Our Friday lunchtime analysis of the PlayON Player Price List arrives once again. As always, we offer a couple of picks per position: one essential weekend target and a left-field alternative for your consideration.
PlayON are now running a number of different deadlines so Fantasy managers can have as much benefit of seeing teamsheets as possible. Tomorrow, for example, managers can pick teams for the weekly game (which includes all ten matches on Saturday, Sunday and Monday) and the single match game (for the Swansea versus Everton match) up to 12.45.
Managers can pick teams for all the 15.00 & 17.30 kick-offs up to 15.00 tomorrow. Their Daily game on Sunday, which includes two matches, has a deadline of 13.30. There’s free entry tournaments and guaranteed pots in all games so plenty for Fantasy managers to take advantage of – you can pick up to three different teams for each game now at www.PlayON.co
Goalkeepers – Kelvin Davis
The veteran stopper took over duties from the sidelined Fraser Forster and secured a 14th clean sheet of the season for Southampton in their previous home match against Burnley. Despite conceding to an early Phil Jagielka goal last time out in the 1-0 defeat at Everton, his opponents this week, Hull City, should offer little threat at St Mary’s ,with only two goals scored in their last six away trips. Davis is by far the cheapest option in Southampton’s backline and is the most popular keeper heading into the weekend’s action, selected by 30% of teams. We’re also backing Simon Mignolet (7.6m, 6% ownership) ahead of a visit from Newcastle. The Magpies have been struggling away from home, failing to score in three on the road and remain devoid of the suspended Papiss Cisse for Monday evening’s encounter. Granted, the Liverpool keeper conceded to both Man United and Arsenal but has still returned an impressive seven clean sheets in the previous 11, whilst a total of eight saves in the last two matches have kept his points ticker over.
Defenders – Hector Bellerin
Available for just 6.4m and sitting in 20% of PlayON sides, we reckon the youngster’s goal against Liverpool last week has done enough to retain the right-back berth ahead of Calum Chambers and fit-again Mathieu Debuchy as Arsenal make their way to Burnley. The Gunners arrive on the back of seven league wins and look a strong shout for defensive returns this weekend, bearing in mind that Sean Dyche’s side have scored just one goal in the last five matches. West Brom’s 4-1 home defeat to QPR last weekend was a major deviation from the standard for both sides. The Baggies had three successive clean sheets at the Hawthorns before that blip and with Leicester paying visit this weekend, Tony Pulis will be determined to grind out another shut-out before the fixtures turn nasty. Having missed out last weekend through suspension, Craig Dawson should return at right-back against the Foxes – at 6.4m, he offers decent value and is owned by just 11% of PlayON managers.
Midfielders – Jordan Henderson
The Liverpool midfielder continued his impressive form in midweek, after teeing up Philippe Coutinho for the winner at Blackburn. Henderson has become increasingly influential for the Merseysiders in the absence of Steven Gerrard and has scored in four of the last five Gameweeks ahead of the visit of struggling Newcastle. The addition of goals to his hard work-rate and defensive duties ensures Henderson is an ideal PlayON pick and a price tag of 8.8m (22% ownership) also makes him a relatively budget option compared to some of his pricier team-mates. Eden Hazard (14.2m) is our essential midfielder this week for Chelsea’s trip to QPR. A goal and an assist against Stoke, as well as three shots on target (worth 200 points each) reinforced the 59%-owned Belgian’s claim to be the most reliable and consistent player in the league on current form. Elsewhere for Chelsea, with Diego Costa sidelined, Loic Remy (9.8m) is likely to replace the Spaniard up front and could also be worth including as a double-up; the pair appear to have developed an understanding, with Hazard providing the pass for two of the Frenchman’s last three goals.
Forwards – Glenn Murray
The striker inspired Crystal Palace to a fourth win in five matches, netting and serving up an assist in the 2-1 victory over Man City. Murray has now produced five goals and two assists in five appearances for the Eagles and currently has the minutes-per-goal ratio in the Premier League. Up against a Sunderland side that have conceded in 11 of 16 home matches and available for 7.5m, Murray offers a differential that only 3% of PlayON teams have currently drafted in. Harry Kane makes the picks again ahead of a visit from Aston Villa. Despite failing to score at Burnley, the Spurs striker will be looking to get back most the goals against a defence that’s conceded six times in two matches over the last week. With a price tag of 8.6m, over 52% of PlayON managers have already snapped up Kane’s services.
Head over to www.PlayON.co to get your teams in for the free entry and guaranteed pot games.
