Refresh your page for a view of the Scout Picks for this week’s Premiership fixtures. Read on for some flimsy explanations on my selection…

Liverpool’s fixtures are so strong over the next few weeks, it was hard to ignore their players, even in the short-term. The Boro game, coming on the back of the fine win over Inter, should bring some returns. Starting from the back, it’s difficult to find a Liverpool defender who is certain to play tomorrow, so instead, I’ve opted for Reina in goal who is assured of his place this weekend and over the double fixture in the FPL gameweek to come next week.

In front of him, I’ve gone from defenders from Portsmouth, United, Arsenal and Wigan. Portsmouth are at home to Sunderland – a side who have struggled terribly on the road and are likely to find it difficult to break down a Pompey backline which has the Campbell/Distin partnership restored. I’ve gone for the latter here – Distin is a more likley candidate for FPL bonus points. However, if you need a cheaper option then Hreidarsson is good bet. He should be assured of his place for the next 3-weeks with Pamarot injured.

Distin is partnered Scharner who makes a rare appearance in the scout picks. Wigan face Derby at the JJB and, although Derby are going down fighting, I expect Wigan to see them off with a neat 2-0 scoreline tomorrow. Scharner seems failrly assured of a start with new signing Hagen still short of match fitness and Bramble dropped to the bench in the last two. He also presents a decent threat from set-pieces, although Taylor’s absence with a rib injury may cut the supply significantly.

United’s Ferdinand is a more familiar face in the back four. It’s hard to bet agianst the United back four, even after conceding twice to City last time out in the Premiership. Long term, they have a blank gameweek to consider but in the short term they are still a sound bet, even against a Newcastle side that are bound to go for the throat from the off. Vidic is another consideration but he is now sitting on 4 yellows and needs to get through this game to avoid a suspension.

The defence is completed by Senderos who keeps his place in the Arsenal lineup this week and next at the very least, with Toure sidelined with a calf injury. Arsenal’s defence has been excellent in their recent run of Premiership games and the big centre-back has even proven to be a threat from set-pieces as Wenger puts more emphasis on their role in winning games. The trip to Birmingham will be a tight game and I can see Arsenal sneaking it by the odd goal with a clean sheet kept at the other end.

In midfield I’m keeping faith with Ronaldo despite a barren run of..wait for it…two games. There may well be doubts over his captaincy status for the FPL game but his inclusion in the lineup is pretty much mandatory.

Alongside him, Fulham’s Bullard gets a recall. He faces his former club West Ham in a game which should promise goals. Bullard is likely to be the central figure in Hodgson’s side and we saw against Villa a fortnight ago, just how he can drag a result out of a game for Fulham.

Gerrard is my choice for the second Liverpool player. It was close between him and Torres but I’ve gone for the skipper with FPL bonus points in mind. He comfortably outscores Torres in this area and I can see Gerrard getting the plaudits as well as an assist at the very least, in a fairly comfotable win for Rafa’s side.

The final choice in midfield is a tough one. Fabregas played well against Milan but I expect the trip to Birmingham to be a rugged encounter for Wenger’s men. I can’t see too much space for Fabregas so I’m going to bite the bullet and drop him to allow me to opt for Adebayor up front.

Portsmouth midfielders look tempting but again, I want to keep a second slot free for another of their players, Defoe, up front. I’ve opted for Barry then – he’s not been spectacular over the season and he’s certainly dried up of late but I suspect that Villa will need a couple of goals to get anything from the Reading game and if they prosper, then I think that Barry will be amongst the FPL bonus points at the very least.

Up front then, it’s Adebayor, who is stil pretty much impossible to ignore despite the 3-yard miss on Wednesday. Arsenal are in for a physical encounter at St Andrews, but Adebayor will be up of that and is likely to prove the difference again. Portmsmouth’s Defoe gets the final slot. He’ll be chomping at the bit having been cup-tied last weekend and will surely approach the Sunderland game fancying some goals.

Outside of this eleven, there several contenders who shared fair well this weekend. I’ve stayed clear of players involved in the City vs Everton and Blackburn vs Bolton games because I see these as potentially tight, low scoring games. However, if you fancy goals in these ones then Bentley, Petrov, Cahill, Benjani, Santa Cruz and Yakubu, among others, are familiar targets. Shutouts may also be available in these fixtures with Lescott, Dunne, Samba and Cahill all worth a look but I can’t see an obvious clean sheet amongst them.

Elsewhere in midfield, Ljungberg could well have the platform to continue his rich vein of form at Fulham. The Portsmouth midfield – Diarra, Muntari and Kranjcar – could also all profit from the home game with Sunderland. Up front meanwhile, I fancy King to break his duck for Wigan with Derby coming to the JJB.

As for FPL Captains – Ronaldo stock in this area has fallen in the last two Premiership outings. Adebayor is the normal alternative but faces a potentially tough game at St Andrews. Outside of these two Gerrard and Bullard look the strongest contenders – I expect them both to be amongst the points with assists or more, plus bonus points.