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

    How about this team for a FH?

    Pope
    Digne R. James Azpi(Alonso)
    Salah Sterling KDB Bruno Puli
    Jesus Greenwood

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Can you be sure R.James plays? Like it, I'd go Azpil over Alonso

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

        Will check for early team sheets.

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

      I know its norwich but I still wouldn't double up on our defense

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

        I just think Chelsea are one of the teams that are most likely to keep a clean sheet this GW. Would you rather go for Willian or Giroud instead of James?

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

      I think there’s a good chance Greenwood gets rested this game so I’ve left him out of mine

    4. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Kdb will start?

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

        50/50 I guess, too risky to go without?

    5. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dilva Foden Willian needed

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

        Cheers for input, but who to drop for them?

  2. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope
    TAA, Mendy, Robbo
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Pulisic
    Jesus, Rashford, Greenwood
    (Martin, Egan, Lascelles, Dendonkey)

    Any changes you would recommend? I'm stuck on captain choice this week, Jesus is tempting me but can't be sure he starts. What you reckon?

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

      I'd go with Pulisic captain, especially if there's any early team news

      1. Kay317
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks I might go for him, would be a good differential but could backfire massively. My closest rivals keep going for Bruno, no reason to suggest they won't again and I can't afford to slip up now, there's only about 6 points between us. I need to make up some ground but not sure it's worth that much of a gamble.

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

    A or B for free?

    A. Davis > Foden
    B. Vardy > Jesus

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    4. mash
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A for me, but it's close

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

      A

  4. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would like to get some opinons please! Which do you guys like better with a current bench of:

    Lascelles (TOT, bri) - Mooy - Stephens (BRI, bou) - Henderson (lei, EVE)

    A) GW36: Jimmy + Vardy --> Jesus + Ings (-4)
    GW37: AWB + Mooy --> Any defender + Martial (-4, BB)

    B) GW36: Jimmy + Mooy --> Ings + Dilva (-4, BB)
    GW37: AWB + Pulisic --> Any defender + Martial (-4)

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Anyone?

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

    Best move here? Cheers

    A. Mahrez -> Pulisic
    B. Jimmy -> Ings
    C. Mahrez/Jimmy -> Pulisic/Jesus -4

    Pope Martinez
    TAA AWB Doherty Fernandez Taylor
    Salah KDB Bruno Mahrez Foden
    Vardy Greenwood Jimmy

    1. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Probably A

    2. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

      c for me.

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

      Cheers

  6. mash
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    (Repost)

    Pope
    TAA AWB Doherty
    Salah KDB Fernandes Martial FOden
    Vardy DCL

    1FT, 1.0 in the bank

    A) Vardy to Jesus
    B) Salah to Pulisic
    C) Salah to Sterling/D.Silva
    D) A + B/C for a -4
    E) Something else

    Planning to do just A at the moment and maybe B as well if there's early team news - what would you say?

    1. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I've done Vardy to Jesus. But if I was going to ditch salah it would have to be for sterling, not Pulisic

      1. Kay317
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I think DCL is your issue really. Any way to make him Ings?

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

          0.1 short of DCL to Ings, so would need to take a hit. And unfortunately Vardy to Jesus would still leave me with 1.0 in the bank...

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

    Bottomed:

    Who scores more...

    1. Ings (BHA bou) Mahrez (wat)
    2. Pulisic (NOR liv) Ings (bou)

    Thanks

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

      2 , Ings by himself beats Ings and Mahrez

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

        its across the next 2 gameweeks

    2. C'mon the Fylde
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      2

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

      Ings (BHA) + Mahrez (wat)
      vs
      Pulisic (NOR) + Pulisic (liv),

      Pulisic IMO

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

        yeah bit simpler that way haha

  8. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anybody captaining pulisic but still worried cause is the first game!

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

      Why would that be a worry?

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      lol me

      Doesnt make sense but terrible wishing your own players would do worse

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

      That wouldn't be a worry

  9. C'mon the Fylde
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Next transfer will be a 4 point hit.

    Chasing top 2. Very close.

    Am I GTG?

    Patricio
    TAA Doherty Egan
    Antonio(c) Dilva Bruno Martial Pulisic
    Vardy Rashford

    Leno, Mings, Basham, Nketiah

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      GTG. Hope Antonio repeats last games antics for you.

      1. C'mon the Fylde
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Looking at his prior record, he's hauling every other game.

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

    Any reasons to be confident Sterling will start?

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      im not confident he will...

      Full 90 and right before Arsenal but who knows

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

      Yup. If he starts that would be just 2nd in row.

      Mahrez start 6 out of 7 games after restart. Only striker Jesus started last 5.

      Im pretty confident that Sterling start vs Bournemouth and in FA cup vs Arsenal and then get rest vs Watford.

  11. cutch
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    With no Chelsea players, and no room in my midfield,

    Is it worth Van Dijk -> Azpi?

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dont do it

    2. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If it's for free it could work. Azpil has been getting the odd attacking return and they do have an easy fixture (on paper).

  12. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    GW38 only...

