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

    Billy is limping... again...

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Took a ball to the nuts.

      Have pity man! He'll be fine in 5.

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

      just needs the magic sponge at half time

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

      so he lost balls as well

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

    Is that Shaw or Alonso? 😮

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

      He might not get a rollicking off moi at ht.

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

        Mou even

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

      What did he do? Actually show some attacking instinct I am guessing? Mourinho will bully that out of him.

  3. ZTF
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    A. Salah + Silva
    B. Sanchez + Sterling

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

      Salah bro ofcourse

  4. The Blind Badger
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Jimenez or Reid as the best 5.5 option?

    Happy to hear alternatives

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

      Reid

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

    2 1 Benzema

  6. RomeluStormzy
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone watching Tottenham?

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

      Nothing to watch to be honest.

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

        No lamela?

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

          No Lamela. Moura and Llorente upfront

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

      Where is Bavies?

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

        Bench

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

          ok someone in livescore team is on fire... put there Sean Davis

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

    1 shot on goal.
    1 goal.
    DDG.

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

      WC his old friend, but that was Bailly's goal tbh

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

        Got to let Bailly off, he was still trying to tape his d*** back onto his thigh after his 'injury'

  8. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I want Robbo VVD Salah and Mane...

    1. Lukakwho
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Bobby?

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Not bothered, though his price bracket is powerful.

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

      Robbo or VVD really

  9. Naby K8a
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    If there's 1 pick from this United side who will start the season well, it's Sanchez. Short term he's a good option imo, looks sharp.

    1. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      He already has experience in carrying a team. United will need that in the first few weeks of the season.

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

      When he gets put back on the wing though, you will need 2 transfers to use the funds (unless you just go straight for another premium midfielder like Hazard). I would want that money up front so for me it would be 2 transfers.

      1. Naby K8a
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Right now i'm looking at Sanchez in first 2. Use my 2 FT's in GW3 to get in Auba. Don't tend like to planning transfers ahead but I think it could work

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

          I am starting with Auba

  10. Lukakwho
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    RMT you 2AM fighters.

    Ederson

    Davies, Robbo, Luiz

    Salah, Eriksen, Richarlison, Cairney

    Aguero, Zaha, Arnie

    (Steele, Cedric, Tomkins, Stephens)

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

      Davies will probably play CB for the first game or two...lessens his appeal imo. Not a fan of the Cedric pick either personally, but I understand it.

      1. Lukakwho
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Who over Davies then?

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

      12/15 form my team, just too much value on bench due the two 4,5 defs

  11. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    How I'd like to see United this season: http://lineupbuilder.com/?sk=gy2my6

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

      That team would do well, but I can't see Mou going that route.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Unfortunately not. 451 all the way for Jose 😀

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

      😮 Thankfully Jose won't like it.

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

      Shaw will be out as soon as both Valencia and Young fit

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

        Young is 33. He can't play first team all season

    4. Parm
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Do you want Mourinho sacked 😉

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Getting there 😀

  12. ZTF
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Promise this isn't reactionary at all lads...

    Ederson
    Ward Bailly Robertson
    Sanchez Madders Mane Sterling
    Zaha Aubameyang Jiminez

    Subs: Button, Hughes, Wan-B, Peltier

    Thoughts?

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

      Sterling won't start gw1

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

      Bailly to chelsea def

      Pick one from Sanchez and Madders (too much risk)

      Get rid of Sterling

      1. ZTF
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Why rid of Sterling? If its just one week I'm willing to have him benched

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

          There is also a question how fast Pep will fix him after terrible WC

          1. ZTF
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Sterling at club level is a different player to at international, its always been the case.

        2. Duffy Dunk
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          His price may fall if he doesn't play gw1

  13. FFS, M8
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Mane, Miky, and Mendy or Salah, Kennedy and Pereira.

    Cheers.

  14. RomeluStormzy
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Obvs changed it after seeing this game and looking at utds fixtures...

