Premier League 2022/23 Season: FPL Pre-Season Fantasy Forecast

The 2022/23 Premier League season begins on Friday 5th August 2022 with Crystal Palace hosting Arsenal at Selhurst Park. The start of the latest season brings about what will be a unique experience in the Fantasy Premier League game as there are a few real world circumstances and league changes that will impact the FPL game – such as the Qatar World Cup in November and December. Rob Austin provides an easy-to-digest guide on how to navigate the FPL if you’re a new player, or a returning player that needs a refresher course. All aboard.

Gameweek 1 Fixtures:

After a short summer of no football, with the Premier League starting a week earlier due to the World Cup in Qatar this November and December, Crystal Palace hosting Arsenal kicks off the first of 16 Gameweek's for FPL players before world football's showpiece event.

2022/23 Premier League Season: Pre-Season Forecast

The team go through a list of questions to provide their predictions ahead of the new season. From the winners, those relegated, and the potential key assets and players in both the league and FPL game.

2022/23 Premier League Season: Pre-Season Forecast (Sam Austin)

Premier League Winner: Liverpool FC Why? Well, I see that City have sold or had a lot of their experienced players leave the club. They have been willing to let go Raheem Sterling who is their most underappreciated player to Chelsea, goal scorer Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal along with the versatile Zinchenko. Club Captain Fernandinho has also left the club, they still haven’t replaced Ferran Torres who left for Barca in the middle of last season. City have brought in Haaland, Phillips, and have Julian Alvarez finally in their team. I feel that City are in a bigger transition than Liverpool who have only really brought in Darwin Nunez to replace Sadio Mane. The other signings have been younger players more likely to feature in cups such as Calvin Ramsey and Fabio Carvalho. The Premier League title has come to fine margins and there is an argument that City may take longer to get to where they want to be which might be enough for Liverpool to hold their standard. I also believe that both teams will benefit from new forwards, but Haaland wont change City the same way Nunez will offer a different avenue for Liverpool. Liverpool won the Community Shield as both City and Liverpool fielded full strength teams. Darwin Nunez was the game changer, and I think his presence will earn Liverpool wins against top six clubs in which they struggled to get points in last season. PL Top 6: 1 – Liverpool FC 2 – Manchester City 3 – Tottenham Hotspurs 4 – Arsenal FC 5 – Chelsea FC 6 – Manchester United Reasoning behind Top 6: The top two settle themselves, but the ‘best of the rest’ are always such variable. Spurs and Arsenal have brought in good players over the summer and in pre-season have developed nicely. You can’t also overlook Antonio Conte who is now moulding Spurs into a team we recognise with his system. Arsenal have brought in a lot of really good players from rival clubs and have been on a crazy pre-season run of form. Gabriel Jesus should offer a lot to Arsenal, as will Zinchenko from City. Elsewhere I can see Chelsea’s transition under new owners a little rocky to start, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they ended up making the top four. And that leaves Manchester United. I don’t buy the Ten Haag hype. He could be a great manager, but the club itself is run horribly. There are still lots of issues surrounding the club, including the big Ronaldo question mark. I cant see how United are going to bridge the gap of the five teams above them who are still all in much better positions. The Relegated Trio: 18 – Everton 19 – Nottingham Forest 20 – Bournemouth Top FPL Player at the end of the Season: Cristia…just kidding…of course it will be Mohamad Salah (LIV). Liverpool’s Golden Boot winning forward was electric in the Community Shield, and it looks likely that with the new contract sorted that the Egyptian King can finally get back to his usual standards and get back to wowing audiences and being overlooked for the Balon ‘Dor. I expect Salah to win the Golden Boot, and get over 20 goals, again. I also expect him to get double digit assists, again. At this point it is arbitrary that Salah will finish top of the list again. Top FPL Player by Position: GK – Nick Pope (NEW) DEF – Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV) MID – Mohamad Salah (LIV) FOR – Harry Kane (TOT) Best Budget Option (that comes good): Wait, there are ‘budget’ FPL options? Biggest FPL Disappointment: Erling Haaland (MCI) Let me explain this one, for his price, and potential City rotations, Haaland may fall into a trap. The higher the price, the higher the expectation. Especially since Haaland has been priced alongside long-term PL mainstays. If he doesn’t hit the lofty standards that everyone has placed on him, FPL managers will look elsewhere, and people will say he has underperformed. Top PL Goal Scorer: Mohamad Salah (LIV) Most PL Assists: Kevin De Bruyne (MCI) Most Clean Sheets (Team): Liverpool First Manager Sacked/Left: Frank Lampard (Everton) Surprise Package (Player): Miguel Almirón (Newcastle) – I believe the Paraguayan attacker will be a big part of Newcastle’s team this this season, Eddie How has warmed up to the now right-winger and this pre-season he has been the clubs main attacking outlet, getting many a return, including 6 goals! Neco Williams (Forest) – The budget player moved from Liverpool to Forest this summer, and the attacking full-back loves getting into the box and scoring goals. Last season for Fulham he was not scared to have a go at goal and get his name on the scoresheet. Relegation teams normally don’t have enough good defenders, but Forest have a really good player on their hands, especially if utilised as a wing-back. Surprise Package (Team): Newcastle United Now, I haven’t added Newcastle to the top six as it might be too soon, and Newcastle need a few more players in for me to change my mind, but after last season Eddie Howe was a revelation to Newcastle. They had the third best form out of any team since his arrival, and he did this without many new recruits. I can see Newcastle finishing just outside the top six, and with Nick Pope joining in goal I expect him and their defence to be incredible. Expect Pope being in the talk for England’s goalkeeper for the Qatar World Cup. I think a lot of people in pre-season are underestimating Newcastle because of their recent reputations, but they are ready to explode onto the scene. The reason why I put them as a surprise package is because they would worry a few of the top six clubs this season.

