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. 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 – Kasper Schmeichel
The Dane has nailed down the number one spot at Leicester since returning from injury in Gameweek 30. Despite the availability of veteran Mark Schwarzer, Nigel Pearson has kept faith in Schmeichel and will be hoping the Foxes can serve up a fourth home clean of the season as Swansea pay visit without the injured Bafetimbi Gomis. Available for 6.2m in PlayON this week, Schmeichel has been picked by under 1% of teams and has produced ten saves in his last three to further his appeal. After shipping four goals last week it might appear counter-intuitive for us to be backing Joe Hart (7.9m, 14% owned) as our essential goalkeeper this week, when most will be going for the cheaper option of Tim Howard (7.2m). However, the England keeper offers security behind a fluctuating back-line, has kept three consecutive clean sheets in front of his own fans and visitors West Ham have failed to find the net in four of their last seven away trips.
Defenders – Scott Dann
Alan Pardew’s introduction has undeniably worked wonders for Crystal Palace’s attacking play but the Eagles’ defense has seen less improvement with only a single clean sheet recorded in 12 league outings since the manager took over. The visit of West Brom, who have scored in two of their last five road trips, offers an opportunity for Pardew’s back-line to redeem themselves and add some solidity to their impressive run. Dann’s eight attempts on goal in the last five also piques our interest, whilst his propensity to pick up clearance and interception points makes the 17%-owned centre-half a bargain at just 7.1m. Leighton Baines (8.6m, 40% owned) appears on our radar again on the back of four clean sheets in the last five at Goodison for Everton. Given that visitors Burnley travel to Merseyside with a single goal in six matches, the Toffees chances of a shut-out look strong, whilst Baines’s two goals and eight assists so far underline his points potential at both ends of the pitch.
Midfielders – Aaron Lennon
Available for 8.3m, the winger has been Everton’s main attacking threat in the absence of Romelu Lukaku. Lennon has delivered two goals and an assist in his last four matches, blanking just once over that run, which has seen his side drop just two points. Owned by 15% of PlayON managers so far, the on-loan wide man looks an in-form option as Roberto Martinez’ side look to maintain their climb up the table. Having overlooked Glenn Murray for a spot up front, we call upon his team-mate Yannick Bolasie to continue his form as Palace play host to West Brom. Priced at a very favourable 7.7m, the DR Congo international is heavily backed for this one (44% owned) after his weekend hat-trick against Sunderland took his tally to three goals and four assists in the last four. With the Baggies shipping ten goals in their last four, Alan Pardew’s side will fancy their chances of earning a fifth straight win.
Forwards – Jamie Vardy 7.2m
The Leicester frontman has been directly involved in six of the Foxes last ten goals, netting twice in their last three and serving up four assists. Vardy will be looking to maintain that form against a Swansea defence devoid of both first-choice full-backs – at a cut-price 7.2m, he currently sits in 12% of PlayON squads. After an unusually long absence, Sergio Aguero returns to the picks as our essential striker on the back of last Sunday’s brace at Old Trafford. Having finally ended a five-match goalless streak, the Argentine is now set to welcome a West Ham backline that’s conceded in all but one of their 15 road trips this term. Owned by a hefty 55%, Aguero doesn’t come cheap, though, setting you back 15.0m this weekend.
Head over to www.PlayON.co to get your teams in for the free entry and guaranteed pot games.
