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

    30 + points from Grealish, Martinez, Dias, Cancelo and KdB(C) and I am happy.

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

      I want 40+ from KDB(TC) + Cancelo + Foden

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

      1-1 Rodri Luiz goals

      1. BullDogTevez
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes please, got Luiz TC and Rodri

  2. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez will save penalty taken by Ederson

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

      That would be amazing if Cancelo puts the rebound away.

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

    Pardon my ignorance fine sir’s

    Who is on penalties for villa ?

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Watkins?

    2. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Will be grealish until el ghazi comes on.

    3. Railwayman
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hard to tell right now, Watkins or Barkley?

    4. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Grealish choose, el gazhi if he is on. Watkins missed 4/6 so doubt him

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

      Grealish, unless El Ghazi is on the pitch, Smith confirmed it a little while back (think after the Wolves game)

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

        How did I miss that info? Thanks anyway.

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

          No worries, the first time I saw it it was just in a tiny quote on Twitter I happened to see but apparently it was covered here too

          https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2020/12/12/smith-confirms-aston-villa-penalty-takers-as-martinez-secures-another-away-haul/

    6. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not a bed question Dog

      The penalty taker had been El Ghazi and he is benched today.

      The guy previously was Watkins and stopped taking them because he missed one or two.

      It seems the penalty kicker is whoever Jack Grealish hands the ball to. I wonder if he will give the ball to Barkley, his party mate.

      But I expect no penalty today. Maybe not even a shot-on-goal. Villans will be put to the sword violently and efficiently by the Citizens.

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

      El Ghazi then Grealish, but Jack looks like he'd rather give it to Martinez than take it himself

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

      Watkins or Barkley. Most likely Barkley

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

      I would guess Barkley or Grealish, El G if on the pitch

      Reminder to all clamouring for Jack to take them - he only took one last season and hit the bar (exactly the same as the Watkins one v WH)

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

    Big Day today

    KDB(TC) + Cancelo + Foden owner

    1. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Money Day

      You basically have 5 players in the game.

    2. Brimble82
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB (TC) + Cancelo + Stones here.
      And I don’t have BT Sport!

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Come Here in Croatia,every game live,I have a few beers ready

        1. Brimble82
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          38mins to KO.
          It might be a bit tight!
          See you for 2nd half?

          1. CRO KLOPP
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            You can make it,there is an hour diference 🙂

            1. Brimble82
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              I’ll pick up some duty free on the way through then!
              Requests?

              Stones Ginger Ale?
              Lim-Cancelo?
              Johnny Walker Blue?

              1. CRO KLOPP
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Baccardi and Coke,please

  5. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gimme nil nil....Konsa and Cancelo/Stones cleanies, please. Screw the KDB owners!

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

    I've held KDB through thick and thin as a differential to all my rivals, this week they've all brought him in and triple captained him 🙁 I've captained Salah.... please don't punish me KDB

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Don't worry. The triple captainers are already screwed.

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

      Thanks for nailing on the KDB haul tonight 🙂

  7. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Was anyone else stupid enough to bench martinez for Johnstone????

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I benched Fabianski, could be stupid also

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

        Did you also benchboost?

        1. CRO KLOPP
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Nope, Fabianski was a doubt, Mitchell,Davis and Adams

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

            Ah. I know the feeling, that sucks.

            1. CRO KLOPP
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Martinez could outscore him with Save points and New

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

      Why was that stupid? If you looked at those doubles i would say pretty close, cant foresee unexpected ilness and allardyce not being able to grind out cs any more?

  8. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Only Stones here, back to the bunker I go. Worked well last time!

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

    Kdb is so lowly owned in my ml, hoping for maximum punishment tonight, he’s due a big one

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

      I'm the only one who has had him in my ML and I'm now the one most likely to be punished by him lol

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

    FT
    Man City 1-1 Aston Villa

    Goals: Bilva, Traore
    Assists: Walker, McGinn
    KDB misses penalty (over the bar, not saved by Martinez)

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

    If u have kdb as (c) but not TC then u want him to blank?

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

      Definitely not

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

      Nooo

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

      All you'd want is Bruno and Salah blank

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

      Nope looking for a mega haul

    5. Uncle Gamst
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      As long as Salah blanks, then I will be happy with a goal and assist

    6. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No, that's nuts

      Especially with the Salah C and TC tomorrow.

      I am hoping that Salah pulls a Mane and limps off the field in minute-5 and takes a jet to Alexandria to party with Egyptian Ladies for 2 weeks while demanding a move to Real Madrid.

  12. pjomara
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would love a Villa goal and Cancelo to end the dgw with 3 points

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You stink, go back to sniffing glue

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

    Where’s this Villa reserve team people were waffling about. Cmon Jackie boy!

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

    offtopic:Anyone else who is addicted to Kinder Bueno?