    A) Auba (WAT) + Dilva (NOR)
    B) Jesus (NOR) + Pulisic (WOL)

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

      A for me!!

  13. Kemosabe1
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Taa to Doherty
    Vardy to Jesus
    Dcl to ings

    For -8 yes or no?

    Or hold vardy this week and do the rest for -4

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

      I would only do Ings.

      Why getting rid of TAA?

      1. Kemosabe1
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Taa is the cash cow to get ings

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

    BB this week and unsure which is better

    A) ASM -> Foden
    B) Vardy -> Jesus
    C) Rashford -> Jesus

    Cheers

    1. Kemosabe1
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      b

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

      a

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

    Salah C

    Who is with me?

  16. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bare with, which combo scores more points? Team Pulisic or Team Sterling? FH in 38.

    GW36: Pulisic (NOR) vs Mahrez (BOU)

    GW37: Lascelles (bri) vs Any 5.5m or less DEF
    Mahrez/Dilva/Foden (wat) vs Sterling (wat)

    5.5m or less DEFs of choice: Any Sheff (EVE) - Tark (nor) - Cancelo (wat)

    Its Mahrez --> Pulisic this GW or hold the FT. 2FTs in 37 to move money from defence to fund Sterling in. Pulisic would be in and straight back out to a City mid (max 11.5m), brought in on a hunch after the BOU game - similar to Cancelo, if Walker misses BOU...

    Any thoughts appreciated.

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

      who ****ing knows what Pep will do but Mahrez seems overdue a benching. Pulisic looks perfect this week (assuming the injury rumours are just a troll, guess we all have to double check Chelsea team news now, thanks)

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

    FH36:

    -
    AWB Digne Alonso(Azpi)
    Sterling Pulisic Bruno - Martial
    Ings Jesus

    A) Ederson Willian
    B) Kepa/Pope, Dilva

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

      A

  18. Begbie.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    You know you have serious Pep issues when you're even worried about putting Ederson into your team on FH...

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

      ahaha I presume ur joking but now I'm genuinly concerned coz one of my drafts has him in 😆

  19. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ings or Jesus for the rest of the season ?

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

      Ings

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Both?

      1. Better Call Raul
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I've got Auba and Greenwood who I'm not keen on selling

    3. Kemosabe1
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      can't call that. Both

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

    Little crazy but thinking to put Firmino in my FH team for this GW if i play FH.

    He really loves scoring vs Arsenal

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

      I mean its away so it could work

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

        Yup but think im gonna hold for GW 38

    2. E25
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      And loves scoring away from home 😉 (although it's been a while)

  21. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Need some help here, which manc defender to choose? And will also start the next game?

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

      AWB seems fit as a fiddle

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

      Ederson possible?

    3. E25
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      city? Avoid

      utd AWB but triple attack better

  22. CostaCoffee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    De Gea
    James Doherty Aurier (Justin 4.0)
    KDB Sterling Mahrez Bruno Martial
    Vardy DCL (Connolly)

    A) Aurier > Digne/Saiss/Stephens/Stevens (Which one?)
    B) Mahrez > Pulisic (Play Justin)
    C) Do both for -4

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

      A to Digne

      Can you answer mine below?

    2. E25
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      a Digne

  23. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Should I free hit? This is my team

    Martinez
    Doherty / Aurier / TAA
    Martial / Salah / Fernandes / KDB
    Greenwood / Vardy / Ings

    Bench: Saka, Lascelles, Simpson

    I don’t have a wild card

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

      May as well if you still have it. I think a City and Chelsea defender are both worth picking this week.

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

      Think I'd save for 38

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

      This week seems great for a FH as you can load up Chelsea and roll the dice on lesser spotted City players like Dilva and Foden safe in the knowledge you also have a few Everton / Saints / WHam players who could haul. Then revert to normal service next week.

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

    on FH

    Team 1

    ederson
    awb, azp, digne
    bruno, sterling, dsilva, willian, antonio
    vardy, ings

    or

    team 2

    ederson
    awb, azp, digne
    bruno, sterling, pulisic, willian, antonio
    jesus, ings

    1. Better Call Raul
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      2

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

      2nd one looks very good actually

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

    I have 2 free transfers. If I free hit for tomorrow's gameweek, will I still have the two transfers afterwards?

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

      Just one.

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

        D'oh! Thanks!

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

    Repost to make it simple:

    Who scores more...

    1. Ings (BHA) Mahrez (wat)
    2. Pulisic (NOR) (liv)

    Ta

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

      1 by far

    2. E25
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1

  27. E25
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Vardy -> Ings
    B) Mane -> Sterling
    C) both for a hit

    Martinez
    TAA Doherty Magure
    KDB Mane Mahrez Willian Fernandes
    Vardy Greenwood

    Martin Saiss Robinson NKetiah
    1FT 0.8ITB

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

    1 FT

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

    Ings might score big

    1. Kemosabe1
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Same dilemma as me. Thinking b

    2. E25
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      who will you cap? Think you need to cap jesus or ings to warrant the hit

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

    How long until price changes and why is Sarr dropping?

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

    A vardy and dsilva
    or
    B- jesus and pulisic

    1. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. E25
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      b