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

    I have no idea what to do.. likely just saving my FT so I have 2 for next week? FH in GW38+

    Martinez
    AWB Doherty Aurier (Taylor likely in for Aurier)
    KDB Bruno Willian Pulisic Antonio
    Vardy Rashford

    Jota, Taylor, Lascelles bench

    Anything worth doing? I have 3.2 ITB.....

    Should I get another City? Should I save, and was thinking for Ings/ Man City in for Jota/Antonio for GW37

    Don't really think a hit is worth it...

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

      One of your strikers to Jésus? Be risky to lose either of your strikers, obviously, I'm sure you'll agree...but could sell Jota. Severe benching headache, though...

      1. Pulisic 4 President
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Problem is I can't go Jota -> Jesus, not enough funds.

        And it doesnt seem worth getting Jesus in over Vardy/Rashford who are guaranteed 90'

        Yes, then who do I bench as well...

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

    Best goalkeepers for a FH in 36?

    Ederson for me. Takes a place of City, but a sure starter.

    Dont want Kepa as I will have one of Azpi/Alonso starting.
    Have 3 from United in Attack.

    Only Pope or Mcartny maybe are a good punt.

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

      You are Free Hilting and playing 3 UTD? With City and Chelsea playing worst 2 teams in League and Palace usually hard to crack at home?

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

      have you watched palace recently??

  3. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    hows this team on FH

    ederson
    awb, digne, azp
    bruno, sterling (c), Dsilva, antonio, pulisic
    ings, vardy

    subs- foster, greenwood, lund, kiko

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

      I’d rather have DDG and Jesus instead of Vardy & Ederson

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

      Needs capitals... 😉

  4. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Start Lascelles or Kiko?

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

      Kiko.

    2. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Think I'd start Lascelles there, capable of defending well at home.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers both, 1 apiece

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

          Newcastle have been playing more attacking football which has reduced their clean sheets. They are bottom for xG conceded in the league since the restart.

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

    Best 3 defenders on a fh? No money limit but no Man C

    1. Joyce1998
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      awb, digne, azp

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

      Azpi Alonso Digne

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

        This

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

        Hope not, just bought James in lol

    3. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      James/Alonso, AWB, Digne.

    4. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Trent, Azpilicueta, Wan-B

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

        Thanks folks

  6. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bottomed. Anything worth taking a hit for here on my Bench Boost? Wary of no Chelsea, Jesus/Sterling.

    Henderson (lei) - McCarthy (BRI)
    TAA (ars) - Dohery (bur) - Aurier (new) - Lascelles (TOT) - Stephens (BRI)
    Salah (ars) - KDB (BOU) - Bruno (cpl) - Foden (C) (BOU) - Soucek (WAT)
    Vardy (SHU) - Rashford (cpl) - Ings (BRI)

    Worth getting Aurier, Lascelles, out on a hit?

    Cheers!

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

    Who is a better option this week provided all start?

    A. Pulisic
    Or
    B. Dilva
    OR
    C. Foden

    1. Joyce1998
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

        A

    2. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Toss a coin there.

    3. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Have to fancy Pulisic after what happened to Chelsea last week, and what happened to United today

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

      b

  8. The Big Larsbowski
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Need some advice here. Bench one:

    Antonio
    Willian
    Pulisic
    Martial
    KDB
    Kane
    Ings
    Rashford

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

      Kane

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

      All I know is one is a donkey

    3. The Big Larsbowski
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thinking Ings. He might be up for a rest next game. But Kane is a good second

      1. That Was Easy!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ings not getting rested given the manager's comments on golden boot.

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

    Lads help me here please. 1 FT and 0.7 iTB. Chasing 35 points.

    Martinez
    TAA-Maguire-Boly
    Salah-KdB-Foden-Bruno-Pulisic
    Jimenez-Rash

    Nyland-Baldock-Lascelles-Nketiah.

    Thinking to do Salah to Sterling (C) as my both rivals wont have Sterling this GW.

    Thoughts?

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

    Too risky to (C) Sterling & (VC) KDB?

