After the first couple of groups came to completion yesterday evening, we turn our attentions to the next three days, with 12 matches on our agenda. Our third player picks article for PlayON’s World Cup Game focuses on Groups C-H and with a number of teams’ fates already decided, we’re looking to navigate the potential pitfalls of rest and rotation as we assess the PlayON Player Price List for budget bargains:
PlayON is running separate Gameweeks for each individual group so you can pick players from the four teams in Group D today, or choose from players in any of the other groups over the coming three days. Once you have picked your team, you can enter one-on-one or multiplayer games for cash. Fantasy managers must save their teams of XI two hours prior to the start of each Gameweek, with the deadline for the Round 3 Group D Gameweek at 15.00 today. A new addition to PlayON for the World Cup is being able to pick multiple teams, so you can pick up to three different teams in each Gameweek and can enter multiple teams into each game.
Goalkeeper – Asmir Begovic
We’re backing the Bosnia and Herzegovina stopper once again as he prepares for a final Group F encounter against Iran. Safet Susic’s side have failed miserably in their first ever World Cup and are already eliminated after suffering back-to-back losses, but up against an Iran side without a single goal to their name, Begovic, at just £7.4m, could be set to collect his first defensive returns of the tournament. Ivory Coast’s Boubacar Barry is another value option to consider. Available for £7.9m, he squares up to a Greece side that have also failed to score thus far, whilst Argentina’s Sergio Romero, at £8.7m, is the cheapest route into Alejandro Sabella’s backline for a final group clash with Nigeria. The Africans need a result in tomorrow’s match but bearing in mind they have scored once and Romero has been beaten just a single occasion, a second successive shut-out could be on the cards.
Defender – Serge Aurier
The highly-rated Ivory Coast right-back is available for just £7.8m ahead of this evening’s encounter with Greece. Aurier has already served up a pair of assists against Japan in the opener and with his upcoming opponents failing to score in either of their matches thus far, looks a strong shout for picking up points at both ends of the pitch as the Africans attempt to book a place in the last 16. Switzerland’s Ricardo Rodriguez also produced two assists in his first appearance. Whilst last week’s 5-2 defeat against France proved a chastening experience, the marauding left-back – who sets you back £8.1m – now has a clash with Honduras on his agenda as Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side prepare to go on the offensive. Colombia’s attacking left-back Pablo Armero who is priced at £8.6m, also looks a strong shout for Matchday 3. The South Americans have conceded only one goal thus far and face a very disappointing Japan side that have found the net just once in the first two matches – with a goal in his opening encounter against Greece, Armero has already served notice of his attacking potential.
Midfielder – Granit Xhaka
Whilst most of the attention in Switzerland’s midfield centres around Bayern’s Xherdan Shaqiri, the FC Basel man has proven a cannier acquisition to date. Available for £8.8m ahead of a vital last match against Honduras, Xhaka’s role in “the hole” behind a lone forward saw him find the net against France last week and his contribution from a central berth looks key to getting the better of Honduras. Despite scoring in each of his first two group games, Ghana’s Andre Ayew is very favourably priced at just £8.1m for a game against Portugal. Having netted against USA and Germany, the wide man will fancy his chances of making it three in a row against a backline that has shipped six goals in their first couple of Group G encounters. Dries Mertens seems to have established himself on the right of Belgium’s front three of late. Available for £8.6m, he climbed off the bench in Matchday 1 to net against Algeria and was subsequently handed a starting in the weekend win over Russia – Marc Wilmots’ side will be keen to utilise his pace and trickery on the flank as they prepare to face South Korea in their final group match.
Forward – Luis Suarez
Having recovered from a knee injury in time for last week’s win over England, there was no real surprise to see the Uruguayan net twice in a 2-1 triumph. Priced at £11.5m, Suarez is far from cheap but with his side needing to win against Italy to clinch qualification, there’s no one more likely to deliver the goods for Oscar Tabarez’ team. Didier Drogba sets you back just £9.7m in the PlayON Player Price List. The Africans know a win against Greece will seal their passage to the last 16 and Sabri Lamouchi could well be set to call upon the veteran to lead the line, after utilising him off the bench in each of the first two fixtures. Russia’s Alexander Kokorin remains budget-friendly at just £9.6m ahead of Thursday’s crucial clash with Algeria. Fabio Capello’s side have failed to impress so far but still have their World Cup future in their own hands – if they are to chalk up the win that would likely see them through, Kokorin’s contribution inside the box will be key.
Pick your teams for the Round 3 Group D Gameweek by 15.00 today at www.playon.co
