Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Chelsea vs Watford

The seven-day Gameweek rolls on with a Monday night date under the lights of Stamford Bridge – the new home of the Premier League champions.

While tonight will doubtless witness scenes of celebration, Antonio Conte has given us Fantasy managers little to cheer with his team selection for the clash with Watford.

We were anticipating changes but a total of nine exceeds even our worst fears as a cast of premium assets get relegated to the bench or the stands.

They include the two top scoring defenders – Marcos Alonso and Gary Cahill – as Chelsea legend John Terry earns a run-out.

The Blues most popular player – striker Diego Costa – is also sat on the timber with Friday’s Hawthorns hero, Michy Batshuayi, leading the attack.

There are, however, some exceptions, with Cesar Azpilicueta and most notably, and surprisingly, Eden Hazard, retaining starting roles.

It remains to be seen how this impacts on their prospects for Gameweek 38 but, for now, their owners will be thankful of the possibility for returns in this evening’s clash.

Just what they can produce in such a weakened line-up remains to be seen. Watford certainly arrive in London in no great shakes – losing their last four without a single goal scored, although Chelsea’s teamsheet will surely give them a lift.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

3,548 Comments Post a Comment
  1. MTPockets
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard if likely benched, Alli if not.

      1. MTPockets
          7 years, 1 month ago

          * meant as reply to rasping drive

          1. Rasping Drive
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks; Hazard seems to be the consensus.

      2. Football Heaven
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Is sturridge likely to play vs sun?

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          There is more uncertainty if Firmino is fit.

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

          maybe some years ago playing for Chelsea he might-) but yes barring injury i think Origi is the one to loose his place if Firm is ready again and i think he will. Sturridge was absolute class vs West Ham and way more effective than Origi in and around the box, which wil be important vs Boro. May not be suited to Klopps playing style but when fresh and fit he is top class

      3. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Willy Pick
        Alonso Monreal Yoshida Holgate Davies
        Sanchez Hazard Eriksen King Sane
        Kane Jesus Gabbi

        1FT 0.6ITB

        Best moves here ? I recon that I can take -4

        1. Football Heaven
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Haz to cout
          Gabbi to studge

          1. Atimis
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Rly want Coutinho just scared of getting rid of Hazard due to ownership and possible game time vs Sunderland

            1. Hotdogs for Tea
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              He won't get much game time

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

              Hazard wil start, but not finish 90 minutes vs Sunderland. Why would he not start?

        2. POGBOOM KEBABOOM
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          willian and coutinho i guess

      4. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        9 points from Capoue (£4.5m) on a DGW bench boost.

        5 points from Hazard (£10.6m) on a DGW bench boost.

        Says it all, really.

        I personally think we've been blinded by the memory of 1 good performance at home to Everton, when Everton got it completely wrong with an experimental formation.

        1. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          To be fair, he is the second highest points scorer in the game.

          1. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Lots of double digit hauls too

          2. Big Mac 24
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            AMEN!! 6.1 ppg, only behind Kane (6.5) and Sanchez (6.7) who cost 1.0 more.

        2. Karan14
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          It's best to have him for the big games when he's at home. He's really proved he's a fixture troll.

        3. enrico.palazzo
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Lol, because 1 gameweek is big enough of a sample size..

      5. Foozeball
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I think Hazard will get a solid amount of playing time against Sunderland. 6 days after a game is enough rest time for most players at this level. He'll play to retain match sharpness, as 2 weeks rest right before a cup final is too long

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          I think you're right - Conte will want to keep his first choice 11 match fit and sharp for the cup final.

        2. Karan14
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          He can get 20-30 from the bench.

          I'm actually worried about his minutes since he completed 90 yesterday after a long time.

        3. Jam0sh
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          I'd play him for an hour

        4. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Agreed....rotation was the Watford game

        5. DJ1000
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Hazard may start but will only get 60 mins. Could easily be on the bench though

        6. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Conte will give the stars some minutes but no way will the first 11 play 90 minutes.

