Scout Notes

Vardy scoring continues as Leicester offer differential options

West Ham and Leicester proved they are still relevant to the end of season Fantasy Premier League picture with their draw on Saturday.

The Foxes attack got back to its best after a disappointing loss to Newcastle, while things remain eventful at both ends of the pitch for the Hammers.

We take a look at what these two clubs can offer in the final three Gameweeks of the season in this latest Scout Notes article.

West Ham United 2-2 Leicester City

Goals: Michail Antonio (£6.8m), Lucas Pérez (£6.1m) | Jamie Vardy (£9.0m), Harvey Barnes (£5.5m)

Assists: Mark Noble (£4.8m), | Ben Chilwell (£5.1m), Youri Tielemans (£6.1m)

Jamie Vardy (£9.0m) remains a decent differential option after he continued his scoring run at West Ham on Saturday afternoon. His second-half strike against the Hammers was his sixth in as many Premier League matches; no forward has more in that time with only Ayoze Pérez (£6.1m) level with the Leicester City man.

After a limp defeat to Newcastle in Double Gameweek 34 and a poor first half at the London Stadium, it might have been easy to think Leicester’s relevance to the Fantasy scene was on the wane for the season. However, the Foxes were much better in the second half against West Ham, and Vardy’s form cannot be ignored. In the last four matches, no player in the whole league has been afforded more big chances than him, which means his team-mates continue to create excellent opportunities for him.

“I think it shows that mentality in the squad, which is very important. There’s lots of areas in the game that we can be better in. “In the first half, we were too passive, but in the second half, we played with a lot more energy and a lot more tempo to our game and we looked a real attacking threat. So I was very pleased with the second half and there’s lots to get better in with the first half.” – Brendan Rodgers

Crucially, the remaining fixtures for Vardy might look difficult on paper, with Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea to come, but they are the often the sides that bring the best out of him. It is well-documented that the pacey forward thrives on the space typically left behind the defences of the top six, more so than can be found at the smaller clubs with more defensive tactics. That’s why Vardy has six goals in seven Premier League starts against Arsenal, four in eight starts versus Manchester City and three in eight against Chelsea. The combination of his form and those fixtures should make him a powerful differential in the closing weeks.

Also offering reliable returns, which could continue even in Leicester’s final three matches of the season, is midfielder Youri Tielemans (£6.1m). It was him who provided the assist for Harvey Barnes‘ (£5.5m) stoppage-time equaliser at West Ham, his fifth of the season in just 10 appearances. Since arriving in January on loan, Tielemans has blanked in just three Premier League matches.

Barnes finally got his first Premier League goal after a prolonged spell of producing a barrage of shots since returning from loan at West Bromwich Albion. However, it is hard to tell if he can truly act as a differential option in the last few games of the season. He was named on the bench for the first time since Gameweek 22, so it is not clear if he will be a regular starter going forward.

“He was on the bench today for probably the first time in a while. It is strange he has got his first goal coming off the bench. He has been brilliant since he came back. He has always looked a threat and been lively in every game. He has missed quite a few chances and people may say he needs to improve on that but he is a young boy who has excellent talent. Now the first has gone in I am sure he will back it up with many.” – Harry Maguire

Meanwhile, West Ham seem to be coming back from the beach a little more with each passing game. After they lost somewhat limply to Everton and Chelsea it looked as the Hammers’ season was over but they have now produced two spirited performances against Manchester United and now Leicester.

Their poor form in recent weeks, especially at the back, has influenced transfer plans for Fantasy managers, with some backing Spurs, Southampton and Watford assets for the season run-in, their final three opponents. While West Ham were hardly commanding in defence against Leicester, the goals they conceded were easily avoidable, they have made some slight improvements. They were in the bottom two for shots in the box and big chances conceded in the last six matches, but in the last four, they have risen out of the bottom four for both.

Where the Hammers seemed the most vulnerable against Leicester was in wide areas, with both assists for the goals they conceded coming from the flanks. That could bode well for those looking at wide players from Spurs, Southampton and Watford.

