Scout Notes

Vardy’s goal streak continues as FPL’s best defence banks another clean sheet

Leicester City 2-0 Watford

  • Goals: Jamie Vardy (£9.9m), James Maddison (£7.6m)
  • Assists: Jonny Evans (£5.1m), James Justin (£4.8m)
  • Bonus: Evans x3, Maddison x2, Ricardo Pereira (£6.4m)

They can’t all be 9-0s.

The bar was set ludicrously high by Brendan Rodgers’ side in Gameweek 8 and since then the Foxes have recorded more modest victories, scoring exactly two goals in each of their last five league matches.

With in excess of two million Fantasy Premier League managers and over 82% of the top 10k handing the armband to Jamie Vardy (£9.9m) ahead of Leicester City’s home match against managerless, bottom-of-the-table Watford, there were wildly optimistic predictions of another mauling and a deluge of FPL points.

What followed was a game strikingly similar to the Gameweek 14 victory over Everton just three days earlier.

In both cases, a struggling Premier League team had frustrated the Foxes until well into the second half and forced Rodgers to shuffle his pack.

With a busy December ahead, the Leicester boss had hinted at rotation in his pre-match press conference, highlighting the probable need to freshen his starting XI up in order to maintain his side’s “energy and intensity”.

Despite these comments, Rodgers’ only alteration to his starting XI was an enforced one: Christian Fuchs (£4.3m) replacing the injured Ben Chilwell (£5.9m) at left-back.

It was perhaps no surprise, then, that some of Leicester’s players looked leggy against the Hornets on Wednesday, with the exertions of their last-gasp victory over Everton just over 72 hours before this latest match taking its toll.

Youri Tielemans (£6.7m), an ever-present this season and a player who had lasted at least 80 minutes in all 14 previous league fixtures, appeared to be particularly jaded and was substituted midway through the second half.

Ayoze Perez (£6.2m) has been mostly ineffectual in the last two Gameweeks, meanwhile, and, having been hauled off for Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.7m) on Sunday, he failed to make it out after the interval against Watford last night.

It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Rodgers makes a change or two against Aston Villa this weekend, then, with Tielemans and Perez among the leading candidates for a breather in the Midlands.

The Leicester boss said after the game:

We’ve played better this season. However, the mentality of the team and the ability to keep going… Hayden [Mullins] set the team up very well, Watford were very compact, very tight, deep, tried to frustrate. So that’s always difficult. But we had to keep our perseverance and keep going.

Harvey Barnes (£5.9m) looked anything but fatigued and, despite a fifth blank in a row, was one of the Foxes’ brighter players, especially in the first half.

A one-two with James Maddison (£7.6m) resulted in Barnes firing into the side netting before the left-winger danced his way through the Watford defence, only to be denied by Ben Foster (£4.8m) from close range.

The Watford goalkeeper was at it again after just after the break, thwarting Barnes from inside the six-yard box.

This was the young midfielder’s tenth start in a row for the Foxes; it was also the tenth successive game in which he has been substituted. Therein lies one of the downsides to Barnes, especially with Rodgers blessed with attack-minded options on the bench and threatening rotation over Christmas.

As was the case at the King Power Stadium on Sunday, it was a Vardy goal that set Leicester on their way to victory.

There is now almost a sense of inevitability that he will get on the scoresheet, regardless of how anonymous he looks.

Ever since Rodgers took over earlier this year, Vardy has wrestled FPL hauls from the jaws of a blank.

The late braces against Fulham and Arsenal, plus belated attacking returns against Huddersfield Town, are still fresh in the mind from the back-end of 2018/19.

Ten of his 14 goals this season have come in the second half and, although his latest strike came courtesy of a generous penalty award after a foul from Adam Masina (£4.3m) on Jonny Evans (£5.1m), he had arguably earned a lucky spot-kick decision, having been harshly penalised – and booked – for simulation in the Watford box earlier in the game.

The in-form premium striker, who remains FPL’s leading points-scorer, almost doubled his tally soon after, only to see his dinked effort hacked away from near the goal-line by a retreating Masina.

Maddison added gloss to the scoreline in injury time, bundling his way forward and firing past Foster to seal the win.

The England midfielder was himself not at his best last night but his owners would have felt they were due some luck after the penalty-taking farce of Gameweek 13 that deprived him of a goal against Brighton.

Normal service was resumed at the other end of the pitch, with Leicester keeping their seventh clean sheet of the season and their fifth in six Gameweeks.

