The next five fixtures and corresponding monthly picks have been updated recently, offering a viewpoint on some mid-term target recommendations. There’s plenty to take in and discuss but to get things rolling, here’s a quick summary of how I see the next five gameweeks and those teams and players to consider…

In defensive terms both Arsenal and Everton have now gone two consecutive games with clean sheets and both sides now enter periods of kind fixtures. They both have three home games in four, making the likes of Distin, Baines, Song and Vermaelen well worthy of investment. Equally, it looks a good time to back the United back four. They also have three home games in the next four gameweeks against favourable opponents. Vidic and Evra perhaps offer the best security in terms of starting roles, although O’Shea looks a strong bet to hold down the right-back berth, despite Champions League distractions. Foster is of course, another option, although Van der Sar is nearing fitness and could be back for the clash with Liverpool in gameweek 10.

For budget defenders, Burnley perhaps look the best bet despite the drubbing at Spurs. Owen Coyle’s men have three home games in four against kind opponents. Graham Alexander (Burnley’s spot kick taker) and Brian Jensen in goal are worthy of attention then. Spurs also have strong fixtures, although given their defensive casualties, it’s a gamble to throw money their way.

It goes without saying that those five sides – Everton, Arsenal, United, Spurs and Burnley all look good in attacking terms too, given that they have three home games in four gameweeks. The likes of Cahill, Saha (although Yakubu is a threat), Van Persie, Fabregas and Rooney all have the potential to score heavily in the next four then.

Going down a price bracket, your strongest options in the Burnley ranks appear to be Elliot Ward and David Nugent. Also, Hull’s Stephen Hunt has been shipped out by many fantasy managers in recent weeks, although he now faces a very kind run of games (particularly home fixtures) which could repay investment.