Scout Notes

Maddison stars for 10-man Leicester in win at Burnley

A selection of Burnley and Leicester players have made a case for inclusion in Fantasy Premier League squads despite a lack of any Double Gameweeks.

While very few of the popular options from either side lived up to their billing in Blank Gameweek 31, there were still some standout performers.

We’ve assessed their assets in this latest Scout Notes article.

Burnley 1-2 Leicester City

Goals: Dwight McNeil (£4.4m) | James Maddison (£6.8m), Wes Morgan (£4.5m)

Assists: Charlie Taylor (£4.4m) | Youri Tielemans (£6.0m)

The form of popular Blank Gameweek 31 forward Ashley Barnes (£5.7m) seems to have dropped off in the last few matches, much to the disappointment of those who signed him for Burnley’s defeat to Leicester. In the last four matches, the Burnley forward has recorded inferior totals for goal attempts, shots in the box, efforts on target and expected goals (xG) compared to the four before that. However, there were still a few positives from Barnes’ performance as no Burnley player created more chances than him in Blank Gameweek 31. Furthermore, he was top of any player in the match for touches inside the penalty box.

“When a team goes down to 10 men so early it can feel strange unless you get a grip of the game straight away, and we didn’t. In the second half we corrected things and had a lot of the play, but those quality moments that you need to win a game weren’t close enough. You have to have that moment of truth and clarity. I will say it’s not easy to break down a team that set up 4-4-1.” – Sean Dyche

Either way, the upcoming circumstances will probably see Barnes owners cash him in for Double Gameweek options in the next few days, with Free Hit and second Wildcard season upon us. Forward options such as Marcus Rashford (£7.6m), Raúl Jiménez (£6.8m), Wilfried Zaha (£6.9m) and Michy Batshuayi (£6.5m) have already had two matches confirmed in Gameweek 32, while Glenn Murray (£6.3m) and Troy Deeney (£5.9m) are expected to have the same soon.

Chris Wood (£6.2m) looks even less of an option than Barnes still. He has now blanked for the last four matches in a row and continues to be the forward Sean Dyche prefers to replace. This was the third match in a row that the New Zealand international made way for Peter Crouch (£4.5m).

Dwight McNeil (£4.4m) should remain on the radar of Fantasy managers after fifth midfielders though. The youngster continues to hold down his place in the Burnley team, making his 12th consecutive start on the left-wing against Leicester and scored a second goal of the season. In fact, no player had more shots than McNeil at Turf Moor on Saturday, who was also top for efforts inside the penalty area too. While the Clarets have no Double Gameweeks between now and the end of the season, they still have Wolves (home), Bournemouth (away) and Cardiff (home) as their next three opponents. There are few midfielders priced at £4.5m or under with as much goal threat as McNeil so he could still form part of Free Hit squads in Double Gameweek 32, while he could be a shrewd option to start in Blank Gameweek 33.

The 19-year-old’s place in the team was also strengthened by the fact that Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£5.5m) is now back in the starting line-up on the opposite flank to him, rather than instead of him. The Icelandic international has made a phased return from injury over the last few months earning just his second start since Gameweek 24 against Leicester. It was Jeff Hendrick (£5.2m), recently shifted out wide, who made way. Gudmundsson continued to re-establish himself as the set-piece taker for Burnley but still shared such duties with Ashley Westwood (£4.6m), as he was substituted in the 78th minute.

It is hard to fully assess Leicester’s prospects moving forward after this match as the odds were stacked against them from the fourth minute. That was when Harry Maguire (£5.4m) was sent off for bringing down Gudmundsson as the last man. The England centre-back is now banned for one Premier League match, which means he will miss the Gameweek 32 meeting with Bournemouth and return for the trip to Huddersfield in Gameweek 33.

“I think (the referee) made the right call, as much as it goes against us. We can deal with it better. Harry is obviously disappointed, but he was happy for his team-mates. He is a really good guy and what I love about Harry is he has come through levels so he knows the other side of football, playing in the lower leagues and coming through. He is a big talent but he knows he still has a lot to work on and improve on. It was just one of those unfortunate incidents in a game.” – Brendan Rodgers

His dismissal forced Brendan Rodgers to shift from a 4-1-4-1 formation to a 4-4-1. Demarai Gray (£5.4m) was the unfortunate individual who drew the short straw and was replaced after just five minutes. The winger had been named in the starting line-up for the second match in a row as he continues to try and re-establish himself in the Leicester side.

