After a gameweek that seemed to span the ages, we’re back with a snappy weekend affair, albeit one ravaged the distraction of the Carling Cup Final.

With Arsenal, Spurs and Birmingham all missing from the fixture list, modest returns look on the cards, as Fantasy Managers shift resources to muster a starting XI. Can Paddy Power’s weekend odds help us find some inspiration out of desperation?

Who Will Keep a Clean Sheet?

• Man City 1.90 (FUL)
• Man United 2.10 (wig) dgw
• Everton 2.20 (SUN)
• Aston Villa 2.40 (BLA)
• Stoke City 2.50 (WBA)
• Liverpool 2.60 (whm)
• Newcastle 2.70 (BOL)

The post-Christmas goal glut seems to be well over for league leaders United. A defeat at Wolves in the league, a pyrrhic victory over Crawley in the cup and a dull goalless draw with Marseille in the Champions league, has left Alex Ferguson asking questions of his midfield and attack. In contrast, United’s back four look stronger from week to week as Chris Smalling and the Da Silva brothers look more confident alongside veteran Nemanja Vidic. Paddy believes this mix of young and old blood should have no problem keeping Wigan, with a modest season average of 1gsh (goals scored at home), off the scoresheet.

Paddy place Manchester City up alongside their derby rivals at the top of the clean sheet market this week. They face a Fulham side who have accrued a mere average of 0.85gsa (goals scored away). Man City’s home record of 0.89gch (goals conceded at home) justifies Paddy’s price and makes them favourites over United.

Everton, Villa and Stoke all have favourable home fixtures. Paddy posts Everton highest of the three to hold out for a clean sheet, but the stats tell a different story. Stoke have struggled on the road in recent weeks, but have still held a good home defensive record of 1gch, whilst their opponents West Brom have struggled to make 0.85gsa.

The cleanie looks more secure at the Britannia then and, while Liverpool’s odds for a shut-out at Upton Park have lengthened in the last 24 hours, Paddy still has them ranked over Newcastle at home to Bolton – we’re not so sure.

Anytime Goalscorer

• C Tevez 1.66 (FUL)
• W Rooney 1.83 (wig) dgw
• D Bent 1.90 (BLA)
• D Berbatov 2.10 (wig) dgw
• M Balotelli 2.30 (FUL)
• E Dzeko 2.30 (FUL)
• J Carew 2.30 (WBA)
• K Jones 2.30 (WBA)
• J Hernandez 2.30 (wig) dgw
• T Cahill 2.37 (SUN)
• L Saha 2.37 (SUN)
• K Doyle 2.37(BLP)
• S Ebanks-Blake 2.37 (BLP)
• S Fletcher 2.37 (BLP)
• G Agbonlahor 2.40 (BLA)
• L Suarez 2.40 (whm)
• L Best 2.50 (BOL)
• J Beckford 2.50 (SUN)
• M Owen 2.50 (wig) dgw
• A Young 2.62 (BLA)
• Nani 2.70 (wig)

Manchester City have not competed against a Premier League side for two weeks, although two legs in the Europa League and one FA Cup tie have kept them busy. Carlos Tevez has had some intermittent rest over the period, featuring as a sub in one match and getting an early bath in another, and looks more than justified as leader in the Anytime Goalscorer market. He won’t find it easy to circumvent a resolute Fulham defence, but, if City are to prevail, Tevez will surely be a key factor.

Manchester United’s strike duo also rank highly, although it’s worth noting that confidence in Dimitar Berbatov has dropped overnight as he’s fallen to longer odds – Villa’s Darren Bent is now sandwiched between the two United men. Although Rooney has been more prolific of late, Dimitar Berbatov currently heads the chase for the Golden Boot award by a single goal. This narrow margin could easily extend as United look to claim 13 out of 13 wins against relegation battlers Wigan this weekend. While Berbatov will need two starts over the Wigan and Chelsea fixtures in gameweek to reward investment, likewise Rooney owners won’t want to see their man deployed out wide in either game. It remains a tough call between the pair.

Darren Bent has scored a goal every other game in all competitions since Christmas. With him settling for only an assist at Blackpool last week, he’ll be hungry to continue the trend at home to Blackburn. Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli have both been in the goals recently, and are priced just behind Bent, but as Paddy’s odds suggest, they will inevitably play second fiddle to Tevez.

Tim Cahill features as the highest placed midfielder this week, and looks hopeful to return to his scoring form of last year. Doubts still remain over his fitness however; there’s every chance that he will miss out against Sunderland with Everton’s FA Cup tie with Reading looming on Tuesday.

Sticking with midfielders, Ashley Young’s odds are of interest. He comes in ranked above Nani, despite the fact that United travel to Wigan. Clearly Paddy is a big fan of Young’s potential this week.

Finally, if you’re looking for real dark-horse selections up front, the eye is drawn to Paddy’s odds on the Stoke and Wolves strikers. Both are heavily backed by our bookmaker to find the net against the obliging West Brom and Blackpool defences respectively.

Paddy’s Scout Specials

We failed to sort the usual array of Scout Specials this week but, during the week, we did bring you some specials on both Joey Barton and David Silva that might tempt you into a flutter.

Joey Barton to score 2 or more goals against either Bolton or Everton combined 10/1
Joey Barton to be sent off against either Bolton or Everton 10/1
Joey Barton to score a hat-trick against either Bolton or Everton 80/1

David Silva to score at total of 2 or more goals vs Fulham and Wigan 3/1
David Silva to get an assist against both Fulham and Wigan 7/1
David Silva to Score from outside the box vs Fulham or Wigan 9/2
DavidSilva to score a free kick against Fulham or Wigan 18/1

Paddy’s Money Back Special

Paddy turns to Sunday’s Wembley Final for the source of this weekend’s Money Back Special. If Arsenal leads at anytime in normal time against Birmingham and fails to win the match, Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st /last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on the match.

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Finally of course, we should state that all these offers are only available to those aged 18 and over and are subject to Paddy Power’s terms and conditions.