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31 December 2014 1914 comments
Tom Fenley Tom Fenley
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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.

Today PlayON launches the PlayON Leaderboard , where the highest total at the end of the season wins £1,000. The leaderboard is the sum of your Top five PlayON scores throughout the Premier League season; you can score points in any game period – Daily or Weekly – so even if you haven’t tried PlayON yet, there’s still over 50 game periods left this season to register your top five. Take a look at the PlayON Leaderboard Here.

For New Year’s Day, PlayON has £200 in Freerolls on offer and a £1,000 Guaranteed Pot – enter the games now at www.PlayON.co

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.

  1. TotalJustice
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Any changes needed ??? or G2G???

    Guzan
    Azpi Hutton Zaba
    Silva Haz Sanchezz Downing
    Austin Costa Bony

    Siggy Vlaar Moore McCarthy

    Siggy on bench OK??
    how abt Costa to Jovetic for one week punt???

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I'd say g2g, although I'd be tempted to play Siggy ahead of Downing.

      1. Skipdipper
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Siggy ahead of bony for me

  2. The Chosen One...
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Think i now have the perfect midfield

    Sanchez, Haz, Silva, Sterling, Boyd

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Fab for Boyd.

      1. KISSES
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        This

      2. The Chosen One...
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        not in a 3-4-3

        1. Skipdipper
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Fab over sterling

      3. Jarvis
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        yeah but gl finding the cash..

    2. Black Knights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Strong!

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      My perfect Midfield is:

      Fab-Siggy-Theo-Sterling-ADM

      With Kun-Kane up front

      And Courtois-Ivan-Baines @ back

      And good little squad players around them... roll on Jan WC!

      1. Skipdipper
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Until theo goes off injured again and Kun's hamstring twangs 😉

  3. davies
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Happy new year from Australia, gents! Love this site. Have a good year, all of you.

    1. Sweetpea
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Good man.

    2. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Happy new year Davies!

    3. Djerbil
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Happy new Year

    4. Black Knights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      You too bud! My parents are celebrating in Sydney right now! As is my best mate, who lives there.

      Looking forward to many more convos in 2015.

      1. Fitzy.
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Where in Sydney are they mate?

    5. Dušan Citizen
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks God I don't live in Australia. Would have to stay awake every night untill sun rise to watch PL.

      1. Fitzy.
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        The Monday night games are on at 7:00am here, perfect... 🙂

        1. Jarvis
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          I watch them on the train to work/at work.

      2. Perthite
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Games for me are around 8:30pm and 11:30pm. I always fall asleep before the 3rd game though.

      3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        And you would be surrounded by Australians - even worse!

        1. Fitzy.
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Uncalled for. 🙄

        2. Perthite
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Meow.

      4. davies
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Early game generally on around 11.45pm
        2am
        4.30am

        I love it, though, so I don't care.

    6. Perthite
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Some of us Aussies are still in 2014.

      1. Fitzy.
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Keep up!

        1. Perthite
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          We are a bit behind the rest of Aus (eg not having daylight saving)

      2. davies
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Perth?

        1. Perthite
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Strangely enough - yes.

        2. davies
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          PERTHite. 🙄

          Silly me.

          1. Perthite
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 2 months ago

            I say - nice boy, but he's sharp as a bowling ball.

            1. Fitzy.
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 2 months ago

              “Nice mannered kid, just a little on the dumb side”
              “That kid’s about as sharp as a pound of wet liver”
              “Smart boy, got a mind like a steel trap – full of mice”
              “That boy’s as strong as an ox, and just about as smart”

              😆

    7. Jarvis
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah mate, Happy NY from Melb. Enjoy your night!

  4. Sweetpea
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Eriksen > Sterling?

    1. The Chosen One...
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      yes, that's what i'm doing

    2. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    3. AS Ladzio
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I went Eriksen to Silva. But I'm scared looking at Eriksen's fixtures after the Chelsea game...

    4. MBK 42
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I'm thinking Lallana or Coutinho might be a better bet; Sterling looking burned out of late.

  5. copps
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Need to sort my team out before I go out and get completely wasted.

