Now in its established Thursday afternoon slot, here’s my usual preview of the gameweek’s fixtures identifying the likely sources of goals, clean sheets and posterior pain for fantasy managers.

This week I’ve supplemented it with a new addition – the “Provisonal Picks” gives you my early thoughts on my Scout Picks for the weekend, prior to the usual avalanche of team news to come…

Best for Clean Sheets…

From the big four defences you have to look at Liverpool at home to Blackburn and Chelsea at home to Bolton first. Liverpool’s defence is prone to rotation given their Champions League situation but if you can pin down a possible candidate (Arbeloa, Carragher), then you have to consider that they are likely to come up against a Blackburn side that will likely turn up in a 4-5-1 with little attacking ambition.

Chelsea face Bolton at Stamford Bridge – a slightly more dangerous opponent, although away from home, Megson’s side have scored just 3 goals in their last 5 trips. Hiddink’s lineup will take some guessing, although Terry and Cole look assured of starts.

As for United, they’re much maligned defence takes the trip to Sunderland in what on paper, looks a strong clean sheet candidate. There’s a lot of publicity about United shipping 10 goals in their last 4 games and with injuries to Ferdinand and Evans, there is clearly a major risk in backing them at the Stadium of Light. Even so, Vidic is in the centre of defence and Sunderland have scored just 5 goals in their last 8 games. I’d think twice about investment but I certainly wouldn’t bench my United defenders, despite their run of form.

There are strong candidates further down the defensive food chain. Arsenal’s defence is currently the most in-form in the division. They go to the JJB having conceded just 2 goals in their last 8 games and will face a Wigan outfit who have notched just 3 goals in their last 5 home games. Even with Champions League distractions and some rotation, it’s hard to see the Arsenal rearguard surrendering too much to much in this one. One caveat here, Wenger’s defence has been disrupted by injuries to Gallas and Clichy so your faith in a clean sheet can be measured in your faith in Djourou and Silvestre to step in and plug the gaps.

Man City have conceded just a single goal in their last 5 home games and will come up against a Fulham outfit who have just 3 goals in their previous 5 away trips. Those stats suggest a home clean sheet and it’s difficult to argue against them.

For those who want a real gamble, you could take a look at Boro’s defence (No really, bear with me). Despite the run of results, Southgate’s defence has conceded just 2 goals in their last 5 home games. Add to that the fact that they take on a Hull City side that have scored just 1 goal in their last 5 away games and you have the formula for successful clean sheet hunting. Banking on Boro is one of fantasy football’s deadly sins but it’s tempting given that they take on Fulham at home next time out – which means you might actually get two gameweeks from investment in the likes of Wheater.

Best for Goals…

This looks a strong week for goals. The top four look to have comfortable fixtures which should all provide them with decent platforms for heavy scoring. Their opposition – Blackburn, Bolton, Sunderland and Wigan all have obliging defences who all look likely to concede. Liverpool (18 goals in 8 games) and Arsenal (10 goals in last 5 away) have the goalscoring form and they should inflict the most damage to the Blackburn and Wigan defences respectively. Liverpool’s reaction to last night’s Champions League defeat is the one caveat here. The pitch time for Torres and Gerrard could also have a major influence on the margin of victory.

Chelsea and United shouldn’t struggle but their form is slightly more in question. Chelsea have scored just 7 in the last 8 games – although all those goals have come at Stamford Bridge which should see them past Bolton with some comfort. United meanwhile, are at odds defensively but should put at least a couple past Sunderland, having scored 9 goals in their last 5 away trips.

Overall then, fantasy lineups showing heavy investment in attacking players from the top four sides appear to be in a strong position this week, with the Tri-Force of Ronaldo, Gerrard and Lampard again looking good. Big hitting strikers such as Torres, Adebayor and Rooney could also be in for decent profits if they can see off the threat of Champions League rotation.

Outside of the top four I’m cautiously looking to the games involving City, Spurs, Stoke and Portsmouth, as likely sources of goals. Man City’s recent home form (6 wins in 6) is the best in the division and they should have too much for Fulham on Sunday. Hodgson’s defence has defied the odds in previous weeks however, so I’m not expecting a drubbing here. Nonetheless, they’ll be some smart money on Bellamy and Ireland (if fit) should they come through Thursday’s UEFA Cup tie.

Spurs have strong goalscoring form with 9 goals in their last 5 games at White Hart Lane. They will face stern opposition however, in the form of a Hammers defence that has let in just 4 goals in their previous 8 league games. I see the teams sharing 2-3 goals here.

Stoke have strong home form and will come up against a Newcastle defence that has struggled with injuries of late. Both Bassong and Taylor could return to reinforce Shearer’s resistance but they will face a major test in the form of Beattie and Fuller, fed by the Delap missiles and long balls. I fancy Newcastle to nick a goal in this one and that could well fuel a decent response from the home side.

The Portsmouth vs West Brom game almost guarantee’s goals with the home side going into the game with 10 in their last 8. West Brom’s scoring record is less impressive but, given that they are fighting for their Premier League lives, I can see them notching and pushing the home side on to 2-3 goals.

Best For Frustration…

Aside from the inevitable frustration that will come our way as a result of rotation within the Chelsea, Liverpool, United and Arsenal lineups, I’ve one particular match in mind that concerns me. Villa’s clash with Everton looks a crucial one for both teams and amongst the fantasy fraternity. From a Villa perspective, little can be expected of them in fantasy terms. Many have already grown impatient with Ashley Young and the declining Agbonlahor. However, there will be a decent amount of interest in the Everton defence and the likes of Cahill, Fellaini and Jo. I feel there could be disappointment on the horizons for heavy investors in players involved in this game.

While Everton have strong overall form, they’re not travelling well. They have no win in 5 away from Goodison and have scored just 2 goals in those games. Villa meanwhile have no win in their last 5 home games and have scored just 5 goals in those matches. That kind of form, together with the significance of the game, suggests that this fixture will be a tight affair that appears to have 0-0 or worse still in fantasy terms, 1-1 written all over it.

The Provisional Picks…

There’s 24 hours and a lot of team news to wade through but, as a new and hopefully useful feature in the midweek meander, here’s my early thoughts or provisional squad for the gameweek’s Scout Picks.

Defensively I’m looking at Liverpool and Chelsea to provide an assured platform, with candidates from Arsenal, City and perhaps Boro, Portsmouth and United making up the numbers. The likes of Arbeloa, Cole, Zabaleta and Djourou look strong candidates then with Wheater, Hreidarsson and O’Shea vying for the final spot. In midfield the Tri-Force of Gerrard, Lampard and Ronaldo looked nailed on in another potential strong week for them. The final spot is up for grabs with Kranjcar, Ireland, Lennon/Modric and Fabregas/Nasri all current contenders. Up front both Crouch and Beattie look good options to help balance the cost of the Tri-force in midfield. Bellamy is running them close although his potential selection relies on Ireland’s availability. I’m also wary of the potential of more expensive options such as Anelka, Rooney, Arshavin and of course Torres, although only Arshavin offers real security in terms of a starting role.