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. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hi folks, so I have a selection headache this forthcoming GW.
    (and I assume many others have the same issue...?)
    I'm obviously saving a transfer, but which two players do I bench?

    ---
    Cantwell (Sheff Utd, HOME)
    Aurier (Burnley, HOME)
    Soy (Villa, AWAY)
    Lundstram (Norwich, AWAY)
    Zaha (Watford, AWAY)
    Ings (Newcastle, AWAY)
    ---

    So tough this week who else has found themselves in this situation?

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

      Cantwell for sure and maybe Soyuncu. Second one is really tough

    2. Rojo's Modern Life
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Bench cantwell, done.

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

      Definitely play Aurier.

      So it's Cantwell, Zaha, Ings, Soy, Lundstram.

      Soy and Cantwell imo.

  2. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    GW18(To field a playing 11)

    Schmeichel
    TAA Robbo Lundy Rico Reid
    Mane Son Zaha Barnes Dendo
    Vardy Jesus Jiminez

    A. Reid to playing defender(5.8)
    B. Robbo to Pereira

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

      If you don't want to get Robbo back and you prefer Pereira over anyone else then remove Robbo.

  3. WrightnBright
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    My rock n roll transfer this week is Diop to Kelly!

    Now for the big question:

    A)Pope to Henderson or Guaita for free?
    B) Roll transfer

    What a time to be alive.

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Roll it and enjoy the Pope save points this weekend

      1. WrightnBright
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        My thoughts too

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

      would get guaita in in a heartbeat

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

    Bench one this game week:

    A) Connolly (WOL)
    B) Soyuncu (avl)
    C) Mount (eve)

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

      A. That wolves defence is getting meaner by the week.

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

        Leaning towards that as well. Could also take a hit for Tammy

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

    Pope,
    TAA, Lundstram, Soyuncu, Willems
    Mane, KDB, Sterling, Mount
    Vardy, Abraham,
    Bench: Button, Connolly, Rico, Saka

    2FT 1.4m ITB
    A) Sterling & Conolly > Son & Abraham
    B) Sterling & Connolly > Alli & Abraham
    C)Sterling, Jiminez & Connolly > Alli, Rashford, Abraham -4

    thoughts?

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

      B

      1. Bagayokeso
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thats what i've been leaning towards. I'm tempted by bringing son in, but i see All's season ceiling as higher than son's due to what hes done in the past

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

          + he is a lot cheaper

  6. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    For the coming week
    Pope
    Aurier dunk lund
    Mane alli(C) kdb zaha
    Vardy abraham rash

    Subs: button, vvd, soy, cantwell
    Good to go?

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

      I would play VVD and maybe captain Vardy. Rest looks good though

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Nah not gonna capt vardy.wanna try smth different.everyone will capt vardy. Quite like mybcaptain pick.

        But why vvd over dunk? I feel brighton have the chance to keep cleansheet against wolves but not liv

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

          You do you mate. You could also play both of them and bench Zaha.

          1. Letsgo!
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Actually u are right too mate, let me think about it. Hows ur team?

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

              Guaita
              TAA Robbo Soy Lund
              Mane KDB Alli Mount
              Vardy Jimenez
              Connolly first sub.

              Could take a hit for Abraham but leaning towards playing Mount. Should maybe start Connolly but I'm not sure..

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

                Made the wrong call ditching Tammy. Costly 50/50. The only hope is Alli Jimenez outperforming Son Ings..

  7. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is moutinho a good pick for a less than 5.5m midfielder?

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

      I'm not a fan. Many players aroud 6mil mark that I think will do a lot better. Grealish and JWP for example

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

        Can't afford them. I would prefer grealish but 0.4 off

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

          Just need for Gameweek 18

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

            I'm just gonna play Hayden game week 18 and keep the money elsewhere

  8. WrightnBright
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which one to bench from this lot chaps?

    A) Söyüncü
    B) Tomori
    C) Lundstrum
    D) Kelly

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

      D

  9. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Repost. Best option here? 2fts.

    a. jimmy > tammy
    b. maddison > alli
    c. both for free

    mane kdb son Maddison dendo
    vardy jimmy ings

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

    GW20 the last chance saloon to use your 1st WC?

  11. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone bench boosting given there are so many points OTB at the moment? Double game week or no, id take 20 points off the bench all day long.

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

      I'm planning on boosting GW17, a lot of homegames that week.

    2. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Not a hope

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

      So why was Salah benched? Thinking about Salah -> Mané, but it might be too late now...

    4. boc610
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Marco Silva seems to permanently have the look on his face of the flash harry who just offered to get a round of drinks for the ladies sitting at the bar but then got turned down

    5. fgdu
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A Leicester defensive double up + Vardy

      VS

      B Leicester def, Maddison, Vardy

      Starting to lean towards A despite maddisons form. There are more in form mids at maddisons price than there are defenders performing like leicester

    6. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I've decided on a GW 18 WC. Will be just making one transfer next week to maximize gains and then off we go:

      Core players to keep: Soyuncu, Lundstram, Mane, KdB, Vardy, Abraham, Alli

      WC tentative:

      Ramsdale Martin
      TAA Soyuncu Lundstram Rico Aurier
      Mane KdB Grealish Alli Dendoncker
      Vardy Abraham Rashford

      Should I be losing TAA for two weeks? How to improve that front 7?

    7. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hi fam,

      So I've narrowed it down to this... which player do I bench?

      1). Aurier (Burnley, HOME)
      2). Soy (Villa, AWAY)
      3). Lundstram (Norwich, AWAY)
      4). Zaha (Watford, AWAY)
      5). Ings (Newcastle, AWAY)
      ---

      So tough this week! - Anyone else found themselves in this situation?

      1. fgdu
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        probably zaha

      2. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        4 or 5

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

        Soy

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

        2 or 5

    8. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A) Abraham Rashford Kelly or
      B) Jimmi Mousset TAA

      1. fgdu
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        B

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Interesting. I have been advised the opposite all week. Tnks

          1. fgdu
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            wait for other peoples opinion haha. My feeling is jimmi and mousset are both in good form and TAA is miles ahead of kelly. You can't ignore rashford big hauls recently though

            1. Eze Really?
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Yep. I will be stubborn and stick with you.

      2. ryacoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        A

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          50/50 it seems

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

        b

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

      Pulisic likely to get a rest? 9 consecutive starts in all comps now

      1. Pinturicchio10
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Probably.

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

        Gtg for the weekend?
        1ft and 0.7itb

        Henderson
        Taa Aurier Lundstram
        Kdb mane Maddison Alli
        Jiménez Vardy Abraham

        Button soy saka hanley

      3. Sz21
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        This GW- would you start..
        1. Kelly.
        2. Cantwell.