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Best Watford players to sign on FPL in 2018/19 – Complete Members’ Analysis

With just over a week to go until the 2018/19 season begins, Watford players aren’t proving to be popular purchases in the Fantasy Premier League community.

The Hornets are one of only two clubs – the other being newly promoted Cardiff City – who don’t have a single player with an FPL ownership of 5% or more.

This isn’t a huge shock, looking at last season’s figures: the Hertfordshire club had the third-worst defensive record in the top flight and only one of their players – central midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure (£6.0m) – scored more than five league goals. Richarlison, meanwhile, departed for Everton last week.

Javi Gracia’s side are third-favourites for relegation with some bookmakers and their form from Gameweek 14 onwards last season – the Hornets won more matches (six) before this point than they did in their remaining 25 games (five) – was that of a team fighting the drop.

Watford’s opening three fixtures this season are enticing, however: home matches against Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace sandwich the Hornets’ trip to Burnley, who could be in UEFA Europa League action either side of that encounter.

Encouraging underlying defensive statistics, the pre-season form of Andre Gray (£6.0m) and a tactical system that encourages their full-backs to attack are worthy of note, too – all of which we will expand on in the article below.

In-depth data on Watford’s season is available in the Members’ Area, while Fantasy Football Scout members can also read our detailed analysis of the key statistics in the article below.

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Also check out our detailed statistical analysis articles on every team comparing data for the last two seasons to highlight the players to sign and the players to avoid:

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2,563 Comments Post a Comment
  1. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Jaf says Kiko.

  2. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Kiko do you love me

  3. Norman Conquest
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    is chris smalling off to wolves ?

    1. Tortoise and De Gea
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Hope so

      1. Norman Conquest
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        haha he has just gone from 33-1 to evens

    2. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Did he change his nationality to Portuguese?

      1. Norman Conquest
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        he drinks port so can change nationality

    3. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Unless he's Portuguese.

    4. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      6 mil for a Wolves defender 🙂

    5. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      So Smalling, Rojo and Danny Rose in the wolves back line.....!!

      Think Patricio is looking a good bet now!! 😉

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Danny rose too?!? Wow what a team

  4. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Who is Madison who has just signed for Leicester ? At 6.5 he seems pricey..

    1. Peace-o
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      He is mazing. He'll feed Vardy. Sad we haven't seen much of him in pre-season.

    2. Marmalade Forest
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      At Norwich he generally played on the right of a front 3 in a 4-3-3 or right/centre in the 3 of a 4-2-3-1.

      Didn’t really set the Championship on fire in an better than average side. Played most games and got about 12 goals and assists in a 46 game season.

      Only about 20 though so may be better than last year. Shocked we got £20m for him.

  5. willl
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    How is this?

    Patricio (4.0) Azpi Mendy Robertson PVA (AWB)
    Sanchez KDB Mane (Stephens Masuaku)
    Auba Zaha Wood

    KDB is assuming he is back, if he is not I will figure something else out

    1. Scheister
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I like it very much indeed.
      Mine is similar, just trying to figure out how to get Eriksen or some Spurs cover in

      1. willl
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Sanchez is my flexible mid, will be looking at Hazard and Eriksen as possible replacements

        1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          I have the same thoughts as you about sanchez he is there until something better comes along.
          Man City mid/ Chelsea mid/Arsenal mid

          I had sane but there seem to be doubts about him.
          My logic is if by some miracle man united do score a goal.
          It will probably involve Sanchez in some form.

          1. willl
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            He should be up front to start with as well, first few fixtures are good too

      2. Spoox777
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        EXACTLY the same problem i'm having.

    2. MarkoSD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      don't like sanchez zaha wood and that there is no salah

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Wood is a great pick look at his stats and fixtures!
        Everything at palace goes through Zaha, bar the liverpool game gw 2 they have great opening fixtures.

      2. Spoox777
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Zaha will score 15+ goals this season.

  6. Scheister
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    A) KDB & Ralls/Cairney
    B) B Silva & Richarlison

    1. willl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. MarkoSD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      a

    3. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Of those, I might consider getting Richarlison

      1. DantheManinaPan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        And maybe Ralls

        1. DantheManinaPan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          And maybe Cairney

    4. krzys
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A with Cairney

  7. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this team?

