Scout Notes

Vardy’s super stats, a new £4.0m defender and injuries: FPL notes on Leicester’s win

Leicester City 2-0 Sheffield United

  • Goals: Ayoze Perez (£6.0m), Demarai Gray (£5.0m)
  • Assists: Luke Thomas (£4.0m), Jamie Vardy (£9.8m)
  • Bonus: Thomas x3, Wes Morgan (£4.1m) x2, Ryan Bennett (£4.8m) x1

Leicester City saw off a strangely limp Sheffield United to set up a final-day showdown that even Sky Sports will struggle to over-hype.

What turned out to be a regulation 2-0 win came with goals from Ayoze Perez (£6.0m) and Demarai Gray (£5.0m) as the Blades’ recent recovery came to an abrupt end.

And it means that the Foxes will now entertain Manchester United in Gameweek 38+ with a Champions League spot going to the winner, unless Chelsea – just a point above both sides in the table, but with an inferior goal difference – slip up.

From a Fantasy perspective, that means three teams’ worth of exceptionally-motivated talent to tap into, and some of that was on display at the King Power Stadium yesterday evening.

The star of the show, however, didn’t even have a value in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) until hours after the match was over.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers handed a debut to 19-year-old Luke Thomas (£4.0m) at left-back, citing injuries to both Ben Chilwell (£5.5m) and Christian Fuchs (£4.2m).

The youngster promptly played a blinder, setting up Perez’s opener, keeping a clean sheet and earning himself the maximum bonus award as he brought in 12 points for his zero owners.

That figure has now risen to well over 5,000 as FPL managers move for a cheap defender with proven ability to deliver returns at both ends of the pitch. Okay, so the sample size doesn’t get much smaller than one match, but it was a dream debut for Thomas which earned him plenty of praise from Rodgers:

It was probably the hardest game he could have for his debut. I could see he could play for me quickly. He’s got a great temperament. He isn’t fazed. He understands football and you saw his pass for the goal. I thought he was outstanding in his play.

Outstanding he was, although going for Foxes defenders when their final two games involve a trip to Spurs and then that United mega-clash looks risky at best.

Perez had already been handed one chance by Thomas when the midfielder headed over the teenager’s excellent cross. He made no mistake with the second opportunity, collecting Thomas’s low ball and scoring emphatically from just inside the area.

United keeper Dean Henderson (£5.2m) could do nothing about the goal, but he more than earned his keep over the course of the match, denying a number of City players in one-on-ones.

Such was the home side’s early dominance that they’d already had nine attempts before 22 minutes had been played, with Henderson using his legs to keep out a Jamie Vardy (£9.8m) effort and repeating the trick twice more when the veteran striker released Harvey Barnes (£5.9m).

Another excellent chance fell to the influential Youri Tielemans (£6.1m), whose close-range shot was blocked after he was set up by Vardy again, before the forward burst through but watched his left-foot shot graze the outside of the post.

The only worry for Leicester fans still getting over Sunday’s capitulation against Bournemouth was that missing so many decent chances might come back to haunt them.

That scenario certainly came close to playing out when a John Egan (£4.7m) header from a corner deflected off Wes Morgan (£4.1m), forcing Kasper Schmeichel (£5.5m) into a smart save.

United boss Chris Wilder threw the kitchen sink at the game as it drifted away from his side.

He made three changes at half-time, including the bittersweet Fantasy move of replacing Sander Berge (£4.7m) with the fit-again John Lundstram (£4.6m), and even switched to a back four later on.

But his players never really got going and the Foxes were not in the mood to repeat their south coast meltdown.

They finally secured the win when Vardy broke free yet again and, just for a change, someone decided to grace the striker’s persistent creativity with a goal.

That someone was substitute Demarai Gray (£5.0m), who finished from the angle with a sweet shot back across Henderson.

It was absolutely what the Foxes deserved from a dominant display in which they had seven shots on target to Unted’s one, prompting a pleased post mortem from Rodgers:

It was our first 90-minute performance since we came back. We’ve played well in other spells in games, but we had to play well over the course of 90 minutes.

The match was also the first in which Barnes started since Gameweek 30+. Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.7m) has performed well in his stead, but Leicester look a quicker and more threatening attacking unit when Barnes is providing support for Vardy.

Not that too many managers will be tempted by Foxes assets with the schedule that they have, while Rodgers provided a post-match update on others who will definitely need selling right now:

As mentioned, that elevates the appeal of Thomas, and even the evergreen Morgan, as cut-price defensive options. But the chances of keeping clean sheets against either Spurs or Man United look slim.

