With a quick turnaround in fixtures, we return once again to take our regular pre-Gameweek look at the PlayON Player Price List. As always, we offer a couple of picks per position: one essential weekend target and a left-field alternative for your consideration.
The team-picking deadline is now the first kick-off each week at PlayON so you can continue to tinker with your starting XI right up to 12.00 on Sunday. PlayON has 2x £100 FREEROLL games and a £1,000 Guaranteed Pot game on offer in their weekly game in Gameweek 19 – you can enter now at www.playon.co
Goalkeeper – Allan McGregor
Hull have hardly been in the most resilient form in recent matches but a home encounter with travel-sick Leicester offers Steve Bruce cause for optimism. The Tigers have conceded just once in the last two in front of their own supporters and bearing in mind the visitors have scored just four goals away from home all season, McGregor, at a price of 6.9m, looks likely to bring in the points. Aston Villa’s home clash with Sunderland brings Brad Guzan onto our radars. Gus Poyet’s side may have impressed defensively in recent outings but have mustered just a single goal in their previous three road trips – at a price of 6.7m, the Villains’ stopper looks excellent value between the sticks.
Defender – Steven Caulker
He may have only scored once after 18 rounds of fixtures but it’s not for a lack of trying. The QPR centre- half has managed 19 attempts inside the box so far – more than any other defender – and his aerial threat in the box is sure to bother Crystal Palace at Loftus Road tomorrow. Setting you back just 6.7m, Caulker offers a decent shout for points at both ends of the pitch, with the Eagles’ record of one goal in their last four road trips proving pivotal to the sacking of Neil Warnock earlier today. A home encounter with struggling Burnley is sure to bring plenty of investment Manchester City’s way. Manuel Pellegrini’s side have conceded just twice in their last six matches and, after being rested for the Boxing Day win over West Brom, Pablo Zabaleta seems poised to return to the starting line-up. With a goal and assist in his last three appearances, the 8.8m-priced Argentine looks a strong source of points at both ends of the pitch.
Midfielder – Gaston Ramirez
After spending the first few months of the season on the periphery for Hull, the Uruguayan looks to have finally persuaded Steve Bruce he’s worthy of a regular start. Handed his second successive start away to Sunderland on Friday, Ramirez bagged a goal and assist in the 3-1 win and, at a price of 7.6m, now faces a plum home clash with Leicester. It’s impossible to overlook David Silva once again for Manchester City’s home clash with Burnley. The champions have now won seven league matches in succession and, having grabbed three goals in his last two appearances from the role in “the hole”, the Spaniard – who sets you back 12.7m – looks in devastating form ahead of Sunday’s encounter.
Forward – Christian Benteke
A home clash with Sunderland is far from straightforward but if Aston Villa are to prevail, there’s every chance their Belgian frontman will play a part. Setting you back 10.7m in this week’s PlayON Player Price List, Benteke has scored or assisted in each of the last two in front of his own fans and with spot-kick duties also in his favour, he’ll be looking to plunder the points again. Charlie Austin’s incredible home form makes the QPR top scorer our essential forward pick this time around. Having scored eight times in his last five at Loftus Road, Austin – who comes in at a bargain 9.0m – squares up to a Crystal Palace side with a single clean sheet in their last 12 league fixtures.
Head over to www.playon.co and get your teams in for the Freerolls and £1,000 Guaranteed Pot.