Caglar Soyuncu (£5.1m) and co were seldom troubled, with Kasper Schmeichel (£5.3m) not making a save until injury time.

A Will Hughes (£5.5m) shot that struck Troy Deeney (£6.2m) was as close as the visitors came to breaking the deadlock before that.

Chilwell missed out on the shut-out points, with Rodgers saying of his injured left-back:

Hopefully, will be OK for the weekend. Slight problem with the top of his leg, the hip area. We’ll see how he goes over the next couple of days but hopefully OK.

Watford assets will be low down on many Fantasy managers’ watchlists, certainly until we find out who will succeed Quique Sanchez Flores at Vicarage Road.

Whoever steps into the managerial hotseat has a lot to tackle, with the Hornets seven points adrift at the foot of the Premier League and offering next-to-no attacking threat at the King Power despite their wholehearted performance.

Finding the back of the net has been a real problem in 2019/20 and Watford are the only top-flight team still in single figures for goals, with this latest defeat seeing them muster only four shots in total.

Mullins showed a bit more attacking ambition in deploying a 4-4-1-1, with Deeney in for the injured Jose Holebas (£4.7m), but there was little joy to be had against the Premier League’s meanest backline.

Owners of Crystal Palace and Liverpool defenders will be hoping that Watford remain shot-shy ahead of their encounters in Gameweeks 16 and 17 respectively.

Leicester City XI (4-1-4-1): Schmeichel; Ricardo, Evans, Soyuncu, Fuchs; Ndidi; Perez (Praet 46′), Tielemans (Choudhury 69′), Maddison, Barnes (Justin 80′), Vardy.

Watford XI (4-4-1-1): Foster; Femenia, Mariappa, Cathcart, Masina; Hughes (Quina 83′), Doucoure, Capoue, Sarr; Deulofeu (Success 77′); Deeney (Gray 87′).

Members Analysis

Gameweek 15 – FPL Match Reports

1,030 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    TAA Lund Tomori Soyuncu
    Mane KDB Son
    Jesus Vardy Jiménez

    Button Mings Cantwell Hayden

    Jesus back to Tammy is the ideal transfer right? Got two freebies

    1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Or would you keep for the derby?

    2. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      i would do jimenez to tammy.

      1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Was thinking Pope to Guaita.

        And doing Jesus and Jimmy to Abraham (and someone else) next week

  2. Arse Craic
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    My bench this week = 27 points from 3 players 🙁

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I still have Willems to play on my benches and already have 20pts sitting there so could ending up even worse!

    2. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      rico, tammy & kelly?

      1. Arse Craic
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Spot on!

  3. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Morning!
    Not sure the best moves for GW16 now!

    A) Mount > Son (no CHE attack)
    B) Pope > Hendo/ Guaita
    C) Mount > Pulisic
    D) Dendo > Grealish
    E) Dendo > Son (and keep Mount)
    F) Any combination of two of the above for a -4

    1FT 6.7itb
    Pope, McGovern
    TAA, Lunds, Soy, Willems, Rico
    Mané, Alli, Maddison, Mount, Dendo
    Vardy, Jimi, Ings

    Advice appreciated!

    1. More Cowbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Think I like B best - you've already got a strong XI to field this week and cover all bases. Now's as good a time as any to make the GW transfer where you're weakest.

      Doesn't make sense to me totransfer out mount after he's scored, likewise with Dendo who's doing no harm at all as a cheap 5th. I'd be keeping an eye on Son and looking to bring in Grealish GW18.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Nice one mate, a very measured and sensible reply!

        The worry with Mount is that rotation is pretty likely now. However as we’ve seen this week it could be great to have a player rested when your bench hauls (currently 20pts on mine with Willems to add to that!).

        You reckon Guaita as I’ve got Lord already?

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

      Mount to anyone out of Grealish/Pulisic/Son I think or save FT

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I reckon Dendo > Grealish will be my GW18 move.

        Son v Pulisic v KDB is my debate. The difficulty is Maddison and Mount just scored so to take them out now .... feels wrong!

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

          I sold Mount last night.
          Alli looks irresistible and I had Pulisic too so was an easy move for me.

          Yup im also looking at Son or Grealish for my next mid transfer.

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            The Mount to Pulisic switch feels a bit of a luxury when both could equally be rotated and Mount at least rediscovered his scoring boots!