    Rmt:

    Ederson (Stek)
    Robertson Shaw Tomkins (AWB) (Bamba)
    Richarlison Salah Sanchez Mahrez (Masuaku)
    Firmino Arnie Wood

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

      Herrera scored and assisted the assister, might as well throw him in for a few days!

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

        That would be just stupid...

  15. Sweez
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Leicester-Burley rotation :

    Pereira - Gudmunsson
    or
    Lowton - D.Gray

    what do you think is best ?

    1. Dušan Citizen
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      lowton

  16. Dušan Citizen
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    In all seriousness, Sanchez is a very good placeholder for KDB. Just swap them in GW 2.

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

      So is Gunnarsson + £6.0m.

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

      Mane with 0.5m itb and an extra 0.5m in the team is even better 😉

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        That would be a triple Liverpool attack for me.

        1. Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          So?

  17. Salarrivederci
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Latest draft - what do you think? 😉

    DDG
    van Dijk - Luiz - Vestergaard
    Salah (C) - Sanchéz - B. Silva - Richarlison - Pedro
    Lacazette - Gray

    (4.0 - Stones - Kamara - Wan-Bissaka)

    Surely I'll have to w8 and see what the match between Chelsea and City offers, but if Luiz and Stones(from GW2) looks nailed, then my plan is to do Sanchéz + B. Silva/Pedro -> 2 other midfielders (might be KDB and Mkhi + 1mil) Then do Gray -> Zaha/Arnie for free after GW3 😉

    Defense should be fairly nailed (watching out for Stones/Luiz ofc), but would like to let it stay as it is, and focus transfers in my midfield/attack.

    1. Dušan Citizen
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Why Vestergaard over Bertrand?

      DDG to Ederson and Stones to Bailly is more safer.

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

        You're right. Also saves me 0.5.

        Vestergaard > Bertrand. I tend to like the CB more if priced the same due to BPS and goal threat. And Vestergaard will really bring some air force into that box on corners 😉

        But I like Bertrand too.

        1. Dušan Citizen
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Bertrand will be on some set pieces tho. And will probably play as wing back.

  18. El Lobito 10
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    A. Neves
    B. Costa
    C. Kenedy
    D. Other 5m?

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

      Ralls/Hughes looks best in the 5.0 to me 😉

    2. ZTF
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Hughes or Ward and keep the 0.5

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

      Neves probably still set pieces taker

      1. El Lobito 10
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks all 🙂

    4. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      McArthur

  19. ZTF
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Good placeholder for Sterling?

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

      Sanchez

      1. ZTF
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Got him!

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

          So there is no more ad KDB and Hazard doubted

  20. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    If Salah's already in the squad - would you do Mane + Willian -> Alexis + Richarlison?

    No other CHE, MUN or EVE players in the squad.

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

      Alexis and Rich just coz Willian is not nailed

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

    Should be 2-2

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

      It was Darmian's side again, right?

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

        Matic sized hole the bigger issue.

  22. Parm
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Only a pre-season game but I can tell that I am going to enjoy Fred. The type of midfielder the club has been needing for a long time.

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah, I like him.

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

      So calm and doesn't give it away. If he's brave enough to go forward in moments of need he'll be a star!

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

        Yep, impressive press resistance. What is noticeable is him dropping deep to initiate build-up, something lacking last season.

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

      Hope so, this man can make Pogba bargain

    4. Homo Neanderthalensis
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Does he look good from an FPL points perspective though?

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

        Not at all. Thiago/Modric type player.

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

    Watching too much Neymar.

  24. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this? Had Auba as only premium striker but experimenting...

    Ederson Stekelenburg
    Robertson Bailly Mee Tomkins (AWB)
    Salah Mahrez Richarlison (Cairney Ward)
    Aguero Lacazette Zaha

    A) Aguero Lacazette Ward Bailly/5.5
    B) Auba Quaner max8.5 Azpi

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

      A

    2. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A for me.

  25. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    So who has Vestergaard replaced in the Southampton lineup?

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

      Bednarek if 3 CBs. Yoshi/Hoedt if 2 CBs.

      1. fedolefan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Damn it.

