Scout Notes

Maddison outshining Vardy as Pereira returns for Leicester

LEICESTER 2-0 CHELSEA

  • Goals: Wilfred Ndidi (£4.8m), James Maddison (£7.1m)
  • Assists: Harvey Barnes (£6.8m), Marc Albrighton (£5.3m)
  • Bonus points: Ndidi x3, Kasper Schmeichel x2 (£5.5m), Jonny Evans x1 (£5.5m), Wesley Fofana (£5.0m)

MIDFIELD MAESTROS

Owners of Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) are likely suffering from cold feet even as appealing fixtures approach for Leicester City.

The striker’s blank against Chelsea ensured just a four-point score in Double Gameweek 19, a total more than doubled by Harry Kane (£11.1m) in just one match.

And what has made Vardy’s disappointing Fantasy Premier League returns more frustrating for his 28.9% backing is the fact that the Foxes are hardly in bad form.

Their recent 2-0 win over Chelsea, a fourth victory in the last six, has taken them to the summit of the Premier League table at the time of writing.

Vardy’s direct contribution to that achievement has been relatively minor, without a goal since Gameweek 14 and producing just 2.5 points per game over the last four matches.

By comparison, James Maddison (£7.1m) and Harvey Barnes (£6.8m) have put up 7.8 and 6.3 points per game in that time and look the prime candidates to benefit from upcoming meetings with Everton (away), Leeds (home) and Fulham (away).

Maddison has been in particularly exciting form, netting in three successive Premier League matches for the first time this season.

And, after producing three attacking returns in the opening 10 Gameweeks of 2020/21, the former Norwich City man has seven in his last nine outings – and struck the bar against Chelsea.

Barnes is in similar form, putting up four of his eight goal involvements this season over the last five matches.

KING OF THE ROAD

Still, there are crumbs of comfort for Vardy owners as we head into Gameweek 20.

For the second match in a row, the Leicester forward was quiet but, as ever, always ready to pounce on any loose balls behind defenders.

He got one-on-one with Edouard Mendy (£5.1m) from an awkward in the first half on Tuesday night, his chip batted away partially and requiring a defensive clearance to stop it ending up in the back of the net.

Vardy was also fouled as Marc Albrighton (£5.3m) played a ball into the penalty box, which Maddison duly converted. Had his colleague not scored, Leicester might have had a penalty, which Vardy surely would have taken.

The forward was then denied an assist in the second half when he played Youri Tielemans (£6.4m) through on goal, denied by a good piece of goalkeeping by Mendy and, shortly after, he was just inches from collecting the ball in a race towards goal in his trademark style before Chelsea’s shot-stopper got there first.

It is a well-documented fact that Vardy has struggled to find himself in such situations at home this season. His goal conversion at the King Power Stadium is as low as 8% so far this season.

But he has experienced this problem a lot less often away from home, where he has boasted a goal conversion of 42.9% in 2020/21.

More importantly, three of Leicester’s next four fixtures take place on the road, against Everton, Fulham and Wolves.

PICKLE RICK

Uncertainty about Leicester full-backs is slowly rising among Fantasy managers following Ricardo Pereira‘s (£5.9m) return to Premier League action after 10 months.

His comeback is timed rather awkwardly for anyone hoping to predict Leicester’s back-four for upcoming matches considering the form of James Justin (£5.0m) and Timothy Castagne (£5.7m) this season.

The former has played every minute of the Premier League campaign thus far, an impressive feat in this exceptional season, and has produced 3.9 points per match in that time.

Meanwhile, Castagne has shown plenty of the same marauding spirit we have come to know of Pereira in 2020/21, exemplified in two key moments against Chelsea.

It was the Belgian who teed up Maddison for his cross-bar shot while he would have been afforded the assist for his long ball forward had Vardy collected possession and slotted past Mendy.

So, where does Pereira fit into the equation? Well, Brendan Rodgers certainly teased Fantasy managers on Tuesday night by deploying him on the right-hand flank of the attacking midfield in the place of Albrighton for the final 15 minutes.

The Portuguese full-back was always going to be someone to monitor upon his return to full fitness, not least because of sustained interest in Justin and Castange.