            Son vs KDB is v tough. It’s faith in the double up vs confidence in KDB delivering longer term what we know he can

  4. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ouch, 52 and a red arrow coming in hot. Didn't think I did that badly

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Went from about 100k to inside 30k in 2 weeks.

      42+Lundstram is going to put me back where I started! Need to get Mané. Going Sterling over him for weeks has really hurt me.

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I thought I had a decent week, red arrow with 55pts + Lundstram.

    3. space mercenary
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Went from 400k to 100k with no Vardy this week. Points off bench with Lunds and Connel still to play.

  5. yer old da
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    How to fund the Martial to KDB upgrade?

    A. Pope & Tomori > Button & Kelly for minus 4 (preferred option, Gazza in goal)

    B. Son > Alli

    C. Jimenez > Ings

    1. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      b or do martial to d silva

  6. Miniboss
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Still early, but trying to figure out how to bring Tammy back in. What do you think?

    A) Jimenez-> Abraham
    B) downgrade Maddison to someone and upgrade Mousset to Abraham (-4)
    C) Tomori to Kelly, Mousset to Abraham (-4)
    D) hold

    1ft, 2.6itb

    Pope
    TAA Soyuncu Lund
    Mane KdB Alli Maddison
    Mousset Jimenez Vardy

    Button Tomori Rico Dendocker

  7. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Took me the first -4 of the season, but hope my bench is now well covered for the rotation season:

    Henderson
    TAA, Aurier, Lundstram
    Mane, Kdb, Alli, Son
    Vardy, Abraham, Jimenez

    Subs: Button, Cantwell, Soyuncu, Rico

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

      Looks great!

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers!

  8. Regin
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    so is tammy an injury doubt again or will he play next match? i sold him for ings. want to get him back but i'll have to take a hit to get him back.

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sounded like it was just a knock and he should play

    2. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sounds like he is fine but they need him against Lille on tuesday and three games in 7 days is a big ask

  9. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Magnus Carlsen is disgusting. 30+ filthy autosub jam points

  10. 1zverGGadeM
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What's the chances for Lundstram to be rested tonight?
    Any Shefield United fans around?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      If it was up to the Sheffield fans on here he would be playing in the conference right now. Wouldn’t listen to them

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Possible. Came off last game towards end and is one booking from suspension. Think wilder might value him more important for the Norwich game on Sunday so wouldn't be surprised if Freeman started tonight instead

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

      0.5% chance.

  11. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What is really annoying about the artificial Abraham price freeze is that having lost so much ownership I bet he's on for another rapid series of price rises.

    If FPL are going to protect against price falls they should also protect against rises. But they won't.

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      They’re doing it because they underpriced him big time. I don’t agree with the method but it is what it is. Underpriced players have always been protected from drops. Salah when he missed 1-2 gws in his big season, KDB earlier this season, now Tammy

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'd be more annoyed he got 12pts than the fact that he only dropped once.

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yes but that is the error and the risk taken by those who sold him. Other factors are entirely artificial.

        1. Jullepuu
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Not much that could have been done about that error given that information on his injury was so limited

  12. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    2 freebies and 1.0m itb... don't even know where to start. Some help would be appreciated. Have no idea who to captain eg.

    Schmeich
    VVD TAA Aurier
    Salah KDB Tielemans Zaha
    Pukki Abraham Vardy

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Button Lundstram Kelly Jorginho

  13. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    GTG gals and boys?

    Henderson
    TAA Soy Lundstram
    Mane Sterling Tielemans Zaha
    Vardy(C) Jimi Tammy

    Pope Cantwell Kelly Tomori

  14. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Gaz or Hendo is this week's dilemma. Gaz better fixture but still don't trust leaky spurs

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hendo

  15. Louis Van Gaalstones
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I have exact funds for Son and Jiminez to Alli and Rashford for free, thoughts?

    1. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Seems sideways

    2. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'd hold until GW17 personally.

  16. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    0 transfers and .9 m in bank ( so short of getting Son or Alli in one move unless take out KDB). Would you WC team now or wait until week 18/19?

    Henderson
    TAA Lundstram Söyüncü
    Mané KDB Pulisic Zaha
    Vardy Lacazette Jiménez

    McGovern Cantwell Rico Diop

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

    Better move to make this week?

    A) Tomori to Aurier
    B) Tielemans to Grealish

    Whichever move I dont make this week will do it in GW18 anyways.
    Could afford Son over Grealish if I wait as I might sell Kane next week and free up some cash.