    Only decision really is whether to keep Yaya or sell to Sterling?

    Currently on Yaya (c) & Silva (vc)

    Thoughts?

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      One last hurrah for Yaya. What would p*ss you off more - captaining Yaya & him doing crap,or seeling Yaya & him doing good? For me it's always the lesser of 2x evils...

      1. copps
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah he's a good differential too. My concern is Sterling and Liverpool's form though?

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          when in doubt - go with your gut, then you have no-one else to blame 🙂

    2. MDK
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      If you fancied Yaya enough to captain why would you be looking to ship him out?

      1. copps
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        good point. its more as a differential but i also think sterling could score well this week

  6. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Pick one winner from these four matches.

    Villa vs Palace
    Hull vs Everton
    QPR vs Swansea
    Newcastle vs Burnley

    1. Van Dal
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      newx

    2. MBK 42
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Villa
      Draw
      Draw
      Newcastle

    3. Black Knights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Tough one. Back a home team on New Year's Day, so Villa?

    4. CelticBhoy1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I really dont know.

      Its for a bet to win good cash. Its either Villa or Newc but swaying Newc atm

    5. Kip
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Burnley

    6. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Everton, IMO.

      Everton are playing bad with good players, Hull are playing bad with bad players.

      Individual quality will shine through for 2 teams in such poor form, IMO.

  7. asif316uk
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    One week punt..

    Jovetic or Benteke? to captain also

    vote now

    1. jdogg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Jovetic.x

    2. MBK 42
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Benteke given he's guaranteed to start but I wouldn't be hopeful of returns.

      1. asif316uk
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        i know what you mean, villa are terrible

      2. AS Ladzio
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        +1

    3. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Jovetic

    4. Kip
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      jove

    5. Skipdipper
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Tekkers

  8. Van Dal
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Perfect then!

    Yaya > ADM on GW 21

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe. A bit of a wait and see thing.

  9. AS Ladzio
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Trying to break into the top 30 and I have brought Silva in and captained him. This season I decided that I would no longer chase points and make transfers based on player's performances in real life. Hoping I don't get burnt. I think Sterling is going to have a field day against a shaky defence. Liverpool looked great against Swansea...

  10. Djerbil
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Costa's away returns last 5 games has been 7-1-1-2-2

    1. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      😎

    2. Woy
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      due 25 then right?

    3. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      None of those games were against the complex that is Spurs

      1. Woy
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Conceded more pens than any other team this season

        1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Spurs big team complex is all you need to know about

    4. drughi
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      due

  11. Dušan Citizen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Manchester City are talking to EPL officials to get Frank Lampard avaliable for games against Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday.
    Lampard deal ends Jan 1st and the window doesn't open till Jan 3rd meaning he'd miss Sunderland match and Sheffield Wednesday cup game.

    1. AS Ladzio
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Interesting! Good news for Silva owners, less chance of a rest.

    2. Djerbil
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      yeah its so difficult , convincing themselves to convince them to extend Frank's loan

    3. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      YaY

      1. Djerbil
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        😆 I'm wondering who was bluffing

    4. Dušan Citizen
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Would be fantastic option for 5th mid in January until Yaya is on ACON

  12. Pedram
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Play Kane or Eriksen ?

    1. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Eriksen

    2. jdogg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Eriksen.x

    3. Djerbil
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Kane

    4. drughi
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      candy kane

    5. 1569Tippins
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Eriksen

    6. Skipdipper
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Erikson

    7. Pedram
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      one more and i'll decide

      1. MDK
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Kane

  13. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one

    1.Azpili
    2. Kane
    3. Hutton

    1. Skipdipper
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Kane

    2. datamunkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      1

  14. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    I made the same mistake the last time he scored a goal but Moreno worth a punt?

    1. Van Dal
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      No way!

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks Red.

    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I'd say no.

      I think against easier team, like Leicester, it could be Markovic at LWB.

      And clean sheets are the bread and butter with defenders, and there wont be many of those.

  15. Kip
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    are price rises influenced by the transfers made by people who are on a WC?

    1. Black Knights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Ha yeah. If they then transfer them out later, it'll be registered the same as in any other transfer.

