Dugout Discussion

Chelsea trip to Watford largely unaffected by festive rotation

The final game of a bumper Boxing Day Fantasy Premier League schedule is largely unaffected by Christmas rotation.

There had been fears that Marcos Alonso (£6.9m) might lose his place as Chelsea travel to Watford but he has been named in the starting line-up.

In fact, Blues manager Maurizio Sarri has made no changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Leicester just days previously, keeping faith with his key men.

It means another stint on the bench for Olivier Giroud (£7.7m) with Eden Hazard (£11.0m) leading the line as false-nine once again, flanked by Willian (£7.3m) and Pedro (£6.3m).

Even the midfield trio of Jorginho (£4.8m), N’Golo Kanté (£4.9m) and Matteo Kovacic (£5.8m) was left undisturbed by Sarri, despite a few options for rotation.

Meanwhile, Javi Gracia has kept faith in the front two who punished West Ham in Gameweek 18, Troy Deeney (£5.8m) and Gerard Deulofeu (£5.4m) leading a Watford side lined up in a 4-4-2 formation.

Watford XI (4-4-2): Foster; Holebas, Kabasele, Cathcart, Kiko Femenia; Pereyra, Capoue, Doucouré, Sema; Deeney, Deulofeu.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Kepa; Alonso, Luiz, Rudiger, Azpilicueta; Kovacic, Kanté, Jorginho; Pedro, Willian; Hazard.

Become a Member and access our data

Memberships for the 2018/19 campaign are now available for the price of just £15.

Join now to get the following:

  • Plot your transfer strategies using the fully interactive Season Ticker.
  • Get projections for every Premier League player provided by the Rate My Team statistical model.
  • Use Rate My Team throughout the season to guide your selections and transfers.
  • Get access to over 130+ exclusive members articles over the season.
  • Analyse our OPTA-powered statistic tables specifically tailored for Fantasy Football Managers.
  • Use our exclusive tool to build custom stats tables from over 100 OPTA player and team stats.
  • View heatmaps and expected goals data for every player.
  • Use our powerful comparison tool to analyse players head-to-head.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT MEMBER

2,303 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Wan B 1 or 2 bonus?

    1. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Einez

    2. BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      2

    3. TOPCAT1960
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      looking likely for 2

  2. EgyptianKing
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Have to press the button today to avoid being ourpriced:

    Sane and Snodgrass out // Pogba and Lingard in (free)

    Would really like to hear your opinions!

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I do not like the moves

    2. BeDreamin
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Too much united for my liking. What's the rest of your team?

      1. EgyptianKing
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Fabianski
        Alonso, Robertson, Kolasinac
        Son, Sane, Sterling, Snodgrass, Hazard
        Kane, Jimenez

        Hamer, Bissaka, Kamara, Balbuena

        Cheers

    3. NestorC
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      nice

    4. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Looks good to me.

  3. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Haz looking excited!

  4. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Remember when Barkley was essential lol?

    1. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Cant be more essential than KWP

  5. Jolly Good
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Sané more nailed now you think with Delph out

    Thinking of ditching Sterling or Sané for Pogba

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling to Salah once Salahs fixtures clear

  6. Pooodle
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    The whole “Alonso is getting rotated this week” narrative is really tiresome.

    He’s shown himself to be one of the most nailed fantasy options for seasons now.

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Well, many pretty sure stated on here that Salah, Sterling and Auba would be rested too

      1. Pooodle
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah loads of people speculate that every player will be rested every week with no information at all.

        Even a broken clock is right twice a day I guess...

  7. Liastro ⭐️
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Who are your wildcard must haves?

    Must use the wildcard this week!

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Kane Auba Salah Son Pogba Digne AWB Liverpool defender

      1. LǝgleSs e|even
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Auba? really AUBA?
        Id rather go Vardy

    2. Jealous Viper
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Wan Bap Saka and build your team around him

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

    What are you doing with Sterling? Would get Pogba for him, but with Sou next not sure is it a good move.

    1. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Wont they park ultrabus tho?

      1. NestorC
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        They should, but Pep need to win it, not sure who will play next game tho

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

      Sou not a walkover anymore.

      1. NestorC
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Indeed but still I expect City to win it

        1. Volley127
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          I'm sure you did for their last two games as well tbf.

          1. NestorC
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 5 months ago

            You couldn't be more right...

    3. french holiday
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Pogba: nailed+ form + fixtures + cheaper
      Sterling : rotation risk + out of form + fixtures + expensive

      1. NestorC
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        it does sound so simple, will probably get him now, his price will sky rocket too

    4. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Yup would get Pogba, Sterling probably rested for Mahrez anyway

      1. NestorC
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        cheers, a bit late but guess better late than never

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

          I know- same here...

  9. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Which one with 2FTs?
    1. Sterling Balbuena to Pogba Digne?
    2. Doherty to Digne?
    3. Hart Balbuena to Button Digne?

    Fabianski
    Alonso/Robbo/Doherty
    Sterling/Hazard/Son/Martial/FAnderson
    Auba/Jimenez

    Hart/WB/Kamara/Balbuena

    1. NestorC
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      prob 3

      1. NestorC
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        or 1 if you fancy Pogba

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling & Alonso > Salah & Digne?

