16. Aston Villa – P5 W1 D3 L1 F6 A6 GD Pts6
Tim Sherwood has been busy in the transfer market this summer, but not busy picking up pre-season wins. Draws with local rivals Walsall and Wolves will have got the competitive juices flowing, though.
15. Swansea City – P4 W1 D3 L0 F5 A4 GD+1 Pts6
A return of five goals in four games will worry Garry Monk ahead of the new season and only intensify his search for a striker. The Swans should be in the other half of the table come the real thing.
14. Newcastle United – P6 W2 D1 L3 F9 A10 GD-1 Pts7
Steve McClaren’s preparations for his first campaign as Newcastle boss have been far from ideal. However, the performances and goals of new signing Georginio Wijnaldum will be a silver lining.
13. Manchester City – P4 W2 D1 L1 F12 A7 GD+5 Pts7
The Citizens were put in their place by Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup, but finished their travels with a thumping win over Vietnam in which £49m buy Raheem Sterling scored twice.
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