Scout Notes

What Bournemouth’s shock win over Leicester means for Fantasy managers

Bournemouth 4-1 Leicester City

  • Goals: Junior Stanislas (£5.8m), Dominic Solanke (£5.1m) x2, Jonny Evans (£5.3m) own-goal | Jamie Vardy (£9.8m)
  • Assists: Callum Wilson (£7.4m), Diego Rico (£4.2m), Stanislas| None
  • Bonus: Solanke x3, Stanislas x2, Vardy x1

Where to start with – and how to make sense of – this one?

A bewildering evening on the south coast saw Leicester City implode spectacularly in a manner that conjured up memories of Brazil’s 7-1 thumping at the hands of Germany six years ago.

From Dominic Solanke (£5.1m) finding the net to the Foxes’ two centre-backs scoring a combined minus five Fantasy Premier League points, it was a scarcely believable watch.

The first 45 minutes went by pretty much as expected, with Jamie Vardy (£9.8m) opening the scoring in a typically opportunistic manner, Brendan Rodgers’ side utterly dominating proceedings, and Bournemouth looking fragile in both defence and confidence.

Leicester went into half-time having racked up 10 shots to the Cherries’ one, with Vardy responsible for five of them.

Only some last-ditch blocks kept the score down, with Nathan Ake (£4.8m) getting a vital touch onto a 36th-minute strike from the Foxes’ forward to deflect one effort up and over.

Based on the first-half evidence, and with Ake limping off injured, many of us would have expected a Vardy haul to materialise and no doubt began looking at options for a Manchester City triple-up in Gameweek 36+.

Eddie Howe switched things around at the interval, making two changes and moving to a wing-back system to match Leicester’s formation, but the first 20 minutes of the second half passed by without much incident.

The Cherries were better, with only poor touches from Solanke and Callum Wilson (£7.4m) ruining promising moves, but had still only registered two efforts on goal before the game turned on its head in the 65th minute.

A suicidal kick out from Kasper Schmeichel (£5.5m) led to Wilson being fouled in the Bournemouth box, with substitute Junior Stanislas (£5.8m) stepping up in the injured Josh King‘s (£6.1m) absence to level the scores from the spot.

Things unravelled from that point for the visitors, with Caglar Soyuncu (£5.0m) seeing red for a kick on Wilson immediately after Solanke had squeezed a shot under Schmeichel.

Jonny Evans (£5.3m) then deflected a Stanislas shot past his own goalkeeper before Solanke rounded off the scoring when pouncing on a dreadful Christian Fuchs (£4.2m) pass.

Substitute Sam Surridge (£4.3m) went on to waste two glorious opportunities in injury time as Leicester’s defence went AWOL.

How to process this result as Fantasy managers?

Firstly, Bournemouth’s admirable second-half fightback isn’t likely to put us off going big on Pep Guardiola’s side in Gameweek 36+, with the Cherries looking brittle at the back.

As plucky as the south coast side were, this was a freakish set of circumstances and Manchester City would unquestionably have swatted aside Howe’s troops had they provided the opposition in the opening 45 minutes.

Bournemouth look likely to be without their best centre-half on Wednesday, too, with Howe saying of Ake:

It doesn’t look too good. With such a short time left of the season, it looks like it’s going to be difficult for him to play.

But what of Leicester?

It’d be easy to chalk this game down as an anomaly from their point of view, too, and it’s unlikely that circumstances will again conspire against them in the way they did on Sunday.

However, the Foxes have taken only 14 points from their last 14 games and they are in serious danger of losing out on a Champions League qualification place that looked all but secured at the turn of 2020.

Soyuncu will now miss the remainder of the season, while the Foxes – who still have doubts over James Maddison (£7.3m) and Ben Chilwell (£5.5m) – ahead of Gameweek 36+ – also lost Marc Albrighton (£5.1m) to injury in the first half.

Luckily, Vardy keeps on scoring regardless.

This was his fourth goal in three games and he himself looks back to his best even if the Foxes continue to be hit and miss, with the support from Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.7m) and Ayoze Perez (£6.0m) in attack working well over the last week.

All three of those players could have added to the Foxes’ lead in the first half and it made Rodgers’ decision to withdraw the Nigerian at half-time, sending on Dennis Praet (£5.2m) in his stead, look particularly odd.

The Leicester boss said of that change:

[Iheanacho] wasn’t having one of his better games. The issue for us defensively was on the side of the pitch, because there was a lot of space for Wilf [Ndidi] and Youri [Tielemans] to cover.

