It’s been a couple of weeks since I updated my player rankings (read player recommendations) for the month to come. With less than a month left I’ve decided to update them. If that makes little or no sense, just wait until you read this lot…

Very little changes high up in the keeper rankings. James remains at the top with a decent set of fixtures with Reina failing to topple him with the rotating Liverpool defence a consideration. Cech comes in third, hindered only by this weekend’s encounter with United. The threat of rest hangs over Van der Sar and hurts his ranking slightly but he holds in fourth, just ahead of Howard who has some tough fixtures. Schwarzer is the big climber to fifth place. He missed the defeat to Bolton with a back injury but, should he return as expected this weekend, he appears to be a decent bet given the fixtures he has to come.

Friedal follows him with decent form and fixtures, although Blackburn have kept just one clean sheet in the last seven. Then comes Harper with excellent form but tough looking fixtures. Cerny drops with the threat of a Robinson recall and a Spurs defence that has kept just a single clean sheet in seven. Gordon, Green and Hart complete the rankings.

Almunia and Lehmann are notable absentees despite a very decent set of fixtures – injury to Almunia and the prospect of starts for Fabianski have put pay to the idea of banking on an Arsenal keeper. There are more assured options in their defence.

Moving on to defenders then and again, there is no change at the top. Terry holds onto that spot after assured Chelsea defensive form. The United fixture is balanced by the threat of Terry at set-pieces – he is due a goal before the season is out. Ferdinand comes in just behind the Chelsea man. He has decent fixtures following the visit to Stamford Bridge but doesn’t carry quite the same goal threat, or FPL bonus potential as Terry.

Gallas and the Arsenal defence are the big climbers amongst the defenders, with Clichy presenting a worthy alternative to the Gunners skipper. Wenger’s men have very strong fixtures and while they have players missing in midfield which could hinder their goal output, defensively though, they should remain sound against Derby, Everton and Sunderland. Boro’s Wheater is another significant climber with very decent fixtures and a potent goal threat. Distin falls slightly just below him with the Pompey defence losing Hreidarsson for one game and the FA Cup final a potential distraction.

Geremi climbs further with excellent form but is hindered by a tough run of games to come. He still ranks above Carragher who is hindered by the threat of rotation. Lescott and Laursen then follow with continued goal threat but tepid defensive form.

In midfield Ronaldo just about holds on to top spot despite a slight dip in form and the threat of Fabregas who is the big climber with Arsenal’s excellent fixtures. Gerrard and Lampard both fall considerably with the threat of rest and a lack of form on Lampard’s part. That benefits the likes of Bentley, Reid, Barry and Reid who all shoot up the rankings. Lower down, Petrov is also a climber with a return to first team action and form. Bullard drops as Fulham’s teeter on the edge of relegation. Larssson and Osman remain decent long shots with a return to fitness for both. Villa’s Petrov is a new entry with form.

I’m still sticking with Berbatov at the top of the forward rankings. His fixtures remain strong for the final three games which is just enough to see off the charge of Santa Cruz – a big climber with form and decent games. Defoe drops to third then but should still fair well with two home games in three. Adebayor climbs slightly with strong fixtures but the slight doubt of rotation. Young comes next, with stunning form as Villa roll on with a decent set of games to come. Owen is just behind him, another big climber with form but some tricky fixtures. Torres drops right down the rankings with the threat of rotation for at least one of the three remaining games. Further down, Alves is a notable new entry with excellent fixtures. Crouch is just below – with good form but a threat of rotation.