This time last week, we introduced you to PlayON, a new weekly Fantasy game based on Opta data and offering the opportunity to win cash in multiplayer games or go into head-to-head challenges with the likes of Robbie Fowler and Gareth Southgate.
We’re playing the game until the end of the season and we’ve set up our own free-to-play game for our visitors. You can also challenge “Fantasy Football Scout” to a head-to-head challenge and, having won 25 of our 27 matches last week, we’re in pretty confident mood.
How To Play
PlayON is simple to play and, with the Opta data available to our members, FFS visitors have a real edge with stats like interceptions and clearances all contributing to the points scored. The live matchday experience is also worth checking out – watching your points roll in and your standings in your games fall and rise in real time is a new and welcome experience to our Fantasy football weekend – this starts once the first Premier League match kicks-off each weekend.
Once your starting XI is built (you can change your team as many times as you like up to 10 minutes before the first kick-off) you can compete for cash. Entering a multiplayer game for a set stake, you’ll have a chance of wining your share of the pot should you finish high enough in the rankings – once again, there’s more than £1,000 in the prize pot in the “Ambassadors Game” this week.
Similarly, you can challenge another player one-on-one, selecting the amount at stake. The likes of Robbie Fowler, Gareth Southgate and Opta Joe are all playing the game and are there to be challenged. Fowler, in particular, has been using his Twitter feed to welcome challenges.
Challenge Your Mates
You can also set up your own multiplayer games with your mates. While we have some Fantasy Football Scout games to enter, there’s an incentive to set up your own this week.
If you set up a £2 entry game and get 10 players and £20 in the pot, then PlayON will add an extra £5 in prize money to your game.
Create your own game at www.playon.co.uk.
For more details on PlayON and just why you should be playing it, check out our “Introducing” article from last week.
Gameweek 36 Player Picks
PlayON is running two separate Gameweeks to cover the forthcoming set of fixtures so player selections aren’t skewed towards those teams playing twice. You can pick a team for this weekend’s matches and, from Monday evening, select a new team to cover the three midweek fixtures.
Selecting a winning PlayON lineup often comes down to identifying one or two bargains who can produce for you on the day. Thanks to PlayON’s pricing algorithm which shifts prices week-to-week based on form, there are bargains to be found and unearthing them is one of the most satisfying aspects of the game.
Here’s our position-by-position analysis for this weekend…
Goalkeepers
Looking at the goalkeeper situation this week, there are a number of names that leap out. The Norwich number one spot is still up for grabs but, with Villa due at Carrow Road, it might just be worth taking a punt on Mark Bunn at 7.1 or John Ruddy at just 6.3. Further up the price brackets, Hugo Lloris looks a bargain at just 7.4 with decent clean sheet prospects at home to the Saints, while Mark Schwarzer is a secure defensive option for Fulham’s home clash with relegated Reading. Finally, if you’re really short on cash, Newcastle’s Rob Elliot is priced as just 6.2 after the 6-0 drubbing to Liverpool – he’s the cheapest active keeper available in the Gameweek.
Defenders
At the back, Sunderland’s Phil Bardsley, at just 6.9, looks a good option for those looking to save pennies. He was recalled for the Villa Park massacre but, with a home clash with Stoke, a Black Cats clean sheet is on the cards. Fabricio Coloccini is set to return from injury for Newcastle’s visit to West Ham and he should be good for plenty of points from clearances up against the West Ham air raid. With a price tag of just 7.1, he looks a ready-made differential.
West Brom’s Liam Ridgewell looks a certain starter at home to Wigan given Goran Popov’s absence – he’s available for just 7.9, while Ronnie Stam could line up for the Latics and is on offer for 7.5. We also like Matija Nastasic at 8.2 for City’s visit to Swansea – he should be in line for a recall for Roberto Mancini’s side.
Midfielders
A lineup with Gareth Bale at 10.4, with Theo Walcott at 9.2 and a couple mid-price or budget options looks strong this week.
Youssouf Mulumbu may not be the first name on many Fantasy football teamsheets but, with a return to the Baggies lineup looking likely after serving his ban, Mulumbu could well contribute plenty of points for tackles and interceptions against the Latics. He’s available for just 6.3 for the Gameweek.
Newcastle’s Hatem Ben Arfa looks a potential differential with the potential to deliver strong attacking points. Back in the fold and being introduced from the bench, it will be interesting if he’s handed a start at West Ham – if he does, a price tag of just 6.9 looks generous.
Man United’s midfield also offers some decent options if Sir Alex Ferguson chooses to shake up his lineup – Tom Cleverley at 6.5, Nani at 7.0 and even Shinji Kagawa at 8.5, all look worth considerations.
The Tottenham pairing of Aaron Lennon and Tom Huddlestone are available for just 7.3 and 7.7 respectively, while a lack of current form has dropped both David Silva and Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko to 8.5 price tags: both look worthy of our attention.
Forwards
Bargains are harder to come by in this area and with just two spots to fill, it’s often not an area to consider budget assets. Should you wish to take the risk, then Fabio Borini of Liverpool is a possible starter for this Sunday’s Merseyside derby.
There are a couple of mid-price candidates that stand out – namely Lukas Podolski of Arsenal up against QPR for just 10.2, while on the other side of North London, you can acquire Jermain Defoe for 10 for his clash with the Saints. Further up the bracket, Wayne Rooney, at just 10.9, may tempt investment with his start looking fairly assured at home to Chelsea.
PlayON, like many weekly Fantasy games, is a form of gambling so you have to be aged over 18 and over to play and, if you do wager some cash, please remember to gamble responsibly.
