Mondogoal Picks – Gameweek 2

Once again, we plunder the Mondogoal player list, searching out for budget and mid-price game changers who can accompany our regular cast of big signings.

Mondogoal is a brand new daily and weekly Fantasy Football game which, in addition to the Premier League, covers all the major top flight leagues – Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Major League Soccer (MLS). You can play games for each one, or even global contests that span across all the leagues. You can also enter contests Champions League and the Europa League in midweek. The game has also just launched their mobile site, for tweaking your squads on the move.

If you missed out Gameweek 1 coverage of the game, be sure to revisit our strategy guide for some tips on getting started and read on for our analysis of this week’s player list ahead of Mondogoal’s daily and weekend contests for Gameweek 2.

Saturday’s Picks

After getting their season underway on Monday night, Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea are handed a first outing in front of their own fans this weekend. We picked out Diego Costa (10.0m) and Andre Schurrle (10.4m) for Mondogoal consideration at Burnley and neither disappointed, delivering a goal apiece on the way to returns of 7 and 13.16. Both have to be targets for the visit of Leicester, with Cesc Fabregas (10.6m) the other major temptation on show – the Spanish playmaker registered 13.60 at Turf Moor.

Elsewhere, there are some bargains to be had outside of the heavy-hitter bracket. Aston Villa’s home meeting with Newcastle feeds us Ron Vlaar (8.1m) as a defensive option, although Aly Cissokho outscored him in the 1-0 win at Stoke with three successful tackles and looks to offer value for just 6.5m. Similarly, in midfield, we like the look of Charles N’Zogbia’s prospects against the Magpies – a consideration at just 8.1m, while Gabby Agbonlahor is a worthy budget option up top at just 5.4m.

Southampton are another side that provide us with some strong mid-price talent, starting with Frazer Forster in goal who can be acquired for just 3.9m ahead of the weekend. While the Saints defence was breached twice at Anfield, the performance of Ronald Koeman’s men would suggest that they have the mettle to see off West Brom at St Mary’s and Forster, along with Dusan Tadic (6.3m) in midfield and Graziano Pelle (5.0m) up front, look good options as differential picks.

Crystal Palace face West Ham at Selhurst Park and look to be one of the best clean sheet prospects on offer. Brede Hangeland (6.1m) top scored in the Palace defence in the defeat to Arsenal, although his returns were boosted by a goal. Joel Ward’s (7.9m) five successful tackles underlined his Mondogoal potential, however and he looks a strong asset at 7.9, with new signing Martin Kelly providing a budget route in the Eagles rearguard at just 4.9. Further forward, I like Yannick Bolasie (6.1m) in this one – his direct running could well draw those precious fouls won from the Hammers defenders.

Meanwhile, down at the Liberty, we have to consider Gylfi Sigurdsson as he welcomes Burnley. Swansea’s playmaker may be shifted to a wide role to accommodate a 4-4-2 but, even so, he looks tempting at 9.2m having gathered 19.60 Mondogoal points via a goal and an assist last time out. Wilfried Bony, at 11.3m, is another who could profit.

Sunday’s Picks

Wayne Rooney’s goal aside, Manchester United frustrated Mondogoal managers on the opening day and Sunday’s trip to the Stadium of Light looks tough to call and perhaps best avoided when piecing together our squad. Sunday’s other encounters offer clearer candidates as both Hull City and Spurs look to build on 1-0 away wins last time out.

The Tigers’ Allan McGregor (7.4m) was by far the top scoring Mondogoal keeper last weekend with 20.8. He’ll be confident of earning another shut-out when Stoke pay visit to the KC Stadium, although we may well be better off considering the talents of new signing Andrew Robertson (7.0m). The Scot fetched a credible 8.21 Mondogoal points on debut, registering three tackles won and a pair of interceptions on his way to the Loftus Road shutout. Up front, Thomas Ince will likely partner Nikica Jelavic and, as a 8.5 valued Mondogoal midfielder, looks to offer potential, having notched three shots on target and a pair of fouls won in the win at QPR.

Tottenham’s meeting with QPR looks more difficult to assess, given that Mauricio Pochettino side were on the back foot for the majority of the game at Upton Park last weekend, having been reduced to ten men. Christian Eriksen (13.1m) will remain the favoured attacking target, although he was outscored in Mondogoal terms by the performance of Nabil Bentaleb (5.6m), who registered 10.15 points thanks to a pair of interceptions and tackles won.

Mondays Picks

The Monday night clash under the lights between Man City and Liverpool undoubtedly offers the headline act of the weekend but such an encounter looks problematic for Mondogoal managers.

Raheem Sterling (11.5m) will once again be the hot property for Brendan Rodgers’ side, having top scored in Mondogoal on the opening weekend with 21.6 points. His goal and assist returns were coupled with three shots on target and two tackles won, as the fleet-footed attacker combined with Daniel Sturridge (13.7m) to earn Liverpool all three points.

That pair will likely carry the main threat to City on the night, while at the back, Javier Manquillo (6.7m) showed great promise on his debut, notching four interceptions and three tackles won against Southampton, as he top scored in Brendan Rodgers back four with 7.30 points. The Spaniard is likely to be kept busy by the Man City attack and he, along with the dominant Dejan Lovren (6.4m), could well be key figures.

The Man City lineup looks difficult to predict given that Manuel Pellegrini may welcome back a host of World Cup stars. Up front, the picture is clouded by Sergio Aguero’s (10.1m) stunning impact at St James’ Park: his strike in a seven minute appearance will surely push his claims for Monday night’s clash and perhaps cast a doubt over Stevan Jovetic’s (10.0m) Mondogoal potential. David Silva (12.9m) looks a more secure option for those looking to back the City attack – the Spaniard’s smartly taken opener last weekend helped him to Mondogoal returns of 13.15, accompanied by an impressive 67 completed passes and two tackles won.

Gaal Clichy (9.4m) was the standout performer amongst City’s back four in the win at Newcastle – deployed at right-back, the Frenchman won no less than eight tackles and intercepted four passes on his way to an 11.23 point return. Again, though, with Pablo Zabaleta back in the fold, Pellegrini’s approach to the full-back positions is uncertain with Vincent Kompany (8.0m), offering the most secure option in the City backline.