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. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best 3 defenders to have for GW36?

    Also why is everyone selling TAA?

    1. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Had him since day 1, can survive a week without.

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        That’s what I said before they played Leicester

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I like Alonso (if he starts),
      Azpi, Targett.

      1. George Agdgdgwngo
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Really hope alonso starts

  2. School of Poch
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On FH already have Sterling & Jesus

    Who to complete city attack?

    A: Foden
    B: KDB
    C: Dilva

    ML rival who is chasing has A and B

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

      A

    2. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

    Although i'm likely bring him in this gw i'm surprised Pulisic top of the captain poll

    Last time he got double figures was gw10.

    I suppose it is NOR.

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He had been injured for ages tbf

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

      Same. Not sure I trust him with the armband.

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Unsure, don’t usually like first game C etc.

  4. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    For rest of season:

    a) Salah
    b) Sterling

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

      A

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah based on no other competitions

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

      B

    4. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Easy B. He faces the 3 worst teams in the league

  5. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    City defensive punt....since “should” be B defence for next two league games
    A. Cancelo
    B. Zinchenko
    C. Log off

  6. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Kane > Ings ?

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

      Kane to ANYONE

  7. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    a) Jimi > Ings
    b) Mahrez > Dilva
    c) Mahrez & Rashford > Pulisic & Jesus
    d) KDB & Jimi > Sterling & Giroud
    e) None of the above

    (a or d would mean benching Greeny or Rash)

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

    Pulisic captain, Tuesday night 2 pointer

  9. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Drop One on Free Hit:

    A) Antonio
    B) Willian
    C) Fernandes

    1. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

    Still worth it to do Jimenez ➡️ Ings -4??

  11. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who starts for chelsea giroud or Tammy?

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

      Giroud

    2. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      G

    3. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Giroud.

    4. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Giroud, Tammy has a horror show vs sheffield

      1. ShaunGoater123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Conclusive, thanks all

  12. Irish Villan 1985
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bottomed 🙁

    Salah to Sterling lads?

    McCarthy

    TAA, VVD, Doherty

    Sterling, KDB, Fernandez, Pulisic, Martial

    Greenwood, Kane

    Thoughts?

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I wouldn't especially because of Arsenal. Lose KDB instead?

      1. Irish Villan 1985
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Or Kane to Jesus?

  13. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Last try:

    WC Team with 1.4ITB. Thought and suggestions are welcomed 🙂

    Pope
    Robbo - Egan - Aurier
    Salah - DSilva - Bruno - Martial - Pulisi(c)
    Jesus - Ings

    Button - Greenwood - Saiss - Lascelles

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      *Alderweireld for Aurier

    2. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Id play saiss over egan

    3. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yah, I'd lose Aurier. I read here that his brother was shot dead outside a nightclub in France, yesterday...

  14. CFC1990
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would Mahrez (as I think he may be benched) to Pulisic captain be a good move this week?

  15. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jimi to Jesu worth -4?

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’m doing it

  16. Pickle juice
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which 3 city players for this game week only.....free hit

    I am currently on d.silva foden and jesus

    1. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah good selections, Raheem other consideration

      1. Pickle juice
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah sterling or Jesus.......?

        Pretty sure foden and d silva start due ro fa cup game following

  17. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So GW36 FH seems largely a punt on Chelsea.

    GW38 FH seems maybe a punt on arsenal.

    But the biggest punt is choosing 3 Man city starters either week.

    Anyone reckon FH38 will have more big guns starting v Norwich than this week, or is that just pointless guessing?

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

      All guesswork

    2. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not necessarily, but at least you will likely have a leaked City lineup before the deadline.

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

      GW38 I will guess Dilva will play 80 minutes or something for a goodbye so that’s probably one safe spot, tjat’s why I FH in GW38.

  18. Footballfriend
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    RMT - serious dilemma about what to do.

    Ederson (4.0)

    Doherty, TAA, Aurier, Holgate (3.9)

    KDB, Bruno, Martial, Pulisic, Son

    Vardy, Jimi, Greenwood

    I'd like to do Jimi - Ings but the worry is neither aurier nor holgate play and I'm left with 2 defenders only.