“Our defending was not good for the second goal but for the most part of the game, we played well. We made some mistakes, especially with the second goal. There was too much space in our defence for minute 93 so that allowed them to draw but most part of the game, I think we played well. ” – Manuel Pellegrini

West Ham United XI (4-1-4-1): Fabianski; Masuaku, Ogbonna, Balbuena, Zabaleta; Rice; Anderson, Snodgrass (Obiang 73′), Noble (Wilshere 85′), Antonio; Arnautovic (L Pérez 78′).

Leicester City XI (4-4-1-1): Schmeichel; Chilwell, Maguire, Evans, R Pereira; D Gray (Iheanacho 84′), Tielemans (Mendy 90+5′), Ndidi, Albrighton (H Barnes 64′); Maddison; Vardy

1,430 Comments Post a Comment
  1. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Mitrovic worth a punt for this GW? I'm feeling it!

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yep.
      He's going to get a monster haul with the number of shots he's taking atm. Great option @ that £ imo

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Should get one haul in three remaining matches*

        1. Numbuster
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          there is alot of choice for the 3 FW here

          Aguero Jimmy Firmino..
          or else have to drop either one of them.

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      His stats are great but Cardiff are fighting for their lives and highly motivated. It’s must win for Cardiff

    3. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I would prefer him to Jimenez for the next three but wont take a hit to get him in. Type of player that could score well in the run-in with those fixtures and the team in improved from and under no pressure.

    4. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      probably doing it myself as well, so yes!

      1. De Gea is GOAT
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks for the tips guys. He's definitely coming in. GL for the weekend 🙂

  2. Depldax
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Bench one please
    A Redmond
    B Jota
    C Jimenez
    D Andre Gray

    Thanks

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I’d bench A, then D, but wait to see how Wolves play tonight

  3. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    GW36 (ie this coming game week) lots will be playing TC. With that in mind, which of the below are ‘essential’, which will you have and which can be not owned.

    Get this question right and your arrow will be very green this week, but get it wrong and....

    A) Salah
    B) Mane
    C) Sterling
    D) Aguero
    E) Son
    F) Eriksen

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I don't own A but I have the rest so I'm probably going to get it wrong.

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I’ll start - I feel like A to E are all essential but I can only afford 4 not 5. Therefore I’ve got to pick between Salah and Aguero - the Salah fear is real

  4. akhilrajau
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Best person to add in gw36 for triple captain?
    A. Salah
    B. Mane

    1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      If you can...Salah

      1. akhilrajau
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Ofcourse planning to out sterling and Duffy to accomodate.As I already played bench boost Duffy to cheap def can put balance to others

  5. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    I have TAA + Robbo + Salah. Should I sell one of Pool's def and which and buy Mane? Or keep 2 defs?

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      If it would be for a hit then I’d stick as you are

    2. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Stick as you are IMO

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      No

    4. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Keep, 2 DEFs is good as well

    5. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Ok, thx guys.

  6. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Winning ML by 44 points which should be extended after tonight’s games. ML rival has Salah and I have Mane and TAA for the Hudds game. He’ll captain Salah. Should I transfer in Salah for an 8 point hit to cover his captain or stick with my plan of bringing in Firminho? I’m nervous that this is the game Salah hauls big and it could let me ML rival back in.

    1. radawson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Stick with your plan IMO. Would do it for free or maybe -4 but def not -8

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Depends how you like to play the game.

      If your sole focus is money league then yes do the -8 to get Salah. But If I was your rival I’d lose a lot of respect for you for doing it though. Depends if you care about that.

      1. HollywoodXI
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        He has done the exact same thing to me in previous seasons when leading. I’d rather not but I haven’t won this ML for three seasons so I’m keen to not fall at the final hurdle thanks to a Salah haul.

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          An eye for an eye and the world goes blind.

          It’s your call - both options are perfectly justifiable

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Get Firmino & stick to your plan.

