Refresh your screen for this week’s eleven. Not surprisingly it’s dominated by three of the teams with two fixtures – Chelsea, Spurs and United. It that respect the picks are probably one of the easiest and “play safe” lineups I’ve selected in months. If you’re after some long shots though, read on – there’s some decent alternatives about if you’re up for a gamble.

Defensively there are some decent looking opportunities for clean sheets – United at Derby, Everton at Fulham and Chelsea at Sunderland look pretty good bets for starters, as does Wigan at home to Bolton. That’s reflected in my picks, starting with Cudicini in goal.

With Cech sidelined for at least another week, Cudicini will be a popular short-term buy. Sunderland have gone three games without a goal and won’t get much help from a Chelsea defence marshalled by Terry and Carvalho. Cudicini also has the benefit of a second game, away at Spurs in midweek, and although that looks a dodgy one for Chelsea in terms of a clean sheet, there should be at least an extra point or two in that one for the keeper.

Ferdinand is the safest bet for United, with Vidic not far behind. United’s trip to Derby, followed by a home game with Bolton in midweek look like two clean sheets and neither of the centre-backs are likely to be rotated. The same can’t quite be said for Evra and Brown, with O’Shea and Neville alternatives full-back options should Ferguson look to rotate.

Lescott travels to a Fulham side who have scored just one goal in the last four. Everton meanwhile have conceded just one in six. Bullard will be a threat to another Everton clean sheet but on paper at least, this looks like a given. Lescott carries a goal threat to add to his appeal but if you need a cheaper option then Jagielka or Neville present good value.

Scharner is an excellent acquisition from a Wigan defence that has kept four clean sheets in the last five. The centre-back is another one who offers a goal threat and while Taylor is still fighting to get back into the side in midfield, he is the best option available from Bruce’s backline.

I’ve gone for Gallas to complete the defence. Certainly, this could be a dodgy one. Boro scoring at least one in seven of their last eight while Arsenal have drawn three in a row. There are alternatives to the Arsenal defence but I just feel that Reading could sneak one at Anfield, as could Villa at Portsmouth. Hutton of Spurs is a decent option but, limited to two players per team, I’ve gone for two attacking Spurs players instead. That left me falling back on the Arsenal defence and on Gallas, who at least offers a threat from set-pieces.

The midfield almost picks itself – Ronaldo and Lampard have two games this week, while Gerrard is on fire. All three should play at least one game this week and that’s all these guys need to deliver a decent return. Ronaldo could be rested against Derby but should certainly play the home game with Bolton. Lampard surely can’t be rested after his four goal haul in midweek and Grant will certainly want him for the visit to Spurs. That possibly makes him a better option for Captain but more on that later. Gerrard meanwhile is another must as Liverpool face Reading – I can see Liverpool needing at least a couple of goals to win that one.

Jenas completes the midfield – another player who has two games this week. The trip to City offers the best opportunity for returns given the injuries that Sven’s side has suffered. The home game with Chelsea is tougher but Jenas should play both games and offers good potential as a result.

Up front it’s almost impossible to ignore Torres given the run he is on. As I’ve already mentioned, I feel Liverpool will need a couple against Reading and with no Champions League to worry about for several weeks, Torres should get a full game and profit as a result.

Berbatov partners him up front with two games in a week and coming off the back of four goals in four games. He seems certain to play both at City and certainly at home to Chelsea, with Ramos seemingly more likely to rotate Keane with Bent.

Let’s look at some alternatives to this lot then, starting at the back. If you’re looking for a decent cheap option then Ridgewell offers a short-term solution. He’s at home to Newcastle who continue to struggle – the Birmingham centre-back is a danger from set-plays but is also sitting on the suspension tightrope on nine bookings, so he is a one-week deal. Samba is also worth considering – I keep saying he is due a goal and I stand by it. The trip to West Ham isn’t an easy one on paper, but their strikers are struggling for goals while Blackburn have conceded just two in five games.

In midfield, Birmingham’s Larsson offers his usual value with a decent looking home game against Newcastle and some pretty good fixtures to come. Bullard will be key to Fulham’s hopes of a result but is up against a rock solid Everton defence. Their midfield has some interesting options though, with Pienaar particularly attractive at a budget price. Arteta is another good option after his goal in midweek and Cahill is always worth a look but is a doubt with a hip injury.

Up front I really like the look of McFadden against the Newcastle defence – he almost convinced me to ignore Torres again but I just couldn’t risk it. If you need the unexpected to help you make up some ground though, McFadden offers potential. He’ll certainly be hungry to make an impression after being rested at Portsmouth on Wednesday. Then there is Yakubu who should find the Fulham defence accommodating as he looks to continue his impressive run of form. Finally, if I had the luxury of another United pick, then the Rooney/Tevez looks good given their fixtures. Saha is a factor here though with Tevez likely to miss one of the two games.

Finally, lets look at the FPL captain situation. On paper it’s a no brainer. Ronaldo looks a cert for decent returns against Derby and Bolton, although there is of course, a chance he’ll be rested, particularly for the Derby game. Lampard could also be subject of rotation but it looks less likely. These two are the big contenders then and which you go for will depend on your situation. Ronaldo is certainly the safe option.

If you’re looking outside these two then Berbatov, Gerrard and Torres have to come next – beyond that Vidic/Ferdinand offer a solid alternative and if you’re after a real gamble then Everton’s Yakubu at Fulham looks the best bet.