    Is the correct decision definitely to swap out aurier for a certain to play defender?

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

      I don't think Aurier will play? He suffered a personal loss recently... Maybe Digne if you can afford him, or Baldock? Or Tarkowski at home against the Wolves?

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

        I don't think he will either due to the sad news I saw earlier today. I'd be happy enough for holgate to play if he's uninjured and use my FT on Jiminez or Son, but I'm just wondering should I take that gamble!

  19. paza12
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Free hit team good to go? Cheers!

    Pickford
    Digne TAA Azpi
    Willian Pulisic Kdb Sterling Antonio
    Jesus Ings

    1. Pickle juice
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hmmm not sure about kdb

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

      Good to go. Only worry is if City rotate.

  20. The Blackadder
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best defender for 5.9 or less this week would be who?

    1. Oscar Slater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Rudiger

      1. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Will he play due to his brothers death?

        1. No Kane No Gain
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          That’s aurier

    2. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Digne

  21. tmk824
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which 2 up front?
    A) Vardy and Jesus
    B) Vardy and Ings
    C) Ings and Jesus

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

      c

      1. tmk824
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks

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

      C this week

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

      A

  22. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who would you leave out on FH?

    Pulisic, Willian, Antonio or Dilva.

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If we know both chelsea start, I'd have them.

      Probably antonio.

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

      Leave out D Silva

    3. NIKO.
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Antonio

  23. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I think it's a good time to bench boost.Any thoughts?

    Pope/McCarthy
    VVD/Taylor/Boly/Fredericks/Alonso
    Sterling/Fernandes/Foden/Martial/Sarr
    Jesus/Jimenez/Greenwood

    1ft 1.4itb

    a)Jimenez+Sarr->IngsGiroud+Pulisic(-4)
    b)Jimenez+Sarr+Greenwood->Ings+Soucek/Armstrong/Barkley+Giroud(-8)
    c)Jimenez+Sarr+Greenwood->Ings+Antonio+JRodriquez(-8)
    d)Jimenez+Sarr+Greenwood->Ings+Bowen+DCL(-8)

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

    gtg? or should I FH to bring in more Chelsea & better city players?

    Pope
    TAA Boly Aurier
    Salah KDB Mahrez Bruno Pulisic
    Ings Jesus

  25. Mr. Chimes
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    2 FTs and just feel like I need to do something to this team. Would love some input.

    Patricio
    Saiss TAA Azpi
    KDB Salah Bruno Martial Pulisic
    Greenwood Ings

    Button Jiminez Lascelles Holgate

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tough one that, you're missing City but tricky to squeeze one in. Salah to Sterling is an option but I think Mo could be a good differential this week, Arsenal are poor at the back and we're not even sure if Sterling starts. If you wanted a punt you could swap Jimi to Giroud and start him over Greenwood.

      To be fair you're probably good to burn a FT or maybe Lascelles to Taylor who has slightly better fixtures and is good cover for Pope?

      1. Mr. Chimes
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah that’s a good idea with Lascelles. I want so very badly to fit in City players but I feel like it’s a trap. Dilva would be fun but again who knows. Appreciate the reply!

  26. Phil's Stamps
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    2FT, don't want to take a hit. Which one of these would you NOT do this week?

    A) Get Pulisic/Willian
    B) Get Ings
    C) Get a 3rd City player

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

      pulisic ings

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

        get pulisic and ings

    2. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

  27. Totti
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    freethit this team?

    pope
    TAA doherty holgate fernandez femenia
    KDB salah B.Fernandez martial 4.2
    vardy jimenez greenwood

    1FT

  28. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    % chances of starting for City:
    A) Foden
    B) Sterling
    C) David Silva
    D) Mendy

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

      A) 100 %
      B) 25 %
      C) 100 %
      D) 50%

    2. GE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      80, 50, 70, 50

  29. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any team leaks likely tomorrow before the chelsea game?

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

      may be yes

  30. Hungry Singh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah or Sterling?

    Latter seems obvious but Salahs numbers in combination with the fact that Arsenal looked absolute poop at the back seems a very cheeky Captain call....