We're teaming up with knowledgable fans ahead of the 2015/2016 Fantasy Premier League season to get some tips on their players potential, starting lineups, transfers and much more. This article will focus on newly promoted Watford, who under their new manager Quique Flores will be hoping they can stay in the Premier League
Hornets fan
Rory Kimber has provided us with his expert insight in to the club and hopefully his predictions and player analysis will help you choose which Watford players should make your FPL teams. Tim will also be at hand to answer any of your Watford related questions in the comments section. Without further ado, here's our Watford team guide and player tips for the 2015/16 season.
OPENING FIXTURES
Everton (A)
West Brom (H)
Southampton (H)
Man City (A)
Swansea (H)
SET PIECE TAKERS
Penalties: Troy Deeney, Matej Vydra
Freekicks: Almen Abdi, Daniel Tozer
Corners: Almen Abdi, Daniel Tozer
TRANSFER TARGETS
Lex Immers � Transfer bid.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Gomes
Nyom, Prodl, Cathcart/Angella, Holebas
Behrami, Capoue
Berghuis, Abdi/Juarado, Ighalo
Deeney
WATFORD'S DEFENSIVE RECORD
Watford conceded 50 goals in their Championship campaign last season, and their first choice goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes kept 15 clean sheets. That's a clean sheet in roughly 34% of the games he played. It's also worth noting to that Watford had a managers merry-go-round throughout the season which could have unsettled the players but Gomes was solid in goal. Going into this season as a newly promoted side they will be targeted by oppositions as a ‘weaker' team. Although they may have a strong defensive shape they could be leaky due to the step up in class.
GOALKEEPER TIPS
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Huerlho Gomes (4.5m) � The former Tottenham keeper doesn't have the fondest of memories in the Premier League and fans will remember him for the countless blunders he made.
Gomes has recaptured his form at Watford and should be the number 1 choice for Flores despite conceding 50 last season.[/mks_one_half]
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VERDICT: Defensive record wasn't great last year and for 4.5m there are more convincing choices.
Giedrius Arlauskis (4.5m) � The Lithuanian goalkeeper is a bit of an unknown, he's only ever played one league game for Watford and before that was club hopping so we've not seen much of him. He should replace Gomes if he suffers an injury however that's a big if.
VERDICT: Unless you want someone to warm your bench, avoid him.
WHICH WATFORD DEFENDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?
Gabriele Angella your best bet at this stage due to his goal scoring ability. It may also be worth keeping an eye on Nyom and see what he brings to the table. Angella would be our tip if he can beat Cathcart to the centre back role.
DEFENDER TIPS
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Gabriele Angella (4.5m) � Angella should be a guarenteed starter in the Watford defence whether they opt for four or five at the back. He poses what we all want in an FPL defender, a goal scoring threat � 9 in 75 since he joined Watford.
VERDICT: Good value for money if he can continue to produce goals, although Watford may unfold against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, if the fixture list looks kind he may be worth a gamble.[/mks_one_half]
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Craig Cathcart (4.5m) � The Northen Irish defender scored 3 goals in 29 games last season however the signing of Prodl could mean he features even less at centre back. He has Premier League experience with Blackpool, which could benefit Watford's back line.
VERDICT: Prodl should be starting ahead of Cathcart, however if Watford opt for three centre backs and they have favourable fixtures he could be worth a look.
Sebastian Prodl (4.5m) � A very classy centre back who last season played 22 times in the Bundesliga for Werder Bremen, his pedigree and ability should mean he starts at the back. Watford fans will be hoping he can tighten up their defence from last year and produce more clean sheets.
VERDICT: A starter for Watford but doesn't have experience in England, which could come as a shock to the system. Throughout his career he's scored roughly 1 in 10 keep an eye on his form.
Allan Nyom � A signing from the Pozzo umbrella. Big Allan Nyom has consistently played for Granada in the last 5 seasons (30+ apps a year). Expected to be the first choice RB/RWB this season, he has a tendency to pick up cards, around 10 yellows a season and has failed to contribute in attack at Granada. This is good enough reason to leave him out of your fantasy team.
VERDICT: New to the Premier League, fails to contribute in attack, picks up yellow cards. Avoid.
Juan Carlos Paredes (4.5m) � Impressed during the Copa America and was a nailed on starter before the signing of Nyom, which should mean he won't be starting, which is a shame because he could have been a decent option.
VERDICT: If Nyom picks up an injury or drops in form then Paredes will replace him, an attacking threat that will produce assists, but firstly Nyom needs to lose his place.
Jose Holebas (4.5m) � Watford fans think they've got themselves a gem here, an attacking fullback who played 24 times for Roma last season, his ability to deliver crosses should see him pick up a handful of assists.
VERDICT: Could be a good rotation option in your team especially if you can alternate the home fixtures with someone else.
Miguel Britos � Britos brings plenty of experience to Watford having won trophies with Napoli. He was used as part of a rotation system with the Naples club and it is expected that it will be the same with Watford. Britos must compete with new signing Prodl and last seaon's partnership of Cathcart and Angella for the CB spot. He is currently serving a suspension until 23
rd August for head-butting Alvaro Morata in the final game of the season against Juventus.
VERDICT: Britos is expected to be used as part of a rotation system or as cover for injuries. Even if he did start regularly, he is not a goal scoring defender and doesn't offer much in attack. Our verdict is to avoid him and his head butting ways.
Miguel Layun (4.5) � The Mexican defender wasn't at his best last season however has plenty to offer, and should play a lot more than he did last season. He can play as a wingback or in central midfield, where he should be used next year.
