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31 July 2018 2563 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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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 Login to Post a Comment
  1. CloudSky
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Jaf says Kiko.

  2. Davido989
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Kiko do you love me

  3. Norman Conquest
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    is chris smalling off to wolves ?

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

      Hope so

      1. Norman Conquest
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        haha he has just gone from 33-1 to evens

    2. CloudSky
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Did he change his nationality to Portuguese?

      1. Norman Conquest
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        he drinks port so can change nationality

    3. Je suis le chat
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Unless he's Portuguese.

    4. Another Hoops
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      6 mil for a Wolves defender 🙂

    5. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

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

      Think Patricio is looking a good bet now!! 😉

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Danny rose too?!? Wow what a team

  4. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. Peace-o
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

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

    2. Marmalade Forest
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month 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
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month 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
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month 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
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

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

        1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
          • 17 Years
          8 years, 1 month 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
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

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

      2. Spoox777
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        EXACTLY the same problem i'm having.

    2. MarkoSD
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

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

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 17 Years
        8 years, 1 month 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
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Zaha will score 15+ goals this season.

  6. Scheister
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. willl
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. MarkoSD
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      a

    3. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Of those, I might consider getting Richarlison

      1. DantheManinaPan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        And maybe Ralls

        1. DantheManinaPan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          And maybe Cairney

    4. krzys
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A with Cairney

  7. LewanGOALski
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this team?

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

    1. willl
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Decent, not sure about Fabianksi with the fixtures though

      1. el polako
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        All about save point with Fabian

        1. willl
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

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

      2. LewanGOALski
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 1 month 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
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 1 month 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
            • 15 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

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

            1. willl
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 1 month 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
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 1 month ago

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

    2. MarkoSD
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      ok

  8. Bad Kompany
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      never seen mine anywhere else

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

    2. willl
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

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

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

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

        1. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

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

    3. Dybala10
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Wordpress.

    4. squ1rrel
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      showed up for me on a programming website.

  9. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    X 4.0
    X X Mendy Robertson AWB

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

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. krzys
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A

  10. EmreCan Hustle
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month 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
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      If they are good options individually they are good options together

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Pretty much this

      2. EmreCan Hustle
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers.

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month 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
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers. You think Pedro is a long term option?

        1. Johnny Leghorn
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

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

  11. The Pesci challenge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Arnie definitely

    2. The Big Fella
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Only if you have £7m

    3. MarkoSD
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      yep

  12. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Is neves on pens as far as we know ?

    1. Totally !rre!evant
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. Should be

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you

  13. Totally !rre!evant
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month 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
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

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

    2. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month 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
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month 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
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

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

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

      Thanks all. Quite clear that outcome!

  14. Fantasynørden
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. willl
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

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

  15. FPL Footy Show Pod
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Pedro and Luiz too risky?

    1. sirmorbach
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

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

      1. FPL Footy Show Pod
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Cedric, AW & Masuaku

  16. Jay_
    8 years, 1 month 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
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

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

      1. Jay_
        8 years, 1 month 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
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

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

      1. Jay_
        8 years, 1 month ago

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

  17. Warby84
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month 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
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      3-4-3 much more balanced.

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

  18. sirmorbach
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Hughes ftw

  19. Ninjaa
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    What 5 players will be season keepers this season?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Hopefully 5 I pick in GW1 🙂

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Mo, Robbo, Arnie, Neves, Aub.

    3. FPL Footy Show Pod
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

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

      Not withstanding injuries

      1. willl
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

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

        1. FPL Footy Show Pod
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          No you’re right he’s rubbish

    4. Andy_Social
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

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

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

    5. MarkoSD
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

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

    6. Sting in the Tail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Patricio

  20. camarozz
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month 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
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Lössl and Ryan did well last season.

      1. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        ^This

        Plus Wolves looks better than Hud and BHA last season

    2. Andy_Social
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      European champions often are.

    3. Rainer
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Underpriced on ability and very likely for FPL value too.

  21. Albert_Luque
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month 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
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      ok

    2. Johnny Leghorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

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

  22. camarozz
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    But Fab and Foster same price and maybe better??

    1. camarozz
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Reply fail to above comment..

    2. CloudSky
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      They arent.

  23. Fantasy Gold
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    10 days.....

    So close 🙂

    1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Only 100 more team changes to go

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Ha! Not for me.

        Started over-tinkering.

        Not gonna log in until Thursday now.

    2. Rainer
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Still so far away!

  24. OO
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Ramsey vs Arnautovic?

  25. Hazardous1983
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Mane sane or mahrez? Already own salah and aguero

    1. MarkoSD
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      mane is nailed

    2. krzys
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Mane

  26. Hazardous1983
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    2 of mitro arnie and zaha.

    1. MarkoSD
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      arnie and zaha

  27. Scotty B
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Are Steve Cook and Kolasanic nailed?

    1. krzys
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Cook should be. Kolasinac probably not.

    2. Hairy Potter
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Mebbees

    3. Rainer
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on your definition of nailed.

    4. Hairy Potter
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Mebbees not

  28. 420king
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Nope, he’s crap.

      Remove.

      1. 420king
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

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

  29. Obi-1 Kenobi-0
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month 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
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

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

  30. Scotty B
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. Warby84
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Never even considered any Watford player