With the Man City defence breached at Cardiff and Nikica Jelavic drawing a blank at home to West Brom, it was left to David Silva to bring in the points from last week’s picks. Even so, after a disappointing Gameweek, we’re looking for a much-needed return to form as we scour the PlayON price list in search of some weekend bargains.
If you’re new to PlayON, read this season’s introduction article for more information. If you’re already a seasoned player, read on for our selection of early weekend targets…
Gameweek 3 Player Picks
Goalkeeper – Boaz Myhill
Even with a clean sheet at Goodison last time out, the PlayON pricing algorithm has priced the West Brom rearguard rather kindly for their home fixture with Swansea. You can pick up Gareth McAuley cheaply (8.4m) in defence but Myhill in goal is even more of a bargain. Available for just 7.4m, he looks assured of his start following Ben Foster’s foot injury and will face a Swansea side at the Hawthorns that’s scored just a single goal so far this term.
Defender – Matija Nastasic
PlayON managers can take advantage of the early kick-off here. While Nastasic is far from certain to line up in the City defence at home to Hull, we should have the teamsheets early enough (you can make changes to your PlayON team right up to 12.35 tomorrow) to allow us to be certain and perhaps take advantage of his PlayON price of just 7.3m. Despite being exposed by Cardiff last weekend, the City defence at the Etihad is a different beast and well worthy of that level of investment. While Nastasic looks a steal, have a “Plan B” at the ready if you have to swap him out when the teamsheet arrives.
Midfielder – Craig Gardner
Paolo Di Canio immediately recalled Gardner to his Black Cats’ lineup for the trip to Southampton following his suspension. The all-action midfielder can be snapped up on PlayON for just 6.6m and looks a likely starter for the trip to Selhurst Park. Gardner loves a tackle so should collect points from defensive actions and is more than partial to a shot from distance. With Stephane Sessegnon reportedly left out of the Black Cats squad this weekend, Gardner could even be pushed up behind a lone striker in a 4-4-1-1.
Forward – Olivier Giroud
Once again, this is the most vital and, subsequently, trickiest area to find a bargain. PlayON’s forward prices look tighter going into this weekend and Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud is the first name to grab us as a potential bargain – although you’ll need to shell out 11.4m to acquire him. Even so, with three goals to his name so far this season and Lukas Podolski ruled out, the Frenchman looks an assured starter in the North London derby: an encounter that is traditionally flooded with goals.
How To Play
PlayON is weekly fantasy football so you can dip in and out of playing throughout the season. Once your starting XI is built (you can change your team as many times as you like before the Live Matchday kicks-off – 12.35 tomorrow) you can compete for cash. Entering a multiplayer game for a set stake, you’ll have a chance of winning your share of the pot should you finish high enough in the rankings.
Similarly, you can challenge another player to a one-on-one game, selecting the amount at stake. The likes of Robbie Fowler, Les Ferdinand and Opta Joe are all playing the game and are there to be challenged for free or for £1. The Fantasy Football Scout team is also available to be challenged and has a 67% win rate: we took a beating last week so this is a chance to kick us while we’re down.
The Fantasy Football Scout Game
We’ve also got a £2 multiplayer game, dedicated to our community, which is now open and the prize pot is building.
Challenge Your Mates
You can also set up your own multiplayer games with your mates to play for free bragging rights or for cash. Create your own game at www.playon.co.uk.
Finally, a reminder that we have published a strategy guide, offering some tips for getting the most from your PlayON lineup, right here.
You have to be over 18 to enter cash games at PlayON. If you do wager some cash, please remember to gamble responsibly. PlayON is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.
10 years, 9 months agoHave made an OK start this season. Last season I played my WC during the international break and that turned out well. However, prices aren't as volatile this season as they were last year so I don't see there's as much money to be made this time round. Last year, with prices so volatile, I deliberately WC'd early to build team value and afford more performing players than my ML rivals. It worked well and the lead I built up before New Year was never overturned.
I see a lot of talk about RvP in WC teams. I had planned to do without him even in a WC team, especially because there are good forward options in the 9m bracket. With player prices not rising as regularly, the ability to work toward affording a 14m player and a decent squad is hindered. Last year I was able to get RVP in early and thanks to quickly rising prices, afford a decent squad alongside him pretty early. He is the only ManU attacking asset I would touch but I'd rather have three decent forwards at the moment. One strategy that worked for me last year was always having at least one top-priced player in each of defence, midfield and attack. That way I had an easy, affordable and usually hit-free way of swapping players. I think that this year that forward player is Aguero and not RVP. I just don't see how prices are going to rise often enough to develop a decent squad alongside him soon enough.