As for the Blades, will the real Sheffield United please stand up?

After some impressive recent performances, they were decidedly average against Leicester and Wilder wasn’t about to spare his players’ blushes with his assessment:

We were way off of it. We have taken some enormous steps forward this season, but the goalkeeper kept us in the game, we never deserved anything form the game – off it from the first minute to the 90th, no excuse from us. Technically very poor, physically out-fought.

Matches against Everton and Southampton will round out a phenomenal first season back in the top-flight for Wilder and his men; fixtures that should be productive for those Fantasy managers invested in a backline with 13 clean sheets to their name – only three teams have managed more.

Inconsistency is the worry, though. This is a side that can beat Spurs, Wolves and Chelsea at home, while struggling on the road against the likes of Man United, Newcastle and even Aston Villa.

Based on that recent evidence, Monday’s visit from Everton looks promising, next Sunday’s trip to Southampton troubling.


Leicester City (3-4-2-1): Schmeichel; Bennett, Morgan, Evans; Justin, Ndidi, Tielemans, Thomas; Pérez (Choudhury 71), Barnes (Gray 76); Vardy.

Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): Henderson; O’Connell, Egan, Basham (Sharp 59); Stevens, Osborn (Fleck 45), Norwood, Berge (Lundstram 45), Baldock; McBurnie, McGoldrick (Mousset 45).

MEMBERS ANALYSIS

Access all match data here

Above: Players involved in Leicester City v Sheffield United sorted by chances created

The bonus point allocation from last night’s match produced an interesting sub-plot.

The (small) contingent of managers with Leicester defender James Justin (£4.7m) in their teams looked like they were sitting on two, and maybe even three, extra points as the match wound down.

By the time the bonus awards were added, their man had none.

The reason for that was star debutant Thomas wasn’t even in the FPL system until well after his 12-point match had finished.

Only Vardy created more chances than the youngster, and his assist and clean sheet certainly merited the maximum bonus award.

But it was still hard on Justin’s owners.

Above: Players involved in Leicester City v Sheffield United sorted by big chances

Then again, Vardy’s 29.4% fan club arguably had even more reason to feel aggrieved at the designation of the extra points.

As well as leading the way with five chances created, he was also involved in all six big chances the Foxes had against Sheffield United.

One of them led to Gray’s goal, three others were fluffed by his teammates and Vardy himself had the other two.

It was that profligacy which ruined Vardy’s bonus point chances – scant reward for a truly influential performance that, on another day, could have resulted in a huge haul.

Above: Leicester City’s chances created map in Gameweek 36+ (assists in green)

While nominally playing as the central striker, Vardy did most of his best work on the left flank – as did the team as a whole.

A look at the areas in which they created their chances shows just how threatening they were down United’s right side, with seven of the side’s 12 chances coming from that area – including both of the assists.

Creativity was clearly not an issue on the day – just a lack of a clinical edge in front of goal.

The six big chances the Foxes forged was way above their season average of 2.4 per game, although the total of 88 they’ve managed this campaign is bettered by just three teams, who all happen to be above them in the league table.

[/private]

FPL Lessons Learned From Gameweek 36+

804 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Smokey_Lowkey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    DCL - > Wood worth a - 4 punt for one week?

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

      no

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

      Nah

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      no

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

    Patricio
    Doherty TAA AWB
    Salah Bruno Foden Sterling
    Vardy Greenwood Wood

    Button Pulisic Taylor Simpson

    Chasing so captain:
    A Salah
    B Stering

    Bench:
    A Pulisic
    B Foden
    C Greenwood

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

      A A/B

  3. Hazardous1983
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What to do with this

    Martinez (button)
    Doherty stevens taa (aurier lascelles)
    Martial bruno kdb sterling (foden)
    Ings greenwood vardy

    1ft 2.1 in bank.... bench boost left

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

      Save. Mini wc with BB gw38 sounds great

      1. Hazardous1983
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Rival has no chips he is 22 behind

        1. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Then you should be ok

          1. Hazardous1983
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Not sure hes cut the gap.from 99 to 22

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

              Bring in player he have then. Block.