      1. HollywoodXI
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Not worried about Salah?

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Nope.
          People talk about him like he's going to get 10 points to start Against Hudds & then score further. You have planned that so I'd keep him plan going for Firmino.
          -8 is too much.
          44 points lead is hefty too.

          1. HollywoodXI
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Salah TC chip in play for many including my rival. That worries me. If it was a “normal” week without TC chips about I wouldn’t play a defensive move but this feels like a time to do just that. I’ll keep mulling it...

            1. Amey
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              GL 🙂

  7. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    worth it?

    Eriksen + Gray ➡ Babel + Firmino (-4)

    or rather keep my FT, and re-asses Eriksen/Gray before GW37 with 2 FTs in hand?

    Although then for HUD at Anfield I’ll have only TAA and Mane (C)

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Never underestimate the Watford Wijnaldum

  8. jia you
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Locked and Loaded (slim chance that KDB plays but have DCL to come on), GTG, agree with bench order?

    Lloris
    Robertson / TAA / Luiz
    Mane / Sterling / S(o)n / Pogba / *KDB
    Vardy / Jimenez
    (Speroni, DCL, Bednarek, AWB)

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yep.
      Do you think Kdb will start ?
      I have same Choice & am starting Jota instead of kdb. A 10 minutes Cameo could be painful imo.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I dont actually think he'll play until 37 but theres a slim chance

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Cool

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      No Salah 😮

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        havent had him all season

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          But this isn’t all season, this is Huddersfield at home with TC chips in play

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            true but sticking to my guns, have triple LIV anyway so likely damage control

            1. TheDragon
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Fair play to you and it makes perfect sense.

              There is no damage control though if he gets a hattrick. Of course people have been saying this all season but he is capable of it. So it’s just a question really of how much risk you like to take.

              1. jia you
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                if he scores a hattie with no Mane involvement and hud score a goal then I'd be in a bit of hot water alright haha, but I'll play the odds 🙂

                1. TheDragon
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 11 months ago

                  I’ve currently got Mane & Robbo and to get Salah would require a -4 and probably losing Aguero. So it’s a huge decision hence I’m very keen to get lots of people’s views on Salah

                  Your views are helpful 🙂 I think I have an irrational fear of not owning Salah

                  1. HollywoodXI
                    • 9 Years
                    4 years, 11 months ago

                    FWIW I agree with you. I’m debating the Salah move for the same reasons.

                  2. The 12th Man
                    • 10 Years
                    4 years, 11 months ago

                    I think Salah and Mane have equal chance of scoring more than the other. Mane at 3m less of course is better value but if your holdIng one of them , I wouldn’t swap to the other at this stage.

                    1. TheDragon
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 11 months ago

                      But would you have both - that’s the question

    3. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I’m thinking of holding KDB for this week as well and making a transfer elsewhere. Just means no Mane. I do have Salah though.
      Would have Redmond or Jota to play if KDB doesn’t make it.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        It's what I decided and got TAA in for Dunk. I feel one of Mane/Salah is enough for the run in myself but hard to predict that HUD game, bloodbath or 1 or 2 nil job.

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Completely agree - but in my thoughts on the mane and Salah double up I’m ONLY looking at the HUD game. They are so much worse than any other premier league team.

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            as a one off game, have to agree, they could easily win that 5 or 6 nil.

          2. The 12th Man
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            I could go KDB > Mane this week
            Then Salah > Sterling in 37

            1. TheDragon
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              To me this is the best option by a long distance.

            2. jia you
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              think KDB to Mane is an easy move for you really thinking about it, many would love to have that option!

    4. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      AWB first sub

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah, you might have a point there alright, Palace are pretty solid these days.

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          DCL has being playing well so fancy him for an assist or goal at Palace myself, when its a close call prob best to stick with the attacker I guess.

