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. LeytonOrient
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    20 points ahead of rival. Lack of martial is clawing them back. Teams v similiar.
    1. do i take -4 to swap wan bissaka out to bring martial in
    2. Does Mane take the chop - who else?
    3. What defender fills WB spot (tempted to go for egan to mimic)

    Pope (4.0)
    TAA Wan Bissaka Doherty Aurier Simpson
    KDB Mane Bruno Pulisic Guenduzi
    Vardy Jimmy Greenwood

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

    Pope
    TAA AWB Saiss
    Salah KDB Fernandes Mahrez Foden
    Greenwood Vardy

    Henderson Lascelles Connolly Lundstram

    1FT, 3.2 itb

    1. Connolly >> Ings [bench Mahrez] (push the button before price rise)

    2. Mahrez >> Willian / Pulisic (wait for team news) [get Ings next week]

    Cheers

    1. LeytonOrient
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1 for me - Reckon KDB or Mahrez get short minutes

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

        So would 2 make sense too? Or am I better off holding Mahrez for his next match v Watford

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

    Thoughts on this plan

    Pope
    TAA, Doherty, Taylor
    KDB, *Mane, Pulisic, Bruno, Martial
    Greenwood, *Jimenez

    Button, DCL, Aurier, Lascelles

    2FT

    GW 36
    Mane and Jimenez to Sterling and Ings

    GW 37

    Pulisic and DCL to Aubameyang and 4.1 mid for -4

    GW 38

    FH

    Thoughts?

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

    Danny Ings worth a hit?

    Or would you rather start Egan against Leicester and get Ings the following week for free?

    1. LeytonOrient
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      who is he coming in for?

  5. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH36:

    Ederson
    Digne - Alonso(Azpi)
    Sterling Pulisic Bruno Willian Martial
    - Jesus

    A) AWB, Ings
    B) Stephens, Rashford

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

    Still worth it to do..

    Jimenez/Vardy ➡️ Ings -4?

  7. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    James or Zouma?

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

      Wait for early news imo.

      If both start, then James I would say

  8. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah didnt score this season away when Mane starts. I know it's too risky but think i'm going Salah to Sterling (C) especially because i'm chasing imo. Nothing to lose i guess

  9. simong1
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would you FH this or wait until GW38?

    Martinez
    TAA - Doherty - Saiss
    Salah - KDB - Mahrez - Fernandes - Pulisic
    Ings - Greenwood - Jesus

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      i would keep

  10. 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 Greenwood or Rashford)

    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm doing A but I will be benching a City mid. Could easily see neither Mahrez nor KDB start.

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

    Sterling, Foden, Salah, Pulisic, Fernandes
    Jesus, Giroud

    Any better front 7 on Free Hit?

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

      Silva for fernandes

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

        Then Jesus to Ings/Rashford?

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

      Martial for bruno

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

      Im giving Antonio a shout this week on my fh. Also Dilva over Foden

    4. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Antonio maybe instead of Foden

  12. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    United looked tired today. They will likely win against Palace but I'd be surprised if the big scoring games of before feature for the rest of the season.

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

      Bruno disappearing act

    2. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Chelsea weren't exactly firing on all cylinders against Sheff United either. It'll be interesting to see what United and Chelsea do with their lineups in their next league games and the FA Cup game. On the one hand, both teams are only two wins away from a trophy, but on the other hand going all in to win the semi final with their best team could end up costing them a champions league place.

      1. sully29
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I strongly suspect United will rotate in the FA Cup, especially as they're also still in the UEFA Cup.

    3. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Maybe Southampton are due some credit.

      I did predict this would be a tough game for united as they have had all the time in the world last few games, something Southampton wouldn't allow

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

    Why do you think we might know some more about lineup before deadline?

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

      Fplrockstar

  14. HeyHeyDembo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any thoughts on this Free hit team?

    McCarthy
    Azpi-Digne-Maguire
    KDB-Sterling(C)-William-Pulisic
    Vardy-Jesus-Ings

  15. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    2FT and 0.6 ITB, thoughts very much appreciated.

    Pope
    TAA Doherty AWB
    KDB Salah Bruno Foden
    DCL Rashford Jimenez

    (Button Kiko Hayden Lascelles)

    A) DCL to Giroud
    B) DCL and Docerty to Ings and Stevens
    C) Something else

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

      A looks good

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers mate.