Wes Morgan (£4.5m) was the natural replacement at the heart of the defence, where he sat alongside Jonny Evans (£4.8m) for the remainder of the game. He is likely to fill in for Maguire against Bournemouth next time out, although Rodgers has been singing the praises of Caglar Söyüncü (£4.9m), who could feature.

“(Söyüncü) has done very well in training. There has been stability with the two centre-halves Harry and Jonny, but it gives us a chance to look at it for the next game.” – Brendan Rodgers

James Maddison (£6.8m) was the key man for the Foxes in their win as he alleviated pressure on his side in the first half with an excellent free-kick. The midfielder reminded Fantasy managers what he is capable of in dead-ball situations, becoming the first ever Leicester player to score two direct free-kicks in a Premier League campaign. Not surprisingly, Maddison was also the top creator for Leicester at Burnley, recording more shots on target than any of his colleagues too. Even with no Double Gameweek coming up, matches against Bournemouth (home) and Huddersfield (away) in the next two Gameweeks bode well for the former Norwich man. Only one player has played more key passes than Maddison in their last four matches.

“That’s his strength, his technique. Whether it is a through-ball for Jamie Vardy or a free-kick, and it is not by accident. He works very hard at that and he got his reward today. He’s a good boy and knows where he is at. He knows he is going the right way. He is a wonderful talent and will get better and better.” – Brendan Rodgers

The circumstances of the match are largely what led to a blank for Jamie Vardy (£9.1m). Thanks to Leicester playing with 10 men for the majority of the afternoon, their star striker was below his usual level of performance, through no fault of his own. In the four matches prior to Blank Gameweek 31, Vardy was averaging 4.8 penalty box touches per game, 2.5 shots, 2.3 in the box and one on target. Against Burnley, it was three touches in the box two shots, one in the box and one on target.

The same was the case for Harvey Barnes (£5.5m) who also blanked at Turf Moor. Compared to an average of 8.25 penalty box touches, 4.5 shots, three in the box and 0.5 on target between Gameweeks 27 and 30, in Lancashire, the former West Bromwich Albion loanee recorded four penalty box touches, two shots, one in the box and none on target.

Youri Tielemans (£6.0m) continues to go from strength-to-strength since joining Leicester on loan. It was the Belgian who provided the assist for Morgan’s dramatic winner, taking his goal involvements for the Foxes to four in six Premier League appearances. The local press were also impressed with his stamina levels at Burnley given the extra running that was required with the man disadvantage. With Vicente Iborra and Adrien Silva reportedly taking time to adapt to the energy levels required of central midfielders in the English top flight, Tielemans has also taken time to regularly complete matches. Further solidifying his place in Rodgers’ good books, he registered a second 90-minute outing since arriving, spending the last 15 minutes marking marauding full-back Charlie Taylor (£4.4m).

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Heaton; Taylor, Mee, Tarkowski, Bardsley; McNeil (Vydra 90+1′), Cork, Westwood, Gudmundsson (Brady 79′); Barnes, Wood (Crouch 70′).

Leicester City XI (4-1-4-1): Schmeichel; Chilwell, Maguire, Evans, R Pereira; Ndidi; Barnes (Mendy 77′), Maddison (Fuchs 64′), Tielemans, D Gray (Morgan 6′); Vardy.

1,220 Comments Post a Comment
  1. leocarter27
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Thoughts on this free hit team? I know its bit premature but if the fixtures go the way they should...

    Ederson / 3.9

    AWB Luiz Lindelof / Valery 3.9

    Son Hazard Pogba Sterling Milivojevic

    Aguero Rashford / 4.5

    (Be 11 dgw starters)

    1. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Keeping faith with Son?

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      I have exactly the same team on my FH the only difference is I have smalling instead of Lindelof and Aps instead of Luiz, everything else is the same.

      1. leocarter27
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Great minds and all that

  2. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    FH gamble team:

    Kepa
    PVA Luiz Laporte
    Mili Pogba Hazard Sterling
    Zaha Rashford Aguero(c)

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Why is it a gamble mate?
      Cos of CP players?

    2. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      A gamble? Looks fairly template in all honesty.

    3. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      PVA potentially out of favour?

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

      Not a gamble at all.

    5. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      I like it.

      But apart from 2/3 players, it’s just template.

    6. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      This would be my gamble team:

      Lloris
      Alder, Trippier, AWB (c), PVA, Schlupp
      Haz, Sterling, Pogba
      Kun, Lukaku

      Fodders

      1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Spurs and Palace 0-0 all round.

