With the 2026/27 Premier League season approaching, pre-season performances are starting to become increasingly useful for FPL managers trying to finalise their Gameweek 1 squads.

The ongoing FISO pre-season friendlies thread has done an excellent job of tracking line-ups, goals and notable performances across all 20 Premier League clubs. Rather than highlighting every player who has found the net once, this article concentrates only on those who have scored at least twice during pre-season so far. That does not guarantee Premier League starts or FPL returns, of course, but repeated goals are certainly more interesting than a solitary friendly strike.

João Pedro – Chelsea – 5 goals

The outstanding scorer so far has been João Pedro. He struck a remarkable hat-trick after coming on against Western Sydney Wanderers and followed that with two more against AC Milan, taking him to five goals in four pre-season appearances. The Premier League’s own FPL review specifically highlights his five-goal haul.

At £7.5m in FPL, he is certainly not cheap, but his form and central attacking role make him one of the most obvious players to monitor before GW1. If he continues to start centrally, five goals in pre-season is difficult to ignore.

Brian Madjo – Aston Villa – 4 goals

Young striker Brian Madjo has been one of the surprise performers of the summer. He scored twice against Walsall, added another against Real Sociedad and then made it four goals in four pre-season outings against Indonesia All Stars.

The complication for FPL managers is obvious: Villa still have more established attacking options to return after the World Cup. But four goals represents an excellent audition, and Madjo has certainly given Unai Emery something to think about.

Igor Jesus – Nottingham Forest – 4 goals

Igor Jesus has also quietly put together a very productive summer. He scored in Forest’s opening win over Notts County, added further goals against Blackburn and Vitória SC, and then took his tally to four during the Portuguese leg of their preparations.

For FPL purposes, this is particularly interesting because Forest need a reliable attacking focal point. Four goals across different matches carries more weight than a single hat-trick in one-sided opposition.

Justin Kluivert – Bournemouth – 3 goals

Kluivert scored all three of his pre-season goals in Bournemouth’s extraordinary 10-1 victory over Genoa. Two came from the penalty spot, which is also worth noting from an FPL perspective.

His role remains the key question. Bournemouth have several attacking options competing for places, but a hat-trick and potential penalty involvement keep him very much on the watchlist.

Enes Ünal – Bournemouth – 3 goals

Ünal has also reached three goals, scoring against Augsburg before adding two more during the 10-1 Genoa rout.

Minutes are likely to be the concern here, particularly given Bournemouth’s depth up front, so this is more evidence of squad strength than an automatic FPL recommendation.

Bryan Mbeumo – Manchester United – 3 goals

Mbeumo has produced arguably one of the most meaningful pre-season scoring runs because all three goals have come against elite opposition.

He scored twice as Manchester United beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 and then added the equaliser against Champions League holders PSG. With Benjamin Šeško yet to feature in pre-season, Mbeumo has been used through the middle and has clearly taken his opportunity. At £8.0m in FPL, his role when everyone is fit will be crucial, but three goals against Atletico and PSG is one of the strongest attacking signals of the summer.

Eddie Nketiah – Crystal Palace – 3 goals

Nketiah opened pre-season with two goals against Swindon and then scored again against Al-Ula.

With Palace having been without some of their more established forwards during early preparation, Nketiah has had the chance to lead the line. Whether that converts into a starting role when the competitive season begins remains uncertain, but three goals gives him a strong case.

Matheus França – Crystal Palace – 3 goals

França scored a hat-trick during Palace’s 5-1 victory over Swindon, all after the interval.

Like Kluivert at Bournemouth, all three goals came in one match, so some caution is needed. Even so, producing three goals in a half is exactly the sort of performance that can move a player up the manager’s pecking order.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Leeds – 3 goals

Calvert-Lewin has made one of the strongest cases among the promoted clubs. He came off the bench to score twice as Leeds overturned a 2-0 deficit to beat Liverpool 4-2 and followed that with another goal against RB Leipzig. The Premier League notes that his pre-season form has already pushed his FPL ownership above 20 per cent.

