The international break has rendered the previous gameweek a faint and bitter memory of what might have been. Luis Suarez gracefully twisted and rolled in the Bolton box but was ultimately denied against Bolton. David Silva was a mere onlooker as City thrashed five past Spurs at the Lane, whilst Newcastle’s Steven Taylor was but a mere whisker away from coming good on Paddy’s 80/1 for the two goals or more market against Fulham.

Well, maybe more than a few whiskers – a beard perhaps. A ZZ Top beard. Nonetheless, we feel close to pegging Paddy back, and with odds on Edin Dzeko, John Arne Riise, Clint Dempsey, Adel Taarabt and a debutant special for Nicklas Bendtner and Fulham’s Bryan Ruiz, we look well placed to fill our boots this weekend.

Read on to find out how our trip to the bookies went with this week’s Fantasy Flutter.

First market back after two weeks and it’s like being a kid in a candy store, or more appropriately Edin Dzeko in a Spurs penalty box. With 6 goals to his name already and some beauties amongst them, Dzeko is making the most of City’s million pound comedy of providers, and, although Wigan have led a stern back-line so far this season, City’s quality will be too much for them. Paddy is going better than most with 3/1 for him to get the first goal, and with two early bird strikes already, £2 is an easy risk.

Back in his days at Anfield, John Arne Riise could launch a shot from 30-yards and rip fingers off any keeper brave enough to stick a glove in way. A spell at Roma and a few years later, Riise might not be making as many breaks down the wing as he did in his early days, but he has still got plenty about him. Paddy have tempted us with a goal and a clean-sheet special at 12/1, but we fancy a taste of 10/1 for an outside the penalty area screamer for a quid.

We can almost label this week’s flutter as a ‘Fulham Special’ as odds on Clint Dempsey are up next. A trusted entry in to any Fantasy manager’s squad, the American bagged 12 goals last season and is always a threat. If Riise is blasting in a 25-yard missile, we’ll take Dempsey to line up the assist on the left of Martin Jol’s midfield, priced up at 11/4 with Paddy. We’ll take £4 at those odds, and if you fancy him going one better, then Paddy are offering an anytime goal (9/5) and a headed goal (4/1) at decent prices too.

The belle of the championship last season, Adel Taarabt seems out at sea with the big boys so far this season based on Fantasy returns. Take a peek at our Watchlist article this week to read between the lines, as his statistics show, he’s knocking at the door. Still set-piece hogger, even with Joey Barton an eager participant, Taarabt to score form outside the box at 6/1 is on for £1.

In place of our regular team accumulator, and, to welcome a host of new deadline day signings, Paddy have put together a “Debutant Special” featuring Nicklas Bendtner and Bryan Ruiz.

It was rumoured that Bendtner had not been getting games for Arsenal, not because he was out of favour with Arsene Wenger, but because the Dane’s ego had expanded to such a vast size he could no longer board the team bus and journey to away games. This, may well be conjecture, but at least he now has an opportunity to silence his critics. Bendtner makes one half of a 10/1 goalscoring double, alongside our third Fulham player Bryan Ruiz. An import from Dutch league leaders Twente, Ruiz has seen goals in the Eredivisie, but we wait with baited breath as to whether he will turn out to be a Mateja Kezman or a Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

Our last £2, making up this week’s tenner, is slipped over the counter with our pen-strokes scrawled on a betting sheet, Paddy, as always, smiles in receipt. Come back next week to find out if Paddy is still beaming or if the Scout makes it back into the black.

Bet £10 Get £20

If you’re new to this betting lark and new to Paddy Power then you can take up any of these odds and offers and get yourself a bonus. You can sign up via this site and get a free £20 when you register and bet a tenner.

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. Also, if you’re going to bet, always gamble responsibly.