Every week I take fourteen footballers to one side and challenge them all to prove me right. Sometimes they do. I’m hoping one of those sometimes is now. Or rather tomorrow and Sunday. Here’s my Scout Picks selection for this weekend’s lovely set of fixtures…

Straight away, I’m living dangerously – opting for Brad Friedel in goal for Villa at home to Fulham. O’Neill’s keeper was the hero at Anfield on Monday (thanks Brad), making save after save as the Villa goal was peppered by Liverpool’s misfiring attackers. He came away with 9 saves and some FPL bonus. This weekend I can’t imagine he’ll see as much action, with Fulham lacking firepower up front, carrying some injuries and generally lacking flair and creativity. The injury to Curtis Davies puts a Villa clean sheet in danger but I’m backing them to prevail here with a narrow home win and a shut-out.

In front of Friedel I’ve kept faith with Liverpool’s Glen Johnson, despite concerns (quite rightly) that Rafa’s stubborn obsession with zonal marking will struggle to cope with Bolton’s set-plays. Johnson does offer a significant attacking threat though, which could bring us some points even if a shot-shy Bolton (who scored their first goal of the season in midweek) manage to breach the Liverpool goal.

Wayne Bridge takes his place alongside the Liverpool full-back, with City yet to concede a goal in three senior games this season and at Fratton Park against a Portsmouth side who appear to lack a potent goal threat. There’s a slight concern that Bridge is now under threat from new signing Sylvinho but I see him holding on to a start in this one and coming back with some defensive points. Like Johnson, he may also contribute at the other end with City looking good for at least a couple this weekend.

It’s not often I turn to a Spurs defender but with Redknapp’s side facing a Birmingham outfit who have just one goal (a late penalty) to their name so far, they look a very good option this gameweek. Cudicini offers you a cheap alternative in goal but I’ve gone for Bassong – a short-term selection given the eventual return of Woodgate but one that has already brought owners a goal and FPL bonus points.

I’ve turned to Chelsea to fill the final place in the back four with Ashley Cole the only real option here, unless I was about to shell out considerable cash for Terry or Cech. Ivanovic poses a rotation threat to Bosingwa and Carvalho, so Cole is certainly the safest bet. Chelsea look a good option for a cleanie at home to Burnley, although Owen Coyle’s side are already defying the experts with two wins and two clean sheets. A shaky one then. Perhaps.

Moving to the midfield and I’m more than happy to persevere with Lampard – despite concerns over his role in Ancelotti’s diamond midfield. I see Chelsea getting a couple of goals against Burnley and Lampard is still central to everything they do. I see some points for our Frank this weekend – as do many of you, judging by our current FPL captain poll.

The remaining slots in the middle of the park go to mid-price players, with Hull’s Stephen Hunt lining up alongside Milijas of Wolves. Both come face to face at Molineux in a game that, in my opinion, promises a few goals. These two are the creative sparks for their respective sides and, if we do see goals, should be amongst the points.

The final place in midfield goes to a man in irresistible form. Tottenham’s Defoe is getting a lot of attention with his goals but Lennon has also been putting in some electric displays out wide. I don’t see many goals coming at White Hart Lane given the defensive resolve of the visitors, but I don’t fancy Birmingham’s full-backs, particularly if Vignal fails a fitness test at left-back. Parnaby vs Lennon could be a mis-match which could hold the key for a Spurs win.

Up front I’ve backed my hunch for several goals for City by opting for Adebayor. With Santa Cruz still sidelined, he looks a guaranteed starter but the big factor here is – he’ll be up against a makeshift Portsmouth defence. Hart has lost Distin to Everton this week and looks like being forced to start with Kaboul or even young Joel Ward at centre-back. I can see Adebayor fancying his chances here and coming away with at least one goal to his name.

I’ve taken a risk with his strike partner and backed a hunch. There were many contenders here – with Stoke’s Fuller, Hull’s Altidore and Ghilas and Roberts of Blackburn, just a few of the names that I toyed with. I also could have opted for some obvious choices in Drogba of Chelsea and Torres of Liverpool. I’ve gone with Saha of Everton though, who looks set to start up front against Wigan having been rested in midweek. Saha has Everton’s only goal of the season so far but, despite omitting the fixture from my meander yesterday, I’m actually backing a few goals in the clash with Wigan at Goodison.

My subs bench has Wolves’ Greg Halford as my defender – a risk considering that Wolves seem likely to concede but Halford is set to start in midfield and offers a big threat from set-plays with his height. Worth a shout if you’re looking for a budget gamble in defence this week.

I’ve a hunch that Jason Koumas, rested in midweek for Wigan and back on Merseyside, will be a big threat to Everton this gameweek and could well come away with some spoils if Wigan can put on a display similar to their day one performance at Villa. He gets my substitute midfield berth then.

Finally, I’ve gone for Roberts of Blackburn as my reserve striker. Another gut feeling thing this – Rovers have been unlucky in their previous matches and I just fancy them to see off West Ham with a couple of goals. With Kalinic still settling and McCarthy an injury doubt, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Roberts step up and take his opportunity this weekend.