After a previous weekend filled with FA Cup action, the Player Picks for our weekly Fantasy Football game return this Friday lunchtime. As always, we’re on the lookout for potential bargains in our assessment of this week’s PlayON Price List:
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 – Tim Howard
The Everton stopper is available for just 8.7m ahead of a very favourable home clash with Norwich on Saturday afternoon. Howard has already registered eight clean sheets this term and entertains a goal-shy Canaries side that have found the net just twice in the last four Gameweeks – with Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin all in with a chance of returning, the Toffees looks a strong shout to pick up a first shut-out in six attempts. Cardiff’s David Marshall comes in even cheaper at 8.5m for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first league game at the helm – West Ham are the Bluebirds’ visitors this weekend and Sam Allardyce’s side have been far from prolific on the road, scoring seven times in 10 matches. Fulham’s home clash with Sunderland is also on our radar. Keep an eye on the injury news for this one – if first-choice stopper Maarten Stekelenburg (7.8m) fails to make it, David Stockdale, at 7.2m, will get the nod against a Black Cats side that have drawn blanks in three of the last five Gameweeks.
Defender – Danny Rose
Tottenham’s fit-again left-back will set you back a mere 7.7m this weekend for a home game against Crystal Palace. Rose’s forays down the flank should provide crosses aplenty for the home side’s in-form front two and, bearing in mind the Eagles have scored just twice in the last four Gameweeks, Tim Sherwood’s side will be optimistic of delivering a second successive shut-out at White Hart Lane. If you decide against a Fulham keeper, John Arne Riise costs just 7.9m for the visit of Sunderland. The Norwegian has started six of the last seven under Rene Meulensteen and his eye for goal is favoured by the PlayON Scoring Matrix. Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne is even cheaper, with a price tag of just 6.8m for a home clash against West Brom. The right-back is back to full fitness and, having grabbed a goal against Burnley in the FA Cup last weekend, will be confident of shaking off the competition from Callum Chambers for a starting berth against the Baggies.
Midfielder – Steven Gerrard
Finally free from a hamstring injury, the Liverpool skipper is set to make his first league start since Gameweek 15 this weekend as the Reds make their way to Stoke. Gerrard’s spell on the sidelines means he is priced at just 8.1m for the Britannia encounter and, having produced a goal or assist in nine of his last 10 starts, his attacking consistency makes him a superb value pick against Mark Hughes’ side on Sunday afternoon. The PlayON Price List also smiles kindly on Manchester City’s David Silva this week. Having served a one-match ban last time around, the Spaniard comes in at 8.9m for a trip to injury-hit Newcastle, whilst, on the other side of Manchester, Adnan Januzaj sets you back 8.8m for the visit of Swansea and has scored or assisted in three of his last four starts.
Forward – Clint Dempsey
Back at Craven Cottage on a two-month loan, the US international is handed the chance to make an immediate impact in his first home game against fellow-strugglers Sunderland. Dempsey is likely to be fielded on the left of midfield – a position which harvested 29 league goals over his final two seasons at Fulham and, priced at a bargain-basement 7.4m, he could prove a canny acquisition. Watch out for the injury news from Anfield, too – if Daniel Sturridge recovers in time from an ankle complaint, he also costs 7.4m for the trip to Stoke. For those who reckon Swansea can upset the odds at Old Trafford again, Wilfried Bony is on the market at 10.6m and has notched three times in two games against both Manchester clubs since the turn of the year.
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 – 10.45 on Saturday morning), 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 52% 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.