2022/23 Premier League Season: Pre-Season Forecast (Phil Jones)

Premier League Winner:

Liverpool

PL Top 6:

1 – Liverpool

2 – Chelsea

3 – Man City

4 – Arsenal

5 – Spurs

6 – Newcastle

The Relegated Trio:

18 – Bournemouth

19 – Brentford

20 – Fulham

Top FPL Player at the end of the Season:

Mo Salah (LIV)

Top FPL Player by Position:

GK – Nick Pope (NEW)

DEF – Reece James (CHE)

MID – Mo Salah (LIV)

FOR – Harry Kane (TOT)

Best Budget Option (that comes good):

Kyle Walker (MCI) - £5.0m: For a starting player in the Man City defense 5.0 is a bargain. On the downside, his attacking returns are poor so clean sheets will be his main source of points.

Armando Broja (CHE) - £5.5m: Currently the only natural Striker in the Chelsea squad and it looks like he may get a chance in the side. Should Chelsea sign another forward I'd expect Broja to seek a loan/transfer to another PL side, with many teams interested in the Armenian.

Biggest FPL Disappointment:

Erling Haaland (MCI) - £11.5m: There's no question this kid us a generational talent, but I think we've already seen teething problems in getting used to the PL way. Defenders won't be standing off him as they did in Germany. I expect 8-12 goals from him, which isn't terrible, but not what's been billed.

Top PL Goal Scorer:

Mo Salah (LIV): A lot of talk that Salah wasn't the same player after AFCON, however his underlying stats, including xG and xA, show that he was actually even better. Another big season is coming for Mo.

Most PL Assists:

Heung Min Son (TOT) / Raheem Sterling (CHE): both players will be the main creative influences in their respective sides, with the record breaking Son/Kane link up continuing to produce. Sterling is going to create a lot of chances so hopefully Chelsea have improved their finishing this season.

Most Clean Sheets (Team):

Liverpool

First Manager Sacked/Left:

Thomas Frank - Brentford

Surprise Package (Player):

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (LEI)

Surprise Package (Team):

Nottingham Forest

2022/23 Premier League Season: Pre-Season Forecast (Robert Austin)