      2. fedolefan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Isn't Yoshinoya in line to go for the Asian Games or whatever?

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

          Its basically an U23s competition with 3 older players allowed, not sure if Yoshida will be / was selected.

          1. fedolefan
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Lol, yet Son wants to go play there after the World Cup, despite now that he's established himself at Spurs. Typical nonsense. Watch Spurs find a winning formula with Moura or Lamela and Son won't get a look in besides 20 min appearances again.

  26. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I should note for the above team, will likely get Auba at some point...

  27. +
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    This is my team at the moment, feel free to rip into it. Feels kinda wrong not having a City mid/forward in there, but I think Mane/Auba are better options, respectively

    Ryan / Button
    Azpi / Mendy / Robertson / Sakho / Wan-Bissaka
    Salah / Mane / Ramsey / Richarlison / Ralls
    Aubameyang / Arnautovic / Kamara

    1. Homo Neanderthalensis
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      You got Mendy in then 😉 lol

    2. squ1rrel
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Not a big fan of Ryan, and I personally prefer Lacazette over Auba to spread the 1.5 elsewhere.

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

        Is Laca likely to play regularly upfront?

    3. Homo Neanderthalensis
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I’m not a fan of 2 Liverpool midfielders, one or the other for me, midfields looks like it could do with some work if you plan on 3-4-3 formation.

      Looks good other than that

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

        It'll be 4-4-2! I've tried to upgrade Ramsey while tinkering but I'm not sure there's a way to do it that actually makes much sense, value-wise. Also lol on Mendy - his fitness is a worry, and it might depend on whether he plays in the Community Shield, but I do like him a lot

        1. Homo Neanderthalensis
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          I’d keep Ramsey in all honesty.. manager says he will be key to Arsenal’s squad this season... and always seems to end up on high FPL points. I’d want to upgrade Richarlison or Ralls (depending on who your going to start) more. Everton don’t look great at all since they beat that grass roots team 22-0.

          Mendy... I love the look of him. I don’t think they’d spend £55 odd million pounds to not start him. Now he’s back to full fitness I think he will be nailed in place personally. Only time will tell.

  28. Duffy Dunk
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    2 1 zebe on

  29. 420king
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Spurs 1-0, N'Koudou

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

      Who needs new signings!

  30. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Tinkering around with some different ideas and I have to admit I liked the look of this one:

    Ederson (Stekelenburg)
    Robertson Luiz Tarkowski Lovren Wan-Bissaka
    Salah Hazard De Bruyne (Stephens, Masuaku)
    Aguero Zaha

    Apart from the WC issues with the Belgians and Lovren which I’ll deal with through replacements+budget, I like the rest of it! What do you all think?

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

      Intriguing. I am looking at something similar:

      Ederson
      Alonso | Robbo | 5.5 | Tomkins
      Salah | Eriksen | Mane | 5.0
      Auba | Arnie

      Stek | Wan-B | Stephens | Quaner

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I’d do Azpi over Alonso tbh

        1. ★Kuntheman★
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Agreed

      2. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Very much the same strategy, I see more value in a 5.0 DEF than a 5.0 MID though. (Cairney is a tempter though)

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

          Inclined to agree in the case of Lovren, although my draft had Mane, which precluded that option. Cairney is the 5.0 mid I'm eyeing (see my post next page). But I am going to give some thought to your draft, as I am a huge fan of KDB/Haz. Eriksen has hung with KDB over the last two seasons and might again. Mane looks inspired this year, but I feel like he will be felled by the inevitable injury or ban at some point and mins will suffer per #history.

          1. ★Kuntheman★
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            I can’t look past Salah+KDB+Hazard. All could get over 200 pt seasons. Very good points.

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

              Truth.

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Quite like it mate

    3. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Help out above if you’ve got any input please!

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

      Would be great team in gw5

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Kinda have the same vibe. First few weeks rough but much better after the ARS v MCI and LIV va CPL games

    5. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Who's your third striker?

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        My bad! Quaner on the bench.

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Nice team!