Our Friday lunchtime assessment 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 and Sunday) and the single match game (Leicester versus Newcastle) 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. With free entry tournaments and guaranteed pots in all games, there’s 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 – Adrian
Available for 7.1m, the West Ham goalkeeper made seven saves against QPR last week, including a penalty stop that earned his side a second clean sheet in the last five matches. Adrian (9% ownership) could be set for another shut-out this weekend as the Hammers play host to a Burnley side that’s scored just once in their last seven outings. Simon Mignolet (7.7m) is our essential stopper as Liverpool play host to QPR. Owned by 7% of PlayON managers, the Belgian has nine clean sheets in the last 14 Gameweeks and may well be poised for further returns, with the R’s failing to score in each of their last two.
Defenders – Chris Smalling
The United centre-half looks a strong shout for points at both ends of the pitch this week as West Brom roll up to Old Trafford. Smalling has already scored four times this term – with three strikes in his last eight appearances – and with the Baggies failing to score in two of their last four on the road, he looks excellent value at 7.6, with an 6% ownership. We’re keeping faith with Leicester skipper Wes Morgan (6.4m), who earned back-to-back clean sheets prior to the midweek loss to Chelsea. The 17%-owned Morgan has also chipped in with a goal and assist in his last six and now faces a Newcastle side without a goal in their last four away matches.
Midfielders – Esteban Cambiasso
Priced at 7.0m, the Argentine has played an influential role in Leicester’s sensational fight for survival. Cambiasso’s ability to read the game, his combination of defensive (providing tackle and interception points) and set-piece duties make him a budget pick that is likely to provide a steady stream of points within the PlayON scoring matrix. Currently sitting in 12% of sides, he looks key to the Foxes prospects of condemning visitors host Newcastle to an eight straight defeat. We have to opt for Eden Hazard as Chelsea go in search of the victory that would secure the title. The Belgian is far from budget friendly – at a price of 14.3m and owned by a massive 54% – but, having scored in each of his last two at the Bridge, he’ll fancy his chances of netting against a Palace side that have one clean sheet in 14 matches under Alan Pardew.
Forwards – Christian Benteke
The front man has led Aston Villa’s recent resurgence with eight goals in seven league appearances, including a hat-trick in their last match at Villa Park. In his last four, Benteke has had more touches in the box than any other forward and with seven shots on target (worth 200 points each in PlayON) has managed over 50% shot accuracy in that period. Priced at just 8m and owned by 12% of PlayON managers, we’ve selected the big Belgian as our left-field pick due to the form of a visiting Everton side, though it’s worth noting that the Toffees have conceded in five consecutive away fixtures. Sergio Aguero is once again the essential striker. Priced at 15.0m and currently selected by 28% of PlayON managers, the Argentine scored his fourth goal in three appearances against Villa last weekend and prepares for a re-match with a Spurs defence that he breached four times back in mid-October.
Head over to www.PlayON.co to get your teams in for the free entry and guaranteed pot games.
