Our Friday lunchtime look of the PlayON Player Price List arrives once again, as the minutes tick down until another deadline. As always, we offer a couple of picks per position: one essential weekend target and a left-field alternative for your consideration.
PlayON have extended their deadline for submitting teams so you can now tinker with your starting XI right up until the first kick-off each week – tomorrow that’s 3.00pm, where as many as six of the Gameweek’s fixtures get underway.
Goalkeepers – Ben Foster
Five clean sheets in eight matches indicates the Tony Pulis effect is starting to set in at West Brom. Having registered back-to-back shut-outs against Swansea and West Ham, the Baggies pay visit to a Sunderland side that failed to score against travel-sick QPR last time out and with doubts hanging over the availability of Jermain Defoe, Foster, at 6.4m, and owned by 4% of managers, looks a very a viable option in goal this week. Everton have conceded just once in their last four matches after Willian’s late goal at Stamford Bridge ended a resilient run. The Toffees welcome basement-dwellers Leicester City to Goodison and Tim Howard will need to be on top form to prevent their new striker Andrej Kramaric from netting a third in as many appearances. The fit-again American (10% ownership) made six saves on his return from injury against Chelsea and is available for just 7.1m in this week’s PlayON Player Price List.
Defenders – Paul McShane
After Hull keeper Allan McGregor (7.1m) rewarded us with a clean sheet against Aston Villa last week, we turn to Steve Bruce’s backline once again. Paul McShane (6.0m) returned to the Tigers’ defence for the draw at Man City and was their highest scoring defender against Villa in PlayON – with a home clash against QPR next up, the 21%-owned defender could be in the points again as Hull look to repeat their 1-0 win at Loftus Road on the opening day of the season. Branislav Ivanovic’s fifth goal of the campaign at PSG in the midweek Champions League draw follows his recent winner at Aston Villa. A constant source of attacking threat, the Serbian should have plenty of opportunities as Burnley travel to Stamford Bridge this weekend – whilst a price tag of 9.6m makes the right-back (26% owned) an expensive option, his prospects at both ends of the pitch are too good to ignore as Chelsea go in search of a thirteenth shut-out of the season.
Midfielders – Francis Coquelin
The Frenchman has started Arsenal’s last seven league matches and averaged over 1,100 PlayON points in that time. Given that a maximum of 450 points is available for minutes played, Coquelin – despite of his lack of attacking returns – continues to benefit from PlayON’s Scoring Matrix, which rewards actions such as interceptions, tackles and clearance. Priced at just 6.4m for the Gunners’ trip to Selhurst Park, the midfielder (26% owned) looks set to offer excellent value once again. We return to Chelsea for our essential pick as Eden Hazard (14.0m) is drafted in for the visit of Burnley. With Diego Costa still looking for match sharpness after his recent three-match ban, the Belgian’s contribution could be key – already, over 46% of PlayON managers have snapped him up for this one.
Forwards – Daniel Sturridge
The Liverpool forward (13.2m) looks a real differential heading into the weekend deadline, with only 3% of PlayON managers currently selecting him up front. Whilst a trip to Southampton could, for many, be off-putting, Sturridge’s record of two goals and as many assists in six appearances since returning from injury, despite limited pitch time, demonstrates his ability to serve up the Fantasy returns. Although we had the likes of Sergio Aguero and Diego Costa as alternatives, we’re opting for Harry Kane as Tottenham prepare for the visit of West Ham. After serving up a total of five goals and three assists in recent matches against Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, the youngster is one of the most fixture-proof players in the Premier League right now. Bearing in mind the Hammers have just been thrashed 4-0 at West Brom and triumphed in just one of their last eight top-flight fixtures, it’s no surprise that the 8.6m-priced Kane is currently the most popular option up front this week, with 46% ownership.
