Our Friday lunchtime player picks for PlayON, the weekly Fantasy Football game, arrives once again. Scouring the PlayON Price List for potential bargains ahead of tomorrow’s afternoon deadline at 13.07, we look to Southampton and Everton to bring home the points, with favourable fixtures against the bottom two on their respective agendas:
This week PlayON have a £1,000 GUARANTEED game on offer – you can pick your team to win the cash 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 – Asmir Begovic
Coming in at 8.8m, the Stoke stopper looks a strong contender for a clean sheet this weekend. The Potters have conceded just once in their last three at the Britannia and entertain a Newcastle side that have scored a single goal in their last five league matches and remain devoid of the services of injured top scorer Loic Remy. Alternatively, there are a couple of options in the sub 7.0-bracket if you’re looking for a cut-price keeper. Both Aston Villa’s Brad Guzan and Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris are available for just 6.8m apiece in the PlayON Player Price List ahead of trips to Crystal Palace and West Brom respectively – Tony Pulis’ side have scored once in their previous three home games, whilst the Baggies have drawn blanks in two of the last five Gameweeks.
Defender – Leighton Baines
If you’re looking for a premium target, the Everton left-back could be the ideal purchase for tomorrow’s trip to Sunderland. With Gus Poyet employing a 3-5-2 formation, Roberto Martinez will surely overload the flanks to take advantage of the Black Cats’ porous defence – at 10.3m, Baines isn’t cheap but his delivery from the left is likely to pose the Wearsiders problems aplenty. Southampton’s highly-rated left-back Luke Shaw sets you back 8.7m this week ahead of a favourable home clash with struggling Cardiff. Mauricio Pochettino’s side go in search of their thirteenth clean sheet of the season, and bearing in mind the Bluebirds have scored in only two of their away trips under Ole Gunner Solskjaer, Shaw looks likely to pick up the points. Despite losing his right-back berth to Johnny Heitinga under new Fulham boss Felix Magath, Sascha Riether has still retained a starting position. The German has been shifted into central midfield in the last couple of matches and, costing only 6.8m in this week’s PlayON Price List, looks a standout budget enabler as the Cottagers prepare for the visit of a Norwich side that has failed to score in each of their last two matches.
Midfielder – Willian
With Eden Hazard rated a real doubt for Chelsea’s trip to Swansea, the competition for places has lessened a little. Despite grabbing a goal in last weekend’s comprehensive win over Stoke, Willian remains relatively budget-friendly at just 8.3m and will be hoping to continue his form against a defence that have managed a single shut-out in their last eight matches. Adam Lallana is available for 10.3m ahead of a home game against Cardiff – the Saints skipper clearly prefers home comforts, with six of this season’s nine strikes arriving at St Mary’s. Nacer Chadli is available for just 8.6m for Tottenham’s trip to West Brom. The Belgian impressed an a central role against Sunderland last weekend and offers a budget-friendly route into Tim Sherwood’s attacking options against a Baggies backline that have mustered just one clean sheet since Pepe Mel took the helm.
Forward – Sergio Aguero
After three months on the sidelines, the Argentine finally looks set to return to action just in time for City’s vital trip to Anfield on Sunday afternoon. With 15 goals in just 17 league appearances this season, Aguero’s comeback couldn’t be better timed as Manuel Pellegrini’s side look for a win which could have major repercussions in the title race – available for a paltry 7.9m, he’ll be on many a Fantasy manager’s radar this week. Further up the cash brackets, Rickie Lambert will set you back 12.0m for Southampton’s home encounter with a Cardiff side that have conceded 12 times in their last three matches. The hosts may be without injured top scorer Jay Rodriguez, but Lambert welcomes the Bluebirds in excellent form, having scored in three of his last four appearances. Romelu Lukaku at 12.4m cannot be overlooked for Everton’s trip to Sunderland. The big Belgian has wreaked havoc in recent weeks, scoring four times in six matches since returning from injury, and looks poised to maintain that streak against a defence that has just shipped five goals to Tottenham on Monday evening.
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.