So we pushed Ayo [Perez] on, he was playing well, and added an extra midfielder in to help cover.

But the defeat wasn’t tactical, it was about the spirit.

Turning his ire on his players and Soyuncu, Rodgers added:

I didn’t see it coming. We didn’t have personality in the second half. I would say an apology to the supporters, that was unacceptable for a Leicester City team, the reaction to the red card. We lacked the spirit and attitude.

It’s disappointing because we’re already without three of our key players. We don’t have a big enough squad.

It’s a stupid reaction [from Soyuncu]. His covering position could have been better. It was reckless.

Saying that, we have to defend better. We didn’t show the right spirit when we went down to 10 men.

While Vardy’s own form isn’t in question, that of his team is and the Foxes have three tricky-looking games remaining, starting with a match against a Sheffield United side who look back to their best defensively.

The Golden Boot may be enough to keep his existing owners interested but there’ll be fewer FPL managers looking at him anew, while the rest of the Foxes’ squad will likely be given short shrift altogether.


Bournemouth XI (4-4-2): Ramsdale; Stacey, Ake (S Cook 40′), Kelly, Rico; Brooks (L Cook 81′), Gosling (Billing 45′), Lerma, Danjuma (Stanislas 45′); Solanke, Wilson (Surridge 90′).

Leicester City XI (3-4-1-2): Schmeichel; Justin, Evans, Soyuncu; Albrighton (Bennett 16′), Ndidi, Tielemans, Fuchs; Perez (Barnes 70′) Vardy, Iheanacho (Praet 45′).

Members Analysis

FPL LESSONS LEARNED FROM GAMEWEEK 35+

4,127 Comments Post a Comment
  1. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Good or bad moves?

    Kdb, Aurier, jimi > pulisic, Azpilicueta, Jesus

    Martinez,
    Taa, Azpilicueta, Doherty
    Mane, foden, pulisic, Sterling, Bruno
    Rashford, Jesus
    Subs, button, lascelles, ngakia, Greenwood

    Ings will have to wait until next week!

  2. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone tempted to Vardy > Giroud if we get early news? Wouldn't be bothered with Tammy.

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes i am

    2. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yep he’s in on my free hit if starting

  3. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Guys u getting Jesus and keep him for next 3 GWS ?

    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Possiblé

    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      if i get him yes I will keep

  4. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Fancy a mini Wildcard 8pt hit for the fixture swing this GW:
    Salah>Sterling
    Martial>Willian
    Saka>Antonio OR Pulisic

    Thoughts?

    1. Forgetmeknot
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      High risk- probability I think would see you struggle to break even

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      This can be a nice fh of you still have it

    3. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Keep Martial

    4. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Madness. Look at Salah missed chances recent weeks.

    5. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don’t think it’s worth a -8.

      Salah to Sterling looks good, but Martial to Willian is sideways at best. Is that to fund the Saka upgrade? Who would you play if you kept Saka?

  5. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Play one:

    A. Vardy - SHU (H)
    B. Greenwood - CRY (A)

    Both Leicester and United will want strong comebacks, all to play for.

    1. JURGENAUT
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’m also in the same scenario

  6. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this FH squad?
    Pope
    Azpi, Trent, Digne
    Willian, Pulisic, KDB, Dilva, Bruno
    Jesus, Ings
    (Martin; Greenwood, Bednarek, Lamptey)

    KDB > Salah? Get Sterling even with a likely benching?

    1. Eastman
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Get Antonio

  7. barracuda
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    William or Puli?

  8. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Big shout out to my boy Obafemi and Southampton FC.

    Big up your chest.

    1. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes loved that! What a well deserved point eh!

  9. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What’s the best to do for a GW36+ FH team? Bet on midfielders that are nailed on for 90 minutes more or less, like Salah, Bruno, Martial, Antonio or Puli or players that could potentially haul big time but may be rested like the City guys?

    1. Forgetmeknot
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’m going with Foden, dilva, puli, plus 2 Man Utd mids

    2. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Depending on team news I’d double up Chelsea midfield as differentials, why not have both willian and pulisic plus
      Antonio + 4 city/united attackers just have to pick the right ones

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Martial can struggle to score big away.

      I think you look into Man City squad.

  10. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    RP:

    Get Dilva or Foden in this gw?

    Also, Danny Ings in for a hit this gw? Or start Egan(lei) and get Ings next gw for free?

    1. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden, dsilva last game week

    2. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Both

  11. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who to captain?
    A) Ings
    B) Salah
    C) KDB

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pulisic.

      But seriously, A.