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

      A, but wait for team news to confirm starting spot

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers, but being that deadline is 4.15 am for me, I don't think that's really an option this week unfortunately!

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

    Play Vardy (SHU) or Greenwood (cry)

    Rival has Greenwood and not Vardy and likely to play Greenwood..

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

      Greenwood... Vardy is the top goal scorer after all

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

      whats point in having vardy if your not going to play him?! Scoring for fun, and they need a result for cl race.

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

        same can be said for Greenwood though, he has outscored Vardy recently

  17. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who is a better option this gameweek?

    A) Richarlison

    B) Ings

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

      B

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

  18. liiusions
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Fabianski
    TAA Doc Boly
    Sterling KdB Mahrez Bruno Martial
    Jiminez Greenwood
    (Martinez DCL Ritchie Holgate)
    0.1ITB 2FT

    Thinking of ditching Mahrez/DCL for a City/Chelsea combo that will start and benching Jiminez this week, thoughts?

  19. Wılly
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH Draft

    DDG
    Doherty Digne Alonso/Azpi
    Salah Sterling Dilva Fernandes Pulisic
    Jesus Giroud

  20. Steinburg FC
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    do we not think Sterling will be benched? just played 90mins and FA cup after.
    I see a front line of Foden, Jesus, Bsilva with sterling coming of the bench for Jesus 60mins.

    1. Mr. Mystic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I was thinking the same

      1. Steinburg FC
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        i'm free hitting and i have no player over 10m X-)

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

      Its man City, no point speculating, will never know with pep.

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

        Only before gw38 😉

    3. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'll take sterling cameo of 30 minutes against a tired Bournemouth defence

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This

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

    How does this FH look?

    Pope
    Azpi, Trent, Digne
    Willian, Pulisic, KDB, Dilva, Bruno
    Jesus, Ings
    (Martin; Greenwood, Bednarek, Lamptey)

    KDB > Salah or Raz? Willian > Antonio? Something else?

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

      I’d go Kdb to Sterling. Looks great

  22. Moeda
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Trailing ML leader by 22points. Teams almost identical.
    Worth doing Mahrez, Vardy and Jiminez > Jesus, Pulisic and Ings
    Gives me 3 more differentials.

    1. Moeda
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      for a -8

    2. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Can you do Vardy Mahrez-> Jesus Pulisic?

  23. rokonto
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What's the site to use if I want to see a prediction of my my world rank

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

      Livefpl

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

        Thanks

  24. aardvark22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What's best transfer for this GW?
    A) vardy to Jesus
    B) Jimi to Jesus
    C) DCL to Ings
    D) DCL to Giroud

    DDG
    VVD, Doherty, Saiss, Lascelles, Holgate
    KDB, Bruno, Martial, Antonio, Foden
    Vardy, Jimi, DCL

    1FT, 3.2m in bank

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

      A

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

    What is the best move here guys?
    1.1 itb, 1ft

    1) Leno Sarr-> McCarthy Willian for-4
    2) Vardy/Jimi Sarr-> Ings Willian for -4
    3) Mahrez -> Willian
    4) Vardy-> Jesus

    Krul
    TAA - Doherty - Baldock
    KdB - Fernandes - Martial-Mahrez
    Greenwood - Jimenez -Vardy

    Subs: sarr Lascelles Lund. Leno

  26. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    20 points behind ml leader and he has fh chip left. Salah my main differential.

    Should I just captain Mo against Arsenal and hope for best?

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

      Yes!

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Was thinking if Arteta rotates his squad against Liverpool.

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

    Who starts up front for Chelsea tomorrow?

    1. LeytonOrient
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Giroud

  28. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I need to tap into the Burnley defence don't I? C Taylor?

  29. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Struggling what to do here or whether to Free Hit.

    I'm currently thinking Mahrez/KDB to Pulisic/Sterling (-4), thoughts?

    Current team:
    Pope
    Doherty TAA Wan-Bissaka
    Mane Mahrez KDB Fernandes Foden
    Jiminez Vardy

    Subs: Greenwood, Aurier, Lascelles

  30. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jimi Ings or Giroud this week?

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm going for Gru.

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not Jiminez v Burnley