It’s deadline day. Not just in a frothing-at-the-mouth Sky Sports kind of way, either. We’ve Fantasy business to consider, with last weekend’s FA Cup fixtures affording us two Gameweeks in rapid succession. We line up a 3-5-2 this time round, with many of the players almost picking themselves, upon analysis of the fixture schedule. Let’s get to it, then….

We’ve opted for David Stockdale between the sticks, in light of Anders Lindegaard’s reported ankle injury earlier this morning. With Mark Schwarzer still sidelined for the Cottagers, Stockdale faces a home clash against West Brom tomorrow night. Roy Hodgson’s side have been poor up front of late and, with just 3 goals scored in their last five games, Stockdale will be confident of chalking up a clean sheet at the Baggies’ expense.

Back from suspension, we instantly draft Vincent Kompany into our lineup. With five clean sheets in their last seven games, City have upped their defensive solidity over the winter period and Kompany’s addition to the back-four will only increase their likelihood of keeping Everton at bay. With 4 goals in their last five games at Goodison, David Moyes’ side are hardly firing on all cylinders and the omens look good for the league leaders this evening.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto is a nailed-on choice ahead of Tottenham’s home clash with Wigan. Harry Redknapp’s side have been defensively outstanding at home over the past few months, recording 5 clean sheets in their last seven at the Lane in a run of games that has seen them ship just 2 goals. The left-back’s forward forays have already picked up plenty attacking returns this season and he offers the chance of points at both ends of the pitch this evening.

Jonny Evans is a last-minute draft into the Scout Picks, with Lindegaard’s ankle problem having a knock-on effect on our back line. Having recovered from a recent calf problem, the Irishman –coming in at 4.5- offers a cut-price route into United’s defence ahead of the home clash against Stoke tonight. Evans has chalked up five clean sheets in his last seven starts and with the Potters far from prolific on their travels, looks a strong defensive option.

Gareth Bale is the second Spurs player in this gameweek’s picks. The Welshman’s outstanding season is highlighted by a total of six double-figure Fantasy returns in twenty-one appearances. Bale has rarely failed to deliver, producing attacking returns in six of his last seven home games and, up against a Wigan side with the second-worst away record in terms of goals conceded, he looks set to play a pivotal part in handing the Latics another defeat.

Stephane Sessegnon is one of two midfielders we’re keeping from last week’s line-up. The Benin international comes into the home game with Norwich as the FPL’s form player in January, with 33 points accrued over his last four appearances. With a goal or assist in five of his last six fixtures, Sessegnon’s form under Martin O’Neill goes from strength to strength and a home clash with Norwich provides further potential of attacking returns.

We also hold onto Clint Dempsey, after the American’s second half hat-trick against Newcastle last time round. Dempsey, similar to Fulham, tends to keep his best for the Cottage- he has returned 6 goals and 4 assists at home, compared to 3 goals away. With West Brom recording a single clean sheet since the end of gameweek eight, Dempsey should be afforded plenty chances to continue his recent strong form in tomorrow night’s home clash against the Baggies.

Antonio Valencia is another player who looks irresistible right now. Having scored or assisted in six of his nine fixtures since returning to the first XI in gameweek 14, the Ecuadorian has been United’s most consistent Fantasy performer. With Nani and Wayne Rooney likely absentees for the Stoke game, Valencia will be more important than ever in securing all three points at Old Trafford this evening.

David Silva completes the midfield five. We had also considered Juan Mata, due to the Chelsea man’s spot-kick duties in the absence of Frank Lampard, but his fellow-Spaniard gets the nod instead. Silva’s recent form has seen him provide an assist in three successive gameweeks for only the second time this season- a trip to injury-ridden Everton affords him plenty chance to wreak havoc at Goodison tonight.

A trip to Bolton for Robin Van Persie cannot be overlooked. The Trotters have chalked up a single clean sheet at the Reebok all season and Arsene Wenger’s side will arrive in confident mood after their stirring FA Cup comeback win over Villa. Van Persie has already hit eight double-figure points hauls this season, with the last three all coming away from home. You wouldn’t put it past him to chalk up another one on the road tomorrow.

Darren Bent makes a rare appearance after picking up in form over the last month. The Villa forward not only netted in the FA Cup defeat at Arsenal, he has scored in three of the last four gameweeks. Bent seems to be benefitting from the role of lone striker in Alex McLeish’s move to a 4-2-3-1 formation and with 6 of his 8 goals scored at Villa Park, it’s clear he prefers home comforts. This bodes well for his Fantasy suitors, then, as QPR make their way to the midlands tomorrow.