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Aurier

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

        Leaning towards him. Tomori definitely a liability now and Rudiger should be back next week too.

  18. SOTHPAW
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any changes needed for this week?

    Gazzaniga

    TAA, Soyuncu, Lundstram

    Mane, Alli(c),Son, Pulisic, Maddison

    Vardy(v), Mousset

    Stek, Jimenez, Tomori, Rico

    2.9m itb

    Jimenez to Rashford next week?

  19. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on doubling up on Sheffield defense (Lundstram and Stevens) for their upcoming 4 fixtures (nor, AVL, bha, WAT)? Will WC in GW20. That means keeping Mount in the team.

    A. Do it
    B. Don't do it

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

      I've doubled up on Lundy and Hendo. Still own Mount, tempted to cash in and sell this week. Made a comment below.

  20. Me Spurs
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Manes turn for a rest Saturday?

    1. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      nope

  21. Jullepuu
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What should I do?

    A) Play Mount (eve)
    B) Play Connolly (WOL)
    C take a hit to get Abraham in

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

    Fellow Mount owners, what are you doing? A blank last night would have made a transfer very easy. But Everton away, this weekend. If you keep him for this week, Bournemouth home the following week will be hard to sell again. Thoughts?

    1. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sold him for Alli last night....the goal was a fair goodbyegift!

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

        Wish i had 2M to spare 🙁 How can i fit Alli in then?
        Hendo Button
        TAA Chilwell Montoya Lundy Willems
        Mount Son KDB Pulisic Mane
        Vardy Jimi Greenwood

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

      Bagged the points and sold for Alli last night.

    3. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'll keep him for now and replace him with Grealish when the fixtures turn

  23. Le Bluff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    How to fit Alli into this team and remove Mount?

    Pope / Button
    TAA / Soyuncu / Lundstram / Rico / Janmaat
    Mane / Sterling / KDB / Mount / Cantwell
    Vardy / Abraham / Ings

    2 FTs. 0.00 ITB.

    A) Sterling > Alli
    Mount > ?

    B) TAA > Aurier
    Mount > Alli

    C) Something else?

    1. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A & Pulisic?

      1. Le Bluff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        That was my plan before last night's game. Another 85 minutes for Pulisic has me a little concerned about his gametime for this Saturday though.

    2. Captain_Shirokov
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling to Alli, Mount to Son? Too much?

      1. Le Bluff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        0.1 short!

  24. Hitmonlee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I’ve got two FTs.. would you change

    Kane & Pulisic for
    Son & Tammy

    ?

  25. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Straightforward one:

    Sterling to Son or Alli?

    1. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Alli & money in the pocket

    2. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Got to be Alli in current form I guess.

  26. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best move here? Planning to WC for GW20 so only 4 weeks to consider.

    A) Salah -> Mane (save FT)
    B) Salah & Mount -> Son & Alli
    C) Sterling & JWP -> Son & Pulisic
    D) Sterling & Pukki -> Pulisic & Auba
    E) Sterling & Pukki -> Mane & Ings

    Ryan
    TAA, Aurier, Lundstram
    Salah, Sterling, Mount, JWP
    Vardy, Abraham, Pukki

    Button, Söyüncü, Dendoncker, Williams
    Bank 0.0m, 2FT, WC available

    1. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Salah>Mane
      Sterling>Son

      But C from out of those if I had to pick

  27. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Are most people leaving Cap on Vardy again this weekend? Tempted to take a punt on Son.

    1. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Might captain Mane, Bournemouth look terrible attacking.

    2. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Very very tempted by alli

  28. All For One
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What should I do with Mount?

    1)Keep
    2)Mount>Pulisic
    3)Mount> Maddison (My rival has Maddison) but no Mount

    Thanks

    1. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B looks good to me. Alli another option if you can afford.

      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cool thanks, can't afford Alli but have Son

        1. Jinswick
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          No probs, yeah I'd go Pulisic. Thoughts on my move above?

    2. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      1

      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks need some more opinions, Mount did play good well this gw could of had more than a goal.

  29. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Captain:

    A) Alli (BUR)
    B) Vardy (avl)

    1. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Go for Vardy man can't stop scoring

  30. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Gazza
    TAA Lundstram Soy
    Sterling KDB Mount Cantwell
    Abra Auba Vardy

    Button Kelly Saka Rico

    Is this worth a -4 hit:

    Sterling > Mane
    Saka > Alli
    Auba > Mousset

    I have 2FT 1.1itb and still got WC!