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

      Milchsnitte for me 😀

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

        EPIC

    2. Good Times
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Destroyed my diet with em =)

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

      God yes, pretty much anything Kinder tbh

    4. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Count me in!

  15. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    0-0 in the City game and a haul from Bruno please.

  16. faux_C
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Firmino to who? Already have Bamford and Antonio.

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

      Wilson

      1. Uncle Gamst
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Newcastle looking woeful...Wilson isn't getting any service whatsoever

    2. schwing
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have the same front 3, wait until after Burnley.

      1. faux_C
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Wow, I thought I was the only one! 😉

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

    lol at people who thought pep would bench KDB

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

      Just non-owners

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

    Let's go Kevinnnnn!!!

  19. @persecuted_by_mods
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Well hopefully el ghazi starts vs Newcastle, picked him over Saka

    • Railwayman
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      5 players in this game, please do something, thanks.

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

        I cant believe that I have all 5 starting. Kdb (c), cancelo, dias, Martinez and Watkins. My collective score from those 5 could be anything in the range of 10 points to 50 points. Any guesses ?
        I think relative to my ML and H2H rivals, 0-0 would be the best score with so many TC kdb. That would give me 23 points + any bonus and minimise damage from other teams. Little chance though of that with city firing and villa not having played for nearly 3 weeks.
        Good luck tonight site users.

    • HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Jesus punt fail 🙁

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

        Oof

    • Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Best thing to do if you're squad gets a few covid cases seems to be closing your training ground for an outbreak so by the time you open you're training ground and are scheduled for your next match, everybody is back to full health

      1. Reeker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        your*

    • The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Too much to ask for a 3-3?
      KDB 1 G 2A 1 pen miss
      Dias 1G
      Cancelo 1A
      Martinez 1 pen save
      Grealish 1 G 1 A
      Watkins 1 G 1A

      Think I’m being a little cautious with the estimations?

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        May the gods of sport ignore your prayer.

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Lol.
          Pretty please with a cherry on top.

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

        Is it OK if Sterling misses the pen?

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Even better.

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

      Grealish YC and he misses the second DGW fixture right?

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I believe so yes

        • JBG
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yea

        • Nightcrawler
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yes

        • Brimble82
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

      2. Fer Fuch's Ake
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Foden hat trick with 3 KDB PK saves for Martinez, is that too much to ask?

        1. Uncle Gamst
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          As flies to wanton boys are we to the (FPL) gods;
          They kill us for their sport.

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

        Guaranteed hauls for jammy casuals who kept Villa assets...

        1. jammie26
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Silly comment imo. This game was always going to be on.

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

          Thanks 🙂

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

          Not sure why people would transfer them out before the potential DGW....

          Also Martinez is a season keeper 😉

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

            People transfered them out before the Newcastle game was rearranged back into GW19...

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

        8-0 City
        KDB 8G
        Stones 8A

        1. Brimble82
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Couldn’t agree more.
          It’s about time someone broke the 5G threshold!
          https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_players_with_the_most_goals_in_an_association_football_game

      5. The Mandalorian
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Please no more points for John Stones.

        1. Herman Toothrot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          It is the way I'm afraid

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

          I'll settle for the appearance points today.

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

          I think City will keep a clean sheet. I don't own him, so just hoping no more attacking returns. I have Cancello, so surely he is due a big haul. Surely this is the way.

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

        Trump was dangerous and some would say he was a criminal but the fact that Americans are so happy because a rightist has gone and they vote a new rightist is typical USA.

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

          lmao what is a rightist?

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

            I'm pretty sure they mean a politician who is on the conservative side of the spectrum; and since the American political spectrum is so skewed to the right, that even our liberals are conservative--especially when compared to Europe

          2. Uncle Gamst
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Opposite to a leftist 😉

        2. CRO KLOPP
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          You could be right too

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

          Please no politics on this site 🙂

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

            Yes, I come here to avoid the "I know more about politics then you" brigade.

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

              Lol, you literally brought up Biden out of nowhere less than 30 minutes ago.

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

          Trump Derangement Syndrome

          Love how China is celebrating Biden coming in - sums it up really

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

          Let's keep Politics off this site please.

        6. Sandy Ravage
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          QAnon supporters are the real winners. They're free from their delusion, while everyone remains in one of meaningful change...

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

          I bet 99% of people who cheer for Biden couldnt name a single policy of his, outside of random nonsense sentences like "bring us back from the hate" and other slogans that are literally only about removing Trump.

          1. Uncle Gamst
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Is he still playing right back?

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

              Jus' Biden time until the game starts, eh?

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

            He's a racist hawk that likes to sniff kids

      7. Fer Fuch's Ake
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        My refusal to take a -4 hit to bring in Stones for Kilman has been the biggest regret in my entire FPL career. I expect another Stones haul today to deepen the wound

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

          Well it technically is not a -4 anyway...It is a -2.

        2. jammie26
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Hope so.