          Why risk injuries to key players the week before the chance to win the double ? Better to rest them and have a free two weeks of training, 11 v 11 sessions of 30 minutes a time, 15 minute segments of defending or attacking ... most managers would kill for such a scenario

          I respectfully think those on here with Chelsea assets are being a bit blinded by their own wishful thinking

          1. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Logic not wishful thinking...I agree that key players may not play 90 min though [non Hazard owner].

      6. gorilla
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        lots of goals today. not for away teams tho -michael owen

      7. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Do you think Costa, Alonso and Hazard will start/play against Sunderland?

        1. Atimis
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          That's the question of the season 😀

          1. Jam0sh
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            That really is. Naturally no definite answer but I'd like people to express their thoughts.

            1. Atimis
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Imo they should play some to keep match fitness

              1. Atimis
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                Alonso to play longest

            2. FPL Virgin
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              See 2 posts above.

              1. Jam0sh
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                Well that post was only about Hazard. Don't forget Costa and Alonso.

                1. FPL Virgin
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  7 years, 1 month ago

                  Same logic applies. Conte needs his players match fit for the FA Cup final. I don't think they get a two week rest.

                  1. Jam0sh
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    7 years, 1 month ago

                    I think it's not only about rest because they'll be fine rest wise. Just what amount of minutes Conte thinks he needs to give them to keep sharpness. Could well be half an hour of game time against tired legs to also decrease the chance of potential injuries.

          2. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            I can't see hazard starting to be honest

        2. Karan14
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          I think Costa & Alonso will.

          1. MTPockets
              7 years, 1 month ago

              This

          2. Rasping Drive
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            I think they will all start.

            1. FPL Virgin
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Me, too.

            2. Jam0sh
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Could be so. Idea of getting rid of any with my 2 FT's doesn't feel right.

        3. anish10
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          What to do with this lot:

          1FT 0.2 ITB

          Willy
          Alonso Monreal Stephens
          Hazard Sanchez Alli King
          Jesus Kane Costa

          Pickford--Davies--Holding--Caroll

          Maybe Haz > Cout, but scared he might even play!

          1. HurriKane
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Id do hazard to coutinho. great attack for final gw btw

        4. Viprin
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Early captain shouts?

          1. noquarternt
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Sanchez or Coutinho or Jesus or KDB. Depends on tonight's games though. One of those teams will likely need a win in 38 to get into the CL (if it isn't sown up by then of course).

          2. KISSES
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Kane

          3. HurriKane
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Kane. He will be selfish and spurs will be looking to pass to him at every opportunity to clinch the gold boot 😉

          4. Abel Xavier
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            On Kane right now, but will probably captain whoever I bring in - Vardy, Coutinho perhaps

        5. Clifford☯
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Pick one.

          A: Siggy and Sturridge
          B: Coutinho and Giroud

          Cheers.

          1. HurriKane
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            A

        6. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Guys keeping Hazard is a risk not worth taking right ? (having played 3 times in 7 days it might be his time to rest before cup final)

          Imagine the agony if he's benched and you have to watch likes of Fabregas and Coutinho smashing it.

          1. bench boost for every gamew…
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            played only 70 minutes in the first two so not really a big issue and with him beeing the one who does´nt track back and have to defend he will save more energy so wouldnt worry much actually-)

        7. MallettMan
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Alli to Coutinho?

          1. HurriKane
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            sideways. alli is likely score against hull

          2. DJ1000
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Alli been poor recently. Not great away. Coutinho against an awful Boro team! I would do it.

        8. noquarternt
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          When should you have played your BB? Which GW and how many points would it have netted you?

          Mine: GW 30

          Boruc 8
          Carroll 6
          Robertson 10
          Holebas 7

          = 31 points

          (Admittedly Carroll came on for Llorente)

          1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            That would have been ideal....I've played it this week: Pickford (1, Ars)
            Gibbs (0, Sun)
            Fernandez (6)
            Carrick (2, Sou)

            Hoping for 20

          2. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Misread fail. Last GW was my highest bench points,23 with Jaku penalty save!