  9. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Gunn (Ryan)
    Robertson, Doherty, * (Valery, Duffy)
    Sterling, Son, *, * (JWP)
    Kun, Vardy, Jiminez

    Best three final spots?
    A Trippier Eriksson Doucoure
    B TAA Eriksson Doucoure
    C TAA Mane Babel (-8)

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      C but not for -8 so B

    2. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      D AWB Mane Doucoure (-4)

    3. Numbuster
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      direct Trippier to TAA and G2g

      play with 4-3-3

  10. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Which option?
    1. KDB > Mane, Bench Jota (Salah c)
    2. KDB> Mane, Bench Redmond (Salah c)
    2. Lacazette > Firmino Bench KDB play both Jota and Redmond (Salah c)

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      First 2 😉

  11. Eytexi
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Tempted to captain Sterling unless he plays 90 minutes tonight. Thoughts?

    Also tempted by TAA (other Liverpool players are Robertson & Mané).

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Same here mate 🙂

      1. Eytexi
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Guess we need to see what happens with Sterling tonight. Will happily watch him play 90 minutes as my TC even if it removes him from the picture for the weekend.

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Ha ha
          True

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Why not Mane?

      1. Eytexi
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Possibility of limited minutes and just feel City are capable of many more goals than Pool, no matter the fixture.

        Also, so many will TC a Liverpool attacker that i dont really fancy questioning whether I want a Liverpool goal when my captain is on Mané haha. That point is rubbish but just personal preference of wanting to back my captain's team.

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Fair enough but I really think you need to factor in just how bad HUD are.

          They are 10x worse than Cardiff and Fulham

          1. Eytexi
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Maybe I'm overthinking it. You reckon there's a chance of Pool rotation though with that considered?

            1. TheDragon
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              It’s a tricky one - there is plenty of time between HUD and the CL semi to not rotate but equally Liverpool U12’s could beat HUD so if ever there was a time to rest Salah / Mane this is it.

              My personal view currently is that both Salah and Mane will start but will come off as soon as the game is won (could even be half time). Salah seems to have hit his love of playing back having watched the Cardiff game and he looks very hungry so I expect him to start

              1. Eytexi
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Salah is definetly the man if you own him this week, I agree. Will see how many minutes Sterling gets tonight and go from there. Cheers.

  12. danishdynamite
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Was all set to bring in Ings but after last nights no show / Long goal I'm really rather unsure

    I don't know diddly about Southampton - is anyone the wiser as to what's the pecking order ? I'd assumed a fit Ings would start with Redmond in support

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      That's one of the rarest species in the world, hard to catch sight of one...'a fit Ings'

    2. Numbuster
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Southampton more promising start is their MF and DF

  13. The 5% Team
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    With Spurs winning last night...did the chance of Eriksen getting rested next GW vs WestHam increase?

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      West Ham are exactly that type of a team who can come and spoil Spurs Top 4 party.

      I doubt Eriksen gets rested. Maybe an early sub.
      Think one of Llorente/Moura/Alli will be rested for Ajax as Son won't be available for that one.

    2. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      No. Poch always takes the next game as the most important. Full strength again on Saturday

  14. Fire Chief Moe
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Duffy to Matip sensible, max my Liverpool quota alongside TAA and Mane, can't realistically get Salah or Firmino

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      He's been playing very well but there is a just a chance that Gomez gets a run out, but surely Klopp won't want to upset a proven back four ......... or will he?

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Highly doubt Klopp will change that back four if he’s going for the win in PL. Gomez May get a run fir CL as a cameo. That’s just my opinion only.

  15. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    How does this look?

    Ederson
    Robertson, Van Dijk, Yoshida, Valery
    Salah, Sterling, Son
    Kun, Mitrovic, Jimenez

    Have tried to fit in 7 premium players, makes 2 spots weak but I guess thats fine with those fixtures. Low TV, so not much I can afford.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Beautiful team Holmes.
      Look @ pva too as you're on WC. He comes tp life @ the end of the season

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Also I'd like one of Milivojevic/Zaha if possible

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Thanks, Mitrovic is in.

          Does Van Aan really perform well at end?

  16. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    What’s everyone doing with Vardy?

    Keeping or Selling?

  17. 420king
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Retrospective ban for Lingard since ref didn't see that?