[sbu_large_image] Games
7 August 2015 2227 comments
Tom Fenley Tom Fenley
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As mentioned yesterday, we’re teaming up with PlayON once again for a third successive season. This year, however, we’re taking a different slant on our approach – as discussed earlier in the week, I’ll be armed with £100 for each weekly game and will be reporting back every Friday on my progress.

In addition, I’ll be publishing a midweek “Weekly Shop” article, which focuses on those players that have arrived on my radar in advance of the weekend deadline.

Most of our visitors will be familiar with PlayON by now but, if you haven’t already dabbled, PlayON has a unique scoring system that awards points beyond the usual goals, clean sheets, assists etc model. These include attacking returns, such as 100 points for creating a chance and defensive bonuses such as clearances being worth 25 points. As I’ve been playing the game the last two seasons, I’m quite used to the PlayON scoring matrix but if you’re playing for the first time be sure to have a proper look before picking players.

This season, PlayON allows unlimited teams to be entered into competitions, though many of the games have caps on the total number of entries. In free entry games, only five entries are allowed. There are four time frames available this week – these are Weekly, Saturday and Sunday Daily games and also the Monday night match.

As you’ll see in the stakes section below, I’ll be entering plenty of teams into the mix this week. It may sound like a daunting task to be picking so many squads, particularly as I may have to update them if there’s any late injury news with the deadline fast approaching. However, in practice I have established a pool of players in my head from the teams with good fixtures. It’s then a case of building teams that sometimes will only have two or three players different to another one of my squads.

Whilst I may end up scrambling around to alter a line-up if I find out Scott Sinclair has caught a cold in the warm-up, it’s rarely more than one or two players that don’t show up, and this limits the panic of finding the particular team that Sinclair happens to be in and changing him for a starter.

The Bottom Line

In future, I will be recapping the preceding Gameweek’s exploits and hopefully looking at what I’ve got right. For the opening weekend, though, I have £100 burning a hole in my PlayON pocket, so let’s get spending.

This Week’s Stake

Here I run through which contests I’ll be entering and the associated fees. This is subject to change, though; I may well enter more games but I will update the situation if that happens in the bottom line next time we cover PlayON.

Weekly – The £100 free entry game allows five teams, so I’ve entered the full quota. I have then entered two teams into the £100 guaranteed pot for a £1.10 fee and ten teams into the 25p games. I’m overlooking the £1000 guaranteed game this week, the entry is £5.50 and I don’t want to risk too much of my bankroll early on, also the other entries cover this timeframe and give plenty of opportunities to improve the pot. I’ve also created a £1.10 entry game called Fantasy Football Scout that is open to the public, too.

Daily – For the Saturday and Sunday games I’ve entered the £5.50 contests, both with £250 guaranteed pots.

Match – There’s a £100 guaranteed game on Monday night for £5.50 but, as mentioned, I’d like to build up the pot before playing too many high-stakes games. I’ve entered a one-on-one game here for £1.10 but it requires another person to match the stake before it goes live.

Total Stake: £17

As a PlayON Pro, it’s possible for you to challenge me one-on-one in all four timeframes – these games are not included in the £100 challenge and operate separately.

Finally, PlayON has also just launched their Referrals section, where you can earn 50% of the commissions generated by people you refer to the site. You can share your unique referral code in a Whatsapp group, across social media or via email and earn 50% of the commission generated by anyone that signs up to PlayON via your link.

If you’ve finished tinkering with your Fantasy Premier League team, why not enter the £100 free PlayON game this week.

  1. Jitterbug
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    RMT /10 please 🙂

    Myhill Hennessey
    Azpi Bellerin Huth Mings Targett
    Hazard Sterling Walcott Ritchie Wanyama
    Rooney Benteke Pelle

    Aguero plan is Benteke to Lambert and Rooney to aguero
    Still not sure whether to go Walcott or play safe with ozil?
    Thoughts?

    1. FPL Marc
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Strong team, similar to mine. 8/10 with funds well-spread.

      I'm having the same Arsenal debate - Walcott, Ramsey or Ozil. It's a nightmare.

  2. StuareZ
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Cant decide between

    A: Azpi, Cedric, Mane
    B: Azpi, Belerin, Ayew wih 0.5 spare
    C: Azpi, Kos, Ayew
    D: Ivan, Cedric, Ritchie

    Thoughts?