But if there is a chance of Pereira playing in a more attacking role, then keeping an eye on him just became even more important.

LAMPARD LOTTERY

The task of predicting a Chelsea team has become harder in recent weeks and their form has not helped Frank Lampard in that respect either.

The Blues, who have now lost three of their last five Premier League matches, put in an abject display at the King Power Stadium.

Meanwhile, Kurt Zouma‘s (£5.8m) stock has taken another dip as he failed to register so much as one minute on the pitch in two Double Gameweek 19 matches.

As things stand, only three defenders are selected by more managers than Zouma but the third start in four for Antonio Rüdiger (£4.5m) alongside Thiago Silva (£5.6m) is sure to trigger a fire-sale in the build-up to Gameweek 20.

Lampard also made changes to his attack against Leicester, putting Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.7m) in for Hakim Ziyech (£8.1m), although it is worth pointing out the Englishman has more attacking returns since Gameweek 15 than any other Chelsea asset (two).

Hudson-Odoi was one of the few visiting players to go close on Tuesday night, rippling the side-netting from close range when played through by Christian Pulisic (£8.2m).

Substitute Timo Werner (£9.2m) put the ball in the back of the net but his goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check.

Leicester City XI (4-1-4-1): Schmeichel; Justin, Evans, Fofana, Castagne; Ndidi; H Barnes, Maddison (Pérez 76′), Tielemans, Albrighton (R Pereira 76′); Vardy (Iheanacho 88′).

Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): E Mendy; Chilwell, T Silva, Rüdiger, R James; Kovacic, Mount; Pulisic, Havertz (Ziyech 67′), Hudson-Odoi (Werner 68′); Abraham.

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1,202 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    WHAT IS THE POINT? RASHFORD (C) BENCHED

    I AM CURSED

    First Johnstone, then R.James, then Werner (twice)

    Full blank on bench boost. 58 from 18 players. It’s just funny at this point

    1. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Que?

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        OddsFPL on twitter

        1. CheesyZoot
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Ouch unlucky mate

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Are they a reliable source?

            1. Coys96
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Got the last few completely correct

    2. Kudo Warrior
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Play silly games. Win silly prizes.

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Oh come on.... RASHFORD BENCHED? You’re having a laugh

    3. FPL Bond @ Twitter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Great FPL record. U can become the next Fabio Borges..

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not when I am cursed

    4. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      nah you're taking the piss mate

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I wish

        1. Neves say Neves
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          is this odds fpl guy reliable?

    5. Pukkipartyy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Where did u hear Rash benched?

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        @OddsFpl on twitter

        Bet ya it’s legit

        1. Pukkipartyy
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No way. Season over...

          1. Steve The Spud
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            seriously? ffs, TRASHford

    6. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Huh, teams not postes yet officially?

  2. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB starts

    1. built_this_city
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      thanks pep

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

    How many starts from my team: Grealish, Martinez, Dias, Cancelo and KdB(C)?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      All

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This

    2. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      5

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

      I love you all.

      1. Poetry in motion
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I love you too, Bobby, but please get back in form and back to your magnificent self, pretty please

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

          I will score a goal for you against Burnley.

    4. Who are all Lukakus
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      All 5 start plus El Ghazi and I will consider it is a win already

  4. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lineups to be posted shortly

  5. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ederson
    Walker
    Dias
    Stones
    Cancelo
    Rodri
    Gundogan
    De Bruyne
    Bernardo
    Foden
    Sterling

    From City forum, so don't kill the messenger if it's wrong.

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks about right to be honest

  6. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A KDB benching would sky rocket me to the top of my mini leagues

    1. tuturututu
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Me too

    2. bigwig
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep, me too

    3. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Benching doesn't guarantee anything.. Remember Salah's haul coming off the bench?

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Oh yes I had him cappo but it doesn't greatly reduce the odds of a haul

    4. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      How?

    5. Superflymonk
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not today, jabronies!

  7. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    It's doesn't get much funnier than the posts shortly before team sheets. Crack open and beer and watch peoples' brains spilling out of their ears

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

    KDB blanking let's go

  9. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    0-0 is probably my best hope with Stones, Dias, KdB (c), Martinez and Grealish, innit?

