Metrics

Chunk of top 10k managers ride Vardy’s luck for captaincy

43.6% of the top 10,000 Fantasy Premier League managers were handed some much-needed luck on Saturday afternoon.

That was the percentage of those at the top level of the game who captained Jamie Vardy (£9.6m), more than any other option.

After assisting an Ayoze Pérez (£6.2m) goal, the Leicester City forward missed a penalty which was converted by James Maddison (£7.5m).

That was set to reduce Vardy’s score by two points, with three added back on for the Fantasy assist.

However, completely outside of the player’s control, both a number of his colleagues and Brighton players encroached on the penalty area, forcing the referee to order a retake.

That wiped off the missed penalty from Vardy’s record, as well as the assist, and allowed him to score his seventh goal in five matches.

With a missed penalty no longer on his record, it also allowed Vardy to claim himself maximum bonus.

Therefore, the encroachment helped Vardy captainers secure a six-point swing, rounded up to 12 by the armband.

Meanwhile, Selhurst Park saw Sadio Mané (£12.1m) reward the 23.8% of top 10k managers who backed him for the captaincy.

With Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) rooted to the bench, the Senegalese was the primary goal threat and he duly delivered towards the end of the first half.

However, he was still four points short of Vardy’s total after that strange turn of events at the Amex Stadium.

The third-most popular skipper at this level was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) who, as has been characteristic of him recently, disappointed his backers.

Just under 8% of the top 10k gave the Arsenal man the armband against Southampton and were probably hoping for slightly more than one assist, which was just his second attacking return since Gameweek 8.

As the underlying data suggested might happen, Aubameyang was outshone by his colleague Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m) who scored twice and secured maximum bonus points too.

While the captaincy separates the fortunes of many managers in the top 10k for Gameweek 13, there were very little changes in the so-called template over the international break.

The top five most-popular defenders at this level have not changed from Gameweek 12 to 13.

It is still comprised of John Lundstram (£4.9m), Çaglar Söyüncü (£4.9m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m), Martin Kelly (£4.1m) and Diego Rico (£4.3m).

However, the ownership figures have admittedly been tweaked within that group.

Just 38% of the top 10k managers were in possession of Söyüncü for the 2-0 win over Arsenal, but this rose to 51% for Leicester’s 2-0 win over Brighton, the Foxes’ fourth consecutive clean sheet.

Meanwhile, it was slightly more disappointing for Alexander-Arnold and Rico owners as neither side kept a clean sheet.

Despite providing plenty of chances for his team-mates once again, Liverpool’s right-back continues to be outperformed by colleague Andrew Robertson (£7.0m), who now has four attacking returns in five matches following an assist at Crystal Palace.

In the midfield, the template continues to be settled around five players.

However, there has been a shift towards Mané, whose ownership in the top 10k jumped from 69.5% to 80.1% over the international break.

Those who made the move from Salah to Mané were instantly rewarded as the Egyptian spent Gameweek 13 on the bench as his colleague scored nine points.

Meanwhile, De Bruyne dropped from 73.1% to 70.6%, while Sterling fell by an even larger amount, from 44.3% to 35.4%.

The Belgian managed to dish out some punishment with his first goal since Gameweek 6 in the Saturday evening clash with Chelsea but Sterling was denied the chance to by another questionable VAR offside call.

Conversely, a goal against Arsenal in Gameweek 12 triggered a rise in popularity for Maddison.

He rose from 31.4% ownership among the top 10k to 43.8% for Gameweek 13, but just as those captaining Vardy were a little lucky, Maddison owners were the victims of the corresponding misfortune.

He was the one who nodded home the rebound from the missed penalty, only to have it chalked off by the encroachment from both Leicester and Brighton.

With Christian Pulisic (£7.4m) largely outperforming his colleagues in recent weeks, it will be interesting to see if the decline in Mason Mount‘s (£6.8m) ownership will continue.

He was in 54.6% of top 10k teams for Gameweek 12 but just 48.7% of them for Gameweek 13, in which he featured only as a second-half substitute against Manchester City.

Finally, Raúl Jiménez (£7.4m) continues to justify a burst in his ownership among the top 10k, displacing Aubameyang as the third-most-popular forward at this level.

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3,271 Comments Post a Comment
  1. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    A question about Son and east asian cup:

    Google tells me that South Korea will play games 11 December, 15, December and 18. December. Will Son have to play these games?

