This could be the kiss of death, but on paper, we should be in for some decent points this weekend. The likes of United, Arsenal and Chelsea have strong fixtures which should haul in some returns at both ends, while Liverpool look likely to have more luck with the Everton defence than they did with Stoke’s.

I’m rubbing my hands in expectation then. What’s the betting I’ll be wringing them in frustration come tomorrow afternoon? Enough of the chatter though, let’s get on with this week’s picks…

Okay, lets give each of the fixtures a good going over, starting at the Emirates. Arsenal look too strong in this one, despite Hull’s superb performances so far this season. Brown’s side are conceding goals and they’re up against an Arsenal side who have their football flowing beautifully at the moment. The Gunners should be good for a sizeable victory then, with the usual suspects – Adebayor, Van Persie and Fabregas the obvious attacking picks. Denilson should start and could well defy his price tag with another profitable performance, while at the back Clichy should return from his knock but Gallas offers more security for what looks like a very strong shout for a clean sheet.

Villa are another strong bet for a home win. O’Neill will restore the likes of Carew and Agbonlahor to his side and should be good for a couple of goals. Sunderland have tightened things up at the back but Nosworthy is out so they’ve been disrupted. A Villa clean sheet might be a big ask given that they’ve yet to notch one this season but this looks like as good a chance as any.

Fulham’s clash with West Ham should have some goals in it, with Zola pushing the Hammers forward. Fulham will surely breach the Hammers defence with Bullard, Zamora and Johnson the key fantasy targets. Zola has doubts over Cole and Bellamy up front, so Di Michele looks the best bet if you’re looking to invest in West Ham. If Cole does fail to make it, then Fulham could even be a decent shout for another home clean sheet.

United Bolton is yet another home banker. Megson has Cahill and Elmander back in the side but United will surely be too strong. United’s lineup continues to look uncertain – Berbatov’s arrival has coincided with Ronaldo’s return to fitness and it’s anyone’s guess how Ferguson will sort it. Either or both could start here but Tevez looks the most secure in terms of a starting role, having sat on the bench for the previous two matches. A clean sheet looks on the cards though, despite Van der sar’s shaky start – take your pick from Ferdinand and the returning Vidic.

Boro vs West Brom is tough one to call – again there should be goals here with both sides showing plenty of attacking intent in recent games in addition to some pretty abject defending. Again I’m going to hark on about the Baggies fragile defence at set plays and with Donk and Olsson a possible new partnership in central defence, I can see Boro being the latest side to have some joy. Downing could yet redeem himself with some decent deliveries then. Wheater will be a threat.

Newcastle are in turmoil and look on shaky ground against Blackburn. In truth Rovers have yet to find consistency but should score one or two here – Santa Cruz has a superb scoring record on the road for Rovers and will be fancying his chances here.

Stoke will test Chelsea and Scolari’s side will miss Carvalho at the back and Joe Cole in midfield. It’s hard to see anything but an efficient away performance from Chelsea though with Lampard the key attacking threat. Drogba could also start but is certain to figure in some capacity. They have too much for Stoke in my book and look nailed on for a hard fought win with a clean sheet.

Fratton Park will host Portsmouth against Spurs, two sides who are scrambling around for confidence right now. Spurs will hope to build on the last couple of matches, particularly the win at Newcastle in the Carling Cup. Portsmouth, in contrast, will want to forget the last couple having conceded 10 goals. Harry should get them back in order and this could well be a tight one. I’ve decided to avoid it though with too many uncertainties in the Spurs lineup and too much disruption from injuries for Pompey.

Wigan vs City is an intriguing one. City have been brought right back down to earth after the Carling Cup defeat to Brighton and will keen to get back on track here but Bruce has built a strong, resilient side at the JJB. Zaki will pose a threat of course, and with Scharner restored at the back I can’t see City coasting to a big win as they did against an obliging Pompey rearguard. A score draw looks on the cards – Zaki and Valencia for Wigan and Robinho, Jo, Ireland, Elano and Wright-Phillips all looking fairly good bets although they will more profitable weeks to come I’m sure.

Finally the Merseyside derby is set to be predictably tight. You’ve got to fancy Liverpool to score though, given Everton’s defensive frailties right now. An early goal should help this one along and we might actually have a decent amount of goals in this one. Arteta and Yakubu are the key picks for the home side and Gerrard looks strong for Liverpool – he could well be employed in the role just behind Torres. The Spanish striker is still evidently struggling for sharpness but could get some help from Everton in this one. There appears to be better options elsewhere though.

Moving on to the team selection then, and I’ve gone for Cech in goal for starters. He’s had a strong opening to the season with clean sheets and some points from saves. He’ll need to be on form against Stoke’s air raid and if Chelsea do come back with a cleanie, then Cech could get some recognition with FPL bonus.

The back four has the home bankers – Ferdinand and Gallas – both of whom look strong options for clean sheets. I’ve gambled on Wheater in there too – Boro seem likely to concede having yet to register a clean sheet, but I’m relying on his threat from set plays to bring in some returns against West Brom. Similarly Laursen is always worth persevering with – a clean sheet could even be on the cards at home to Sunderland.

The midfield options look very strong this week. You can expect Ronaldo to drop in here every week once he’s match fit and established in the United lineup so, with still some doubt over his role against Bolton, I’m opting to leave him out of this selection.

Lampard and Young pick themselves to my mind – both will be key to their sides chances of success. Deco’s absence only improves Lampard’s stock with dominance at set plays likely. Free kicks and corners are also Young’s meat and drink and he should deliver his managers some returns at home to Sunderland – hopefully with Laursen the one to profit on the end of his deliveries.

I’m backing Fabregas – probably a mistake given the role he has played in the three matches since his return from injury. He’s been playing too deep for my liking but should edge forward more often at the Emirates, particularly against a Hull side that will put up a a fight. A couple of assists in a 3-0 win could be on the cards, plus of course the usual bonus points in the FPL game.

I was tempted by Bullard for the final spot and he looks a fairly good bet against his former club West Ham. I’ve bottled it and gone for Gerrard though, simply because it look odds on that Everton will concede and with Torres quiet, the Liverpool skipper appears to be the chief threat to Moyes’ men. He could play in the hole behind Torres in this one, depending on if Rafa fancies Keane. I see a goal and FPL bonus.

Up front, again there are some strong options. I’ve opted for Tevez because I want a slice of United’s attacking points and he looks the most certain to start. The second striker option is tricky. Both Adebayor and Agbonlahor look strong but I wanted to avoid selecting three from either Arsenal or Villa.

Adebayor has the form and the fixture to bring in the points and although there is some risk of him being rested, I see him getting a good 70 minutes, which should be enough. Agbonlahor will be a handful for Sunderland who are without Nosworthy in defence.

I’ve gambled and gone for Zamora though – he represents good value at his price and should have the motivation against his former club to pull out a performance and bring in some points. Santa Cruz did get close – it’s hard to see him failing to profit from Newcastle’s off and on field troubles.

That’s just about it then – you’ll find the lineup in full in the right hand menu as usual. The FPL captain poll and thread should offer guidance on that particular subject but if you want my view then, without Adebayor in my lineup, I’m going to gamble on Fabregas. Lampard is of course my safety net option if I don’t feel so brave in the morning. More on that in my pre-match preamble though.