Dugout Discussion

Flores back in the Watford hot seat as Ceballos and Ozil return for Arsenal

The penultimate match of Gameweek 5 sees Watford take on Arsenal at Vicarage Road. Kick-off is at 16:30 BST.

This is returning head coach Quique Sanchez Flores’ first Watford match in charge since departing the Hornets at the end of the 2015/16 season.

Flores has made three changes to the starting XI that drew 1-1 at Newcastle a fortnight ago, with Jose Holebas (£4.8m), Gerard Deulofeu (£6.2m) and the fit-again Etienne Capoue (£4.9m) replacing Daryl Janmaat (£4.4m), the injured Craig Cathcart (£4.4m) and Roberto Pereyra (£5.8m).

The release of the teamsheet had the Hornets lining up in a 4-2-3-1, a formation Flores had favoured on and off during his managerial career.

Andre Gray (£5.9m) leads the line, with Ismaila Sarr (£6.4m) among the substitutes.

There is no place in the matchday squad for Danny Welbeck (£6.0m), however.

Unai Emery has made two changes to the side that rescued a point in the north London derby.

The injured Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m) is replaced by Mesut Ozil (£7.3m), while Dani Ceballos (£5.7m) returns to the side in place of Lucas Torreira (£4.9m).

The Gunners may well be playing in a 4-4-2 diamond, given the number of central midfielders in the starting XI.

This corresponding fixture last season saw the Gunners keep their only clean sheet of 2018/19.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) scored the only goal of that match.

The Gabon international is the sixth most-popular captaincy choice of Gameweek 5.

Aubameyang starts up front with Nicolas Pepe (£9.4m) this afternoon.

Watford XI: Foster, Femenia, Dawson, Kabasele, Holebas, Doucoure, Capoue, Hughes, Cleverley, Deulofeu, Gray.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac, Ceballos, Guendouzi, Xhaka, Ozil, Aubameyang, Pepe.

1,887 Comments Post a Comment
  1. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I reckon if by GW9/GW10 you are still doing crap in FPL then it will be very difficult for you to catch up and do well.

    You will need to hop on early to the new bandwagons (e.g. like Pogba when Ole took over or Vardy when Rodgers took over). That will come with risk that may not pay off.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Missed both of those wagons..

    2. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Strong disagree. I was comfortably out of the top 100k at new year last year and finished top 3k.

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        *and was very late to the United wagons

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

        There is always the anecdotal player who does well. Like the smoker who has been smoking 20 a day for 60 years and is 90.

        But probability suggests that if you are not in the Top 150k by GW10 then the chance of you being in the Top 10k by GW38 is low.

        Mainly because the pool of good FPL players will have reduced significantly and that will be known by then. Price rises will also hurt you because you won't have the TV to get some of those good players.

  2. DR0GBA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Aguero owners, what are we doing?

    Triple City attack owners what are we doing????

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

      They had one bad day at the office and really it was the fault of the defence, not the attack. They won't have bad days every GW.

      1. DeathoftheParty
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        And still scored two...

      2. DR0GBA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I know they won't have bad games every week but as I have triple of their attack, I am missing out on Auba/Salah/Mane who have all got something and should do for the foreseeable future

    2. MTPockets
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Never mentioning gw5 again

      • mixology
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        With Jesus back and CL games, am I missing something with all the Aguero love? His time was the last 3 weeks. Obviously incredible player though

        1. mixology
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Sorry I thought you said “triple captain “ with Aguero

        2. DR0GBA
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          he's scored in every game so far and joint top scorer... the Aguero love is justified imo

      • Alan Watts
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        If Jesus starts midweek, Aguero should start weekend...

        De Bruyne unlikely to be benched next GW after rest..

        Sterling tends to play most games...

        Midweek lineup might give some clues...

        Really have to hold for WAT....

        Will have to see how defence goes midweek....if they're jittery again, might be something to monitor, as they play out from the back, and if this isnt working might have knock on effect on team as a whole...

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

      What will you do with them if Sterling and KDB get full 90mins midweek?

      Keep both and pray, or sell one for the likes of Son?

      (Got Salah, too)

      1. tucaoneo
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Surely you can't ditch Sterling ahead of Watford. Got me 42 pts last season.

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

          Me too. But worried he’ll be bloody rested.

          1. tucaoneo
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Actually this moment reminds of last season when Man City lost to Palace and Newcastle in a row. Then Pep just doubled down on his starting XI with Sterling playing every three days or so... That was when Sane was in the team. Seriously who can play Sterling's position now?

          2. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            i have a niggly feeling that will happen also, or Watford will cause them problems and low scoring game

      2. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sterling will rest imo.

        1. DeathoftheParty
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          This. 5 points back and Liverpool looking ruthless. Not to mention the defence being all over the shop. Not the time to be resting key players in the Prem.

      3. Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        id still play both, believe pep will play his strongest squad and they ll score plenty

      4. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Would be very worried Sterling gets rested against Watford if he starts midweek.

      5. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Easy for WCers to sort.

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

          What does this even mean? You’ve not really answered the question.

          I’m not gonna wildcard barring injuries.

    4. Sickboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Help please!

      Maddison/Matip/Greenwood to Cantwell/Soyuncu/Abraham for -4 worth it guys?