        1. Athletic Nasherbo
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 11 days ago

          Been 1-0 last 4 times in the league

          1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 11 days ago

            New stadium bore fest.

  3. nkhoughton
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Are there going to be any more fixtures announced for gw32?

    1. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      We should know soon.

    2. Vinyl78LP
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      City are a shoe-in for 32 with their DGW35 already confirmed.

      1. nkhoughton
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        I'm messing around with my fh team, happy to own Aguero and sterling even without a double with the fixture

  4. La vida FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Announce the double game WEEKssssss!!!!

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Insane how long its taking..should have been announced the moment this past week's games ended.

  5. Dele
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Has City’s double fixtures even been announced yet? Why’s everyone rushing?

  6. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    seen a few with kepa and azpi/luiz in, seems risky given their defensive frailty

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Agreed

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Who would you opt for instead if you already own City & United defenders?

      1. Ron_Swanson
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Palace

  7. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Only thing I’m not understanding is the Southampton situation.

    Seen people saying it’s 50/50 whether they get the double gameweek. Why is that?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      It'll be either WAT-SOU or WAT-FUL for GW32. People seem to think it will be the latter because Saints play on the Friday in GW33.

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Ah ok, got you.

        I reckon it’s not even 50/50, can’t see it happening at all if they play on the Friday then..... shame really, would have loved valery and JWP in the squad.

        1. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 11 days ago

          I much rather prefer them having a double in 35. Bench boosting with Valery, Bednarek and JWP.

          1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 11 days ago

            You are right, I didn’t think of that.

            😎

    2. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Watford and Fulham more likely. People just want the likes of JWP and Valery 😆

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        This is true!

        Thanks

      2. Richd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Players like Valery are a gift and will suit our WC teams more than FH

        Watford DGW is better for 32, and I’ll just avoid them

  8. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    will guaita start both?

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Wouldn’t bank on it

    2. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Think Gunn is the better choice if Southampton get DGW.

      1. fr3d
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Which they won’t

        1. Firminooooo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 11 days ago

          Thank you. Didnt know it was announced yet.

      2. Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Southampton won't have a dgw I'm afraid

  9. FreddyP3
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    On a free hit:

    A: Deeney & Doherty
    B: Jimenez & Shaw

    1. lugs
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      A, since i don't trust Shaw not to get a yellow + a 2 game ban in one of those fixtures

      1. FreddyP3
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Would really only be a problem if he got it in the first match. Still its a good point and i wasnt aware of his card situation. Leaning towards A then.

        1. lugs
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 11 days ago

          true, but he's a bit of a card magnet so he's not worth the risk imo

  10. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    is it worth the weak back line to fit kane in to this team??

    gunn
    schlupp duffy awb
    mane deulofeu haz sterling jwp
    kane aguero

    hamer gallagher connoly simpson

    1. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      I'm not convinced he is but what do I know, I got 22 points from a full 11 this week...

  11. BucketHead
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    A. Hazard/Lukaku/zaha

    B. Pedro/Kane/rashford

    1. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Easily A

      1. BucketHead
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Cheers bruv

  12. BEEZUS
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Time to play the FH now?

  13. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Delofeu TC in 35 against Soton and Huddersfield ?

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Can’t remember the last time my captain did something so I might as well try this

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      And BB when? 38?

      1. Bruno Bruno!!
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        probably

    3. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      A little risky, but not terrible

  14. Snevitz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Best FH I can come up...

    Kepa
    Laporte, Luiz, Schlupp
    Sterling, Hazard, Pogba, McArthur
    Aguero, Lukaku, Rashford

    3 City, 3 Chelsea, 3 United and 2 cheap Palace players to make up the numbers.

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      I like it. I can afford Mili over McArthur in that exact same team.

      But right now I'm on Smalling, Alli & Zaha over your Kaku, McArthur & Schlupp.

      1. Snevitz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Good team value.
        Those three are good options as well, I suspect I would need to downgrade Smalling to afford that.

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 11 days ago

          Yup I'm just not liking the downgrades I'm having to make to afford Kaku but he's a good option and definitely one im tempted to have on Free Hit.

  15. rokonto
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Can i do as many transfers as i like then just hit the free hit button on deadline day? Is there any difference to pressing the button today?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      No real difference, just do it today.