    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      A

  3. MB10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    A. Romero and Mahrez

    or

    B. Myhill and Ritchie

    1. Rex Lapis
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      B

    2. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Pantilimon and Mahrez

    3. athreya
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Romero seriously? He is expected to play?

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Yes DDG dropped as likely getting sold to Real Madrid and Valdes not in LVG's plans.

  4. Reeker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Westwood or Fletcher for my 5th midfielder?

    1. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Both good options (well, good for the price). Flip a coin.

    2. nolicnosnhoj
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Anya

  5. FIFA King
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    What's people's thoughts on Romero for Man U? Worth £5Mil?

    1. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Not worth the risk in my view

    2. RustyBz
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      He won't start tomorrow

      1. Konig Luther
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        who will start then?

        1. RustyBz
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          Johnstone

  6. Rex Lapis
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Which one?

    A. Kosc + Coates
    B. Cedric + Williams/PVA

    other def
    Ivan Huth Francis

    1. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      A

  7. ZakAFC_
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Pelle or Benteke?

    1. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Pelle

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Benteke

    3. RustyBz
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Both

  8. Jazz!
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    A) Bolasie
    B) Puncheon

    1. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Puncheon

    2. RustyBz
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Bolasie more explosive and less reliable.

      Punch the safer pick

  9. nashi
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    A) kos, sterling & pelle
    B) mert, mane & kane

    1. thecule
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      B

  10. Lawrø
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Does anyone else feel like they own Rooney purely based on his ownership? 😀

    1. Root
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      No. Low ownership would be ideal.

    2. clownbot2000
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      hate to admit but yeh

      1. clownbot2000
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        then again with Spurs shambolic pre-season preparation my mother-in-law should score against them if handed the central striker position

    3. ronmadpirlo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      If that's why you own him I wouldn't bother. Doubt his value will rise by much with Aguero coming back to full fitness

  11. GreenWindmill
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Oh no, just realised I have 2 Sky teams and a UFPL team to fret about as well. I may need to start drinking early today...

    1. clownbot2000
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      same here, I saw the skyt sports article flash up on FFS & thought 'did I create a sky team'?
      think I was swayed by the promise of $

  12. Sergio AGUEROOOOO
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Kun isnt going to play GW1 and will probaly be on the bench for chelsea, why is everyone getting him in all of a sudden

    1. Concrete
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I'd be surprised if he didn't start v Chelsea

      1. Sergio AGUEROOOOO
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        he didnt start vs liverpool last year 2nd game in when he wasnt fully fit, he will be subbed on again

    2. RustyBz
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Where did you hear that he won't start against Chelsea?

      Pellegrini just said he is fit for WBA

      1. Sergio AGUEROOOOO
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        my opinion, we shall see

        1. RustyBz
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          City have lost Jovetic & Dzeko.

          Are they really gonna gamble on a false 9? Bony is even less fit than Aguero.

      2. uhahpaulmcgrath
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        he never said that. wow, people hear what they want to hear

    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Nice to have someone who clearly has inside information so can make bold predictions like this.

  13. thecule
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Is Giroud worth having in your squad? Reading all these articles on him playing off the bench now that Walcott is fit... pretty difficult to avoid him, given the form he had in front of the net last season

    1. athreya
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      He lost form towards end of season. He, theo and Ox will all be rotated.

      Alexis, Ozil, Caz and Rambo will get max minutes for Arsenal.

  14. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Just tried to brief some facts and stats going into gameweek 1, courtesy of BBC Sport.
    Note: Stoke vs Liverpool & WBA vs Man City aren’t available on the site yet.

    Manchester United vs Tottenham

    • United beat Spurs for the first time in 6 attempts last season, 3-0 at Old Trafford.
    • Rooney has scored 6 goals on the opening weekend, more than any current PL player.
    • Rooney has 10 goals in 15 appearances against Spurs.
    • Spurs could win their opening match in 3 consecutive seasons for the first time in the PL era.
    • Kane’s goals earned his team 24 points, more than any PL player last season.

    Bournemouth vs Aston Villa

    • Villa beat Bournemouth in the FA cup last season 2-1.
    • Bournemouth are unbeaten in the last 10 home games, winning 5 of the last 6.
    • Bournemouth were awarded 16 penalties last season. Wilson won 11 of them.
    • Villa have never beaten a newly promoted side. (D1, L2.)
    • Villa were the only team to have a substitute score a goal last season.