      Thanks in advance.

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

      Kelly > Rico to cover Wilson?

    6. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thank god Auba. Gameweek saver.

    7. thepuntmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      WC team, any thoughts welcomed 🙂

      Pope (Button)

      Digne - Zinch - Tomori - Lundstram - Rico

      Sterling - KDB - Mane - Cantwell - Hayden

      Auba - Pukki - Joelinton

      0.7 itb to change Joelinton after Brighton at home, one week punt. 😀

      1. tucaoneo
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        You really need Salah + Mane in those fixtures? Might get Son.

        1. tucaoneo
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          * My bad. Sterling.

          1. thepuntmaster
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            I am tempted to go without Sterling, but that could bite me in the butt this weekend... Son is obvs a good pick too... thanks

      2. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I like it except Tomori and Joe Linton

      3. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Need Taa

    8. Turns
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      WC activated. Going light at the back. Thoughts out of 10?

      Pope
      TAA - Aurier - Lowton
      Sterling - KDB - Mane - Son - Cantwell
      Tammy - Pukki
      ---
      Button - Soyuncu - Lundstram - 4.5

      1. thepuntmaster
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        8, looks pretty template. Brave with the 4.5 forward

      2. Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cilson in for Tammy imo rest looks gtg

      3. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        No Aubam?

        1. Turns
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Auba, Mount (3-4-3) instead of Sterling, Cantwell (3-5-2)?

    9. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Owning a arsenal defender can't be good for heart

      1. Another Hoops
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I know, Bellerin and Monreal used to be a shout but now I wouldn't go near.

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

        Poor Emery.

    10. Another Hoops
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hello RMT out of 10 going forward (The Busman Team)

      Ryan

      Digne - Otamendi - Van Dijk

      KDB - Mane - Maddison - Mount

      Abraham - Aguero - Pukki

      Button - Dendonker - Lowton - Lundstram

    11. Lionel Ronaldo
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      0.3M to improve this WC. How?

      Pope
      Matip Coleman Maitland
      Sterling Mane Son Cantwell
      Aubam Abraham Pukki
      --4.0 4.0 4.0 4.5--

      1. Another Hoops
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Put Lundstram in if he is not already one of your 4.0 defenders otherwise nice team pal.

        1. Lionel Ronaldo
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yes he is there 🙂 Cheers!

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        1 City player...

        1. Lionel Ronaldo
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          At the moment I do not see it as a problem.

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Watford home next.

      3. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Maitland-Niles soon to be replaced by Bellerin

        1. Lionel Ronaldo
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Fair point. Will assess.

    12. PlayPercentage
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Is Digne worth his price tag of 6.2?
      The CS's seem to have dried up lately.

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He’s still the defender with the third most points

      2. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Poor value but wouldnt sell before SHU

      3. DeathoftheParty
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        They look pretty rotten at the back the last two weeks...

      4. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Not worth. He will give u a haul every 4 gameweeks while other mid priced forwards and mids bang them in more consistently.

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

        6 for most of us

      6. Another Hoops
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I love having Digne, on set pieces and nailed. Unless I see a red flag he's going nowhere for me

      7. BrutalLogiC
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        perennial next game syndrome

    13. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Bench one for next GW

      A) Lundstram (eve)
      B) Lowton (NOR)

      1. Another Hoops
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Lundstram

    14. Slurpy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Can someone remind me, if your 1st sub doesn't play does your 2nd sub come on instead?

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Only if 3 playing defenders.

      3. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Unless you are playing 3 at the back and your 2nd sub is not a defender

      4. Another Hoops
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah but you must always have 3 at the back so your 3rd sub may come on instead of your 2nd sub 😉

    15. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Whats better:
      Rich, TAA & Wilson
      or
      Sterling, Cantwell, Matip

      1. Another Hoops
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        If you have other city attackers then A.

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          have KDB

    16. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Doucoure 🙂

    17. Fpl-king
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      hey All,

      thinking of wildcarding:

      current team:
      Ryan
      Zinchenko, Van Dijk, Digne, Matip (Kelly)
      Sterling,Salah, De Bruyne, Mount (Dendoncker)
      Wilson, King (Greenwood)

      wildcard team:
      Ryan
      Lindelof,Mailand, Zinchenko (Rico,Kelly)
      Salah,Sterling, James, Mount (Dendoncker)
      Wilson, Auba, Pukki

      thoughts and Suggestions welcome

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Just take a -8

        1. Fpl-king
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Those changes will Equate to a -16

    18. DR0GBA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Watford goal

    19. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Arsenal CS gone

    20. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      LOL

    21. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Arsenal doing an arsenal.

    22. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cleverley G

    23. JonBoy
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cleverley taken.

    24. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      There you go - M Niles CS wiped out

    25. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sokratis assist

    26. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Socratis=Ota

      1. Another Hoops
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I'm hoping we can turn back time and see Otamendi score from a few KDB corners, can't say the same for Sokratis.

    27. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Deulefou assist

    28. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sokratis is pretty pants isn’t he

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yep

    29. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Delu assist, anyone still have him?

    30. tucaoneo
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Arsenal CS gone.