Refresh your screen and you’ll my scout picks for this week’s games, then you can read on for some nonsense on how they were selected.

The keeper and the back four isn’t an easy selection this week with few obvious clean sheets knocking about. Arsenal and Chelsea have games against Villa and West Ham which could easily see them conceding – that leaves Everton, United, Liverpool and Portsmouth as the remainder of the top six defences to select from.

I can see Everton sneaking their game against Pompey by the odd goal, with 1-0 looking a decent bet, so I’ve given Lescott the nod again. United’s Ferdinand is alongside him, with Ferguson’s men on the road at Fulham. Only Derby have failed to score in more games than Fulham and they’re up against the best defence in the league – a clean sheet looks on the cards then. Ferdinand looks the best option with a slight injury doubt surrounding Vidic.

Liverpool have their double gameweek and Carragher looks most likely to play both this weekend and against West Ham in midweek. To complete the back four I’ve opted for Wheater. He returns from suspension this weekend to face a Reading side who arrive at the Riverside on the back of eight defeats and who scored their first goal in four Premiership games against Villa last weekend. Wheater also offers a significant goal threat to a defence that has looked shaky from set pieces.

That just leaves the keeper and here I’ve gone for West Ham’s Green. This is a decsion based purely on his potential in the FPL game, so apologies to those playing alternative fantasy games. Green’s double gameweek is an obvious pull and, although clean sheets against Chelsea and Liverpool look unlikely, the points for saves he’ll earn in the FPL game against those sides could see him bring in a decent return. Non FPL players seeking an alternative, can take their pick from Hart, Almunia and Robinson with perhaps the latter being the best option, particularly if Woodgate recovers from an ankle injury to play at St Andrews.

Ronaldo picks himself in midfield as always – I can’t see him being rested at the Cottage and he has a history of earning points there in previous seasons. Downing comes in on the other wing with Reading his opposition this weekend. Alves is set for a full Premiership debut and, although Boro struggled to produce against Sheffield United in midweek, I see them putting a couple past Reading with Downing instrumental as ever.

Controversially perhaps, I’ve kept faith with Fabregas despite a lack of form and returns. The Villa game has got goals all over it with O’Neil’s men always likely to score on their travels. I can see Arsenal need 2 or 3 goals to win this one and Fabregas comes into it on the back of his most positive attacking performance of the season against Birmingham where he had 7 efforts on goal. Hleb runs him very close and is certainly a very good second option – I’ve just an inkling that Eduardo’s absence might shake Arsenal’s tactics up a little and free Fabregas to get involved in the last third that little bit more.

Gerrard appears to be an obvious pick to complete the midfield but, as I limit myself to two players per club and with Carragher already in place, I had a straight pick between Torres and Gerrard for the last Liverpool spot. I feel there’s other good sources of points available up front, so Gerrard gets the nod. His returns in the Premiership have been disappointing of late but with two games this week, you would expect at least a double figure return from him as Liverpool chase fourth.

Lastly to the forwards then, where I’ve recalled Adebayor in anticipation of a goal-fest at the Emirates – no further justification needed given the Arsenal’s man’s returns thus far.

There were plenty of contenders for the spot alongside him with Yakubu, Alves, Jones, Berbatov and of course Torres all looking tempting. I’ve opted for Blackburn’s Santa Cruz though. His form has dipped recently but Blackburn have lost just one in the last eight and are coming off the back of a 4-1 win over Bolton. The Newcastle defence has shipped more goals than any other defence over the last five home games and Santa Cruz has scored 10 goals on his travels in the Premiership this season. That all points to the Paraguayan ending his three game goal drought this weekend, although McCarthy, coming off a brace of penalties last weekend, is another decent option if a little more expensive.

There are certainly some quality alternatives to the eleven about this weekend. In defence I’ve already mentioned that Spurs could do well at Birmingham if Woodgate is available – that is a big if though. Sunderland have dreadful away form but were unlucky to concede at Pompey last weekend. They play Derby this week and there are some decent budget purchases amongst Nosworthy, Evans and Bardsley as a result.

In midfield Bentley looks good money in a Blackburn side that look certain to score at Newcastle. He almost made the picks but I opted for Downing instead to spread the risk a little with Blackburn’s Santa Cruz already selected. Cahill and Pienaar are also worthy of attention if you fancy Everton could breach a stubborn Portsmouth rearguard at Goodison. Ljungberg offers the best value option in the West Ham lineup on a double gameweek.

Up front I’ve already mentioned some contenders, of which Yakubu is the form man but again, up against a tough defensive pairing in Campbell and Distin. Sunderland’s Jones or Murphy at Derby, both look good if you’re looking for a budget purchase.

As for an FPL captain, this week’s poll says Gerrard or Torres and it’s hard to argue. Both look strong with their double gameweeks as alternatives to the usual Ronaldo flavoured captain which we’ve all been hooked on for so long.

Which one do you go for? Depends a lot on your mini league situation. Torres is hot but I’d expect Bolton to provide decent resistance at the Reebok. I see that game as a narrow win for Rafa’s men and the type of game that Gerrard will have to step up for to pull Liverpool through – should be FPL bonus for him here. West Ham are also no pushovers but Torres’ home form is strong. Gerrard appears to offer a better chance of a double figure return come what may, via bonus and possible clean sheets. Torres could certainly offer a more spectacular return if things click. So, if you’re chasing a gap, I’d opt for Torres. If you’re sitting comfortably in your league, then Gerrard is the play safe option of the two which should bring you 20 points with the captaincy.