At £6.0m, he could become one of the more popular budget forwards if he begins the season as Leeds’ first-choice striker.

George Hemmings – Aston Villa – 2 goals

Hemmings scored in Villa’s 5-0 win over Walsall and then struck again against Real Sociedad.

Like Madjo, he has benefited from senior players returning late following the World Cup. That makes his GW1 prospects difficult to assess, but two goals represents a positive summer for another Villa youngster.

Emi Buendía – Aston Villa – 2 goals

Buendía has scored in successive August friendlies, opening the scoring against both Indonesia All Stars and BG Pathum United.

This may be more significant than some of the academy scorers because Buendía is genuinely competing for senior minutes. He is currently priced at £6.0m in FPL, and his role once Villa’s full squad is available will be worth monitoring, particularly if he’s on penalties.

Marcus Tavernier – Bournemouth – 2 goals

Tavernier scored against Augsburg and then opened the scoring against Real Betis on 8 August.

The fact his goals have arrived in separate matches is encouraging. Bournemouth also have an injury to Junior Kroupi, potentially creating more opportunities in their attacking positions.

Evanilson – Bournemouth – 2 goals

Evanilson scored against Augsburg and again against Real Betis, giving him two goals from Bournemouth’s summer schedule so far.

Unlike some of Bournemouth’s other scorers, he has also been regularly preferred from the start up front. That combination of goals and expected minutes makes his two strikes particularly relevant for FPL managers.

Alex Scott – Bournemouth – 2 goals

Scott scored twice in the 10-1 win over Genoa.

His goals came in an unusual 120-minute friendly, so this is one to treat more cautiously, but the attacking contribution is still encouraging from a midfielder.

Ben Gannon-Doak – Bournemouth – 2 goals

Gannon-Doak scored against St Pauli and then found the net again against Augsburg.

That represents a more convincing pattern than scoring twice in a single rout, although competition for Bournemouth’s wide positions remains significant.

Daniel Jebbison – Bournemouth – 2 goals

Jebbison is another Bournemouth player on two, scoring against St Pauli and again in the Genoa victory.

Minutes rather than form are likely to determine whether he becomes an FPL consideration.

Charalampos Kostoulas – Brighton – 2 goals

Kostoulas scored twice in Brighton’s opening 4-1 victory over Wycombe. The Premier League has already highlighted the young Greek forward as one to monitor.

At £5.5m, any sign of regular league minutes would immediately make him interesting as a cheap forward.

Yasin Ayari – Brighton – 2 goals

Ayari scored either side of half-time as Brighton beat Roma 3-0 on 8 August. The official report also praised his overall midfield performance, not just the goals.

That matters because this was against high-level opposition rather than a lower-league side. He is therefore one of the more interesting midfield risers from the latest round of friendlies.

Georginio Rutter – Brighton – 2 goals

Rutter scored against Wycombe in Brighton’s opening friendly and then produced a superb long-range goal against Roma.

Two goals in separate matches plus an advanced role gives his form more credibility than a one-game burst.

Oli McBurnie – Hull City – 2 goals

McBurnie has scored twice during Hull’s preparations, continuing the form that helped them win promotion. The Premier League specifically identified his two-goal summer tally when reviewing Hull’s pre-season.

At £5.5m, he could become relevant as one of the cheapest starting forwards if Hull can create enough chances after promotion.

Leif Davis – Ipswich – 2 goals

An unusual name among the multiple scorers is defender Leif Davis, who scored twice as Ipswich beat Rayo Vallecano 3-0 on 8 August.

Davis already has a reputation for attacking returns from full-back, and two goals in one friendly further underline that threat. At only £4.0m in FPL, his attacking potential is likely to attract plenty of attention.

Florian Wirtz – Liverpool – 2 goals

Wirtz scored against Leeds and followed it up with another goal against Monaco at Anfield. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has also indicated that the German is being developed for the No 10 position behind the striker.