    Everton vs Watford

    • Everton have won their last 9 games against Watford.
    • Everton have conceded 35 goals on the opening weekend of the season, more than any other team.
    • Watford were not involved in a single goalless draw last season.

    Leicester vs Sunderland

    • Both outings last season ended 0-0.
    • Sunderland have kept 3 clean sheets in their last 3 visits to Leicester.
    • Leicester have scored 2 goals in 6 of their last 7 opening day fixtures.
    • Vardy got 4 goals and 4 assists in his last 10 appearances last season.
    • Sunderland haven’t won any of their last 5 opening games.
    • Sunderland registered 9 goalless draws last season, a joint record.

    Norwich vs Crystal Palace

    • Palace have won 3 of their last 5 visits to Norwich.
    • Norwich haven’t won any of their last 12 opening fixtures. (D6, L6)
    • No championship midfielder scored more goals than Bradley Johnson, 15.
    • Palace have lost their last 4 season openers.

    Chelsea vs Swansea

    • Swansea have lost all 4 PL games at Stamford Bridge.
    • Chelsea have the best opening day record, winning 15 of 23 matches.
    • Mourinho has a 100% winning record on the opening day of the season.
    • Diego Costa has scored more PL goals against Swansea than any other player, 5.
    • Swansea have won 2 of their last 3 opening day fixtures.

    Arsenal vs West Ham

    • Arsenal have won their last 10 meetings with West Ham.
    • Arsenal failed to score in 3 of their last 4 home games.
    • Giroud has scored 5 in 5 against WHU. Walcott has also scored 5.
    • WHU are winless in their last 12 PL games. (D5. L7)
    • Payet created 135 chances last season, the highest figure in the top 5 European leagues.

    Newcastle vs Southampton

    • Newcastle have failed to score in their last 4 out of 5 opening day fixtures.
    • Newcastle have lost 9 of their last 11 league games. (W1, D1).
    • Southampton are winless in 7 PL away games. Losing 6, including the last 5.

    1. Mr. Grv
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Great work

      1. Hibbo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        It's a copy and paste.

        1. Davido989
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          Well I shortened every point as much as possible..

    2. Link
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Awesome. Cheers Berb

    3. Maxi_Mawoofingtons
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      very nice.... so Rooney would be the best captain choice based off these facts..

  15. nolicnosnhoj
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on Papiss Cisse?

  16. Milner4eva
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Just get Rooney, Kun, and Hazard - problem solved

    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      😎

    2. Lawrø
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      But then I can't get Bentekkers without ruining my team's balance and flexibility! 🙁

      1. Milner4eva
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        meh, can't have em all! Just get Sakho instead

    3. Mr. Grv
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      lol

  17. Super-Hans
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Sorry, Bemba_Da. Ment Sinclair, not Richards.

    I would be really happy if some of you could share your opinion on this;

    Hennessey, Mane and Bentaleb
    or
    Butland, Chadli og Sinclair?

    Squad at the moment:

    Butland - Ruddy
    Francis - Prödl - Coates - Targett - Huth
    Walcott - Chadli - Hazard - Richards - Depay
    Aguero - Benteke - Sakho

  18. Fader
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    thoughts?

    Hennersey
    Mertesacker - Ward - Gomez
    Sterling - Mane - Hazard - Cazorla - Depay
    Rooney - Defoe

    Subs : - Panti / Huth / Sakho / Muniesa

    1. nolicnosnhoj
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I would go with Sakho over Defoe

      1. Fader
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        I think Defoe is more likely to score. Doubt we'll score. *WHU Fan*

        1. nolicnosnhoj
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          Idk, Payet feeding him plus the addition of Ogbonna in the Back, I think West Ham will suprise Arsenal

          1. Fader
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 7 months ago

            I hope so but I won't hold my breath lol

  19. Teror
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    S U G G E S T I O N S. PLZZZ.

    Cech - Rudd
    Azpi - Mert - Cedric - Huth - Francis
    Haz - Walcott - Sterling - Milner - Fletcher
    Rooney - Pelle - Wilson

    1. Sergio AGUEROOOOO
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      your team is so close to being the same as mine haha 9.5/10 😉 would be 10/10 if you had ivanovic

      1. Teror
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Everyone told me to do Azpi + Cech instead of Ivanovic + Ruddy 🙁

        Good luck ol' chap!

