Despite Arsenal and United assets being frozen in Fantasy terms by stuttering form, there seems an abundance of options for the midweek Gameweek. Those who have sat tight on talent form Chelsea, Spurs and Newcastle will surely be confident going into the tonight’s deadline, with strong fixtures beckoning for all concerned. Covering those teams, along with the promise presented by Stoke and West Ham, has turned out to present an unexpected Scout Pick challenge. The end result will doubtless promote plenty of discussion leading up to our first evening kick-off…

The Defence

Brad Friedel
Villa are about to embark on a truly evil run of opponents which will likely see their players repel any Fantasy interest. The midweek programme has them hosting Ian Holloway’s Blackpool in a game that must surely be targeted by Gerard Houllier for three points. The Seasiders will likely pour forward and test Friedel but Houlier’s side is well disciplined, particularly at Villa Park where they have conceded just a single goal all season.

Alan Hutton
A slight gamble given that Redknapp has an option at right-back with Vedran Corluka but, with Hutton’s attacking prowess, it’s worth the risk. The rampaging Scot is possibly the weakest link in a Spurs backline but, going forward, he presents a real threat and demonstrated that to true effect with a stunning goal at the Reebok on Saturday. Sunderland will turn up at the Lane without Darren Bent and with an away record that appears to offer the home defence an opportunity for a rare clean sheet.

Danny Simpson
At just 3.9 in the Fantasy Premier League game, Simpson is presenting some serious value right now. The unexpected clean sheet at the Emirates will have put some on alert as to his potential but it’s Newcastle next two games against Blackburn and Fulham at home, that will likely present him as a strong budget option in defence. A solid defender with some threat going forward down the right-flank, Simpson looks a no brainer for those looking reserve cash this week and beyond.

Seamus Coleman
I’m alternating between Leighton Baines and Coleman over the weeks, often selecting the wrong option of the two. It is of course a lottery as to which of the two will return but with Mikel Arteta back on set-plays and Coleman coming off of his goal at Blackpool, he edges out his team-mate to earn selection. Bolton will arrive at Goodison with their tales up and Coleman may well require attacking returns to reward is owners.

Ashley Cole
Despite Chelsea’s run of stuttering form, Ashley Cole has remained a constant in the Scout Picks – mainly because of his attacking potential. Back at the Bridge against Fulham this Gameweek, Cole offers defensive potential to supplement his threat going forward and has no trouble pinning down his selection for another Gameweek as a result.

The Midfield

Matt Etherington
So often the provider for Tony Pulis’ men, Etherington has a run of fixtures over the next month to cement his place on our Fantasy watchlists and make a mockery of his falling Fantasy Premier League price tag. His service from the left-wing and set-piece menace will surely reap returns if Stoke are to capitilise on a run of kind fixtures and opponents.

Tim Cahill
Cahill notched his 50th Premier League goal at Blackpool at the weekend, justifying his selection over Arteta in my Picks. I’ve no reason to turn my back on the Aussie with a home clash with Bolton in the Gameweek – Cahill will once again be pitched up top in support of Yakubu or Louis Saha and will come up against a defence which has kept just a single clean sheet all season.

Gareth Bale
Patience is surely the best policy with Tottenham’s left-wing powerhouse. Bale cannot go on producing world-beating displays in Europe without eventually translating that to strong Premier League returns once more. While plenty of Fantasy Managers have carried out the Van der Vaart upgrade, with the Dutchman troubled by a hamstring, the stage is set for Bale to step and Wednesday’s met with travel sick Sunderland at the Lane offers an ideal opportunity.

Florent Malouda
With Anelka a doubt, it seems likely that Ancelotti will start with Malouda again when Fulham arrive at the Bridge on Wednesday. While his Fantasy returns have faltered of late, the French winger continues to be one of Chelsea’s most consistent performers and his raiding from a wide left role will surely be a key threat to Mark Hughes’ side. I can see him back amongst the goals this Gameweek.

The Forwards

Andy Carroll
Didier Drogba did have this slot up until this afternoon, but following Carlo Ancelotti’s press conference in which the Ivorian was confirmed as having recovered from malaria, I took the brave decision to bring Malouda in my midfield to cover Chelsea’s attacking potential and opt for Carroll. Drogba will start on Wednesday but for me, the prospect of heavy legs and perhaps limited pitch time against Fulham, forced my change of direction. There’s no shortage of potential elsewhere and Carroll’s, in particular, is undeniable. Chris Samba and co may have the weapons to counter him on Wednesday night, but I still see the big number nine in profit in a home win.

Carlton Cole
A risky choice given that Frederique Piquionne is the West Ham striker firing in the goals but I’ve got a hunch that Cole’s performance at Birmingham was a sign of things to come. Cole will surely start against the Baggies on Wednesday having been in and out of Avram Grant’s side. To be fair, any of the West Ham frontline are worth a punt given their forthcoming run of opponents and Cole, as the most expensive is likely to be the least popular. A true differential then, who may even find himself on spot-kicks in the absence of Mark Noble.

In Reserve

In defence my options are limited with United and City facing off at Eastlands. Liverpool looked strong against Chelsea and Paul Konchesky offers promise at just 5.0 in the FPL. Roy Hodgson’s side could well travel to Wigan and earn a third clean sheet in four and the former Fulham man gets my vote for the bench.

Attacking options are far more plentiful. Coverage of Stoke and West Ham in the mid-price looks a good option going into the next two Gameweeks. I’ve chosen my route with Etherington and Cole but the out of position pairing Jon Walters and Tuncay, classified as Midfielders, are also well worth investigation. Scott Parker meanwhile, will surely be in the hat for Bonus Points at the very least should the Hammers win out against West Brom. Villa’s young pairing of Marc Albrighton and Barry Bannan offer temping one-week budget offers at home to Blackpool. Then there’s Matt Jarvis of Wolves – in fine form and up against the Arsenal full-backs who won’t be relishing the prospect. Finally there’s Kevin Nolan of Newcastle of course, the most “transferred in “ of any midfielder this week. Albrighton against Blackpool, gets the nod for my bench though.

Up front, Andy Carroll’s team-mate Shola Ameobi is an ultra-cheap alternative to the much-fancied England hopeful at 4.2, while Peter Odemwingie is expected back in the West Brom lineup and will surely pose a potent threat to the Hammers defence at Upton Park. Roman Pavlyuchenko may get the nod over Peter Crouch at home to Sunderland – if he does, I’ve a feeling that he could cash in with returns against the Black Cats. The same goes for Nicklas Bendtner who will likely get his opportunity to prove his number nine credentials for Arsenal at Wolves. However, I’ve gone for Stoke’s Kenwyne Jones – another strong candidate who looks set to get back on the goal trail with his forthcoming run of kind opponents – starting with Birmingham tonight.