Our Friday lunchtime regular is rolled out once more as we scour the PlayON Player Price List ahead of tomorrow’s 10.45am deadline. We’ll be offering a couple of picks per position this term, with an essential weekend target and a left-field alternative for your consideration.
It’s also worth noting that, as of today, PlayON have launched daily Fantasy games. In addition to the usual weekly game, you can now pick teams just from players featuring each day. There’s a £500 Guaranteed Pot for both Saturday and Sunday this weekend and a £1,000 Guaranteed Pot for the full Gameweek.
Goalkeeper – Brad Guzan
Aston Villa have racked up back-to-back clean sheets in their opening two matches and this defensive solidity looks poised to continue as Hull pay visit on Sunday. Guzan is a big reason for the shut outs so far and the kindly priced American (7.4m) could offer good value against a Tigers side that scored just 18 times on their travels last term. A slightly more expensive option is Wojciech Szczesny. Available for 8.0m, the Pole offers a cheap route into an obstinate Arsenal back line that travel to Leicester this weekend and, as demonstrated in the Champions League play-off win over Besiktas, his shot-stopping potential could be key as the Gunners seek their first league shut-out of the campaign.
Defender – Daryl Janmaat
The Newcastle full-back offers points potential at both ends of the pitch ahead of a home encounter with Crystal Palace. Janmaat looks a bargain at only 7.7m and, as evidenced by his five assists and two goals in 30 Eredivisie appearances for Feyenoord last season, offers plenty of attacking intent against an Eagles side still in a transitional period under new manager Neil Warnock. Manchester City’s home clash with Stoke at the Etihad is impossible to overlook and brings Aleksandar Kolarov into contention as our defensive punt. While City skipper Vincent Kompany is available for 9.3m, the left-back takes up just 8.0m of your budget – having been benched for Monday’s match with Liverpool, his attacking intent could well get the nod against the Potters, for those willing to roll the dice.
Midfielder – Nacer Chadli
It’s not often you can acquire a player who scored two goals in the previous round of fixtures for just 7.7m. Chadli looks to have been handed a new lease of life under Mauricio Pochettino and will fancy his chances of continuing that form against Liverpool’s shaky rearguard as Tottenham welcome the Merseysiders to White Hart Lane this Sunday. We turn to Manchester City again for the next midfield pick. While Yaya Toure hasn’t scored or assisted yet this season, the Ivorian has still been heavily involved in the champions’ build up play and could finally reap reward against the travel-sick Potters. With so much uncertainty surrounding the pitch time of City’s front men, Toure, at 10.0m, is a cheaper option that – injuries aside – will surely feature from start to finish against Mark Hughes’ side.
Forward – Wilfried Bony
Another Ivorian who is yet to net this season. In spite of his drought, Bony has still managed to deliver the points reasonably well so far in PlayON and, at a favourably priced 9.8m, could finally get his goal account up and running against West Brom at the Liberty. With Olivier Giroud facing a period on the sidelines, we turn to Alexis Sanchez for Arsenal’s trip to Leicester. The Chilean has started the last two matches up front for the Gunners and notched the midweek winner over Besiktas – at 10.5m in PlayON this week, he could be poised to plunder a Foxes defence that has afforded their opponents 21 shots inside the box in the opening two Gameweeks.
The New Arrivals
It’s also worth noting a trio of high-profile additions to the top-flight over the last few days. PlayON have handed Angel de Maria a 9.1m price tag for United’s trip to Burnley, while Mario Balotelli sets you back just 10.4m as Liverpool make their way to the Lane. Everton new boy Samuel Eto’o takes up just 9.8m of your budget as he welcomes former club Chelsea to Goodison Park and could be in line for an immediate start if Romelu Lukaku fails to recover from an ongoing toe problem.
