Surrounded by boxes and with a house move in he offing, the weekend picks have been delayed tonight. Belatedly then, refresh your screen for this week’s lineup and read on for the why’s and wherefores…

Okay, let’s go through the back four for openers. It’s tough again this week with the strong defences up against good attacks and looking vulnerable. Chelsea and United clash of course – a game which threatens goals considering what is at stake. Certainly both defences look a gamble for a clean sheet. Liverpool will weaken their lineup once again for the trip to Birmingham and with the Blues fighting for survival, I can see them nicking one. Everton meanwhile, face a Villa side banging them in from all angles so neither defence looks safe in this one.

Arsenal at Derby appears to be a decent bet for a clean sheet and a comfortable win. The fly in that particular ointment concerns comments from Wenger which threaten rotation. That could well affect the back four with Hoyte, Traore and Senderos all coming into contention. Toure looks the safest bet – he seems set to either continue at right-back or start in the centre of defence, so I’ve opted for him over Clichy and Gallas.

Elsewhere I’m scrapping the proverbial barrel by considering Hutton for Spurs against Bolton. The Tottenham defence is far form secure but similarly Megson’s side have struggled for goals, even though they go to White Hart Lane on the back of two 1-0 wins. Woodgate’s return should make things more stable for Tottenham and Hutton is the best of a bad bunch here.

When there are few clean sheets about, there’s little choice but to look for goals and assists in defence. Both Geremi of Newcastle and Taylor of Wigan could contribute those this weekend from midfield positions. Geremi’s potential looks to have fallen slightly with some tougher games in front of him, but at West Ham, he could certainly contribute in attacking terms. Taylor meanwhile could even nick a clean sheet at home to Reading, while his potential from set-pieces remains strong.

The keeper’s position is even trickier this week. I had decided on James, although today’s unconfirmed news of a calf injury has cast a cloud of doubt over his start against Blackburn. Reina is an option, although I’m a little worried that Rafa could even rest his first choice keeper at St Andrews in preparation for the Champions League game on Wednesday. I also looked at Sunderland’s Gordon at home to Boro. Continued injuries to Bardsley and Evan’s convinced me otherwise on that one.

Finally, Hart at home to Fulham is another possible candidate. This would normally be a sure-fire clean sheet but with City’s defensive injuries and Fulham’s desperate plight, I can easily see him conceding. Even so, I’ve reluctantly gone for the City keeper, clinging to the hope that he’ll at least bank a few FPL points from saves to justify his selection.

Moving to midifeld, Ronaldo’s selection is not cut-and-dry for once. United may curb their attacking ambition at Stamford Bridge and that could see the fantasy wizard struggling to make an impact again having drawn a rare blank last time out. It takes a brave fantasy manager to turn their back on him though. He’s certain to play and if Chelsea do take a lead, he’s sure to be the major force behind any possible United goal. I’m sticking with him then.

Around him, with Sunderland at home, Reid was too tempting. He’s been a little diamond in recent weeks and even in defeat at Newcastle, he looked a constant source of ideas. I can see Keane’s men winning against Boro and Reid should contribute to some degree.

With City facing Fulham on the back of hitting three goals against Portsmouth and with a fragile defence to balance, I banking on Sven’s men to hit another couple this weekend. Petrov will be a constant threat to Fulham’s Stalteri and I can see him pitching in with points this week.

The absence of Hleb, Diaby, Rosicky and in all likelihood, Flamini, from the Arsenal midfield, I’d expect Fabregas to start at Derby. As the creative force in the Gunners lineup, he should profit fairly handsomely given that Arsenal should be good for at least a couple of goals against the dire Derby defence.

Up front I’ve got to keep faith with Berbatov having backed him via my player rankings. Spurs have been indifferent of late but the Bulgarian has remained in steady form having notched at Wigan last time out. With Lennon finding some form (he’s a decent midfield alternative by the way), I can see Spurs scoring early past a stubborn Bolton defence which should open the game up. Berbatov should be central if Spurs can find the net a couple of times.

I’ve played safe with his partner and gone with Defoe. The Portsmouth striker is prolific at home and although the Blackburn game could be tight, if Harry’s side score, the ex-Spurs man should be there or thereabouts. There are plenty of alternatives though if you need to take a risk on a bigger points haul.

Let’s go through some of these then. At the back, as I’ve mentioned, there appears to be very few options. Portsmouth perhaps present the best source, with Distin always a good bet, although Johnson should return to the lineup to present another choice. Elsewhere Hyypia for Liverpool at Birmingham and possibly, Wheater for Boro at Sunderland if you back him to weigh in with a goal, could be worth considering.

In midfield, Barry could continue to offer value, although Villa should find it a lot more difficult to find the net against a considerably stronger Everton defence. Osman or Pienaar are decent budget options in the same game. Elsewhere there is Downing at Sunderland, Bullard and Davies at City and Jenas and Lennon for Spurs against Bolton. Bentley is an outside bet of course, if you fancy Blackburn to breach the Portsmouth defence.

Up front there appears to be an array of stronger alternatives. Jones is always a threat for Sunderland and should figure amongst the points again. There’s Owen at West Ham of course – in great form and up against an injury ravaged defence. Benjani should be on song having emerged from a goal drought against his former club last weekend and of course, Santa Cruz, although he could find it tough at Fratton Park. Finally, I was very very tempted with Crouch – it was only the fact that Defoe offers better value beyond this weekend, that he got the nod over the Liverpool man who should start for Torres against a fragile Birmingham.

Let’s end by tackling the hot topic that is the FPL captaincy. With Ronaldo’s place in the picks under consideration, it’s far from a given that he’s the best option for the role. Clearly he is the safe option – the choice of those fantasy managers protecting a 50+ point lead. For those looking to close such a gap however, there’s the attractive option of Fabregas who has runaway with the FPL captain’s poll this week. Adebayor should be safe for a start at Derby and he too, presents a decent alternative. If need to look beyond this, then Berbatov, Jones and Petrov would be my tips to offer the biggest hauls, with Defoe a safer and less spectacular option.