          3. Jam0sh
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Gameweek 1 (30 points):

            Foster 10
            Capoue 10
            Amat 5
            Evans 5

          4. Abel Xavier
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            GW35 - 36 points from Jaku (14) Siggy (10) Cedric (6) Robertson (6).
            Amat kept my bench scores down for most of the season.

            1. noquarternt
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Phoar

          5. bitm2007
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Switch from GW36 to GW37 BB Strategy just before GW35 WC deadline, would have scored 24, currently on 2, praying Sanchez doesn't score big tonight as I would have then TC'd Sanchez this GW.

          6. jason_ni
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            21 in gw 30, but still got a decent score.. worst one was when I had 19 on bench, and the 11 others ended up with 27 in gw 23 🙁

        9. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Fell 2k due to Azpi & Fabregas ownership FML

        10. Champions united
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          on BB

          kompany--ake--vetrogen-holding--kinsgley
          king--hazard--sigyy-KDb-caroll
          lukaku--kane--jesus

          1)siggy>coutinho
          2)lukaku>benteke
          3)both

          1. HurriKane
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Id do Lukaku --> Sturridge ?

            1. Champions united
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              should I bring in sanchez for hazard or KDB???

              1. Champions united
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                or siggy+lukaku>origi+sanchez??

        11. KAPO KANE
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Who will have scored more points by the end of this gameweek do we reckon?

          A) Sanchez
          B) Jesus

          1. Clifford☯
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            A

          2. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Sanchez no question. If he plays he will get 3 (15 total), Jesus needs to score to match a Sanchez blank...

          3. HurriKane
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            A

        12. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          £750000 Sun Dream Team free for everybody next season.

          https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/3567682/premier-league-fantasy-football-201718-sign-up-rules/

          1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Nice

          2. bitm2007
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Deadline July 3 2017, so also something to keep us occupied before FPL opens.

          3. Dreams
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Just hate that paper. Will never ever look at it.

            1. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              This

          4. bigbudgie
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Can you sign up from overseas?

            1. bitm2007
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              I suspect that Sun newspaper purchase may be require to take part, time will tell.

              1. bigbudgie
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                yuk. Anyway who am I kidding. Last thing I need is ANOTHER fantasy competition to dominate my life!

        13. scakes
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Morning all,

          Any chance Sagna gets minutes today. Need him to block rivals Clyne bench points...

          1. Sp0rting
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Slim to none.

            Still, you can't worry about his team. Out of your hands.

            1. scakes
              • 15 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Yeh, I know. So close this year, 3 points in it. Going to be coin toss on Sunday....

        14. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Casual rival making a mockery of my BB 😀

          Me- Alonso Holgate Hazard Alli

          Rival- Azpi Jagielka Fabregas Coutinho

          1. Big Mac 24
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Ouch with a captial OUCH haha, is a close rival?

            1. HurriKane
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              nahh he's around 50 points behind me. guess its his lucky day 😉

          2. Garlana
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Perfect bb

          3. Abel Xavier
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Top benchw*nkery all round.

          4. Big Mac 24
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Why would someone even have a bench looking like that? Mocking King

          5. FPL.team
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            How are you allowed 4 outfield players on your benches??

          6. Dreams
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Who's the goalie?

        15. Garlana
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Worth making a transfer here for gw38?

          Cech/cab
          Alonso, Cahill, vert, Stephens, monreal
          Sanchez, kdb, king, eriksen, Carroll
          Jesus, Kane, Anichebe

          0.1itb, can't think of anything obvious unless I risk taking a decent player out for a punt.

          1. Rash
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Maybe down grade a def to upgrade Carroll or anichebe

          2. Arn De Gothia
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            no, gtg

          3. Gooner Kebab
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            are you playing 343 or 442?

        16. S.Agueroooooo
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Coutinho is rightly a popular pick this week the only player i can trade for him is eriksen, worth looking elsewhere for the transfer this week?

          1. Annie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            no, you need Coutinho

        17. Dreams
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Foster
          Dawson Brunt Kompany
          De Bruyne Sane Silva toure Morrison Mccleghan
          Jesus.
          Is this 11 gtg for a daily 11s game?