  16. mdm
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Cresswell or Vlaar ?

    1. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Crewss

  17. asif316uk
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    one week punt,

    eriksen > sterling or lallana?

    1. MBK 42
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I have same dilemma but it would also mean benching Siggy just to complicate things further. You might also throw Coutinho into the mix.

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      sterling,
      top of the stats list across premiership last week for shots taken, shots on target, big chances.
      its coming...

      1. MBK 42
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Perhaps but his finishing is dreadful.

        1. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          maybe so, but dont get too carried away with Lallana's brace either.
          unless you call getting clunked on the back of the head a shot.

        2. asif316uk
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          +1

  18. Shinigami
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Downing and Yaya> Silva and Sterling for -4?

    1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Effon NO

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn't get rid of Downing for at least 3 weeks.

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      No

  19. Dušan Citizen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Chris Houghton promoted as new manager of Brighton.

    1. Woy
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      RIP Hyypia

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        New Liverpool defence coach.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Saw that earlier. Not sure he's got the mustard.

  20. Djerbil
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Swansea City FC ‏@SwansOfficial 2m2 minutes ago
    Reluctant #Swans accept @shelveyJ charge as midfielder set to miss four games

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Good sell from Liverpool going by the last two face offs.

  21. Viper
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Best captain choice from this lot?

    Yaya, Hazard, Austin, Benteke

    1. mdm
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Benteke

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      yaya

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      The 3 first all good, flip a coin. Yaya/Hazard biggest differentials and both on pens.

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        And so is Austin, difficult week and feel I'll pick the wrong one. Between Silva, Yaya and Austin.

        1. Viper
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Same here

        2. HamezMace
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Benteke also on pens

        3. datamunkey
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Have all these guys also, Silva a no-no for me prob Austin (c) and Yaya (vc) or even Sanchez..

    4. Skipdipper
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Hazard

  22. Wing Commander
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Any thoughts on the best use of the January wild card? I thought it may come in handy to get Aguero back in at the end of the month?

    1. Hyperion
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      That's probably what I'll be doing unless I suddenly get a load of injuries, fairly happy with my team at present.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Most serious players will use it late regardless of Aguero.

    3. MBK 42
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Thinking the same but might mean having him as a non-starter for a few weeks as he's eased back in.

      1. Skipdipper
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        I'll probably use RVP as a place holder with silva in midfield then switch silva and RVP for adm and kun(t) once he's back

  23. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Shelvey accepts a four match ban...

    1. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Off to AFCON now?

    2. Skipdipper
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Feel a bit sorry for him given sterling got away with it

  24. Wez88
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Who has sold Yaya this week and who has kept him? If really just rested I can't see any reason to sell him...

    1. Red Star Toro
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Kept.

  25. Boodey
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    A-Kane out / Berahino in
    B-Save

    1. That Fantasy Guy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      B

  26. MMN
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Jenkinson or Kolo/Moreno

  27. For Fuchs Sake
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Any need to change anything or shall I save 2FTs to get Yaya out and one other next GW?
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/45786544/Screen%20Shot%202014-12-31%20at%2013.27.10.png

  28. copps
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Why do people comment "+1" when the button has now been added for that lol

    1. Red Star Toro
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      +1

    2. Chambo
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      +1

    3. MBK 42
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      +1 (sorry)

    4. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      +1

    5. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Cue people saying '+1'...

      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        I wasn't quick enough. 😆

      2. TheSteel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        +1. people are dicks

    6. Van Dal
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      +1

  29. That Fantasy Guy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Who wins if out of these 2 teams fantasy wise for this week...
    Option A. Or. Option B.
    G.Coutois. G.Hart
    D.Baines. D.hutton
    D.Terry. D.Azpilicueta
    D.Zabaleta. D.zabaleta
    D.Bertrand. M.Hazard
    M.coutinho. M.Sanchez
    M.Larson. M.Downing
    M.Goufran. M.Silva (c)
    M.kouyate. F.Austin
    F.Costa (c) F.Rooney
    F.Pele. F.Kane

    Thanks

    1. justgiving.com/JonnyChard
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Option B

    2. Skipdipper
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      B