With a shake-up of the editorial practice around these parts, I’ve swept a new broom through the Picks this week to produce a new format. Despite his two goals last week, I’ve even gone as far as to turn my back on a recall for Matt Taylor. There’s no use pining for old flames, even when they do flicker now and again…

The Defence

Robert Green
Always a decent option with Save points on the menu, Green is pushing for a seat on the World Cup plane and has a decent platform against Wigan this weekend with which to push his cause. It’s desperate times for Zola’s side but Wigan look to provide the perfect opponents in such a situation. They themselves are not mathematically safe but remain desperately inconsistent. Roberto Martinez’ side will arrive off the back of a confidence-boosting 3-2 win over Arsenal, but it will be just like them to fade out with a whimper here and hand the Hammers the win they need to preserve their Premier League status. Wigan have scored just two goals in their last five away trips and Green could be the latest keeper to benefit from their shot-shy travel habit.

Glen Johnson
The “Harrods option” in the Liverpool back four, Johnson offers all the security of a defence which has recorded three clean sheets in the last four, whilst offering the cut and thrust up the right-flank that always promises attacking returns. Johnson visits Burnley this weekend, a side desperate for points but boasting a record of four scored and 12 conceded in their last five Turf Moor matches – of which they’ve lost four. A narrow away win looks likely, with another clean sheet a strong possibility.

Leighton Baines
Like Johnson, Leighton Baines has that attacking flair to supplement his clean sheet potential. The left-back tops the assist chart for defenders and has returned four in his last eight league outings. A home fixture with Fulham should play into his hands. Hodgson’s side are organised and tight away from home, but with Arteta pulling the strings and Cahill, Yakubu and Saha available to convert, Baines should feature down the left-flank all day and could bring in another assist. Defensively meanwhile it’s looking for Everton – Fulham have failed to score in their last five away trips and their main threat, Bobby Zamora, is almost certain to miss the game with an Achilles injury.

Gary Cahill
Subject to our recent “On The Radar” article – that will give you my thoughts on his selection here. Cahill has goal threat, motivation and a strong clean sheet potential here, as Bolton wait on the arrival of a Portsmouth side that have notched just three goals on their last five trips and have the FA Cup final on their minds.

Martin Olsson
When it comes to predicting a 0-0 draw, you don’t often get leads like the Wolves vs Blackburn encounter this weekend. McCarthy’s side will likely set up for another draw and go into this game having scored just a single goal in their last five home matches. As for Rovers, they remain tough to beat and have notched just three goals on their travels. Olsson is a likely starter again despite Sam Allardyce threatening changes. The Swede is set to continue on the left-flank and will be a threat depending on Blackburn’s ambitions here.

The Midfield

Mikel Arteta
Everton will face a tough task breaking down Roy Hodgson’s expertly organised outfit at Goodison but it’s likely to be Arteta who is the chief architect of their downfall. Arteta starred in last week’s 3-2 win at Blackburn, despite the fact that he’s short of match fitness. With his Fantasy Premier League Bonus point magnet up and running and set-piece dominance, it’s difficult to see him emerging from the weekend without another decent points haul.

Frank Lampard
With doubts surrounding the fitness of Didier Drogba, Chelsea will need the likes of Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard to step up. The former edges out Malouda in the Picks by way of his prominence at set-plays, not least penalty kicks which have seen Lampard good for goals again this season. Chelsea could struggle against a muscular and determined Stoke side. They might need a couple then and Lampard is likely to be key in fetching them with Drogba’s pitch time set to be limited.

Steven Gerrard
Much as I’m loathed to select both Lampard and Gerrard in the Picks, Rafa’s selection policy gives me little choice with options like Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt prone to rotation. Gerrard will surely start at Turf Moor though, despite Liverpool’s Europa League ambitions. He proved influential in the 3-0 win over West Ham last time out and will likely bring rewards for his owners again here – not least due to his dominance from set-pieces. I’m not expecting a big win for Liverpool against Burnley, despite the home side’s struggle with the fundamentals of defending, but there should be a couple in it for Rafa’s men with Gerrard likely to play a part.

Nani
Dropped to the bench at City last time out, Nani must surely start this one against Spurs at Old Trafford. While Valencia will be charged at keeping Gareth Bale pegged back, Nani on the opposite flank will be given the freedom to worry down the Spurs right. Harry Redknapp has problems in that area with Vedran Corluka sidelined. Younes Kaboul or an out of position Assou-Ekotto could be Nani’s opponent in Saturday’s kick-off. Alex Ferguson will surely get Nani plenty of the ball if that’s the case and I see Nani causing some damage in must-win game for United.

The Forwards

Wayne Rooney
Yes Rooney is still short of fitness but United will surely wrap him up and inject him with any necessary painkillers to get him on the pitch regardless. United have got to get the three points against Spurs but Harry Redknapp’s side are not going to roll over here. United look set to need at least a couple to see off the challenge and it’s hard to imagine that Rooney will leave the pitch without notching some form of Fantasy returns.

Gabby Agbonlahor
Another pushing for inclusion on the World Cup flight, Agonlahor impressed with a smart finish at Hull in midweek and goes into the game with Birmingham with an incredible scoring record in derby matches. He has notched in the last three against them and will fancy his chances of extending that tally this weekend given the form of McLeish’s side. Birmingham have conceded 13 goals in their last five away trips and although I expect them to battle Villa here, Martin O’Neill’s side have the motivation to win this by a couple of goals. Agbonlahor is in with a good shout of featuring amongst them.