          Points are given on the following basis:
          Attack

          For each goal scored: 40 points.
          For each assist: 20 points.
          For each shot on target: 10 points.
          For a player scoring 3 Goals or more: 25 points.
          For each successful pass by a player: 1 point.
          Note: A goal is also considered as a shot on target.
          Defence

          For each tackle won by a player: 2 points.
          For each clearance by a player: 1 point.
          For each save by a Goal-keeper: 3 points.
          For 5 saves or more by a Goal-keeper: 25 points.
          For each penalty saved by a Goal-keeper: 10 points.
          For all Defenders:
          -if the team concedes no goal: 20 points.
          For Goal-keepers:
          -if the team concedes no goal: 40 points.
          Team (for each player who played in the game)

          For playing the game: 5 points.
          Part of a Winning team: 10 points.
          Penalty

          Yellow Card: -5 points.
          Red Card: -15 points.
          For each own goal: -10 points.
          For each foul committed: -3 points.
          If, for any reason, a match is abandoned midway with no result, no player gets points for that match.

        18. Pringle
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Best defender for GW38? Price does not matter. I am thinking Clyne.

          1. Dreams
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Matip imo.

          2. bigbudgie
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Alonso, like always

            1. _Gunner
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              this
              well rested so I think he should start + Matip imo

        19. MallettMan
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          On same points as my ML leader he has Cout on bench with no BB. JWP plays tomorrow it blocks him lol

          Anyone got a good GW38 punt for me? got 1 FT

          1. Dreams
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Dan sturridge.

            1. MallettMan
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Means getting rid of Kane. I'm thinking about Alli to Cout to block ML rival?

              I just danno 🙁

              1. Dreams
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                What's your team?

                1. MallettMan
                  • 7 Years
                  7 years, 1 month ago

                  Cech (pick)
                  Vert-Alonso-Kompany(yoshi)(benalouane)
                  Sanchez Alli King Zaha (JWP)
                  Kane Jesus Benteke

                  0.0 1Ft

                  1. Dreams
                    • 7 Years
                    7 years, 1 month ago

                    Benteke to Origi?

        20. ducksfly2gether
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          2 FT - What to do?

          Courtois
          Alonso Vert Yosh
          Pedro Sane Sanchez Eriksen King
          Kane Jesus
          (Jaku Barnes McGuire Holgate)
          0 ITB

        21. Bruno Bruno!!
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Need an arsenal and city cs today

          1. _Gunner
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            this
            have Gibbs, Monreal and Willy

          2. Dreams
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            I need a Sunderland and West Bromwich clean sheet.

        22. Moose™
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Lads, take a guess on how much is the highest points for this GW 37?

          A. 140-160

          B. 161-180

          C. 181-200

          D. 201++

          1. Dreams
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            D

          2. Live Lad
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            C

          3. Old Man
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            C

        23. SuperMane Returns
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Current BB Squad....

          Caballero
          Monreal/Bavies/Yoshi
          Sanchez/Alli/Sane/King/Pedro
          Kane/Jesus
          Bench-Pick/Benalouane/Stephens/Gabbi

          For GW38 (0.1m 1 FT) I was thinking of doing Pedro to Coutinho
          and downgrading Gabbi to a 5m striker for a -4 hit to leave
          a front 7 of
          Sanchez/Alli/Sane/King/Coutinho
          Kane/Jesus

          Does this sound worth it?

        24. SharkyJon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Check out this person who I guess 'didn't press the BB button' 37 points and counting!!!

          That has got to hurt!

          https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/369860/event/37

          1. SharkyJon
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Ok, I can't count 35 points but still bad!

          2. Abel Xavier
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            That's a nasty mistake, maybe caught out by the Friday deadline.
            Clearly intended to BB after bringing in Azpi. Would be comfortably in the top 3k otherwise.

          3. Je suis le chat
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Happened to me too, 19 points on the bench sofar. Mystified as I activated the bench boost earlier in the week. Dunno how I deactivated it.