  16. Garth Marenghi
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Who to play?

    A) TAA home to Tottenham
    B) DAvid Luiz away to Cardiff

    1. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Luiz will have DGW.

      1. Garth Marenghi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Ha. I’ve been paying attention. Thx

  17. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    How is this FH looking? 0.7 m in bank available for any improvement

    Ederson
    D Luiz Lindelöf Schlupp
    Hazard Sterling Pogba Alli
    Aguero Zaha Rashford

    Speroni March Valery Peltier

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      I'd go for Smalling over Lindelof with that extra cash. He has much better goal threat and always gets one around this time.

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Good thought - thanks

  18. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Until which know of the likes of Southampton have a double in 32 it's pretty pointless drafting a free hit team isn't it??

    1. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Not if you draft one without Southampton assets and variations dependant on the fixtures. Just adjust once confirmed.

  19. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Which team most likely to GW32 we think?

  20. Dammed Utd
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    If the double game weeks are 32 and 35 makes sense free hit 32 and wild card for 34 with the second double on 35 should be fun

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Revolutionary strategy

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        😀

      2. Eytexi
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Wish someone else could have thought of this.

    2. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Strike me down.

  21. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    What decides WAT v ful/sou?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Possibly Saints GW33 fixture being on the Friday

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Thanks

  22. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Would would you choose out of these lads??
    A- Ederson Azpilicueta JWP
    Or
    B- Kepa Laporte Deulofeu

    1. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      I'd probably go Kepa, Laporte, JWP.

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Oh yeah just checked his stats 6 goals in last 9 didn’t realise that blimey

    2. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Only one of JWP or Deulo will have a double. So the choice may be made for you.

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Oh right didn’t realise that cheers mate

  23. Jealous Viper
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Rmfht
    Ederson
    Lindelof Azpi Luiz
    Sterling(c) Deulofeu Pogba Hazard
    Kun Rashford Zaha

  24. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Which option?

    A) Kane and Stephens
    B) Jimenez and Son or Deulofeu

    1. Fantasy Premington
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      B

  25. Longlatini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Thoughts on this non Free Hit gw32 team?

    Heaton

    Laporte Doherty Luiz

    Sterling Hazard Anderson Pogba

    Jiménez Barnes Aguero(c)

    Hamer TAA Pereira Almirón

    Can still get 10 out in 33 with a hit

    Will I be able to limit the damage against you free hitters?

  26. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Hazard TC anyone look at the scores from the last time he played cardiff and Brighton

    20 and 13 points respectively

    1. Spartac Mac
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Wishful thinking for me...

      Chelsea not in form and Hazard has nothing to play for, whereas both Cardif & Brighton have something to play for and have picked up some form recently.

  27. Fantasy Premington
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Current FH team:

    Ederson
    Duffy Schlupp Doherty
    Pogba Sterling Mane Hazard
    Jimmy Rashford Aguero

    Hamer Lindelof Valery Hudson-Odoi

    Any thoughts?

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Mane, jimmy and Doc in your FH team! Don't like it. Can't see Doc and jimmy playing both games and Mane has one hard game against Spurs. Lindelof on the bench is just a waste of money you could in the starting 11.

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Use #

  28. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 days ago

    Unless something major comes up, I'm pretty set on this for now-

    Kepa
    Laporte - Lindelof - AWB
    Sterling - Hazard - Pogba - Son
    Aguero - Rashford - Zaha

    Thoughts please? 🙂

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Looks great!

      Maybe Alli//Eriksen over Son?

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      2m in bank?

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Poor TV

    3. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      Son > JWP
      Zaha > Higuain

    4. Jay_
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Swap Son and Bats to Azpi and Erik and that’s my current XI

      • pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Cheers all

    5. Denis Tueart on the wing
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 days ago

      This might sound a bit naive, so apologies for my ignorance, but..
      Jimenez is currently 6.8M and I got him at 6.1M, so he is worth 6.4M on transfer.
      If I FH out Jimenez at 6.4M and I want him back, and he goes up by 0.1M, will price will I pay for him on my FH.
      Hope this makes sense to somebody out there with more understanding than me 😀

      1. Jay_
          5 years, 11 days ago

          6.9

          1. Denis Tueart on the wing
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 11 days ago

            Thanks, I best keep him in that case

        • TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 11 days ago

          Don't sell on FH unless you don't want him.

      2. Spartac Mac
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 days ago

        Anyone got a link to the Google Sheet of the fixture list?

        Cheers