I don’t know why I didn’t include this before, but to further answer OP’s question on pre-flop analysis, here is a summary of some aspects of a sample hand such as AQs, which can certainly aid in deciding if a bet or raise is +EV.
https://imgur.com/a/IRs06
The picture is from the Hold ‘em Calc Excel program I wrote, which has some 32 modules doing all sorts of analysis. This particular example summarizes all applicable results pertaining an AdQd hand . Particular values shown, such as number of opponents or opponent range can be changed, of course.
So, to summarize, the notion that pre-flop analysis of a hand or even a range cannot be done is, in my opinion, not valid.