    Fabianski - 4.0
    Robertson - PVA - Coleman - Doherty - Bednarek
    Salah - Sanchez - Jota - Richarlison - Ward
    Aguero - Zaha - Arnautovic

    1. willl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Decent, not sure about Fabianksi with the fixtures though

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        All about save point with Fabian

        1. willl
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          need to make 12 saves to match a clean sheet though...

      2. LewanGOALski
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I am counting on save points and BAPS at the beginning of the season. In general I think he’s a steal at 4.5 this year and will be easily in top3 in points per million

        1. willl
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah but you can avoid his terrible fixtures and get him in later on, we have transfers for a reason.

          Set and forget is a myth.

          1. LewanGOALski
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Whom for 4.5 though?
            Was thinking Patricio but already have Doherty from Wolves

            1. willl
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Patricio or Ryan imo, Ryan fixtures aren't great either though

              If you're planning to WC fairly early just look at the first few weeks I'd say

            2. Andy_Social
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              I'm happy with both of them but if you're not, Foster has easy early fixtures.

    2. MarkoSD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      ok

  8. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    If you get a grav does it show up anywhere else other than here such as your email?

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      never seen mine anywhere else

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers

    2. willl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I saw mine somewhere else but can't remember where, discord maybe?

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers! Just worried about some stupid picture appearing in something important

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Well, do check it then. Or don't upload stupid picture.

    3. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Wordpress.

    4. squ1rrel
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      showed up for me on a programming website.

  9. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    X 4.0
    X X Mendy Robertson AWB

    a) Ederson, Tomkins & Boly
    b) Patricio, PVA & Cedric
    c) Fabianski, PVA & Boly

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. krzys
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A

  10. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I have Sanchez as a placeholder for Hazard, but I also have Pedro atm...is that wise or should I look at another 6.5m mid or keep Pedro short term?

    Not sure I want to double up.

    Thanks.

    1. willl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      If they are good options individually they are good options together

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Pretty much this

      2. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers.

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      If you think Pedro is the best 6.5 option and he looks likely to start the first few, pick him

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers. You think Pedro is a long term option?

        1. Johnny Leghorn
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          I do. But it will depend if they buy another striker.

  11. The Pesci challenge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Not signing Mitro at 6.5, might as well have zaha or arnie

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Arnie definitely

    2. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Only if you have £7m

    3. MarkoSD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      yep

  12. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Is neves on pens as far as we know ?

    1. Totally !rre!evant
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yes. Should be

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Thank you

  13. Totally !rre!evant
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    What's the general consensus on having a forward playing against a defender in the first game week? Don't think I can bring myself to do it, yet so many on here look very likely to do so.

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Don’t understand the problem with it. If they’re good picks, their good picks regardless

    2. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Not ideal but not worth ignoring good players over.

      I build my team. Then i check. If the players are fringe importance i might change but if they are integral to the make up of the team then i leave them in there and trust my gut

    3. el polako
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Depends on a defender some of them are just too offensive\expensive to bench. Example from my current team:
      Mendy vs. Laca & Ozil, I will play them all hoping for high scoring game and some returns from City's left back.

    4. willl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Avoiding something based on one week is silly, if you want them for the weeks after then get them

    5. Totally !rre!evant
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks all. Quite clear that outcome!

  14. Fantasynørden
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Why have some of you started putting KDB into your squads already? Do you know something I don’t?

    1. willl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      yes, you can take him out if he looks like not starting

  15. FPL Footy Show Pod
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Pedro and Luiz too risky?

    1. sirmorbach
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I think so, yeah. What's your bench?

      1. FPL Footy Show Pod
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Cedric, AW & Masuaku

  16. Jay_
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I know rotation rarely works but check out WAT/CPL/CAR. It's good for a long time with only 1 or 2 'tough' games until gw30 odd. A 4.5 WAT with WB and Peltier (or a 4.5 if you don't fancy Peltier could be very good for 12.5/13m.

      1. FPL Footy Show Pod
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Trouble is - Watford and Cardiff will struggle this year. Palace might make top half if all goes well for them.

        1. Jay_
            5 years, 8 months ago

            I'm not so sure they'll struggle. Look how Palace were once they got their first point and look at Watford stats at end of season. Cardiff, sure, big favourites for drop but it's only playing a Def every now and then in easy homes.

        2. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          It is a really good long term rotation. Problem is nailing down the Watford defenders.