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        this Pusilic

    2. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah. Ings will be knackered and golden boot probably gone

      1. Bartowski
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        You reckon he might get rested?

  12. I Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Going to go ahead and pull the trigger on Jimmy to Ings.

    Will consider Mahrez to Dilva for a hit tomorrow.

  13. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bruno or Salah on FH?

    1. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        cheers bolly...

      2. Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Bolly's at home 😉

  14. Soldham8
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Current team (used 2 FT already - Mane > Pulisic, Jimenez > Ings)

    Ederson
    Trent Holgate Doherty
    KDB Pulisic Martial Bruno Mahrez
    Ings Greenwood

    (Button, Saiss, Lascelles, Nketiah)

    Do I take a -4 Mahrez > Sterling too???

    1. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Could be golden. Dilva the more safer choice though.

      1. Soldham8
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Was thinking Dilva also. Mini league rival already has Sterling, so thought it could be a good blocker?

  15. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA Doherty Aurier
    Sterling KDB Mahrez Bruno Martial
    Rashford Jimenez

    (3.9 Holgate Cathcart Nketiah)
    1Ft & 0.8m

    A) Jimenez ➡ Ings
    B) Jimenez & Mahrez ➡ Jesus & Pulisic -4

    Think if I get Pulisic in I will captain him but not sure if it's the best idea.
    Sterling/Bruno/Rash also under consideration for the armband.

    Appreciate your thoughts!

  16. Tomas_brolin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which of these starts in GW36?

    Ings - looked tired, injury record
    Aurier - compassionate leave
    KdB and Mahrez - Pep

  17. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Predicted minutes for Mahrez for BOU match ?

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      We’re all really guessing but if you hear anything let me know. I’d love to captain him!

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        :O

        1. Soldham8
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I have him, but unsure whether to take -4 for Sterling. Tough call!

  18. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Have a decision to make.

    Dilva (BOU) or Pulisic (NOR)

    Just for this GW?

    1. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pulisic

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dilva

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      P

  19. Meme2011
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    money no object, which midfielder is gonna top score this week?

  20. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Third City player:

    Dilva or Jesus

    1. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Both

  21. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Guys plz help me here

    Which of the following move(s) would u make. 1 is free other will be for -4

    A) Son ----> Pulisic/dilva/antonio

    B) KDB -----> pulisic/dilva antonio

    C) aurier -----> digne/tarkowiski (have lacelles 1st sub)

  22. cigan
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would you do any changes here?
    +
    Martial & Jimenez
    or
    Pulisic/Willian & Rashford?

    Patricio
    Trent Doherty Holgate
    Salah Bruno Martial* DSilva Foden
    Jesus Jimenez* (Greenwood)

  23. Tickle Me Enzo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Wish I could transform this chip into a 'free hit & formation,' and roll out with a 1-7-2.

  24. SouthCoastSaint
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Just on the sterling debate, as it seems to be filling these pages. He came on and hauled as a sub recently. Just get your bench in order. I’d be more than happy as owner with 30 mins against a tired Ake-less Bournemouth defence. Maybe don’t captain

  25. Eastman
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Those with free hit - this week or gw38?

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      this

      City Chelsea Ings pope

    2. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think this is the one. GW38 is always chaos

  26. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone else selling Kane?

    1. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Lol I’m the only person considering him on a free hit. Don’t fancy sterling’s minutes and I have a lot of money to burn

  27. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone remember at the end of last season Man Utd drawing 1-1 and losing 2-0 with a relegated Huddersfield and Cardiff? Hopefully no repeat for Chelsea vs. Norwich!

  28. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Mané to Salah with a transfer?? First to 3 wins!! Haha

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      no

    2. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No

    3. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Noooo not this week

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers gents!! I like decisiveness!! Haha

        1. Vazza
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          That’s the move I’m potentially going for next week.

          I need your assistance (again) please buddy.

          Who to (i) bench and (ii) captain this week (with FA Cup rotation in mind) -

          1. Mane
          2. KDB
          3. Sterling
          4. Foden
          5. Fernandes
          6. Rashford
          7. Greenwood
          8. Ings

          Thanks 🙂

  29. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Surely Dilva is a better option than a Chelsea mid even if you are doubling up with Jesus?

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Til end of season yes, this week Chelsea

    2. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bournemouth have more to play for

      1. Bartowski
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sure but City are a lot better than Chelsea

  30. gauzah
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Why is everyone going Puli over Willian?

    1. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A lot of penalty points. Pulisic looks more likely to score a hat trick in open play against the worst defence in the league