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

      If you really want to captain one do it but I’d have a more concrete VC to be sure

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

    Free Hit Played, RMT:

    Pope
    Doherty Azpi Wan-Bissaka
    Sterling (c) Martial Pulisic Bruno KDB
    Jesus Ings

    Button Stephens Cresswell Connolly

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

      Rather have Trent than Doherty if you could stretch it.

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

      Nice

  12. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Do you think Neco Williams will start at least 1 match in the 3 left?

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

      Nah

  13. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    1 FT

    A) Vardy > Jesus
    B) Vardy Jiménez > Jesus Ings (-4)

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

      A or save FT

  14. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy to Jesus for -4?

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

      Na.

    2. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not for me, Vardy with 90 just edges it IMO.

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

      I would, a haul would cover the -4

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

    Ballers, 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?

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yay on GW36 moves. I'd see how Auba looks against Pool and go from there.

  16. Sid123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A or B please

    A Mane/salah and jesus

    Or

    B Sterling and ings

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A for me with Salah.

  17. Alli
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A. Jimé > Ings
    B. Save FT

    Pope - Martin
    TAA - Doherty - Digne - Saiss - Lascelles
    Mané - KDB - Mahrez - Fernandes - Foden
    Rashford - Jiménez - Greenwood

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

      a

  18. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling or Pulisic captain this week?

    Usually hate to captain a player in the first game of the week..

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pulisic for me there, Foden really the only city player I'd want to captain, strangely.

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

    Thoughts on this FH including Salah,
    if not Salah, who would you go for?

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

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

      Mega mega mega

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

      Do it, as an Arsenal fan it’s been a pain watching him over the years he alwaya does well against us and the defending against Spurs was poor. With the additional threat of rotation and resting players for the Fa Cup i think it’s a good choice

  20. yer old da
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A, B or C?

    A. Vardy > Jesus
    B. KDB > Sterling
    C. Davis > Foden

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

      C

    2. Costa Nostra
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A easy

  21. Dynamic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who would you bench?

    KDB (BOU)
    Pulisic (NOR)
    Salah (ars)
    Bruno (cry)
    Martial (cry)
    Ings (BRI)
    Jimenez (bur)
    Greenwood (cry)

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

      Jimenez or Greenwood

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

    Bench 1:

    A. KDB
    B. Greenwood
    C. Vardy

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

      B

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

      c.....

    3. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

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

    Hows this team on FH?

    Ederson
    TAA AWB Azpi
    Sterling Bruno Puli Willian Antonio
    Rash Jesus

    Mccarthy Saiss Pieters Connolly

    1. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Liverpool will conceed

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

        Have TAA mostly to block my opponent in mini league, we all know what he is capable of doing on a good day..

  24. Meccano
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hi guys, little help...?

    Currently have Sterling, KDB and no Chelsea.

    1. KDB and Jimenez toPulisic and Jesus (-4) - but would need to hit again to get KDB back for last two
    2. TAA and Jimenez to 6.1 DEF and Jesus (-4) - keep KDB and watch Pulisic / Willian from behind the sofa!

    (4 points behind ML leader who has Pulisic, Willian and KDB)

    Thanks!

  25. woodles
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Could do kdb and Ayew to Pulisic and Jesus -4. Would need to act tonight. Thoughts? Gives me an awful benching headache however which starts with benching mahrez in gw36

  26. cravencottage
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mane , Rodriguez > Foden, Jesus. Yes or no?

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

    Ritchie Jimenez to Azpi Ings?

    Alisson
    VVD Doherty Ritchie
    KDB Mahrez Foden Fernandes Martial
    Rashford Jimenez

    Martinez DCL Holgate Taylor

    2FT £0.7m

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tempted by Reece James?

  28. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    if you have 2 free transfers and play free hit do you keep 2 free transfers?

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nope

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

      No man, back to 1

  29. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On FH pick one:

    A) Rashford

    B) Ings

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

      Ings

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

    Bottomed, first to 5 would be amazing, to finally put this to bed:

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

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

    Thanks all

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Expecting a Mahrez benching?

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

      2