This blog takes a look at some of the standout performances across a selection of Friendlies that took place this weekend.

Man. Utd 2 vs. 2 Aston Villa

Sancho ⚽️

Rashford 🅰️

Shaw 🅰️

Bailey ⚽️🅰️

Man. Utd continued their impressive preseason under Ten Hag with a goal from Sancho and a Villa own-goal, which would have been a Rashford assist in Fantasy Premier League (FPL). The Englishman’s shot took a massive deflection. Shaw looks to be the Man. Utd full-back of choice but the standout performer from this fixture was arguably Bailey who registered a goal and assist in a lively 45 minutes display. At just 5.0 the midfielder could be the budget enabler that allows for a “threemium” setup (three premium players costing 10.0+).

Preston 1 vs. 2 Leicester

Vardy ⚽️

Barnes ⚽️

Dewsbury-Hall 🅰️🅰️

Vardy continues to put forth his credentials ahead of Leicester’s season opener against Brentford. The 35-year old coolly rounded the keeper to slot home his goal while H. Barnes also impressed. Priced at just 5.0, midfielder Dewsbury-Hall played a deeper midfield role but still chipped in with two brilliant passes which both led to goals. As the image below from our Rotation Planner shows, the Foxes rotate brilliantly with Wolves for the opening six fixtures, and with 4.5 defender options like Justin and Jonny from the two sides, they represent excellent value.

QPR 0 vs. 3 Crystal Palace

Zaha ⚽️⚽️🅰️

Eze ⚽️

Benteke 🅰️

Palace's top-scorer from 2021/22 Zaha put in an electric display against QPR with involvement in all three goals (two goals, one assist). No midfielder priced at 7.0 or under scored more goals (14) than the Ivory Coast international last season but the opening two fixtures against Arsenal and Liverpool are probably off-putting for FPL managers. Benteke won the penalty which Zaha converted but offered little else. Eze found the back of the net and could be a great budget options when their fixtures improve.

Rangers 1 vs. 2 Spurs

Kane ⚽️⚽️

Son 🅰️🅰️

Kane's impressive preseason under Conte continued with two goals, both assisted by Son. No forward took more shots (133) or attempted more assists (50) last season. The England captain is still projected (31.8) to be outscored by Son (35.1) over the first six matches by our Fix Algorithm. Managers who find a way to double-up on the pair could reap rich rewards.

Besiktas 0 vs. 3 Wolves

Jíminez ⚽️

Podence ⚽️🅰️

Ait-Nouri 🅰️

Neto ⚽️

Jímenez pounced on a goalkeeper error to score his goal but was substituted before half-time due to a suspected groin injury. Podence was the game's star performer, he could have had another two goals and was the creative hub of the team. Neto continued his pre-season goal scoring form with another strike and he is rated at 74% to start in gameweek one as per our Predicted Lineups feature with Podence currently only rated as 38% likely.

Bayern München 0 vs. 1 Man. City

Haaland ⚽️

Grealish 🅰️

Haaland scored his first goal for Man. City but was substituted early with Guardiola stating that the Norwegian international needs to build up his fitness. Grealish has been impressive in preseason and could offer great value at just 7.0

Arsenal 4 vs. Chelsea 0

Jesus ⚽️

Xhaca 🅰️🅰️

Ødegaard ⚽️

Saka ⚽️

Martinelli 🅰️

Lokonga ⚽️

Cedric 🅰️

Arsenal trounced Chelsea comprehensively in their preseason friendly match, the Gunners did not look like a side that finished below Chelsea last season and their new signings Jesus and Zinchenko look to have blended into the team seamlessly. As the below image shows, the Gunners have the best four opening fixtures as per our Fixture Planner and doubling up on their assets looks a wise move. Chelsea struggled and Tuchel was critical of his players, questioning their commitment with many of them looking to leave the club in the transfer window.

Blackpool 2 vs. 4 Everton

Mykolenko ⚽️🅰️

Patterson 🅰️🅰️

Davies ⚽️

Rondon 🅰️

Alli ⚽️⚽️

Everton put in a better display against Blackpool after losing 4-0 to Minnesota in their last friendly. They still looked shaky at the back and have now conceded six goals in their last two preseason games. Patterson is worth monitoring, the right-back notched two assists and should be pushing for a starting role come gameweek one. At 4.0, he could be a great enabler.

Estoril 1 vs. 3 Fulham

Mitrovic ⚽️⚽️🅰️

Palinha ⚽️

A. Pereira 🅰️

H. Wilson 🅰️

The Championship's record breaking goalscorer Mitrovic was involved in all three of Fulham's goals with both of his strikes coming from corners. 4.5 budget midfielder A. Pereira took some set pieces, sharing them with H. Wilson, and will surely be selected by many who plan to play less than five in midfield come gameweek one.