Samir Nasri rewarded our faith with a brace against Swansea last weekend, while Norwich’s Martin Olsson also chipped in with a clean sheet at home to Crystal Palace. With no Gameweek over Tuesday and Wednesday, Fantasy managers can take advantage of a PlayON Price list which was set prior to the 10 midweek matches. As we’ll see, there are a number of kindly-priced options available at the back and in midfield, affording us the chance to save cash for a certain Uruguayan as part of our front two for Liverpool’s home clash with West Ham:
If you’re new to PlayON, read this season’s introduction article for more information. If you’re already a PlayON player, read on for our selection of this week’s targets…
Goalkeeper – Michel Vorm
The Swansea keeper will set you back just 8.0m ahead of a home clash with Hull City this weekend. Vorm returned to the starting XI in midweek and helped Michael Laudrup’s side to a 3-0 home win over Newcastle, with the comprehensive victory ending the visitors’ four-match unbeaten run. Given that the Tigers have scored just twice in their last four on the road, confidence in another shut-out looks high for the Dutchman. Alternatively, if you fancy Fulham to keep out an Aston Villa side that have drawn blanks in five of the last eight Gameweeks, Maarten Stekelenburg will set you back a mere 7.8m.
Defender – Jon Flanagan
Let’s face it, the Liverpool defence have been anything but resilient in recent matches but, with a home game against West Ham next up, their chances of a clean sheet have never looked better. Aside from their 3-0 win at Spurs in Gameweek 7, Sam Allardyce’s side have scored just once in six road trips, suggesting Brendan Rodgers’ backline could well be in the points. Flanagan comes in at just 7.5m and is one of a number of very favourable backline options this weekend. If you reckon Man City can pick up in resilience on the road, their fit-again skipper Vincent Kompany is priced at 7.2m for a trip to Southampton, whilst Fulham’s Sascha Riether and Swansea’s Ben Davies will take up just 7.0m and 7.3m of your budget for the above-mentioned home matches.
Midfielder – Juan Mata
With Oscar still struggling to overcome an ankle injury, the Spaniard looks good for a third consecutive start this weekend as Chelsea make their way to Stoke City. Jose Mourinho’s side have been in scintillating form of late, scoring 10 times in the last three Gameweeks and, priced at a mere 7.7m in this week’s PlayON Player Price List, the Blues playmaker offers a real touch of class at a budget cost. In addition, United’s Shinji Kagawa looks set to start for the third successive league match at home to Newcastle due to the injury and suspension situation up top and sets you back 8.4m, whilst Swansea’s Pablo Hernandez costs just 6.8m for the visit of Hull on Monday evening; the hosts have scored at least three times in all but one of their last four home games.
Forward – Javier Hernandez
If you’re on the lookout for a budget-friendly frontman, the little Mexican may well appeal. With Wayne Rooney sitting out the visit of Newcastle due to suspension and Robin Van Persie struggling to make it out of the United treatment room, Hernandez, at 9.8m, looks favourite to get the nod against a Magpies side that have averaged two goals against on their travels so far. Elsewhere amongst the cut-price starters up top, Marouane Chamakh is available for 10.2m as he looks to build on Tuesday’s winner against West Ham, whilst Dimitar Berbatov looks set for another start for Fulham – the Bulgarian picked up an assist against former club Tottenham in midweek, and priced at 10.4m, will lead the line for Rene Meulensteen’s side as on-loan Darren Bent is unavailable to face his parent club.
£500 Guaranteed Pot This Week
PlayON has a £500 Guaranteed Pot on offer this week for a £5.50 entry fee. Once the number of entries reaches 100, the pot will continue to rise above £500, so invite your friends and help to increase the pot size.
How To Play
PlayON is weekly Fantasy Football for free or for cash, so you can dip in and out of playing throughout the season. Once your starting XI is built (you can keep changing your team right up to two hours before the first kick-off – 10.45am this Saturday), you can compete for cash. Entering a multiplayer game for a set stake, you’ll have a chance of winning your share of the pot should you finish high enough in the rankings.
Similarly, you can challenge other players to one-on-one games, selecting the amount at stake. The likes of Robbie Fowler, Les Ferdinand and OptaJoe are all playing the game and are there to be challenged for free or for £1. The Fantasy Football Scout team is also available to be challenged and has a 54% win rate up to this point.
The Fantasy Football Scout Game
We’ve also got a £2 multiplayer game, dedicated to our community, which is now open and the prize pot is building.
Challenge Your Mates
You can also set up your own multiplayer games with your mates to play for bragging rights only or for cash. Create your own game at www.playon.co.uk.
Finally, a reminder that we have published a strategy guide, offering some tips for getting the most from your PlayON lineup, right here.
You have to be over 18 to enter cash games at PlayON. If you do wager some cash, please remember to gamble responsibly. PlayON is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.