FPL friendlies review: Haaland and De Bruyne show their class

As the Premier League prepares to resume on Boxing Day, The Scout looks at how key players have fared in recent friendlies.

Popular Man City pair

Kevin De Bruyne (£12.6m) is picking up in popularity in Fantasy Premier League after scoring the opener in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Girona on Saturday.

The playmaker is among the 10 most-bought players in the last 24 hours, the first time he has made this list since the season paused for the FIFA World Cup 2022.

De Bruyne's goal v Girona

Erling Haaland (£12.2m) was also quick to find his form by scoring City's second goal.

See: Premier League friendlies

Owned by a massive 82.9 per cent of managers, Haaland will be fully refreshed when the campaign gets back under way on 26 December as his country, Norway, did not qualify for the World Cup. 

Belgium’s early exit has lifted De Bruyne’s prospects as a double-up option in attack alongside Haaland for Man City's enticing schedule. The reigning champions have a Double Gameweek 23 and could also have a Double Gameweek 20.

Nunez impresses

Darwin Nunez (£9.0m) stepped up his claim to being the go-to replacement for the injured Gabriel Jesus (£8.0m) in Fantasy by scoring twice in Liverpool’s 4-1 win over AC Milan on Friday.

The Uruguayan is the second most-bought player in Fantasy in the last 24 hours, collecting 13,000+ new owners.

Mohamed Salah (£12.8m), another player who was not involved in the World Cup, was also on the scoresheet.

Crucially, managers will get a further chance to assess Liverpool and Man City options ahead of the GW17 deadline of 11:00 GMT on Monday 26 December as the two teams meet in the EFL Cup on Thursday 22 December.

Mitrovic doubts?

The absence of Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.8m) from Fulham's squad against West Ham United on Saturday could force a rethink in Fantasy. 

As a result of their upcoming Double Gameweek 19, the Cottagers’ forward has been the most-bought player in each 24-hour period for a number of days. 

But due to his extended rest, it is uncertain whether he will start against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 17, and his owners may now have to rely on minutes off the bench. 

Fixtures factor

Wilfried Zaha (£7.5m) and Rodrigo (£6.3m) both showed why they should also be considered during the current unlimited free transfers period.

Zaha again proved the talisman for Crystal Palace, scoring both their goals in a 2-1 home win over Real Valladolid.

The Eagles’ upcoming schedule looks encouraging for his short-term prospects. According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), each of their next two matches score just two.

Rodrigo continued his prolific campaign for Leeds United by scoring in their 2-1 home win over Real Sociedad.

Listed as a midfielder in Fantasy, the Spaniard has thrived while playing as a forward.

Indeed, his average of 97.6 minutes per goal is second only to the 57.6 minutes of Haaland among regular players this season.

Leeds have a kind mid-term run of opponents when the season resumes, with four of their next six matches scoring two in the FDR.