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. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB (TC). Let's go.

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wonder if he plays false 9?

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

    Left back not as good for Cancelo, but I'll take it. Strong Villa line-up - this won't be easy.

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He'll probably be playing in CM effectively and they'll have a back 3 with Dias as the lone anchor.

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

      Woukd you play cash and traore or targett/Grealish? I would preger the first one tbf. If he were up against grealish, guaranteed yellow.

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

    Cup opponent

    KDB(c) vs Bilva(c)

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB(c) vs. Salah

  4. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    ☑ KDB (TC)
    ☑ Sterling
    ☑ Dias

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

      Same as me but I ain’t got TC. GL

  5. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    And breathe KDB owners!

  6. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB(C), Cancelo, Stones, Martinez and Grealish! Let’s go!

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

      a thing of beauty

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB False 9 and Grealish in the front 3 too

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

        Sterling false 9

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      looks like they will cancel eachother out 😉

    4. popey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      snap + Watkins.

      So many points up from grabs

  7. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Grealish back to LW

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

    Ffsssss over thinking has done me again, KDB was definitely too tired to start both

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

    KDC(TC) FALSE NINE SIUUU

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

      nope

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

        yep

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

          Nope

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

          Sterling up front, KDB in the 10 role

  10. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kevin de Striker?

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

    Won’t be easy for City

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

    God pls make this end 0-0

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

      Nooo we need football entertainment ... goals galore!

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

    Team out Walker in KDB plays

  14. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Guess El Ghazi is going to be benched with Barkley back then, oh well, makes my decision on who to take out for my next move easier I guess

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

      Harsh on El Ghazi

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        True especially on form but to be fair Traore has been playing well too and they didn't spend the money on him to bench him I guess

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

    Interesting El Ghazi benched and Barkley starts

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

    Biden inaugurated and KDB starts, what a tremendous 15 minutes. 😀

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Absolutely

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

      Cheering for the latest neocon just because he isnt as bad as Trump. lol

      1. BenDavies
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        let these people have their bread and circus

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

        Plastic politics fans.... could say casuals

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

        I win 5-4 😀

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

          Proof that democracy is doomed to failure 😉

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

    El Ghazi the main FPL asset to miss out.

  18. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have 6 players in this game, what on earth do I want the scoreline to be?!

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

      10-10

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have 6 including captain. 0-0 is great and a high scoring game is great too

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

        Unless captain is a defender you dont want 0-0

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

      i've just got Dias and Grealish.
      Think id like them 2 specifically to score.

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

      You want points from differentials

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

      no goals or a load of goals

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

      6 for me too ... Hopefully Martinez saves two Sterling penalties, after KDB has gone off with his hattrick

      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That would be great!

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

      I have 3 city D and Martinez.

      Ideal is 2-0 City, G or A for each of Stones, Diaz, Cancelo. Then, 6 saves for Martinez & 2 saved penalties on KDB. My 4 players to hoover up the Baps, too much to ask??

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

      That depends which ones you got and captain in play will also have a say.

  19. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

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

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

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

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

    Aston Villa:
    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. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Oops...

      Villa:
      Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Douglas Luiz, McGinn; Traore, Barkley, Grealish; Watkins.

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Should be close.

    3. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Villa have a very good team there. Good match up. 🙂

    4. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Man, both teams have the same players.

    5. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Similar teams

  21. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Really need a KDB masterclass tonight (which is actually reflected by lots of points)

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

    Biden Sworn in as 46th US President

    expecting 46 captain points from KDB!!

    1. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      25 more from Stones.

    2. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That would be 69 points for me as KDB (TC).
      Really hoping for that kind of performance tonight

  23. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Grealish on pens.

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He'll only give them to someone else

      • popey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        more likely Barkley

    2. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      So pretty much the teams thought. Quick first half hattrick and then the storm really kicks in and calms the game off, now that would be worth whinging about eh

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

        Pretty sure the last thing the FA want to deal with is Villa having 5 games in hand so even if a tidal wave hits the Etihad I think this game goes the full 90

    3. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I bet this is the game that Ollie the muppet Watkins delivers to ruin the double CS

    4. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Foden should be a great option now definitely gets more minutes !

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

        Every other game. Not bad.

      2. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No he isn't. He won't start next week.

      3. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        there will be fraudulence

    5. BobB
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Plenty of save points for Martinez today

      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ederson too

    6. yalala
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kdb hat trick

      1. Call Me Old Fashioned
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Unlikely, he does not score from open play. Pretty content atm not having him. Provided Salah hauls

      2. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Dis

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

      So bloody obvious that Villa never had covid. They got a nice rest now... at least its Pep who invented that trick who is on the receiving end

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You are seriously the worst. It's impressive

    8. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      0-0 written all over it 🙂