That combination makes Wirtz one of the most interesting pre-season players from an FPL perspective. His two goals have come in Liverpool’s two most recent matches and from the attacking role managers would want him occupying.

Rayan Aït-Nouri – Manchester City – 2 goals

Aït-Nouri has scored in consecutive matches on City’s Asian tour, against the K-League All Stars and Atletico Madrid.

More interestingly, he has at times been used very high up the pitch rather than simply as a conventional full-back. Pre-season positioning can be misleading, but two goals from a defender is enough to put him firmly on the fantasy radar.

Omar Marmoush – Manchester City – 2 goals

Marmoush scored both of City’s first two goals in their 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid, with Semenyo supplying both assists.

The goals arrived within two minutes of each other and demonstrated exactly why Marmoush can be dangerous when used centrally. The question for FPL managers will be how his minutes look once Haaland returns.

Divin Mubama – Manchester City – 2 goals

Mubama scored against Inter Milan in City’s first friendly and again in the 3-1 win over the K-League All Stars.

He is unlikely to be a straightforward FPL option once the senior forwards return, but two goals have at least strengthened his case for involvement.

Enzo Le Fée – Sunderland – 2 goals

Le Fée scored twice in Sunderland’s 5-1 opening friendly victory at York City.

Following a very productive 2025/26 Premier League season, the midfielder remains one of Sunderland’s more interesting fantasy options heading into their second campaign back in the top flight.

The Players Whose Form Looks Most Meaningful

Not all pre-season goals are equal. A hat-trick against weakened opposition is useful, but repeated scoring across several matches against stronger opponents is generally more persuasive.

On that basis, the players whose pre-season numbers currently look particularly noteworthy are João Pedro, Brian Madjo, Igor Jesus, Mbeumo, Calvert-Lewin, Evanilson, Wirtz and Aït-Nouri.

Mbeumo’s three goals against Atletico Madrid and PSG stand out because of the quality of opposition. Wirtz has scored in Liverpool’s last two friendlies while being tested in the No 10 role. Calvert-Lewin has three goals across two matches, and Aït-Nouri has scored in consecutive City games.

There is another Manchester City player who deserves a mention even though he does not qualify under our two-goal rule. Antoine Semenyo has not scored twice, but he has produced four assists in City’s three-match Asian tour, including creating both Marmoush goals against Atletico. Enzo Maresca has specifically praised the threat being provided by City’s wide players.

Don’t Overreact to Pre-Season Goals

Pre-season remains exactly that: preparation.

Several clubs have been without World Cup players, managers are experimenting with formations, youngsters are receiving far more minutes than they are likely to get once competitive football begins, and some friendlies have been played over unusual formats such as 120 minutes.

The crucial next step for FPL managers is therefore not simply asking who has scored, but who is still starting when the strongest available XI appears in the final friendlies.

A player with two goals and a secure starting place is far more valuable than someone with four goals who will return to the bench once the senior players are back.

With the Premier League season beginning later this month, the final week of friendlies should therefore tell us even more than the early matches.

For anyone wanting to follow those matches in detail, the FISO pre-season friendlies thread continues to collate reports, line-ups and discussion from around the league.

The 2026/27 Fantasy Premier League season promises to be one of the most unpredictable in recent years, and few clubs have undergone as much change as Newcastle United. With a new manager at the helm, several high-profile departures, and a renewed focus on youth, the Magpies could become an excellent source of value picks for fantasy managers looking to gain an edge over the competition.

While many players will naturally gravitate towards proven stars from the traditional title challengers, Newcastle’s evolving squad may present several affordable options capable of outperforming their price tags. Those of you with an interest in online football betting will no doubt view the Toon as one of the most difficult clubs to predict ahead of next season.

A New Era Under Matthias Jaissle

It’s already been a summer of significant change at St James’ Park. Eddie Howe’s successful spell has come to an end, with Matthias Jaissle taking over managerial duties.

Jaissle has earned a reputation for developing young talent and implementing an energetic, high-pressing style of football. While adapting to a new league always presents challenges, his arrival signals a fresh direction for Newcastle both on and off the pitch.