  20. Hibbo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Who scores more points:

    Rooney vs Spurs
    Aguero vs WBA

    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Most likely Rooney. Aguero will only come on if they desperately need a goal, imo.

    2. DF
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Rooney 6
      Ags 1

  21. CABAYE4
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Liverpool fans.

    Is Hendo likely to play in a midfield 2 with Milner or a 3 with Milner and a more defensive player (Can, Allen, Lucas)?

    1. Lawrø
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      The latter more often than not (especially against stronger opposition) but I do expect Rodgers to tinker with it on a game by game basis like two seasons ago.

      1. CABAYE4
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks. Much appreciated.

    2. thegaffer
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Honestly not sure but heard plenty of talk of the latter, most likely with Lucas.

      BR doesn't want a repeat of the 6-1 ...

  22. MS
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Got Agüero in without much change, how does this look?

    GK: Fabianski - Schmeichel

    DEF: Azpi - Cedric - Francis - Coates - Oxford

    MID: Mane - Hazard - Ox - Henderson - Sinclair

    ATT: Rooney - Agüero - Wilson

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      well done v good

    2. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Ox? Pmsl.

      1. MS
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        What are you on about?

        1. Hibbo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          Oxlade, you have him in your team.

          I'm pissing myself laughing.

  23. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Looks like Brendon's presser was short and not very sweet (if you, like me, were waiting for news on Benteke):

    http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-fc-news-transfer-rumours-9807703

    also some fodder for the bib theorists...

  24. Elijah's Wood
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Could i get some second opinions on this please?

    Going 4-5-1 for GW1 only:

    Cech
    Ivan, kolarov, huth, targett
    Hazard, Walcott (c), ozil, mane, mutch (CPL)
    Rooney
    (Deeney, sakho, lescott)

    Mad? Or should I go 4-4-2 and get Wilson instead of deeney?

    I am really liking this though, good feeling and all

  25. Paully Walnuts
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    The Aguero news has me thinking:
    Mignolet/Ruddy

    Mertesacker/Huth/Coates/Mings/Targett
    Fabregas, Ozil, Mane, Henderson, Ritchie
    Aguero, Rooney, Deeney.

    That would be Cedric, Sterling, Pelle and Benteke out for Targett, Mane, Deeney and Aguero.

    Decisions, decisions

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      i'd get in haz and downgrade mig/mert

    2. Milner4eva
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      rudd/ruddy gives you an extra mil, upgrade targett, ritchie -> 4.5 and try get in hazard

  26. tissae
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Hey, can someone finally Rate My Team ? No replies still...

    Ruddy/Butland

    Azpi / Mertesacker / Morgan / Coates / Baker

    Hazard / Sterling / Wally / Hendo / Wanyama

    Deeney/ Kane / Rooney

    A. Hendo + Kane or B. Mane + Benteke?

    1. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I like it. Might want to replace Baker with Targett. You need a Grav too and then you will get more replies.

      1. tissae
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        What is "Grav" ?

        1. BRONALDINHO
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          gravatar.com put a picture on it so that you have one here 🙂

  27. Le Limpar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Chances of McCarthy starting instead of Hennessey?

  28. arsenal10
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    RMT:

    ╔--------------- Hennesey ----------------------- ╗
    ---------Mert ◯ Cedric ◯ Azpi ◯--------
    -Hazard ◯ Walcott ◯ Mane ◯ Mahrez--
    ╚------ Aguero ◯ Rooney ◯ Ighalo----- ╝

    ◯ McCarthy ◯ Fletcher ◯ Huth ◯ Saylor

    Only weak links is igahlo and maybe mahrez? but have enough big hitters in my team and solid defence.

    1. RustyBz
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      How much is Igahlo?

  29. SPFC
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Defender nailed Sunderland for £ 4.5?

    1. tissae
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      coates

  30. st4rt__
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Ruddy
    Azpil | Huth | Francis
    Haz | Santi | Mahrez | Mane
    Rooney | Aguero | Sakho

    Ooooooooh yaaaaaa beauty!