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      God I'd love a 0-0

    2. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No, 10-0 City, 5 for Stone, 5 for Dias and KDB with 10 assists...

      Then Grealish hatty vs. Toon

    3. Capitan_K
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kevin hattie first half.
      Stones and dias subbed off min 61. Then Graelish goes mental and scores a hattie himself.
      Fu** Martinez

    4. Poetry in motion
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd love it, same players, but KdB not captain

    5. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nah, you want Kdb to score and everyone has Martinez.. Not sure if double City cs gives you better or than a grealish goal, but it might depend on bonus points perhaps? To say, if you get a cs for the City fuys but No bonus a grealish goal with bonus might be better and vice versa?

  10. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kevin De Blanke or Kevin De Baller tonight?

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hopefully baller! Used TC on him

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Basically depends how many penalties he gets

      1. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I can't believe pep hasn't identified a better pen taker yet

    3. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Somewhere in-between

    4. PrestigeWorldwidewidewide..…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If he would finish a bit better he could have had a few Baller returns recently, but many of his shots have been wide or right at the keeper.

      1. PrestigeWorldwidewidewide..…
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not to mention the Sterling PK miss...

  11. PogChamp
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling(c). Please Pep.

  12. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would be funny if the first thing Biden said was in goals Ederson, right back Walker...

  13. GOTHAM City F.C.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling to get a hattrick?

  14. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Walker starts

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Excellent news for Villa, dreadful for our clean sheets

  15. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Looks like the lineup I posted is about right. Fpl_rockstar confirmed half of the players.

  16. 1895Reds
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB, Sterling, Cancelo start

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Source?

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        rockstar

      2. 1895Reds
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Rockstar

  17. Pukkipartyy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How is the weather at Manchester?

    1. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks like it's going to ease off when the game is on. It's going to be wet but MCR will get a break for a few hours

  18. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Strong line up from Pep tonight, I reckon KDB, Foden, Sterling & Cancelo start

    https://twitter.com/FPL_Rockstar/status/1351935529693155331?s=19

  19. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How many Germans in the City lineup?

    1. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not enough

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Only Germans

    3. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      2, Kdb and Gundogan

      1. Big Mac 24
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Underrated reply

  20. Pepeye
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Late news Prince William paying State Visit to the Etihad at 6pm for KDB inauguration as President of Manchester

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is Prince Phil playing?

  21. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any early news?

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Look up, posted a lineup that should be 100%.

    2. GROBARI
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Pep,bench KDB pls

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

      KDB Foden Sterling Cancelo start as per FPL Rockstar

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

        Dias?

  22. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Let us see if Pepeye really does know........

  23. Pepeye
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Know what Diesel?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The lineup. You've posted a lot of thoughts over the last few days. Are you really an ITK though?

  24. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FPL_Rockstar @FPL_Rockstar
    Strong line up from Pep tonight, I reckon KDB, Foden, Sterling & Cancelo start

  25. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB will 100% start

  26. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Foden starts

  27. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    XI | Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Cancelo, Rodrigo, Gundogan, De Bruyne (C), Bernardo, Foden, Sterling

    SUBS | Steffen, Jesus, Zinchenko, Torres, Mendy, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Garcia, Bernabe

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Right, that'll be my 3 City in, awaiting Villa.

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nice

  28. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Cup opponent with Pogba, Mane, Rashford vs my AWB, Bruno, Sterling, Martial.

  29. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Phew. All start

  30. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    City vs Villa - Teams

    Ederson
    Walker Stones Dias Cancelo
    KDB Rodri Gundogan
    Silva Sterling Foden

    Martinez
    Cash Konsa Mings Targett
    McGinn Luiz Barkley
    Traore Watkins Grealish

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      5/5 here inc. captain, phew.

    2. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Strongest teams moreorless

    3. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I want Kdb, Foden and a grealish but with my season this will end 1-0 City, goal by gundo assist Stones. Grealish yellow.

    4. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Relieved to see Targett starting. More for being available vs Newcastle, mind.

      1. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Could injure himself today, mind