Fantasy managers often benefit by identifying players who thrive under a new coach before their prices begin to rise, making Newcastle a team worth monitoring closely during the opening weeks of the campaign.

High-Profile Departures Create New Opportunities

Newcastle’s squad has already undergone major changes with established first-team players such as Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon departing the club.

Losing players of that quality naturally creates gaps in both the starting eleven and the squad rotation. More importantly for Fantasy Premier League managers, it opens the door for younger players to establish themselves as regular starters.

Minutes are often the most valuable commodity in fantasy football. A relatively inexpensive player guaranteed to start every week can often outperform a more expensive option who faces heavy rotation.

Newcastle’s Focus on Youth

Rather than replacing departing stars with expensive household names, Newcastle appear to be embracing a strategy centred around younger players with significant long-term potential.

This approach may not generate as many headlines, but it could create excellent fantasy opportunities.

Young players arriving from overseas leagues are often priced conservatively because they have yet to prove themselves in England. If they settle quickly, their value can increase dramatically over the course of a season.

Bazoumana Toure Could Be One to Watch

One player attracting attention is Bazoumana Toure.

Although unproven in the Premier League, he possesses the pace and attacking ability that could make him an exciting differential if he earns regular minutes under Jaissle.

Fantasy managers willing to take calculated risks often benefit from identifying emerging talents before they become popular selections across the game.

If Toure adapts quickly, he could become one of the bargains of the season.

Aladji Bamba May Offer Similar Value

Another newcomer who could appeal to fantasy managers is Aladji Bamba.

Like Toure, he arrives without Premier League experience, which is likely to keep his initial Fantasy Premier League price relatively low.

Should Bamba establish himself in Newcastle’s starting side, he may provide excellent value compared to similarly priced players at other clubs.

Keeping an eye on Newcastle’s pre-season matches and the opening fixtures should provide valuable clues about how Jaissle intends to use his younger arrivals.

William Osula Could Be the Standout Bargain

Perhaps the most intriguing option already at the club is William Osula.

The striker enjoyed a strong finish to last season and appears well placed to play a much bigger role during the upcoming campaign.

Because he has yet to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s leading forwards, his fantasy price is expected to remain considerably lower than many established strikers.

If Osula secures the starting role and continues the form he showed towards the end of last season, he could deliver exceptional value while freeing up budget elsewhere in your squad.

Finding reliable forwards at lower price points is often one of the biggest challenges in the Fantasy Premier League, making Osula a player many managers will want to monitor closely.

More Signings Could Still Arrive

Newcastle’s summer business is unlikely to be finished.

The club are expected to remain active throughout the transfer window as Jaissle continues shaping the squad to fit his preferred style of play.

New arrivals could further strengthen Newcastle’s attacking options or create additional fantasy bargains if more young players are recruited with affordable starting prices.

Equally, any further departures could increase opportunities for existing squad members to earn regular first-team football.

Patience Could Be Rewarded

Predicting which Newcastle players will emerge as fantasy stars before the season begins is difficult given the scale of change taking place at the club.

However, history shows that transitional periods often produce breakout performers who significantly outperform expectations.

Rather than immediately investing heavily, many fantasy managers may choose to monitor Newcastle during the opening few gameweeks before taking advantage of any players who establish themselves as regular starters.

Final Thoughts

Newcastle United enter the 2026/27 season with a new manager, a refreshed transfer strategy and several exciting young players looking to make their mark.

While there is naturally some uncertainty surrounding a squad in transition, that uncertainty could create outstanding value for Fantasy Premier League managers.

Bazoumana Toure and Aladji Bamba represent intriguing low-cost differentials with significant upside, while William Osula could prove to be one of the best budget forwards in the game if he builds on his impressive finish to last season.

With Newcastle also expected to remain busy in the transfer market throughout the summer, fantasy managers would be wise to keep a close eye on developments at St James’ Park before finalising their squads for the new campaign.