Our Friday lunchtime regular arrives again, as we analyse the PlayON Player Price List ahead of tomorrow’s 10.45am deadline. Below we offer a couple of picks per position: one essential weekend target and a left-field alternative for your consideration.
PlayON has announced that they will be running Freeroll games and Guaranteed Pot games each week for the rest of the season. This week they have £2,000 in Guaranteed Pots on offer, including £150 FREEROLLS for followers of their @playon Twitter account and £150 FREEROLLS for people who like their Facebook page.
Goalkeeper – Tom Heaton
The Burnley stopper is seeking a fourth clean sheet in front of his own fans as Aston Villa roll up to Turf Moor tomorrow. Available for just 6.3m in this week’s PlayON Price List, Heaton looks an excellent budget option between the posts, bearing in mind that the visitors have failed to score in each of their last four road trips. After defying Arsenal time and again at the Emirates last Sunday, we’re placing our faith in Manchester United’s David De Gea (7.6m) to deliver the points once more. The Red Devils host a Hull City side that have scored just once in the last four Gameweeks and with the home side shipping only three goals in the last five in front of their own fans, Louis Van Gaal’s defensive tactics are beginning to have some effect.
Defender – Steven Caulker
The QPR centre-half looks a strong shout for points at both ends of the pitch this weekend. Visitors Leicester have now failed to score in each of the last five Gameweeks and, having kept out the likes of Sunderland and Aston Villa at Loftus Road, Harry Redknapp’s side will be optimistic of snuffing out another of their relegation rivals. Caulker sits joint second amongst defenders for attempts on goal this season and with the PlayON Scoring Matrix awarding points for clearances, interceptions and tackles, his 6.6m price tag is difficult to ignore. Chelsea roll up to the Stadium of Light having served up back-to-back clean sheets against West Brom and away to Schalke midweek over the last few days. Jose Mourinho’s side are starting to tighten up at the back again and whilst Branislav Ivanovic (9.7m) has yet to rediscover his early season output, the Serbian’s raids down the right could prove pivotal against the Black Cats.
Midfielder – Jefferson Montero
Recently established in Swansea’s first XI, the Ecuadorian has started each of the last four and returned two assists over that period. The new PlayON Scoring Matrix also boosts Montero’s appeal – he’s fired three shots on target in the last two, with each accurate effort earning him 200 points – and, at a price of just 7.9m, compared to team-mate Gylfi Sigurdsson at 9.7m, the winger could turn out to be a cost-effective alternative to the Icelander as the Swans host Crystal Palace. At 13.9m, Angel Di Maria takes a fair amount of your budget. Unlike many of the other premium priced midfield options, the United winger will have had a full week’s rest, given that the Red Devils don’t have any European duties to concern themselves with, and, along with an in-form Wayne Rooney at home to Hull, the Argentine’s inventiveness and drive looks integral to seeing off the Tigers.
Forward – Danny Ings
Both of this week’s forward picks come from newly promoted sides as we opt for a couple of in-form options. Having bagged a brace at the Britannia last weekend, Ings finally exhibited the quality that served up 20 goals in 40 appearances in the Championship last season. Priced at only 7.9m, and with a home-tie against an injury-hit Villa side that have conceded eight goals with no reply in their last four away trips, he looks the Clarets’ best chance of earning a third straight win. Another player who excelled in the Championship, Charlie Austin (8.4m), is the essential forward this week. After four goals in three appearances, he failed to score at Newcastle last week, but the QPR striker’s previous form implies more returns are likely against a travel-sick Leicester side who have lost their last four on the road.
Head over to PlayON.co and get your teams in for the £2,000 in guaranteed pots ahead of the 10.45am deadline on Saturday morning.