              1. Hazardous1983
                • 13 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                Jota and salah he has... shud i go kdb to salah and vardy to jota

                1. Hazardous1983
                  • 13 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  and he also has mahrez

                  1. Hazardous1983
                    • 13 Years
                    3 years, 8 months ago

                    I have kdb vardy ings he dont have them

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

    Mee out for the season makes Long a very good pick for this week

  5. PortoGuy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who to Captain GW37+?

    A. Jimenez
    B. Salah

    C. Bruno
    D. Rashford
    E. KDB

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

      C or D

  6. Hazardous1983
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who to cap

    Bruno
    Sterling
    Martial
    Ings
    Greenwood
    Kdb

    Tryin to protect 22 point lead

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

      ......

      1. Hazardous1983
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Tony it is

    2. T.Henry14
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      martial

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

      Bruno

  7. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    When is Jimmy's baby due?

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

      July

  8. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Holgate --> Tarkowski (FT) to have 3 playing defenders?
    B) Above & DCL --> Wood (-4)

    DDG
    TAA - Doherty - Holgate*
    Mané - KDB - Pulisic - Foden - Fernandes
    Jesus - Greenwood

    DCL - Lascelles* - Robinson [1FT + 1.1m ITB]

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

      Just Holgate

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks.

  9. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Select two to start from:

    A. Greenwood (WHU)
    B. Foden (wat)
    C. Nketiah (avl)
    D. Egan (EVE)
    E. Lamptey (NEW)

    1. T.Henry14
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      a
      b

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

      Ab

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

      a b

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

      An

    5. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      AB, D first sub

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

    Rival will captain KDB

    I don’t own him and I’m scared.

    Should I get him in somehow? Or (c) Sterling or Martial?

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      You dont believe in yourself?

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

        I do but KDB is scary not owning

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

      Depends on your gap, Martial better then KDB anyway

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

        True true !

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      ...

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

    Which plan?

    1)
    This week: Pulisic > Martial
    Next week: DCL > Jesus

    2)
    This week: DCL > Auba
    Next week: Pulisic > Dilva

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1
      but its hard coz all have FA game before

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

      Uno

  12. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best move here guys?
    I am on Giroud > Wood 1FT 0.3 ITB

    Foster
    TAA - Doherty - Egan ( Holgate* - Lamptey)
    Salah(C) - KDB - Bruno - Martial - Pulisic
    Jesus - Giroud (Greenwood)

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

      Why not, could work out great

    2. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Good move

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

    Which one sounds best from these??
    FH in GW38.

    1) TAA Greenwood to Egan Ings
    2) KDB Greenwood to Ings BSilva/DSilva
    3) Ederson Puli to Ryan Mahrez
    4) Greenwood KDB to Wood Martial
    5) Greenwood TAA to Wood Tarkowski/AWB/Jonny

  14. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Teams a mess what do I do with 1FT 2.8itb

    Martinez button
    Taa Doherty c.taylor* lascelles* simpson
    Salah kdb fernandes pulisic guendouzi
    Vardy rashford greenwood

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

      How is that a mess. Just sell Lascelles for a Burnley defender and play 343

  15. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who scores more 37 and 38?

    Martial or Fernandes?

    Fancy Martial to be honest...

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

      ..

    2. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Martial got the better home form and looks on fire lately, but could just as easily be Bruno. Bit of a coin toss.

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

      They are like the city attackers - anyone could haul, including both of them at the same time....the beauty is they are nailed and cheap!

  16. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Current GW37 Bus Team, looking to help setup for a GW38 Bench Boost.

    Henderson (McCarthy)
    TAA Doherty Digne (Stephens Lascelles)
    Salah KDB Bruno Martial(c) Pulisic
    Jesus Greenwood (Nketiah)
    0.0 ITB

    A) Save FT

    B) TAA & Nketiah -> Pieters/Long & Wood (-4)

    C) Lascelles -> Pieters (Bench TAA/Digne?)

    D) Something else?

  17. Smokey_Lowkey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Tough one:

    TC Bruno or D Silva this week?

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

      Bruno just because he is more nailed

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

        yeah at least you'll get 9 points

  18. T.Henry14
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy ---> Auba for -4 worth ??

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

      never

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

      Yes

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

      No

    4. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not this week

    5. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not for me

    6. T.Henry14
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wow I was very close to making a big mistake.
      Arsenal play FA, very risky because of potential injury or benching.

      I will do it next week.

  19. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone still got the TC chip?

    When are you planning to deploy it?

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

      GW37 purely because I have both TC and FH and FH would be better for me in GW38.

      However, struggling between D Silva and Bruno for TC...

  20. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    My defence has been decimated...will any of Holgate, Kiko or Lascelles play this week?

