PlayON Player Picks – Gameweek 4

We had Matija Nastasic and Olivier Giroud to thank for bringing home the points last time out, with a last-minute injury to Sunderland’s Craig Gardner disrupting our plans. With plenty of new arrivals added to the PlayON price list, we get scouting in search of bargains once again.

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 4 Picks

Goalkeeper – Brad Guzan
Coming in at just 7.3m in this week’s PlayON price list, the Villa stopper is the second cheapest guaranteed starter between the sticks this weekend. While Sunderland’s Kieran Westwood, at 6.8m, is a little kinder on the budget, the Black Cats’ home clash against Arsenal hardly breeds confidence – Guzan, on the other hand, entertains a Newcastle side with a single goal to their name thus far. Team news from this afternoon’s press conferences could also affect our thinking here – if Hull’s Allan McGregor fails to recover from a groin problem, Steve Harper (7.0m) is an option ahead of a home clash with Cardiff, while Fulham’s David Stockdale, at 7.8m, could come into contention if first-choice stopper Maarten Stekelenburg remains sidelined with a back problem – the Cottagers play host to West Brom; the only side yet to notch in the top-flight this term.

Defender –Chris Smalling
With Phil Jones a doubt and Rafael still battling back from a hamstring problem, the former Fulham man could be poised to take up the right-back berth at home to Palace tomorrow lunchtime. Although Smalling isn’t 100% to start, Fantasy managers can take advantage of the PlayON deadline at 12.35 tomorrow and wait till the Old Trafford team news is rolled out – indeed, with Rafael also priced at 7.2m and Jonny Evans 7.4m, there could be potential bargains on offer if David Moyes looks to freshen up his defence with the Champions League in mind.

Midfielder – Adel Taarabt
Priced at a mere 6.6m, Fulham’s maverick Moroccan is expected to return to the starting XI in time for tomorrow’s visit of West Brom. With Ben Foster still sidelined for the visitors and a batch of deadline-day acquisitions yet to gel, Martin Jol’s side will fancy their chances to pick up the points – Taarabt’s eye for goal could well prove the undoing of the out-of-sorts midlanders, with points for shots on target also likely to boost his tally. Once again, keeping an eye on the team sheets at Old Trafford could prove decisive – Nani is also priced at 6.6m and has the potential to be a real bargain option this weekend against Palace. It would be remiss of us not to point out Tottenham’s record signing Erik Lamela at 6.2m, though Andre Villas-Boas’ press conference comments hinted that the Argentine may have to settle for a place on the bench after his midweek international exertions.

Forward – Olivier Giroud
We’re keeping faith in the Arsenal man ahead of the trip to Sunderland. Despite scoring in all three of his matches so far, Giroud can still be acquired for 11.5m in PlayON and, with Mesut Ozil on board to supply the killer passes, could have a field day against a Black Cats side devoid of the services of suspended skipper John O’Shea. With enough money saved in midfield by snapping up Taarabt and Nani, Giroud looks the ideal partner for Robin Van Persie, though the Dutchman is a little pricier at 12.4m – the second most expensive option in the game.

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 other players to one-on-one games, 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 66% win rate so far!

£5000 Guaranteed Prize Pot

PlayON are set to boost the prize pot for their “£1000 Guaranteed” multiplayer game if they get 500 entrants by 5pm today. You only need to register a provisional team of XI and enter the game by 5pm – your lineup can be tweaked right up to 12.35 tomorrow. The game has a £5 entry fee so enter your team and spread the word before 5pm!

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.