Although it was one of the shortest summer breaks, it still seemed like an eternity to me and that’s why I’m all the more pleased that club football is starting again. Like every year, there is no clear favourite in the Prem. League and after a very eventful transfer summer, which is still not over, we can look forward to an even more exciting season. In this preview, I introduce you to players who could help you pick up a matchday win and maybe even already have a good line-up for the season mode.

Goal:

David Raya (82₵, Brentford): He was the starting goalkeeper last season who averaged the most points and I don’t see why anything should change about his strong performance. He shines both on the line and with his super passes, collecting point after point. Brentford play Leicester, who are favoured and will work forward a lot, which should give the Spaniard plenty to do and therefore great scoring potential.

Defence:

Kieran Trippier (67₵, Newcastle): The full-back, who arrived from Atletico in the winter, hit the ground running at Newcastle and scored really strongly, but then he got injured and was out for most of the rest of the season. In Newcastle’s test matches, however, he was fully fit again and even assisted several goals. This weekend’s game is against promoted Nottingham Forrest and Trippier could shine offensively and defensively.

Diego Carlos (101₵, Villa): Sevilla will find it very difficult next season as both their centre-backs left the club in the summer. Kounde is moving to Barcelona and Villa managed to snatch Diego Carlos. Both have had excellent seasons and the Brazilian has everything it takes to become a top defender in the Prem. League. He is physically very strong but also ball-playing and could prove himself under Steven Gerrard as early as this matchday.

Wesley Fofana (72₵, Leicester): Fofana was only able to return to action for the Foxes at the end of March after a near year-long injury lay-off, but played very convincingly in the remaining games. Should he be able to continue his performances, he is definitely a player to keep an eye on.

Andrew Robertson (104₵, Liverpool): He stepped out of the limelight a bit last season as teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold scored outstandingly, but he still played outstandingly and could be very interesting, especially this matchday. He costs almost 50₵ less and is bound to be picked much less by managers. He has at least as much scoring potential against promoted Fulham and could make the difference for you.

Rasmus Kristensen (65₵, Leeds): Many should already know him from the last Champ. League season or even from the Ö. Bundesliga, because the Dane scored regularly at SPITCH really strong and showed especially in the CL how good he is. Now he left RB Salzburg in the summer and wants to prove himself at Leeds. Wolverhampton are slight favourites, but the full-back will still get his chances to score and could develop into a key player for Leeds.

Midfield:

Philippe Coutinho (100₵, Villa): Last season he showed again that the Prem. League simply suits him, averaging 233 points and 7 goal assists in 16 games. Against promoted Bournemouth he has a good chance to improve his scoring average and make an offensive impact.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (90₵, Arsenal): At the Citizens he already showed us how well he can play and score at the left-back position and now, however, he could develop further. At the Gunners, he will most likely be allowed to function as a central midfielder, in his favourite position, where he can excel with his passing ability. If he fits into Mikel Arteta’s system, he could become a scoring machine.

Bruno Guimares (72₵, Newcastle): The Brazilian made an immediate impact on Eddie Howe’s side in the winter, and his playmaking finesse saw him finish with five goals, one assist and 215 average points in 11 games. Nottingham Forrest are promoted and will have defensive problems which the 24-year-old could exploit ice-coldly.

Harvey Barnes (77₵, Leicester): The Foxes were not 100% convincing last season, but were always very strong at home and one of the main contributors to this was Harvey Barnes. His nine assists at home were a league best and he is also playing outstandingly in the pre-season and is top scorer with three goals together with Patson Daka. With his strength at home and his strong Test matches, he is definitely a player to keep on your radar.

Attack:

Gabriel Jesus (156₵, Arsenal): It probably won’t have passed anyone by that Gabriel Jesus has hit like a bomb at the Gunners. In the four games in which he has been in the starting eleven, he has scored seven times. He has also shown that he is a strong striker at City and could develop into a world-class attacker at the Gunners.

Other alternatives:

Other players to keep an eye on are Ivan Perisic (105₵, Spurs), who fits perfectly into Conte’s system, Mason Mount (128₵, Chelsea), who is a key player under Tuchel and Leon Bailey (66₵, Villa), who Gerrard says started pre-season as a different player and has already been involved in five goals.

About me: I have been assisting SPITCH in its various divisions for several months now. With my experience on the free pitches, I want to help you find interesting players that maybe not everyone has on their radar.