The Scout Picks for this weekend’s games have been updated so refresh your screen to get an eyeful. With “Grand Slam Sunday” looming, there are some new names amongst the eleven as I rest the big guns and give some mid-price options a go. Read on for the method of my madness.

I’m going on the premise that the clashes between United and Liverpool and Chelsea and Arsenal will be tight affairs. I can’t see a clean sheet at Old Trafford. United are strong in attack but equally they could perhaps be hampered by Ferdinand’s absence and with Torres about, they may well struggle to keep their 19th clean sheet. I’m going for a 2-1 win in this one.

The Chelsea vs Arsenal game looks even tighter. This could easily be a 0-0 with both sides flooding the midfield areas but I’m not confident enough to back defenders in this game either. Cole and Lampard are in a purple patch and Fabregas is a proven big-game player. They could all offer good returns and should certainly be kept in your lineup, but I see bigger returns elsewhere with the threat of relegation providing the motivation for some of the bottom sides to go on the attack.

Lets start at the back though. Here I’m going for a good few players who offer good points potential at both ends. Laursen and Wheater are goalscoring centre-backs who don’t necessarily guarantee clean sheets against Sunderland and Derby, but certainly offer a goal threat. Both are also strong candidates for FPL bonus should their sides gain wins.

Similarly I’ve opted for Reading’s Shorey who faces a Birmingham side in decent scoring form but offers enough in attacking terms to make up for the possible lack of a clean sheet. Shorey has 9 assists to his name and is a central figure around Reading’s set-pieces in a game that they just have to win.

Lescott completes the back four, offering perhaps the best potential for a clean sheet, plus of course the hope of a goal at the other end. Jagileka, as always, presents a cheaper option as Everton face West Ham at home.

In goal it’s a tough choice without doubling up on someone like Howard. Instead I’ve opted for Friedel who faces a Wigan side who will defend like lions but may not present a major goal threat. I can see this game being low scoring and even without a clean sheet, Friedal often registers points from a decent save count and the odd penalty save in the FPL game.

In midfield I couldn’t bring myself to drop Ronaldo so he holds his spot but around him there are some new faces. Downing should be central to Boro’s attacking ploys at home to Derby and that should bring some points profit. Equally, I fancy Taylor to come good at last for Bolton as they face a crunch home game with City. The City defence is a little war-torn with injuries and Bolton have to win this game to stop the rot and give themselves a fighting chance. Taylor is somehow yet to register his first Bolton goal despite peppering opposing keepers with shots. A goal will come soon and I’m giving him another chance this week.

Bullard keeps his place for Fulham as they travel to Newcastle for a game that appears to promise goals. I can see Fulham putting up a decent performance on the back of their win over Everton and equally, Newcastle have hinted at an upturn in fortunes in the last few games. The biggest goals return of the weekend could well come at St James’ Park.

Up front the choice is a difficult one. There are several fairly decent options but none that leap out. I’ve opted for the in-form Berbatov against a Pompey side weakened by Campbell’s absence. Despite that, I can’t see Spurs notching too many goals with Redknapp likely to flood the midfield, but Berbatov should be amongst the points regardless, particularly in the FPL via bonus points.

I’ve partnered the Spurs man with Villa’s Young who should also be in for a decent weekend with Sunderland at Villa Park. O’Neill’s men should get the result with Young, Agbonlahor and Carew all likely to be in with a chance of decent returns.

There are some pretty good alternatives to the lineup, particularly up front. Yakubu on paper, looks strong against West Ham but then Everton clearly struggled against Fulham without Johnson and Cahill. Neither look set to return tomorrow, so while I can see Moyes’ men nicking a win, I can’t see many goals.

Aliadiere isn’t mentioned in my picks very often but does look a decent outside bet with Derby in town. He showed good form before sustaining an injury and did of course grab the goal at the Emirates last weekend. I’ve also got an inkling for McBride and Viduka in the St James’ Park encounter, while McFadden is in fine form for Birmingham but I see Reading keeping him quiet this week.

In midfield I was close to recalling Reading’s Hunt to the midfield. I reckon he’ll feature heavily in a Reading win against Birmingham. Pienaar is always a good bet at his price in an Everton midfield against West Ham while Barry could also be amongst the points for Villa at home to Sunderland. Finally Petrov returns from suspension for City at Bolton – I can see this game being tight though with Bolton edging a 1-0.

At the back, Scharner is certainly worth a look for an in-form Wigan at Blackburn. Rovers have struggled for goals at home and defensively, Bruce’s side is the form outfit. I can also see Bolton having a decent chance of a clean sheet. As I’ve mentioned, I can see Megson’s side sneaking this one – Cahill would normally be worth a punt, although there is a slight injury doubt hanging over him. Andy O’Brien offers a decent alternative if you look for a cheap option though.

As for the FPL Captain question, as this week’s poll indicates, it will take balls to look beyond Ronaldo even with Liverpool at Old Trafford. If you fancy a flutter then Berbatov, second in the poll, looks a good bet with Villa’s Young not far behind. Outside of these two there’s always the option to go with a defender – Wheater and Laursen look the best value with some promise of additional points from set-piece goals.