    1. Wally banter
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      no he wont

      1. fc_skrald
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks. Is it only for players who play in local asian clubs then?

        1. Abra Dubravka
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I was wondering the same. Can’t find anything online about it

          1. Wally banter
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            There's something called the International Match Calendar, that shows which dates and tournaments players have to be released for. This tournament is not in that calendar, and therefore Tottenham doesn't have to release Son for this tournament.

            Most east Asian leagues follow the calendar year. Their leagues end around this time of the year. Regional players can therefore play for their national teams without interfering with their club season.

      2. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        How do you know that?

  2. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Which one looking best?

    1) Auba Hayden to 4.3 Son 352
    2) Auba Maddison to Jimenez Son 343

    Think I should keep KDB and Maddison so option 1?

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Auba to Jimenez and Hayden to Moura?

      1. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Not sure about Moura’s consistency and it would give me benching headaches

  3. Rash
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is gameweek the qualifying rounds for the cups?

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      This gameweek is for one of them I think

      1. Rash
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Ok thanks, hopefully I score enough.

  4. R.C
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Pick 1 out of these three sets:

    A. Kelly (Say Ward is out for long)
    B. Rico
    C. Taylor

    1. Van Aanholt
    2. Zaha

    A1. Guaita
    B2. Ryan

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      C1A1

  5. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Mane was the cheaper LIV mid option for those not willing to pay for Salah. Not anymore.

    1. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      The only good choice I’ve made on a WC many weeks ago was Mane over Salah

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      False premise

      I’d have gone Mane at even prices at the start of the season

  6. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    With Aguero's injury, now feels like the wrong time to get rid of Sterling

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

      I’ve held the faith with Sterling until watching yesterday’s game. He was largely ineffective and lacked drive. City also looked slower than usual and are lacking confidence in their general play. I’m selling this week for Salah.

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        City look rubbish at the back but people seem to be forgetting that they're still one of the best attacking forces in the league, if not the best. They scored 3 legitimate goals against a top 4 side yesterday and could have had more.

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Tough one if rodri and silva are also out

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Pep said Rodri and Silva injuries don't look serious, he mentioned tiredness and cramp.

    3. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Ive owned since GW1, home captaincy blanks against Chelsea, Brighton, Wolves and Southampton is just too much to take, also the Norwich blank. wether it’s right or wrong iv’e had enough, i’ll enjoy the Son hype for a bit.

    4. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I replaced him with Son. Can buy him if he start to perfom again.

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

    Norwich and BHA attackers should be the priority over the next two GWs as they play the real whipping boys!

    1. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      And I thought it would be West ham!

  8. Free Hat
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Have exact funds to do:

    Salah&Dendoncker(5thmid)
    to
    Son&Martial

    (I have Mane btw)

    Seems like a no brainer right, but still hesitant to part with Salah with upcoming fixtures and would give a lot of benching headaches as well.

  9. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on this lot?

    Pope
    TAA - Tomori - Soyuncu
    Mane - Sterling - Mount - Tielemans
    Vardy - Abraham - Jimenez

    (4.0 Lundy Cantwell Rico)
    1ft & 2.0m

    A) Sterling ➡️ Salah
    B) Sterling ➡️ Son
    C) Mount ➡️ Alli
    D) Mount ➡️ Pulisic

    1. Me Spurs
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

    2. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B for me

    3. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B this week, assess Pulisic for D next week

  10. Me Spurs
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Cantwell now the best option at 4.6 or below? Have no pressing issues and saka needs ditching

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

      Get got injured again.

    2. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Seems the most attacking one when he plays.

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Considering bring him back in to sit on the bench - price drop helped

    4. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Save FT imo

  11. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Folks, Son or KDB?

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Both

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Son

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Son

    4. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Both

    5. All de Gea no iDier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Son might miss up to 3 GWs due to international duties. Sth Korea have three matches between 11 Dec and 18 Dec.

      1. Wally banter
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        he wont

  12. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Boy is Mark having a season to forget. Quite looking forward to watching to see if he pulls out progressively wackier moves to claw it back.

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

      I’d wager he’ll still finish in the top 50k. He needs to return to FFS in a more active capacity, he is sorely missed on the scout cast.

