As always on a Friday lunchtime, we analyse the PlayON player price list ahead of tomorrow’s 10.45am deadline. Below we offer a couple of picks per position: one essential weekend target and a left-field alternative for your consideration.
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Goalkeeper – Kasper Schmeichel
Granted, Leicester City have been far from resilient so far, with a solitary clean sheet to their name in the first eight Gameweeks. Schmeichel is therefore as left-field as you can get out as the Foxes host West Brom tomorrow afternoon but the big Dane’s save point potential makes him a viable option in our eyes – 28 in eight appearances translates to an average of 350 points per appearance in PlayON. Priced at only 6.1m, he could be worth the risk if you’re looking to save funds for the outfield players. Tim Howard is our other stopper this week. At a reasonable 7.4m, the American provides an alternative route into an Everton defence that offers the likes of Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman at 9.6m and 9.4m respectively. The Toffees have shipped one goal in their last two now and welcome a Swansea side that have only scored once in their previous couple of away encounters.
Defender – Calum Chambers
Our left-field pick due to Arsenal’s defensive form, injures at the back and his propensity for attracting yellow cards. Chambers was Arsenal’s top scoring defender last week in PlayON last time around yet is still kindly priced at a mere 6.9m as Burnley travel to the Emirates. The Gunners have yet to register a shut out in front of their own supporters but bearing in mind their visitors have scored just twice on their travels, defensive returns could well be on the cards here. With Cesar Azpilicueta serving the last of a three-match ban as Chelsea host QPR at the Bridge, Filipe Luis is poised to keep his place at left-back. The league leaders have conceded just twice in the last four now and whilst the likes of Gary Cahill and John Terry both come in at 8.7m, Luis looks excellent value at a mere 7.2m.
Midfielder – Wilfried Zaha
Having ousted Jason Puncheon from the starting XI last time around, the youngster looks poised to keep his place as Palace entertain a Sunderland side that are still recovering from an 8-0 loss at Southampton on their previous road trip. Available for just 7.4m this weekend, Zaha – who is ineligible for next weekend’s clash with parent club United – will be desperate to turn on the style in order to ensure he keeps ahead of Puncheon in the pecking order. We have to turn to Chelsea again ahead of the home encounter with QPR. It’s difficult to pick between the two heavyweight options in midfield but bearing in mind we selected Eden Hazard (13.6m) last weekend, we plump for the relentless consistency of Cesc Fabregas this time around. With a goal or assist in seven of the opening nine fixtures, the 13.3m-priced playmaker is more than likely to get involved against an R’s side that have conceded more away goals (12) than any other team so far.
Forward – Romelu Lukaku
After an indifferent start to the season, the Everton frontman is finally rediscovering his form. Despite being overshadowed by two-goal Samuel Eto’o in last weekend’s win at Burnley, Lukaku’s first-half strike took his tally to four goals in the last six league matches. He’s not cheap at 12.4m in PlayON but with the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal more likely to garner attacking attention, the big Belgian could be an overlooked option at home to Swansea. Our essential pick this week up front had to be Alexis Sanchez. With three goals and an assist in the last two, his displays point to another weekend of returns as Arsenal face a Burnley backline that has been plundered 12 times in the last four Gameweeks. Danny Welbeck was also considered at only 10.1m, but the Chilean, even at 14.1m is difficult to ignore, given his outstanding form.
Head over to PlayON.co and get your teams in for the £1,000 game ahead of the 10.45am deadline on Sat morning.
