Dugout Discussion – Watford vs Chelsea

Gameweek 26 draws to a conclusion this evening as Watford welcome Chelsea to Vicarage Road.

Although the Hornets boast the league’s worst home defensive record, conceding 25 times in front of their own fans, the arrival of new manager Javi Gracia has hinted at an improvement at the back.

Watford have conceded just one goal in their subsequent two matches across all competitions, though on the downside, they have yet to find the net since the Spaniard was appointed.

But their previous lack of resilience bodes well for the visitors’ Eden Hazard tonight.

The Belgian has served up double-digits in each of his last two road trips, producing a total of three goals and 26 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points over visits to Arsenal and Brighton.

Indeed, with four of his five double-figure tallies delivered on the road, Hazard is the ninth top captaincy pick for Gameweek 26, handed the armband by 2.1% of FPL managers and nine of the top 100.

Hazard is joined in a front three by the fit-again Willian, who has collected three lots of 10+ points returns in his last five league starts.

Elsewhere for Antonio Conte’s side, new arrival Olivier Giroud could get the opportunity to play his way into contention among the mid-price frontman.

Costing 8.2 in FPL, the Frenchman is named on the bench in the continued absence of Alvaro Morata.

But the big team news involves Marcos Alonso, who misses his first game of the season for the Blues as a “precautionary” measure. His absence is a major blow, with the top scoring defender owned by over 1.5 million managers.

Victor Moses looks set to play on the left tonight, with Davide Zappacosta on the right and new signing Emerson named on the bench.