Gameweek 36 is shrouded in doubt, riddled with speculation. Who knows what Roberto Mancini has up his immaculately tailored sleeve as he ponders his teamsheet for Goodison? Will Harry Redknapp really turn to Roman Pavlyuchenko to lead the impotent Spurs attack when Blackpool arrive at the Lane? What are the chances of Daniel Sturridge shrugging off his ankle knock to terrorise the beleaguered Black Cats? Where do we even start when it comes to Sunday’s Old Trafford collision?

Certainly, some clarity on these dilemmas would grease the wheels of this week’s Scout Pick selection. As it is, we have to work with as many certainties as possible – clutching at straws is a risky business for Fantasy Managers, reserved for those forced to roll the dice on the remaining weeks of their season.

We’ve spent the week discussing the big decisions. We’ve dissected the potential offered up by the double gameweek options – we’ve looked at the numbers, we’ve considered the players on offer. Now we’re almost at the business end of the week and it’s time to show our hand with another weekend lineup.

The Defence

I’ve opted for Tottenham’s Heurelho Gomes between the sticks. Lambasted for his goal line gaffe at Stamford Bridge, the Brazilian can nonetheless be acquired for a modest 5.2 in the Fantasy Premier League game and, with Blackpool and City over the gameweek, offers a potential shut-out with Save Points thrown in. As we’ve discussed in this week’s Watchlist update, defensive returns look fragile with the curtain dropping on the season and the two fixtures for Gomes are enough in themselves to promote the Spurs stopper in our thinking.

We could have gone for Joe Hart of course, City’s keeper is arguably a stronger prospect, although his premium price tag and an away trip to Everton hardly champions his cause. Team-mate Aleksandar Kolarov is preferred instead. Often a figure of fun around these parts, the Serb left-back has never got close to justifying his summer price tag but remains a favourite of mine simply because he’s in the City lineup and, from open play, is the defender who poses the biggest goal threat to the oppositions goal.

There are perhaps some controversial selections alongside the City man. We looked in-depth at the merits of Gary Cahill earlier this week and it’s no surprise to see that attention followed up with his selection here. The inclusion of Newcastle’s Jose Enrique and Wolves’ Stephen Ward was probably not expected. The latter will be playing up front for Mick McCarthy’s side and, at just 4.4, looks a strong short-term out-of-position prospect for the crucial local derby with West Brom at Molineux. As for Enrique, he’s been a consistent performer for the Magpies and Alan Pardew’s outfit appear to be a solid choice for a rare shut-out at home to struggling Birmingham.

If you’re looking for risky differentials Sunderland’s Nedum Onuoha and West Ham’s Jonathan Spector both look set for starts and could be thrown into forward and midfield roles respectively. Aston Villa’s Kyle Walker is perhaps a safer bet with clean sheet and attacking potential at home to Wigan.

The Midfield

Rafael Van der Vaart’s selection was never in doubt. A runaway leader in our Captain Poll, the Dutchman will surely start against both Blackpool and City in the gameweek and will pose his usual consistent threat to the opposition from both open play and set-piece situations. An obvious Fantasy Premier League captain choice – best of luck to those who head into the gameweek without him.

The selections alongside him are again, perhaps a little surprising. With United facing Chelsea in an encounter that’s so difficult to predict, I’ve dismissed the merits of Frank Lampard, Florent Malouda and Nani. That left the door ajar for some mid-price options to come to rise to the occasion.

West Ham’s Thomas Hitzlsperger and City’s Yaya Toure have been subject of recent Watchlist’s articles which explore their talents in detail. Toure’s double fixture and favourable price tag compared to team-mate David Silva earns him inclusion, while Hitzlsperger is surely set to be a huge influence over West Ham’s final three matches as Scot Parker struggles to regain fitness to help drag his side to safety. The German midfielder has shown form amongst some miserable results for Avram Grant’s side – if West Ham are to see off Blackburn at Upton Park, Hitzlsperger looks a strong candidate for returns.

Newcastle’s Kevin Nolan gets the final spot in the midfield. Again, like Enrique, the former Bolton man has been a consistent force all season and with 12 league goals to his name, his ability to deliver Fantasy returns is without question. The Birmingham defence, having conceded in eight of their last nine games, looks odds on to allow Newcastle and Nolan to boost their goal tallies further this weekend.

The Forwards

On the subject of goals, Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie almost guarantees them. While the Gunners go to fortress Britannia on Saturday, their away form is such that it’s almost impossible to ignore Arsenal’s potential for attacking returns. Aside from the budget potential of Aaron Ramsey on my bench, I’ve chose to ignore the Arsenal midfield; Van Persie’s selection up front is sealed by uncertainty surrounding the fitness of Daniel Sturridge for Bolton.

Villa’s Darren Bent partners the Arsenal striker. Five goals in his last seven outings reinforces Bent’s reputation as a potent Premier league threat and, with the Wigan defence at Villa Park this weekend, the former Sunderland marksman will be well backed to edge towards the 20-goal mark in what has been another successful season.

Peter Odemwingie’s consistent scoring in West Brom’s stripes almost earned him another selection but he sits comfortably on the Scout Pick bench; the Nigerian will surely be the biggest threat to Wolves and will be on spot-kicks with Chris Brunt again an absentee. Elsewhere West Ham’s Demba Ba, Newcastle’s Shola Ameobi and Liverpool’s Luis Suarez look best placed for profits.