      1. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Tell me about it. I love the other guys but it's a case of the sum of the parts...

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      It’s certainly an interesting game of chicken that Mark (and all Vardy non owners) are playing

      It’s just a question of who swerves first - their teams or the relentless points juggernaut that is Jamie Vardy since 26th Feb’19

      1. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yaya toure all over again

  13. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Jimenez or Pulisic?

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

      Jimenez

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Pulisic is more explosive. But Jimenez is nailed and consistent.
      It's a tough one over the next 4 probably Pulisic.

    3. Am sorry to say again it�…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Jimenez, guaranteed starter, will tick away all season long & still a great differential

  14. Aseel
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Really tempted to do KdB & Rashford > Martial & Kane with my 2 FTs
    Targeting Kane (c) for his nice end of year fixtures (BHA,nor,sou)
    I don't see a better captain pick for GW19, GW20, GW21..
    What do you guys think?

    1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I would do just KDB to Son. Considering it also. Son is there best player, and i think he suits for Mourinho style of fast long balls.

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Not sure why you'd want to ditch KDB.

  15. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who to get for Mount?

    A) Maddison
    B) Pulisic
    C) Martial

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

      Pulisic

    2. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Pulisic

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

      Not Pulisic!

      Have him but I suspect the midfield of Kanté Jorg and Kova could be a fixture. That would squeeze both Mount and Puli into a managed minutes scenario for the busy busy time.

      Martial and Maddison get on the pitch regardless.

  16. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    A or B? 1FT, 4.5m itb
    A. Connolly -> Jimenez
    B. Mount -> Pulisic

    Pope, fodder
    TAA, Soy, Tomori, Lundy, Rico
    Mane, KDB, Son, Mount, Dendo
    Vardy, Tammy, Connolly

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

      A

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A and do B next week.

      1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Agree.

  17. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Why was mount benched?

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Tactical. I’m holding for next weekend.

  18. Abra Dubravka
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    2 FT...

    A) Sterling ➡️ Salah (have Mane)
    B) Sterling/Greenwood ➡️ Son/Ings
    C) Sterling/McGinn ➡️ Son/Maddison
    D) Sterling/Rico ➡️ Son/Robertson (have TAA)

  19. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    madness to consider KDB and Mount to Son and Pulisic?

    Pope
    TAA Robbo Soy
    Mane Maddison KDB Mount
    Tammy Vardy Jimi 
    Button Rico Cantwell Lunds 
    1.5 ITB.

  20. ffakih
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Please help, pick one of these three sets:

    A) Jiminez, Lacazette, Firmino
    B) Son, Alli, KDB

    Thanks

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

      One from each option? Jimenez and Alli

      One out of both options? B

      1. ffakih
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        One from each option , money not an issue

    2. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Laca
      KDB

  21. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Pretty happy with my team, but Raz isn't pulling his weight so is going the journey until after his suspension. Best Sterling replacement?

    A) Son
    B) Salah
    C) Tielemans
    D) Maddison

    Pope McGovern
    TAA Tomori Lund Soy Reid
    Mane Raz KDB Mount Donck
    Vardy Jimenez Abraham

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

  22. Stat Sloth
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone else who thinks the title for this article reeks of a bitter non-Vardy-captainer?

    Journalism should be unbiased - neutral.

    Whenever luck is mentioned in this way, it is a reflection of the writer's own personal bias and preferences.

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I think the text is partly incorrect. That Maddison goal would have been disallowed imo if Brighton players had not rushed too early to the box.

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Nah this is an extension of several gifts / luck that Vardy has benefited from over the past few weeks (including goalkeepers giving him free goals in the last minutes of games). Him missing a penalty (minus points) shifting to scoring a penalty (plus point plus Madison losing them) thanks to VAR is luck plain and simple. Just as Raz losing a goal was bad luck ; they seem to be on opposite planets at the moment those two.

  23. Dthinger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    So...CHO has to go. Replace him with?

    a)Pulisic, who everyone has,

    b)Willian who hasnt scored much this season, but is playing well

    c)Lucas Moura (seems like a player Mourinho would like to me and is underpriced, but maybe should wait to see if he plays every week)

    Thanks.

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

  24. tim_mullaney3
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Looking for a low budget midfielder for next week (5.7 and under) was thinking Kante or traore?