I’m a little bit late with these this week so apologies for that – better late than never though, here are my thoughts on a select eleven for the weekend’s fixtures.

If you missed the Midweek Meander detailing my thoughts on the fixture list you can catch that here. Otherwise read on for all the juice on the team you can now see at the corner of your right eye…

Let’s start between the sticks as usual and I’ve gone for James this week. He’s due a good display, perhaps even one of his lovely penalty saves, and with injury doubts over Johnson and Traore, he represents the next best option for a Portsmouth clean sheet against a Fulham side who are struggling for goals.

I’m backing Blackburn for a clean sheet and a win over Boro; Warnock is the best option on show with Samba a slight injury doubt. He could continue in a midfield role but even at left back, he will be bombing forward attacking Wheater who is likely to start at right back in Hoyte’s absence.

With Liverpool without Torres and maybe Keane, I’m struggling to see them breaking through the Chelsea defence so I’ve kept faith with their defence and opted for the attacking flair of Bosingwa. He will trouble Dossena down Liverpool’s left all day long.

United should have Evra and Ferdinand back at Goodison and that could give them the backbone to see off Everton without conceding. Vidic is the best option with slight doubts still hanging over that pair and with the right back situation still unclear.

Garrido gets the final spot in defence. Close one this because Hull’s Turner is tempting, if a little obvious. City have been leaky at the back and Stoke’s “style” of play will cause Hughes’ men problems. I just see City dominating possession enough to earn a shut-out. If not, then hopefully Garrido will get forward to contribute to the two or three goals I envisage the home side scoring in this one. He’s also a threat from direct free kicks of course.

The midfield, as usual, almost picks itself. While Lampard and Ronaldo remain essential – both face difficult encounters this weekend. Lampard is on fire, so the Liverpool game could still see profit for him. Ronaldo seems out of sorts however, but it’s a brave fantasy manager that bets against him. There’s a slight chance that Ferguson will rest him having threatened to do so against Celtic but that seems more likely to come against West Ham on Wednesday. He should start then, and will doubtless contribute at least an assist if he does.

Wright-Phillips or Ireland is a must for me this weekend. City are the leagues top scorers and Stoke have conceded the most goals. That all adds up to a decent afternoon for the home side and, while Wright-Philiips has drawn blanks of late, I can see him contributing plenty to a City win this time out. Ireland is, as always, a very strong alternative.

I’ve gambled slightly with the final spot and gone with Sunderland’s Richardson. Robbed so cruelly of a couple of goals by the woodwork and the referee last weekend at Fulham, he faces Newcastle who seem likely to concede at the Stadium of Light. Richardson was at the centre of things for Keane’s men last time out and is likely to be influential again tomorrow. Ashley Young was the safe option here – he seems likely to come back with something from Villa’s trip to Wigan but I’ve decided to back a hunch with Richardson. Young has blanked the last couple of games so he’s bound to bring in the points the week I leave him out the picks.

Up front I’ve gambled again; well slightly. Adeabyor has stuttered so far this season in fantasy terms but I’m keeping the faith. Arsenal will need a few goals at Upton Park and, with competition for places in midfield so fierce, I’ve gone with their strikers for an option. Van Persie is a very worthy alternative and should also profit but I’m sticking by Adeabyor who will surely hand his owners some returns this weekend.

To counter Adebayor, I’ve played safe with Defoe. He’s always a home banker at Fratton Park and Portsmouth should get a couple at home to Fulham. Returns look assured then. I’ve overlooked Rooney to keep to my “two from each club” rule but, you don’t need me to tell you – he’s pretty unstoppable, up against his former club and it was his birthday today. Berbatov is a good alternative, but I’ve an inkling that Tevez might get an opportunity tomorrow.

If you’re looking for cheap alternatives, then defensively Turner should enjoy another strong week before his fixtures stiffen a little. West Brom are weak at set plays so he could even profit from another goal. Sunderland are a lot tighter these days, so Ferdinand or the returning Nosworthy could offer value.

In midfield, I’ve an inkling that Villanueva will be instrumental in a Blackburn win over Boro. Bolton’s Taylor and Etherington are also worth a look once again. There’s also Diaby at Arsenal of course. He should figure in some capacity after a superb peformance on Tuesday – it’s by no means certain that he’ll start however.

Up front meanwhile, I’ve got a hunch that Elmander will threaten and profit against Spurs, as will Davies. There’s Zaki of course but I’m sulking with him after leaving him on the bench last week. I see the clash with Villa being tighter than expected though and Zaki may prove a frustration after all the increased coverage on his progress this week.

When it comes to the FPL captain – yet again Roanldo and Lampard are streets ahead. The Chelsea man is a bigger risk this week in a fixture that could well prove a tight, low scoring affair. Ronaldo should play and will surely fetch some points, so he is the safe option again which I will more than likely be exploring having risked Lampard over him the last two weeks. Wright-Phillips and Defoe present the best options should you wish or need to gamble.