  10. amplifiedAnt
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed...

    Should've been braver and wildcarded before today to get in Son et al. Anyway...

    Fabianski (Hamer)
    Alonso, Robertson, Digne (Doherty, AWB)
    Hazard, Sterling, Richarlison, Fraser, Snodgrass
    Kane, Rashford, Jiminez

    1FT, 0.2 ITB. Would you wildcard to do these transfers?

    Hamer > Button
    AWB > Bednarek
    Sterling > Son
    Fraser > Camarasa
    Rashford > Aubameyang

    1. Pooodle
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Isn’t it pretty much your last week to wildcard anyway?

      1. amplifiedAnt
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Believe so. More talking about the logic of the moves.

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Rashford > Aubameyang With 0.2 ITB would be the transfer of the season IMO

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Oh I see it’s WC, well you use it or lose it mate

    3. thischarmingman
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      WC is now or never

    4. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Get Salah by downgrading either Jimenez or Rashford (or both).

      1. amplifiedAnt
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Fraser > Camarasa
        Sterling > Salah
        Jiminez > Ings

        ???

  11. Game of Throw_ins
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    How is this for -16? Got exact money ITB.
    Sterling+Sane+Robbo+Mitrovic+Jimenez ➡ Salah+Pogba+Digne+Auba+Kamara

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Wowzers!

    2. FISSH
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I'd still want to keep one city player

    3. Pooodle
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      -16 = no

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

      Good luck

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

      I've taken a -16 in the last two seasons around this time and have seen a rank boost huge both times. I say go for it

    6. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Pace it, over few gws with ARS v LIV, go with Salah.
      Get Pogba/Digne in.
      Sterling > Salah + Robbo > Digne seems like a good one for next gw

    7. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Getting rid of your City players and a Liverpool defender for a -16? Seriously?

  12. FISSH
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    -8 seemed to work...

    Duffy, richarlison and jiminez to...

    Digne, son and rashford.

    Just wish I captained son not sterling!

  13. Stevie B
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Is this wildcard team okay?

    Fabianski, Button
    Van Dijk, Digne, Lovren, Wan-Bissaka, Bednarek
    Salah, Hazard, Son, Pogba, Gunnarsson
    Kane, Jimenez, Ings

    Thanks!

    1. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      No

  14. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Pedro close!

  15. ZTF
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Ederson
    Doh Digne Robertson
    Pog Sterling Deu Anderson
    Aubameyang Murray Kane

    Subs: Hamer Bennett Murray Westwood

    A) Sterling + Ederson to Salah + Lloris
    B) Sterling + Doherty to Salah + Lovren
    C) Save

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

      C

  16. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on ditchin koli?

    Got doherty awb digne and robbo already?

    Best priced 5m defenders? Or keep him....

  17. Rik Waller
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Which post will Alonso hit today?

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

      All 3

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      It’s the back of the net today

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

      Depends on which direction he drives home.

      1. Rik Waller
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Might hit the postman on his morning shift

  18. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Would you drop Kane to Auba to upgrade Ryan (off to Asia Cup) to a 5.5m GK?

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

      No

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      No

    3. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      You want to drop Kane when Spurs just scored 11 in 2 games and have Wolves and Cardiff up next?

      Just do Ryan to Foster.

      1. Messiah Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks for the suggestion

    4. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      No get Fabianski or Foster

      1. Messiah Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks for the suggestion

  19. bialk
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Sane to Pogba with a FT?

  20. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Brought in Digne GW13 as a replacement for Mendy. Finally paid off!

  21. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Didn't realize the new article...
    Fab, Button
    Robbo, Doherty, Luiz, AWB, Bednarek
    Sterling, Son, Hazard, Fraser, Anderson
    Kane, Rashford, Kamara

    Glad I saved the FT for gw20, but kind of at a loss. Nothing too glaring. Fraser and Kamara out? Maybe Sterling? Mini-WC?
    What would you do?

    1. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Bednarek, Fraser > Digne, Camarasa?

  22. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Schindler - sane (-4) to Taa - son ? y or n

  23. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    sterling to pogba for a free?

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

      Yes

  24. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    I HATE THIS SEASON!!:(((

    - chcikened out of doing sane > pogba and then benched digne.

    Was so sure one of rich or Alonso won’t play but this is gonna sting!!

    What a freakn nightmare season

  25. french holiday
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Digne needs a rest. Wont be surprised to see Baines next GW.

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

      Ok

    2. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      doubt it. Marco needs all the attacking prowes he can get

  26. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    When will all the BAPS be added for the 3pm kickoffs after Chelsea game or before?

  27. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    When will Ryan leave?

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Left with Bournemouth defence yesterday.

  28. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    GK CS points after 8 GWs.. Thanks Hugo 😀

    1. bialk
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I need a City CS points after 8 GWs.

  29. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Can't believe people are getting rid of City assets.

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

      Its great 😀

    2. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      It’s over for a while.
      Time to switch players

    3. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Join the bus

  30. Boo Ya Ka Sha
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Any news on Jota?

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

      Scout tweets.