VERDICT: If he begins to play centre midfield it may be worth a shot, however if he continues his form from last year then he won't be anywhere near the starting line up, keep your eye on him
Joel Ekstrand, Daniel Pudil, Tommy Hoban, Lloyd Doyley. (4.0m)� They may not feature much next season, if the starters get injuries they will play but otherwise it's not happening.
VERDICT: Avoid.
WHICH WATFORD MIDFIELDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?
Abdi, without doubt it has to be Abdi. He's the playmaker and the lynchpin for Watford. He scores goals and tallies up assists � what more do you want in a FPL midfielder? If you have 5m going spare and are unsure where to use it then Abdi is your man.
MIDFIELDER TIPS
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Almen Abdi (5.0m) � The magic man for Watford.
He suffered an injury last season that hampered him however 23 goals in 83 games since signing for Watford couples with countless assists makes him a really interesting option.
VERDICT: The most exciting Watford midfielder, and will be a really useful rotation option in your midfield.
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Steven Burghuis (6m) � Berghuis scored 11 times and provided 4 assists in 19 starts for AZ Alkmaar last season. Watford were in need of a natural winger with a decent delivery and the arrival of Berghuis will no doubt increase Watford's counter-attacking potential. Once he has settled in to Watford and the Premier League, he could become a big player.
VERDICT: Berghuis, Watford's most expensive player at 6.0m, has the ability to score and assist. He will get the opportunities at Watford on the right and left and if Watford are successful on the goalscoring front he will be an absolute steal.
Jose Manuel Jurado (5.5m) � At 29 Jurado brings quality and experience to Watford. He has played under the current manager Quique Flores before at Atletico Madrid so has an understanding of the type of play expected by the new manager. Historically speaking, Jurado has never been a prolific goalscoring midfielder, however he does have the ability to provide plenty of assists to Watford's front 3.
VERDICT: Jurado will bring bags of quality to Watford, however his lack of goals suggest there are better options in the market for midfield. If Jurado can add goals to his game then 5.5 million is a fantastic price. But until then he's just a poor man's Fabregas.
Etienne Capoue (5m) The record signing will be playing week win, week out, however we believe he isn't necessarily a good FPL signing. He is a defensive midfielder, which means a lack of goals and an abundance of bookings.
VERDICT: Use the 5m on someone else, Capoue is a defensive midfielder.
Valon Behrami (4.5) � This move came out of nowhere, the problem with Behrami is he's a tough tackler and some of them tackles tend to be late. It's a shame because he has fantastic technical ability. He should play most weeks but his career suggests he's goal shy.
VERDICT: Unless you want him for 2 points a week, then we'd discount him to many bookings and not enough goals.
Ben Watson (4.5m) � Didn't score in 20 appearances last season but showed plenty of promise. Although he is a good player he could be dropped to the bench with the signings Watford have made.
VERDICT: Avoid, too much of a risk.
Ikechi Anya (4.5m) � Plays wing back when Watford opt for five at the back and has pace in abundance, the problem? He lacks an end product. Watford are in the market for a winger and Abdi has been playing there during pre season. Celtic were weighing up an offer for Anya but it never materialised.
VERDICT: Avoid, won't be playing much.
Essaid Belkalem, Daniel Tozser and Lloyd Dyer (4.5m-5m) � They are all back up players and won't be a consistent face in the starting line up, Tozser has announced he's leaving so will certainly be one to avoid. Dyer is an enigma falls out of love with all the managers but shows plenty of talent. If he gets on the right side of Flores he has an outside chance, but keep him away from your team in the meantime.
VERDICT: Stay away.
WHICH WATFORD FORWARD SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?
Deeney is the obvious choice, he's the main man upfront and the ‘go-to guy' for goals. He's been subject to Premier League interest over the past two years and it's clear to see why, he has an incedible eye for goal. Deeney is our choice.
FORWARD TIPS
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Troy Deeney (5.5m) � Deeney is already one of the most owned players and rightly so. He will start every game when he's fit. He's the club captain and the penalty taker.
In the last three seasons he's scored 20 or more in each of them. For 5.5m he's worth having around, he doesn't have the worst discipline either so won't be picking up bookings.[/mks_one_half]
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VERDICT: If you want a cheap striker, Deeney is the man to buy.
Matej Vydra (5m) � In his last spell in the Premier League with West Brom he barely got a look in, he returned to Watford and found his goal scoring boots once again, he has the qualities to provide goals for Watford.
VERDICT: Likely to rotate with Ighalo, if Deeney gets an injury then yes, otherwise no.
Odion Ighalo (5m) � He has already rejected a big money move to China. In the Championship he scored 17 in 27 games and was basically unstoppable for a stage during the season. Looks on hot form in pre season.
VERDICT: If he stays and if he plays, then maybe.
Fernando Forestieri (4.5m) � He's the fan favourite but we can't see him getting the playing time. He works hard and always looks bright, but will be fourth choice for Watford. If Watford have serious injury trouble upfront then he could be a bargain.
VERDICT: Should Watford need him due to injuries keep your eye on him. Otherwise stay well away.
OVERALL SUMMARY
At the price of just 5.5m it'd hard to overlook Troy Deeney, as we've mentioned he will be one of the first names on the team sheet for Watford and has a scored goals consistently across his career, if you're striker spots are all full then opt for Abdi as he's cheap and will pick up a lot of assists - we wouldn't recommend having both of them though especially with a tricky opening few games. If you're contemplating a cheap Watford defender to free up funds or as part of a rotation, Gabriele Angella would be the safe bet as he's nailed on and often crops up with a goal. If you're looking for a gamble, new-boy Jose Holebas has shown his attacking potential at Roma and if he can adapt the English game could be a hidden gem.
