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.

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2,303 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling > Son ?

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Red card! waste of a transfer.

  2. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on a rough WC team, what should I keep and what should I change?

    Lloris-Speroni
    Digne-Doherty-TAA-Wanbisa-Bednarek
    Pogba-Salah-Son-Richarlison-Sane
    Aubameyang-Ings-Kamara

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

      Rough

    2. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Or Auba & Lloris to Kane & Fab

  3. FPL Forward Thinker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    90 MINUTES NO WOLVES, MAN CITY OR RASHFORD INVOLVEMENT

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      ?

  4. C'mon the Fylde
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    GTG?

    Ryan
    D.Luiz Digne TAA Trippier
    Son(c) Snodgrass Salah Pogba
    Rashford Kane

    Patricio, Jiminez, Fraser, Bennett

    1m itb

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

      Ryan gone Asia

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

        When Ryan is leaving?

      2. C'mon the Fylde
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        He doesn't play until the 6th January?

  5. Meinhoff
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Wtf is Sarry trying with this formation? They don't even play small ball, they're fukin crossing the ball to Hazard, whats he gonna do, head it??

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

      Butt it in

  6. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Again. Anyone agree with me how bad is Willian!!! He should play for Norwich

  7. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    RMWCT

    Fabianski
    Robertson Digne Doherty
    Salah Hazard Son Pogba Richarlison
    Kane Jimenez

    Speroni | Kamara AWB Bednarek

    The moves are:
    Alisson > Speroni
    Kolasinac Schindler > Digne Bednarek
    Sane Diangana Masuaku > Hazard Son Pogba
    Auba > Kamara

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

      Good team. No City attack?

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Seems so... Will get one once they hit form again, though.

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

          G2g then.

          1. arndff_
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 5 months ago

            After Son leaves... I'll have to sell him -- so this looks like a good time to buy a Man C mid... the question is who shall I downgrade? But time will tell.

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

              I think Sane until Mendy is back. Or KDB who i am sure will come good. City are quality and they will bounce back eventually.

    2. BooYaKasha
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Son is too short sighted,
      Robertson > TAA
      and keep Sane over Son

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

      Too weak front line...Otherwise it's Ok

    4. Tosa86
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      my tam and my idea is similar, i have not this good midfield, but:

      alisson is ok (but consider: arsenal and city)
      digne is good
      hazard son pogba very good but son leave for asian cup.

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        I'm selling Alisson...

        Know for Son -- will sell him post United game.

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

    When is Son off to Asia Cup?

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

      After United.

    2. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      He has 3 games left

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

      Might be worth a punt tbh

      Quick Gameweeks give lots of transfers and easy to roll one each week. might be worth the risk

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

    How's this draft wildcard?

    Fabianski
    Alonso VVD Digne
    Salah KDB Pogba Richarlison
    Kane Rashford Jimenez

    Speroni Camarasa AWB Bennett
    £0.4m left over

  10. KJT123
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Alonso playing as LB rather than the usual LF. Sad times.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Chelsea feeling their way into the game. Give them time.

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

      His leash is tight tonight.

  11. allaboutthemagic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Alonso sane for Salah Shaw for free? Good move?

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Think yes

    2. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      No. Shaw is rotten. I did Alonso to Shaw to obtain funds and I miss Alonso already

  12. i am jose mourinho
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Why did i captain haz over auba and mo

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      You should tell us.

      1. i am jose mourinho
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Cuz i am dumb dump

  13. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    So Digne is the new Baines.
    NEVER BENCH, NEVER CAPTAIN!!

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Captaining a defender isn't a good idea... at least imo.

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

      Yes, NBNC.

  14. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    30 MINUTES NO HAZARD INVOLVEMENT 🙂

  15. WrightnBright
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Chaps, I can do this -8 tonight before price rises - what do you think?

    Shindler > Digne
    Sterling > Salah
    Rashford > Ings

    Leaves me with:

    Fab
    AWB TAA Doherty Kolasinac Digne
    Anderson Sané Salah Richarlison Hazard
    Kane Ings Kamara

  16. child of God
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Is harry really worth holding on to folks? What do you think?

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      for me yes...at least for next 2 GWs

    2. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      For next few games yes as he is likely to start then I'm getting rid in NY

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      attacking returns in last 8 games...

    4. Infamy, Infamy
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Arter?

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

    If Chelsea, CPL and LEI can beat city, and WAT hold against CHE today then City are really on a downward spiral..

    1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      This analogy never works in football

  18. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/8063786/salah-dive-liverpool-ban-arsenal-man-city/

    Mark Halsey's (retired ref's) view: "should face a two-match ban if the simulation panel are consistent. Newcastle defender Paul Dummett does put his hand on Salah’s arm, but the Liverpool forward does not need to go to ground in that manner and it is an act of simulation. Oumar Niasse and Manuel Lanzini were given two-game suspensions for ‘deception of a match official’ last season. Salah has gone to ground just as easily as they did and could easily face the same punishment."

    My view: He'll get away with it

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

      In advance, sorry for linking the S'n

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Of course he'll get away with it.

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

      We all know that will never be given ..

  19. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Hazard misses 'tap-in'

  20. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Bugga. Figures....

  21. XabiAlonso
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Trolzard up to his usual

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

    Chelsea are due a penalty...

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

      Ben Foster to save...

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

      Penalty indeed!

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

    1) Pogba/Sané
    2) Salah/Camarasa
    3) Sterling/Fraser
    4) Pogba/Mane

    Attackers already in squad: Hazard, Anderson, Son; Kane, Rashford

  24. Lokako
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Chicarito and Anderson both play tomorrow = 0 % chance

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

      Yes, because Chica will be out.

    2. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Chica out tomorrow would be lovely. AWB 1st on the bench with his 7 points.

  25. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Who to start?

    A...kamara v hudds (will he start?)

    B....jiminez at spurs

    Thanks

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

      Jimenez didn't do too badly last time out.

  26. Big_Bear
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Auba for Kane?

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

      No

  27. Ronnies
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Worth a -4 guys ?

    fraser & anderson >>> pogba & lingard

    Thanks.

  28. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Alonso offside

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

    Who do people think is more likely to get rested against Southampton between Sterling and Sane? I'm thinking of getting rid of Sterling unless he looked much better against Leicester today?

    Didn't watch the match today so would appreciate any input.

    1. Meinhoff
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      He was bad. Sane cheaper and in better form

    2. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Subbed at 69min so be careful

    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling.

      Delph now out on the left for them too, surely it means they need sane more than ever for the width

  30. banskt
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Ederson, Sanè, Hazard --> Foster, Salah, Pogba (-4)

    No Man City players, double Watford defense (Holebas), double ManUtd attack (Martial). Madness?