It’s Friday, it’s getting late; let’s cut to the chase and talk about eleven footballers who could make your fantasy fortunes this weekend…

Starting in goal and Given gives me the cover on the potential City clean sheet, whilst offering me some save points should Hull breach the rather suspect defence in front of him. I considered Birmingham’s Hart and West Ham’s Green but by selecting Given, it frees me to have Roger Johnson in my back four, while Upson’s absence through injury cast a big doubt over West Ham’s clean sheet potential against Burnley.

So Birmingham’s Johnson has a place in my defence – he goes to Wolves offering a fairly decent chance of cleanie from what should be a tight game. Johnson and Ridgewell will be a nuisance from set-plays so there’s always the chance of some sharp-end returns. The same theory is at play when it comes to the selection of both Wigan’s Scharner and Blackburn’s Samba. This pair have decent home games this week against Sunderland (who have scored just 4 in the last 5 away games) and Stoke City who have an (again 4 goals in their last 5 away). Crucially however, both promise attacking points; particularly Scharner in his attacking midfield role.

The final spot goes to possibly the most secure clean sheet option this gameweek – the United defence at bottom club Portsmouth. Ferguson has injury concerns over Evans and O’Shea – neither look likely to start in this one. That puts some doubt over the possibly United cleanie, but I’m still willing to back them against a Portsmouth side who have failed to score in seven games this season. Evra is my selection; the most secure option in the back four at Ferguson’s disposal.

Moving into the midfield and for once there’s no big money signing with my cash poured into my forward line. I’ve turned my back on Fabregas, Lampard and Gerrard with fitness and fixtures stacking against the trio. Gerrard got closest but I’m still not convinced that he is near his best or sharp enough in terms of fitness. Instead I’ve looked to strong mid-price options who all have form and/or fixtures on their side.

Fulham’s Dempsey is a case in point. He seems likely to start up front for Hodgson’s men against a Bolton side without a clean sheet all season. That screams more goals for Dempsey, particularly as he may remain on spot-kicks if Murphy fails to start.

Blackburn’s David Dunn also keeps his place in the picks after another goal in gameweek 13. He could be shifted to a left midfield role for Rovers if McDonald goes with a 4-4-2 as expected. Even so, Dunn is massively influential and on set-plays for Rovers. I’m expecting an assist and bonus at least here.

Man City look most obvious source of attacking points this gameweek and that’s reflected first by the selection of Wright-Phillips. The diminutive winger is the most reliable source of points in the City midfield having chipped in with five assists so far this term. United’s Valencia ran him close, but in the end I’ve opted to put faith in City in the hope that will return three or four goals against the Hull defence at Eastlands.

The final midfield slot is a gamble. After considering both Milner and Valencia, at the last minute I switched in Matt Taylor of Bolton to back my hunch that Megson’s side will put up a fight at the Cottage this weekend. Taylor has looked bolton’s key threat in recent weeks and is long overdue a goal. He’ll be the set-piece provider too.

Up front I had a choice of three prime picks, with Rooney, Adebayor and Carlton Cole all looking very strong going into the gameweek. In the end I’ve gone for Rooney at Portsmouth, simply because I can’t see his dry spell continuing too much longer. The Portsmouth defence should provide a decent platform for the United man to get his fantasy tally ticking again.

Both Adebayor vs Hull and Cole vs Burnley are outstanding options for his partner. I’ve opted for the more expensive Adebayor and left Cole as my cheaper option on the bench If you’re uncomfortable with putting so many eggs in the City basket, Cole provides the perfect solution.

Subs in defence were hard to come by. I did consider the Fulham backline but again, I’ve this nagging feeling that Bolton will notch a couple. Even so, Hangeland looks a good option for those who don’t share my optimism on Bolton’s chances. Burnley’s Alexander is the next best option for me – purely on the back of his spot-kick taking duties – I can see Burnley notching at Upton Park and I’m getting the slightest whiff of a shock result with a good few goals thrown in.

In midfield and as mentioned, both Milner and Valencia came close to making my eleven – losing out to my hunch on Taylor. Giggs and Young look equally as viable as midfield options if you’re backing goals for Villa and United.

Up front there were a vast array of alternatives considered. I still feel that Wigan’s Rodallega and Bolton’s Kevin Davies will come away with points this weekend, while there’s also Sunderland’s Bent and Tottenham’s Defoe to consider if you want to follow form. I also have an inkling that Ebanks-Blake will come good, but my selection of Johnson in defence argued against that.

As mentioned in the midweek-ish meander, I’ve set up some special Paddy Power markets this week to go with the Scout Picks. These include a clean sheet accumulator. You can currently get 15/2 on clean sheets for Blackburn, United and City. Similarly I’ve got an accumulator based on some likely Scout Picks – I’ve combined the clean sheet for Blackburn with a goal each for Rooney and Adebayor. Again you can get 7/1 on this market. Finally for those looking for a bit more leftfield, based on the Fantasy Island Risks in this week’s podcast, you can get 9/1 on goals for both Kevin Davies and Hugo Rodallega.

Don’t forget you can still get a free £20 bet with Paddy by signing up via the site and making a £10 bet.