PlayON Player Picks – Gameweek 16

The Player Picks for our weekly Fantasy Football game are served up this Friday lunchtime. Once again, there are a number of potential bargains in this week’s PlayON Price List as treatment rooms around the country begin to empty:

If you’re new to PlayON, read this season’s introduction article for more information. If you’re already a PlayON player, read on for our selection of this week’s targets…

Goalkeeper – Petr Cech
There’s no question that Chelsea have been particularly porous at the back in recent matches but a home game with Crystal Palace affords the Blues a chance of a shut-out this weekend. Rested for the midweek Champions League win over Steaua Bucharest, Cech is set to return to the starting XI at Stamford Bridge tomorrow afternoon against a side that have scored just three times on their travels this term. At 8.1m, Jose Mourinho’s first-choice stopper looks a bargain, as does Hull’s Allan McGregor for a home clash against Stoke. Coming in at 7.8m in this week’s PlayON Price List, he’ll be hoping to maintain a superb defensive record which has seen his side concede just three times in seven matches at the KC Stadium this term.

Defender – Michael Turner
Back in the Norwich starting XI last weekend, the big centre-half helped the Canaries to a second clean sheet in the last three Gameweeks away to West Brom. Turner’s interceptions and clearances boost his appeal in the PlayON scoring matrix – a score of 1,650 points was seventh amongst defenders last time around yet he remains favourably priced, at 8.7m, for a home game against a Swansea side that have drawn blanks in three of their previous four road trips. James Chester’s recent return from a hamstring injury keeps him in the budget bracket – if you don’t opt for McGregor between the sticks, the Hull centre-half is priced at just 8.1m for the above-mentioned home game against Stoke. In the same game, Marc Wilson is available for 7.1m for the Potters and deputised for the injured Robert Huth at centre-half against Chelsea.

Midfielder – David Silva
Having recovered from a calf injury for Manchester City’s trip to Bayern Munich, the Spaniard was amongst the goals as Manuel Pellegrini’s men defeated the reigning European champions in their own backyard on Tuesday evening. Silva will set you back a mere 7.7m for tomorrow’s lunchtime game against Arsenal at the Etihad and, while he may not get the full 90 minutes, he’ll surely be handed enough time to wreak havoc as the hosts look to claw back a six-point deficit on Arsene Wenger’s league leaders. With team-mate James McCarthy suspended for Everton’s home game with Fulham, the chances of a rest for Ross Barkley look slim – he comes in at just 7.6m as the Toffees look to extend their unbeaten home run and, if you’ve cash to splash in the premium midfield bracket, Chelsea’s Oscar has recovered from injury and will take up 9.4m of your budget for the home game with Palace.

Forward – Wayne Rooney
A trip to Aston Villa looks full of promise for the United talisman. With Robin Van Persie* ruled out for a month, Rooney will carry the main attacking threat and will be hoping to maintain the form that has harvested four goals and a pair of assists in his last three away appearances – he comes in at 11.9m and could take advantage of a home side with injury worries at the back. Further down the price bracket, Southampton’s Pablo Osvaldo has now scored in each of the last two Gameweeks but is still reasonably priced at just 10.1m for a trip to Newcastle, whilst Swansea’s Michu is available for just 8.5m this weekend. The Spaniard returned from injury against Hull on Monday evening and looks set to lead the line as Swansea pay visit to Norwich – without a goal in his last six appearances, though, his acquisition remains something of a gamble.

*Van Persie was our original pick for this week’s match but the article has since been edited to reflect the fact he has been sidelined through injury and is unavailable for selection.

How To Play

PlayON is weekly Fantasy Football for free or for cash, so you can dip in and out of playing throughout the season. Once your starting XI is built (you can keep changing your team right up to two hours before the first kick-off – 10.45am this Saturday), 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 other players to one-on-one games, selecting the amount at stake. The likes of Robbie Fowler, Les Ferdinand and OptaJoe 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 55% win rate up to this point.

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 bragging rights only 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.