          1. Jay_
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Yeah I was hoping for some light on the 4.5's of WAT in the article.

        3. Warby84
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Ryan/Schmeichel
          Robertson Alonso Mendy Tomkins Wan B
          DeBruyne Salah Schurrle Richarlison Masuaka
          Aubameyang Arnautovic Jimenez

          3-4-3 in order

          OR

          Ryan/Schmeichel
          Robertson Bailly Mendy Tomkins Wan B
          Salah Gross Richarlison Masuaka Ward
          Aguero Aubameyang Arnautovic

          4-3-3 in order

          I’m down to the last 2 teams?

          Any thoughts

          1. FPL Footy Show Pod
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            3-4-3 much more balanced.

            Will Sch start? I see Pedro as an excellent option at 6.5.

        4. sirmorbach
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Hughes ftw

        5. Ninjaa
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          What 5 players will be season keepers this season?

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Hopefully 5 I pick in GW1 🙂

          2. Je suis le chat
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Mo, Robbo, Arnie, Neves, Aub.

          3. FPL Footy Show Pod
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Salah, Auba, Ederson or DDG, Arnie & Kane at some point.

            Not withstanding injuries

            1. willl
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              'at some point', so not a season keeper?

              1. FPL Footy Show Pod
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                No you’re right he’s rubbish

          4. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            The usual suspects - Salah, Kevin dB, Azpi, maybe Auba and Robbo.

            Or, more literally, DDG, Ederson, Alisson, Leno, Fabianski? 😉

          5. MarkoSD
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            ederson, pogba(I hope), salah, kane, lee peltier 🙂

          6. Sting in the Tail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Patricio

        6. camarozz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Why is Patricio so popular on here?

          Keepers from promoted clubs don't usually do well..?

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Lössl and Ryan did well last season.

            1. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              ^This

              Plus Wolves looks better than Hud and BHA last season

          2. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            European champions often are.

          3. Rainer
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Underpriced on ability and very likely for FPL value too.

        7. Albert_Luque
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Apologies for repost, bottomed on last page. First RMT after a good deal of tinkering, come up with a decent team I feel (although probably reinforcing the template). Would welcome any comments.

          Patricio - 4.0
          Mendy - Robertson - Mee - Tomkins - 4.0
          Salah - Mane - Mahrez - Richarlison - Cairney
          Aguero - Arnie - Sorloth

          Thanks!

          1. MarkoSD
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            ok

          2. Johnny Leghorn
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Not sold on Mee. Shaw better for now in price bracket. Jose says he's starting.
            Good team otherwise.

        8. camarozz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          But Fab and Foster same price and maybe better??

          1. camarozz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Reply fail to above comment..

          2. CloudSky
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            They arent.

        9. Fantasy Gold
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          10 days.....

          So close 🙂

          1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Only 100 more team changes to go

            1. Fantasy Gold
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Ha! Not for me.

              Started over-tinkering.

              Not gonna log in until Thursday now.

          2. Rainer
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Still so far away!

        10. OO
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Ramsey vs Arnautovic?

        11. Hazardous1983
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Mane sane or mahrez? Already own salah and aguero

          1. MarkoSD
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            mane is nailed

          2. krzys
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Mane

        12. Hazardous1983
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          2 of mitro arnie and zaha.

          1. MarkoSD
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            arnie and zaha

        13. Scotty B
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Are Steve Cook and Kolasanic nailed?

          1. krzys
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Cook should be. Kolasinac probably not.

          2. Hairy Potter
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Mebbees

          3. Rainer
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Depends on your definition of nailed.

          4. Hairy Potter
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Mebbees not

        14. 420king
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Arnie didn't score today. Is he still in form?

          1. Fantasy Gold
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Nope, he’s crap.

            Remove.

            1. 420king
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              I don't have him yet. This form vs fixture debate doesn't convince me.

        15. Obi-1 Kenobi-0
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          What's the general consensus on Zaha vs Arnie at the moment?

          Currently on Zaha but starting to see a lot more Arnie on here. I like him, and get the fixture proof argument, but still prefer Zaha over the first fifth of the season.

          1. Warby84
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            I think the difference is mentality, Zaha wants to leave... but Arnautovic is a class above..

        16. Scotty B
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Anyone considering Janmaat?
          Decent fixtures and always got a goal in him

          1. Warby84
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Never even considered any Watford player