We return once again this Wednesday lunchtime 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.
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Goalkeepers – Jak Alnwick
Granted, the Newcastle goalkeeper has yet to keep a clean sheet since being handed the chance to fill in for the injured Tim Krul and Robert Elliot but, at a cost of just 5.6m, is the definition of a budget enabler. Although opponents Burnley scored twice at the Etihad last weekend, the cut-price Alnwick will be encouraged by the fact the Clarets have drawn blanks in five of their nine road trips so far. With uncertainty surrounding the City back-four, Joe Hart is the essential pick. Prior to Sunday’s 2-2 draw, the champions had conceded just twice in six outings and we’re backing them to return to that resilient form against a Sunderland side that have scored only once in their last four away matches.
Defenders – Winston Reid
Having kept three clean sheets in their previous five home matches, West Ham will be optimistic of another shut-out against managerless West Brom. The Baggies have failed to score in three of their last four away trips and with James Tomkins suspended, we’re turning to fellow centre-half Winston Reid (7.1m) for this one. After netting against Swansea on Monday, Alberto Moreno (7.4m) could be set to continue in the first XI as Liverpool host basement-dwellers Leicester. The Spaniard’s raiding runs down the flank seem perfectly suited for the wing-back berth and bearing in mind the Foxes have scored in only four of ten away trips, points at both ends of the pitch could be on the cards.
Midfielders – Jordan Henderson
We look to Liverpool again for a left-field pick in the centre of the park. The quality of Monday’s performance suggests the Reds have found some form and, having provided a pair of assists against the Swans, Henderson now has two goals and six assists to his name this term. At 8.4, he’s far more budget friendly than Raheem Sterling (12.1m), Philippe Coutinho (10.6m) and Adam Lallana (11.5m) and should also benefit from the interception and tackle points in the PlayON Scoring Matrix. The essential pick in midfield could easily have been one of those Liverpool midfielders but we’ve gone for value with Stewart Downing (8.3m). After back-to-back blanks against Chelsea and Arsenal, the West Ham playmaker will be looking to reprise the form that saw him score or assist in the first four Gameweeks of December. With the Baggies in free-fall, Big Sam’s side look likely to profit.
Forwards – Ayoze Perez
With Papiss Cisse suspended, we opt for Newcastle’s young Spanish striker for a plum home clash with Burnley. The 7.5m-priced Perez took his tally to five for the season in the weekend win over Everton and, having won five of their last six at St James’ Park, the Magpies look favourites for their first match of the post-Pardew era. After a 30-minute cameo against Burnley on Sunday, Stevan Jovetic could be unleashed from the start at home to Sunderland as the champions look to return to winning ways. The Montenegrin scored two goals and bagged an assist in the three matches prior to his hamstring injury lay-off and, at 10.8m, is far cheaper than David Silva (12.8m) as a route into Manuel Pellegrini’s attack.
Head over to at www.PlayON.co and get your teams in for the Freerolls and £1,000 Guaranteed Pot.
