As the highlight of this week’s international clashes was the under 16 Victory Shield between Northern Ireland and Wales, I shall forgo any attempt to analyse the meaningless performances of Premier League’s finest in their respective matches. Yes, I am once more disappointed in Fabio Capello. No, I am not surprised.

Will there be any surprises amongst Paddy’s odds that force a Fantasy rethink? Let’s go take a look…

Who Will Keep a Clean Sheet?

• Man United 1.72 (WIG)
• Liverpool 1.90 (WHM)
• Chelsea 2.00 (bir)
• Man City 2.70 (ful)
• Arsenal 2.70 (TOT)
• West Brom 2.75 (STK)
• Blackburn 2.75 (AVL)
• Sunderland 2.80 (EVE)
• Bolton 2.87 (NEW)

There’s a huge gulf between this week’s favourites for defensive returns – United, Liverpool and Chelsea – and the chasing pack. United’s odds are perhaps unsurprising given the opposition at Old Trafford. Paddy seems certain, but Wigan somehow seem to up their game against the bigger clubs, and Charles N’Zogbia’s incisive runs and the lively threat of Victor Moses may cause problems.

Both Liverpool and Chelsea look a little generous given the injuries in their respective camps. Chelsea in particular, look vulnerable at Birmingham given the capitulation against Sunderland at the Bridge on Sunday.

Man City are seen as the next best option by Paddy but again, their clean sheet looks uncertain against a Fulham side who have only failed to score once at the Cottage this season. Similarly Arsenal’s back four will surely get a thorough examination in the North London derby, leaving the likes of West Brom, Blackburn, Bolton and Sunderland as perhaps the better options in Fantasy terms with their mid-price offerings.

Anytime Goalscorer

• Rooney 1.61 (WIG)
• Torres 1.66 (WHM)
• Hernandez 1.72 (WIG)
• Berbatov 1.90 (WIG)
• Drogba 2.00 (bir)
• Tevez 2.20 (ful)
• Chamakh 2.30 (TOT)
• Van Persie 2.30 (TOT)
• Anelka 2.40 (bir)
• Nani 2.40 (WIG)
• Gyan 2.50 (EVE)
• Bent 2.50 (EVE)
• Odemwingie 2.50 (STK)
• Campbell 2.70 (WOL)
• Kuyt 2.75 (WHM)
• Malouda 2.80 (bir)
• Kalou 2.80 (bir)
• Adebayor 2.20 (ful)
• Elmander 2.87 (NEW)
• Defoe 2.87 (ars)
• Jones 2.87 (wba)
• Carroll 3.00 (bol)
• Kalinic 3.00 (AVL)
• Doyle 3.00 (BLP)
• K Davies 3.10 (ars)

Although he’s likely to start on the bench, is still short of full fitness and is definitely suffering his worst start to any season in his career so far, Wayne Rooney surprisingly tops the goalscorer list here. Does Paddy know something that we don’t?
Fernando Torres enjoyed an FPL price rise overnight (11.9) and looks a stronger option at home to bottom club West Ham. Liverpool will lack Gerrard but Torres, if fit, should have enough to step up and inflict the damage at Anfield.

United’s favoured duo, Hernandez and Berbatov, all feature highly in Paddy’s estimation this week, whilst Didier Drogba continues to be in a post malaria goal drought but Paddy feels that he’ll make his presence felt at Birmingham at even money. Anelka seems to be slightly better value, while Salomon Kalou, in the Scout Picks this week in midfield, looks another temptation if you do fancy a positive Chelsea result.

The best of the rest see Asamoah Gyan (7.2), Van Persie (9.5) and Odemwingie (5.1) all up there in the betting. There’s variables at play with all three however, with Gyan possibly disrupted by the return of Darren Bent, Van Persie still restoring himself to full fitness and Odemwingie possibly being deployed out on the flank against Stoke’s powerful defence if Di Matteo shuffles his lineup. Blackpool’s DJ Campbell, at just 4.5 in the FPL, is perhaps the dark horse in the chasing pack.

Paddy’s Scout Specials

This week’s Scout Specials include a Clean Sheet Accumulator that offers odds of 8/1 on clean sheets for Liverpool (vs West Ham), Man United (vs Wigan) and Sunderland (vs Everton). The Scout Picks special looks even more tempting – Paddy are giving us odds of 20/1 on goals for Cesc Fabregas, Nani and Kevin Davies over the Gameweek.

Paddy’s Money Back Special

The early North London derby provides the scenario for Paddy’s Money Back Special this week. They’re repaying all losing 1st /last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on the match if Gareth Bale or Theo Walcott score the last goal in the game.

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