Having skated around the frozen wasteland of last weekend’s action, there’s every reason to make the most of this week’s sure-footed wander through the fixture list; particularly as we’ve got an avalanche of double gameweek players to consider. Follow me as I preview the gameweek and seek out the clean sheets, goals and potential pitfalls. You can leave the salt and wellies at home this time…

Best For Clean Sheets….
Regardless of their double gameweek, Tottenham surprisingly leap out as prime clean sheet candidates courtesy of their home fixture will Hull. Redknapp’s side boast a record of just 2 goals conceded in their last 5 league games at the Lane, whilst Phil Brown’s men arrive with a record that shows just 3 goals in their last 5 away trips. The stats fall nicely then – promoting Gomes and the Spurs defence in our thinking even before we consider the possibilities of the extra trip to Anfield on Wednesday against a ravaged Liverpool attack.

Inevitably other double gameweek sides will also come into our reckoning, but none look quite so assured of defensive returns. Arsenal face what’s likely to be a tricky trip to the Reebok given that Owen Coyle will be taking his bow. The follow-up in their bizarre double header this gameweek might be more comfortable for Wenger’s men, but with Song absent and Denilson a doubt, the Gunners’ defensive frailty could well be exposed by Coyle’s attacking instincts.

Similary Liverpool face a weekend trip to Stoke, with Tony Pulis’ men having thrown off the shackles last time out at the Britannia with the 3-2 win over Fulham. Liverpool’s weakness at set-plays will surely be targeted by the Stoke boss and it’s hard to see Rafa’s men repelling the bombardment and claiming a cleanie. Wednesday’s meet with Spurs, one of the most potent attacks in the division, also looks tricky for Rafa’s rearguard, although Spurs are only averaging a goal a game in their last 5 away fixtures.

Despite injuries at the back, United look to be your other best bet for double defensive returns. They will host Burnley first this weekend – a side that don’t struggle for goals away from home but with the unknown quantity that is the new stewardship of Brian Laws. Ferguson’s side will be without Vidic for this one, so expect Brown and Evans to hold the fort, although Van der Sar is back in training and could earn a recall to perhaps bring greater stability. The fact that United follow this game with another home fixture against hapless Hull is the clincher that will see plenty of fantasy managers look to Evra/Rafael and Brown for the coming gameweek.

Chelsea have just the single game this week, although that is at the Bridge against Sunderland. Ancelotti’s back four has been fragile of late and be severely will surely be severely tested by the pace and power of Jones. That concern is unlikely to see heavy investment in the likes of Ivanovic and Cole approaching the weekend, but owners of Chelsea defenders will doubtless hold on to their selections and hope for the best.

There are still reasonable candidates elsewhere. I’m looking to the likes of Birmingham at Portsmouth, Villa at home to West Ham and, to a lesser extent, Blackburn at home to Fulham, as potential cleanie candidates.

The Birmingham defence continues to defy the odds, restricting United to just a single goal last time out, having registered 9 clean sheets so far this term. A trip to Fratton Park will hold little fear for McLeish’s miserly rearguard, although the home side do have spirit and a stat that shows an impressive 10 goals in their last 5 home encounters.

Martin O’Neill’s side have conceded just 3 goals in their previous 5 home outings and will face a Hammers outfit who are still lacking a punch up front. Richard Dunne will be “held” and in many a starting fantasy lineup; he may even see some further investors coming his way although Villa’s fixtures over the next few look tough.

As for Blackburn, they look less certain of gaining a shutout at home to an in-form Fulham. Hodgson’s men notched a couple at Stoke last time out but managed just 3 goals from their previous 4 away trips prior to that. Rovers meanwhile continue to struggle for goals themselves but will likely look to keep things tight at the back. Chris Samba and Ryan Nelsen, with their goal threat, look worthy of consideration in the low-to-mid price bracket then.

Best For Goals…
Again the double gameweek teams will dominate our thinking – even more so when it comes to goals. United look irresistible with games against the obliging Burnley and Hull defences; similarly Arsenal take on a Bolton side on two occasions – an opponent without a clean sheet all season. It’s hard to see anything but strong attacking returns for both sides, with three to four goals at the very least, on the table.

More caution is perhaps required for Liverpool and Spurs, although the latter should have the platform for two or three goals at home to Hull this weekend. Liverpool face a far more solid resistance at Stoke, while the Anfield encounter with Redknapp’s men on Wednesday could well turn out to be a tight affair. Of the two, Spurs look the better option for attacking returns – particularly with Gerrard, Torres and Benayoun missing for Rafa’s side.

Aside from the powerful double teams, we appear to have goals on offer in the Everton vs City encounter, with both sides in form at the sharp end of the field. Tevez is electric for City, while Moyes appears to have found a solid balance in his central midfield which is freeing up Cahill, Pienaar and new signing Donovan to threaten attacking returns. A three or four goal result looks likely here.

Finally, Chelsea will likely need at least a couple of strikes to see off Sunderland with Lampard, Joe Cole and Anelka all looking good candidates for profits. Aston Villa also promise a couple at home to West Ham and the hugely influential Milner could well gain some further fantasy suitors as a result.

Best For Frustration…
Liverpool remain a major concern and it’s guess what we’ll get from their two encounters. With Torres, Gerrard and Benayoun now sidelined, fantasy investment in their squad looks ill-advised, although Kuyt and even Ngog may earn some suitors. Such is the lack of confidence and form, returns at both ends of the field may well be lacking.

Spurs look a good shout against Hull but threat of rotation is a concern for Defoe owners. If he fails to notch against Phil Brown’s this weekend, the odds on him being rested for the trip to Anfield four days later look short. Harry may throw in Keane against his former club which could see Defoe owners and investors facing limited returns.

The Chelsea defence looks set to provide more frustration by conceding a silly goal or two to the powerful Sunderland forward line and although Lampard and Anelka will have to take on extra responsibility in Drogba’s absence, there is no guarantee that they will step up. You have to wonder if investment in those two will be immediately rewarded this weekend.

Paddy Says…
Our friendly bookmakers currently have United, Chelsea and Spurs as their top three candidates for clean sheets. I’m not so sure that I rate Chelsea’s chances against Sunderland, over Tottenham’s against Hull but in the main, their thinking looks sound. Villa and Arsenal come in next – can’t argue with Villa’s selection but I do fancy Arsenal to concede at the Reebok.

As for goals, Paddy sees the United clash with Burnley and Tottenham vs Hull as those most likely to feed us a goal glut. Chelsea are then their next bet for a heavy win against Sunderland. Portsmouth vs Birmingham, Stoke vs Liverpool and Wolves vs Wigan are their top three candidates for the fewest goals. Again, that thinking looks logical, particularly after injuries to Torres, Gerrard and Benayoun.

For those of you 18 or over and who fancy a bet this weekend, you can take up odds of 5/1 on clean sheets for United, Spurs and Villa this weekend in our Clean Sheet accumulator. We’ve also prepared some “double gameweek” specials with odds of 6/4 offered for clean sheets for United against both Burnley and Hull and 7/4 on Wayne Rooney scoring three or more goals in those two matches in the gameweek.

We’re going to bring you a one off “enhanced” bet, exclusively for Fantasy Football Scout tomorrow. Pop back for that – there will be some very decent odds available on a leading fantasy target. It’s a good time to take up Paddy’s offer for new sign-ups then. You can still get yourself a free £20 bet when you register via this site and bet a tenner.