    If not, who to bring in to replace?

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

      Bring in Pieters if you have a FT available, I wouldn't make any defensive moves for a hit in your position personally.

      1. More Cowbell
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I like pieters but have Pope, double up a bit risky?

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

          Depends on how much you have to spend to be fair.

          But in that price bracket you can't go wrong betting on a Burnley CS against Norwich!

  21. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Afternoon, need some opinions on this. I'm 28 points behind in the cash ML in 2nd and 15 points ahead of 3rd (he still has Antonio to play).

    a. Ings/ Jimenez to Auba
    b. Foden to D Silva
    c. Greenwood to Wood

    My team
    1ft 4itb
    Pope Martinez
    TAA Doherty Saiss Aurier Taylor
    Martial KDB Bruno Sterling Foden
    Ings Jimenez Greenwood

    ML Leader
    Hendo Martinez
    Boly TAA AWB Egan Targett
    KDB Sterling Martial Fernandes Hayden
    Kane Jimenez Nketiah

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

      B, great option for his last two games

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks, that's the transfer I'm leaning towards. Wish I brought him in last GW instead of Foden

  22. Snibal
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How do we feel about the forgotten Lord Lundstram? I didn’t watch them play v leicester but I guess since he came at half time for Berge he may have a good chance of starting v Everton? I’m looking for a defender that has a double digit in him for my BB next round and was thinking of going triple Sheffield defense ( already have Henderson and Egan)

  23. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Alright, I am set on Giroud-> Ings this week. Any reason not to do the transfer? Other options are Jiminez and Wood.

    Patricio
    Doherty Maguire Dawson (Holgate* Ngakia*)
    Salah Sterling Martial Bruno Pulisic
    Jesus Giroud (Nketiah)

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

    love the scoutcast from Az, don't think wood will get 3 goals but 1 is a lock in 🙂

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

      He got 2 in reverse fixture if I'm not mistaken.

  25. Bucket Man
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mahrez to Pulisic for -4 my second hit of the season gave me 1 point. Clinging to on to top 5K.

    Should I save or get Martial for Pulisic, how important is he when they have Leicester final GW and I could have 2FT.
    Bench Foden or Greenwood?

    Pope
    TAA, Stevens, Boly
    Salah, KDB, Fernandes, Pulisic
    Vardy, Ings, Greenwood
    Foden, Aurier, Lascelles

  26. GOATMEAT
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    1 FT for this GW37:

    a) Pulisic to D. Silva

    or

    b) Jesus to Vardy

    or neither? Hate Pep Roulette...

    Free hitting on GW 38...

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

    Please help needed!!
    Leading my ML cash league by 5pts.
    Pope
    TAA Siass Basham
    Salah Pulisic Martial Bruno(C)
    Vardy Greenwood Jiminez
    Subs: Foden Lascelles Soy

    My rival has similar team but has KDB and Willian to my Pulisic and Foden. He has Jesus to my Vardy
    What to do? I will stick to my 3 defenders cos we have same.
    A) Salah to KDB this GW? Thinking KDB will out score and get DaSilva in GW 38 for Foden
    B) Pulisic to DaSilva this GW and stick?
    C) any ideas??
    I have TC left and he has FH. I want to use TC in GW 38 on DaSilva.
    Im leading by only 5 pts.

  28. rhino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    best 5.5 mid?

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

      Armstrong

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

        was looking at him but he only played 12mins last round which is putting me off and I have foden thinking maybe a wolves player

  29. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What to do with this lot and 1FT? 0itb. Will DH38+.

    A. Lascelles >> Pieters / 4.3m def
    B. Vardy >> Ings / Wood
    C. Vardy+Lascelles >> Ings/Wood+Tarko (-4)
    D. Other??

    Martinez
    TAA • Doherty • Holgate*
    Salah • Martial • Sterling • Bruno • Foden
    Vardy • Jimenez
    (3.9, Greenwood, Lascelles*, Kiko)

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

      Wouldn't take a hit for one week.

      If you're okay with Kiko against City then B otherwise A.

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

      A to Pieters

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks D Dog 🙂

  30. RedJive79
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any moves to improve this lot.....

    Pope
    TAA / Doherty / Holgate
    KDB / Sterling / Martial (c) / Bruno
    Jimi / Vardy / Greenwood

    McCarthy / Foden / Lamptey / Lascelles

    1 FT, 1.0 itb and bb left.

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Holgate to Peters?