Premier League Winner: Man City Apologies to Liverpool supporters for bursting their bubble after their recent Community Shield win, but I have always been a realist. My bias sways in Liverpool’s favour due to how they play, but in reality City’s clutch over the Premier League is a strong one and I can just see them snatching it by hook or crook. They have the money and funds to change their scenario if it isn’t working in January, and I think they have largely retained the quality of their squad. Fernandinho is gone. Phillips in. Sterling gone. Alvarez in. Steffan out on loan. Moreno in. Jesus gone. Haaland in. I largely think Pep’s side are on par with where they were. They have brought in younger players with something to prove and look there or there abouts – which means they are probably favourites by defauly. There might be an initial teething pain to get Haaland up to speed, but it’s clear it will happen quicker than we think – this City team just creates chance after chance and will benefit from having a true Number 9 in the box and running in behind. I do however think Liverpool are a more cultured and complete team than City, though my gut is telling me to ignore my urge to say Jurgen Klopp’s team will win the crown for a second time – though I hope I am wrong as Salah and co are the team who bring the excitement and drama to the league. Will anyone get close to Liverpool or City? Absolutely not. PL Top 6: 1 – Man City 2 – Liverpool 3 – Spurs 4 – Chelsea 5 – Arsenal 6 – Newcastle Reasoning behind Top 6: The Top 6 in recent years has been unbreakable due to finances and larger squads, and one element that will enforce this domination is the five substitutions rule, which will allow more premium players to feature and favour the big boys. What I do see changing though is Newcastle getting into the bracket. Form since Eddie Howe joined the club saw my beloved Magpies in the Champions League spaces, and whilst I am being very optimistic and slightly led by my fandom, I don’t think in truth it is an absurd thought – especially as this will see Man United drop out. My case for Newcastle is simple. We have completely revamped the defensive line, brought in top target Sven Botman, and aided the team with Nick Pope’s arrival. In midfield, we have generals in Bruno G and Joelinton and despite not adding to the forward line, Callum Wilson, ASM and Almiron are capable players that will see us be very hard to beat home or away. Trippier being back will add some goals from set-pieces too, whilst the compact nature of the team means that we will be explosive going forward when we win the ball. This is a squad that will cause every single club in the Top 6 a real tactical problem next season, especially if we add a dedicated Number 10 like James Maddison from Leicester… There’s also the January window too, which we will be active in again, so this club will last the season with the same intent and purpose – and in Howe, Newcastle have one hell of a Manager who will guide us up the table. Elsewhere, Spurs and Arsenal have consolidated, Chelsea are strong enough, whilst Man United are all over the place in the transfer window and will take time to get going under ten Haag – yes, results will be patchy as long as problem areas aren’t addressed and the Ronaldo situation lingers on day to day. The Relegated Trio: 18 – Fulham 19 – Nottingham Forest 20 – Bournemouth It’s hard to look past the newly promoted trio. Bournemouth are lacking defenders, Fulham have made some shrewd signings that could give them something to potentially draw the likes of Brentford and Leeds into a potential relegation scrap, though the gap and gulf will make it hard for any, particularly Forest, to stay up. Top FPL Player at the end of the Season: Mohamed Salah (LIV): The train are in unison – this is Salah’s world and we are living it. A combination of set-pieces, consistency and some pure brilliance, mean that the Liverpool winger is an irresistible force in the FPL. He costs a bomb, but there’s a reason as he has arguable become the GOAT in FPL. Top FPL Player by Position: GK – Alisson (LIV) DEF – Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV) MID – Mohamed Salah (LIV) FOR – Erling Haaland (MCI) The top players are dominated by Liverpool in the game – and I can’t see it changing. I think that all the talk of Haaland will disappear when it clicks and he is getting massive points and we all remember that City have spent a tonne of money and have a squad on par with last season. Best Budget Options (that comes good): Kieran Trippier (NEW): A £5.0m defender at a revamped Newcastle backline, taking the majority of set-pieces. This will be a no-brainer if/when The Magpies are a tough nut to crack every week. Cristian Romero (TOT): A BPS magnet when in the team, Romero is reasonably priced at Spurs and should attract a lot more attention as the season progresses. Anthony Gordon (EVE): A promising player with a promising £5.5m price tag. Gordon’s late runs into the box and movements forward means he should beat his 100 points, and offers good value for players. Biggest FPL Disappointments: Jarrod Bowen (WHU): Had a massive season for West Ham and the game have given him a hefty rise to £8.5m. It will be a huge ask to replicate the 12 goals and 17 assists again in FPL, and if there is any drop off for the Hammers, Bowen will feel the sting more than anyone. Bruno Fernandes (MUN): United fans are hoping that Bruno betters a poor season last time out, but I’m not sure the transition to ten Haag will yield an immediate shift of upturned form for Fernandes. Doesn’t help he put himself into FPL folklore based on 6 months of performances, but has been irrelevant since. Darwin Nunez (LIV): Not that he is a bad player and won’t score goals, more that he will be rotated more than any of the Liverpool attackers, hence potentially limiting his attacking returns. Based on the Community Shield, Nunez can make a good impact off the bench, so that may be the norm when rotating with Jota and Firmino, then used to explode in the Champions League. So yeah, it’s only rotation of the Liverpool central spot that will deny a big, big number. Ivan Perišić (TOT): Sorry FPL Community, I’m not seeing it (yet). Purely based off pre-season hype alone, there’s a lot championing a player who I think will be regularly rotated and limited. Currently sat at 29% ownership in the game, I can’t see that holding up. Top PL Goal Scorer: Mohamed Salah (LIV) – The Egyptian King regularly hits 20+ goals in the Premier League, managing this feat 4 times in 5 seasons (scoring 19 in the season he didn’t reach 20 goals). There’s a high probability this will be the case again, and will be in contention for the Golden Boot. If Harry Kane stays fit and Spurs progress under Conte, Kane should win. But form and consistency favour Salah. Most PL Assists: Kevin De Bruyne (MCI) – it’s a fairly default pick, though based on how high up the pitch he was in the Community Shield against Liverpool, and his continued influence in the league, it’s clear that KDB will be in or around the Playmaker award again. Most Clean Sheets (Team): Liverpool First Manager Sacked/Left: Brendan Rodgers (LEI) or Marco Silva (FUL): I might be living in the moment, but can see Rodgers leaving Leicester at some point. Kasper Schmeichel is gone and there are doubts over James Maddison staying. This may tip the scales for Rodgers to seek another project if one opens up. Realistically though, Marco Silva (FUL) will naturally be the top bet for the sack. The Khan’s don’t have much sentiment for Manager’s and Silva has been in this position before Surprise Package (Player): Patson Daka (LEI) Surprise Package (Team): Leeds – an overhaul this summer has seen some potentially exciting players to come in. They’ll be a really interesting watch this season regardless.

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