 4.5)

    • Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      4 months, 5 days ago

      Gudmundsson for potential attacking returns over rodon?

    • Ser Davos
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 5 days ago

      is there any way of us telling who could be this year's Forest? Fulham? Palace?

      If there even is one

      1. Zalk
        • 14 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        I'm wondering the same. We should ask whoever predicted Forest last season, but not sure anyone saw that coming.

      2. OLDHERMAN
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        Spurs, imo. They are too strong at the back (Van De Van and Romero are more than decent players) + Palhinha + Thomas Frank. I expect 11/13 clean sheets.

    • klopp it guys
      • 8 Years
      4 months, 5 days ago

      Hi everyone, so I'm really stuck, I'm playing a 3,4,3 and IV got 4.5 for a midfielder, is there any midfielders at that price range that will play, I don't need him to play every week he'll be on my bench as il already have a midfield off saka, Salah, Palmer and Rogers

    • CoracAld2831
      • 4 Years
      4 months, 5 days ago

      Solanke an avoid now for GW1?

      (Knee injury)

      1. WVA
        • 9 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        Yeah still not played and missed a lot of last season

      2. Tonyawesome69
        • 6 Years
        4 months, 5 days ago

        Solanke has a minor ankle injury, not a knee injury (Udogie).

        Solanke is not available to play Newcastle tomorrow. Spurs have Bayern (friendly) and PSG (Super Cup) before GW1