As always, we roll out our player picks for PlayON, the weekly Fantasy Football game, this Friday lunchtime. Scouring the PlayON Price List for potential bargains ahead of tomorrow’s deadline, we’re backing a couple of the Saints to deliver as Mauricio Pochettino’s side welcome Newcastle to St Mary’s:
This week PlayON have two special offers:
1) A £1,000 GUARANTEED game – enter on the multiplayer page here;
2) A competition on Facebook and Twitter to find people’s favourite football quote of all time – one response wins £25 FREE CREDIT – view the competition on Facebook here or on Twitter here.
If you’re new to PlayON, it is weekly Fantasy Football so you can dip in and out of playing throughout the season.
Once your starting XI is built you can compete for cash. 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. You can also create an open challenge against anyone else on the site – just click the amount you want to play for and the number of slots (number of people who can accept your challenge) on the one-on-one page .
For a more in-depth introduction to PlayON, take a look at this season’s introduction article.
Goalkeeper – Artur Boruc
The Southampton number one comes in at a bargain 6.6m in this week’s PlayON Player Price List. Boruc entertains a Newcastle side that have notched just once in their last six games without injured top-scorer Loic Remy, and with the Frenchman still sidelined with a calf complaint, Mauricio Pochettino’s men could be on course for a shut-out. Elsewhere, there are some real value options around this weekend. West Brom’s Ben Foster sets you back just 7.3m ahead of a crucial Hawthorns clash with Cardiff – the Bluebirds have scored just once in their last four road trips. Swansea’s Michel Vorm is even cheaper at 6.9m and plays host to a Norwich side that have scored just 11 times on their travels all season.
Defender – David Luiz
Coming in at 9.0m, the Brazilian is expected to fill in for the suspended Ramires in central midfield once again as Chelsea make their way to Crystal Palace. Having conceded just five times in the last 15, Jose Mourinho’s side are strongly-tipped for a clean sheet, whilst Luiz’ eye for a long-range strike is favoured by the PlayON Scoring Matrix, suggesting he could be set to serve up points at both ends of the pitch. Everton skipper Phil Jagielka returned to full fitness in midweek but was surprisingly overlooked for the trip to Newcastle. He looks likely to replace young John Stones at the heart of the Toffees defence for a trip to basement-dwellers Fulham, though, and, at 8.0m, is more than kind on the budget. Sunderland’s Phil Bardsley is also available for 8.0m this weekend. The Black Cats have kept a clean sheet in two of their last three home games and host a West Ham side that have drawn blanks in two of their last four matches.
Midfielder – Adam Lallana
The Southampton captain has turned in his most impressive performances at St Mary’s this season. Five of Lallana’s eight strikes have arrived in front of his own fans and, having ended a six-game drought with a goal in last week’s trip to Tottenham, he seems to have found his form once again. Available for 9.8m, he faces a Newcastle defence that have just shipped three to Everton in midweek. Back in contention after serving a three-match suspension, Charlie Adam sets you back just 7.9m for Stoke’s home clash with Hull. The Potters have proven formidable at the Britannia, losing just twice all season, and Adam’s efforts from distance and set-piece deliveries are sure to pose the Tigers problems as Mark Hughes’ in-form side look for a fourth win in five attempts. Omitted from the Sunderland starting XI as Gus Poyet went on the defensive at Liverpool, Adam Johnson emerged from the bench to set up his side’s consolation strike in the 2-1 defeat. The Black Cats remain stuck in the drop zone and surely need to go on the offensive at home to West Ham – at 8.8m, Johnson’s contribution looks key in Monday night’s Stadium of Light encounter.
Forward – Romelu Lukaku
The Everton frontman is on fire right now and banging in the goals since returning from injury. At 12.0m, Lukaku doesn’t come cheap but with four strikes in his last five in all competitions he looks poised to wreak havoc on a Fulham defence that have just been hit for five by Man City. David Moyes will have one eye on Tuesday evening’s Champions League game against Bayern Munich this weekend but with Robin van Persie sidelined through injury, he surely cannot afford to rest Wayne Rooney as United look for a morale-boosting win at home to Aston Villa. The Red Devils striker is available for 11.9m and has netted four times in his last five in the league. Finally, Michu could be a real gamble for Swansea’s vital home game against Norwich. Priced at just 9.2m, the Spaniard was handed his first start since December in midweek and, whilst he’s expected to be fielded in “the hole” behind Wilfried Bony, could appeal to those on the lookout for a budget option.
The Fantasy Football Scout Game
We have 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.
