While I’m already getting sick of coming up with words to justify the inclusion of Didier Drogba and Gareth Bale in the weekly Scout Picks lineup, I’ve made every effort to shy away from other obvious names this week. With Cesc Fabregas set to return for the Gunners at Blackburn, Wayne Rooney fit to face a struggling West Ham and Fernando Torres set to start at Anfield against newly promoted and recently spanked West Brom, it would have been easy to flood the selection with proven talent.

There are doubts surrounding the short-term potential of all three of those names however, and between them they’ve yet to complete 90 minutes this season. Their moment in the Scout Picks sun will inevitably arrive; for now I can perhaps afford to overlook them, follow some hunches and face the consequences of ignoring class for the merest flicker of form. Here’s this week’s Picks…

The Defence

Jussi Jaaskeleinan
The Bolton stopper always offers a handsome return of Save Points in the Fantasy Premier League game and only a dubious penalty decision at Upton Park has prevented him from returning two consecutive clean sheets. His save from Carlton Cole’s penalty in the same match raised his Fantasy profile and that should be maintained against Birmingham this weekend with the Finnish keeper looking good for strong Save Point returns at the very least.

Glen Johnson
Like Ashley Cole at Chelsea and Patrice Evra at United, the Liverpool right-back is an expensive luxury option for our defensive funds. There’s no denying his potential as a Fantasy points scorer however with keen attacking instincts promising returns at both ends of the field. Liverpool’s form thus far has been disappointing but they must surely go into Sunday’s clash with West Brom expecting a first clean sheet and three points. Johnson should profit as a result.

Alex
Chelsea’s defence is yet to concede and they are up against a Stoke side who will likely spend 90 minutes attempting to minimise damage at the other end of the field. While Ashley Cole is the obvious option for those with the funds, Alex appears to have made the spot alongside John Terry his own and is available as a value option in Carlo Ancelotti’s rearguard.

Michael Dawson
Dawson’s arrival in the Spurs lineup last term, along with the rise of Gareth Bale, provided the catalyst for their march on a Champions League place. Dominant in the air, Dawson is always a strong contender for Bonus Point awards and presents a threat from set-play deliveries. A home encounter with Wigan, a side who are yet to register a goal this season, appears to present the perfect time to back Dawson for a third consecutive clean sheet at the Lane. Spurs will miss the telescopic arms of Gomes in goal but likewise Wigan will be without the creativity of Charles N’Zogbia who is negotiating terms with Birmingham.

John O’Shea
While Evra is the more obvious choice on the left-flank, O’Shea has cemented the right-back role in Ferguson’s lineup and along with Jonny Evans, is presenting strong value within the United back four. While Evans must look over his shoulder at Rio Ferdinand’s recovery, O’Shea, a Ferguson favourite, may well be in line for 30+ starts this season. A home encounter with West Ham this gameweek promises a second Old Trafford clean sheet of the season as O’Shea quietly promotes himself in our Fantasy thinking.

The Midfield

Martin Petrov
So far Petrov has failed to produce to justify his tag as one of the Fantasy bargains of the season. That’s not been for the want of trying. Our Opta stats show that Petrov has supplied a constant stream of crossed balls for Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander. A key role at set-pieces and a penchant for a shot from distance also suggests that returns are imminent. A home fixture with Birmingham, a side struggling to shut out goals so far, appears to give Petrov the perfect opportunity to justify the pre-season investment. With fixtures stiffening up for Bolton after this gameweek, this will be last chance saloon for many Petrov owners. I think he’ll come good.

Florent Malouda
So far overshadowed by Didier Drogba’s stunning form, Malouda’s own returns cannot be ignored having displaced Frank Lampard as Chelsea’s “must-have” midfielder. While Lampard patrols deeper areas in the middle of the park, Malouda is given license to support Drogba and has already profited with three goals this term as a result. We’re yet to see just how the arrival or Ramires will disrupt Carlo Ancelotti’s formula but it’s hard to imagine that Malouda’s returns will suffer too much.

Gareth Bale
An essential selection. Bale is displaying unstoppable form for Harry Redknapp’s men and comes into this game off the back of two goals at Stoke and four assists in Europe in midweek. He’s up against a defence that has conceded 10 goals thus far. Ronnie Stam will give him a contest however – the Dutch right-back has impressed on his arrival at the DW but it’s hard to see Bale failing to come out of the weekend with a blank.

Matt Jarvis
My big gamble this week – the Wolves winger just nudged ahead in my thinking against the likes of Adam Johnson and Zoltan Gera (both of whom are worthy picks in the mid-price). So far Jarvis’ form has seen zero returns but his performances have belied that. Full of pace and tricks, he will likely be up against Newcastle’s James Perch this weekend and I fancy him to dish out a torrid 90 minutes for the makeshift full-back. Fletcher and Doyle could be partnered up front for Wolves and they’ve already shown a new attacking impetus at Molineux in the game against Stoke. I see goals for both sides with Jarvis being the chief tormentor for Mick McCarthy’s men.

The Forwards

Dimitar Berbatov
While Rooney huffs and puffs and battles to overcome a lack of goals and a recent stomach bug, Berbatov will go into this game with his confidence flowing through his calm, icy veins. West Ham’s defensive form so far suggests that the Old Trafford faithful can look forward to goals at the weekend and while Rooney will fancy himself to end his goal drought, likewise the Bulgarian will look to add to his goal tally and continue to grow in stature at United.

Didier Drogba
Like Bale at Spurs, Drogba simply cannot be ignored right now as the Ivorian continues to terrorise every defence he comes up against. True enough he’s so far faced the obliging West Brom and Wigan back fours; this weekend’s encounter with Stoke should provide tougher resistance. Chelsea did put seven past Tony Pulis’s side in the corresponding fixture last season however and formbooks suggest goals again here. Drogba should be in profit once again.