We’ve not done one of these for a while – not since the inspired selection of Abou Diaby a few weeks back. So who is our beady eye on this week? It’s on two players, in fact…

1. Carlton Cole

Usually in a side with about a million strikers you’d be worried about rotation, but Cole will play if he is fit – and having fully recovered from injury, he finally is. And none too soon for struggling West Ham. What’s more, his return coincides with a double gameweek for the Hammers, and though it’s unlikely (though not impossible) that he will get points in their second game against Man United, he could well fill his boots in the home game against Hull. At £6.4m, for this week and beyond, he is a snip. Bye bye Darren Bent (finally, and probably a month too late).

2. Wayne Rooney

Not exactly a controversial choice. In fact probably the most obvious one you’ll ever make. Just make sure you make it. It’ll make your week. Don’t make the mistake of not making the transfer that makes Rooney part of your starting eleven. And make him captain. This season has been the making of him. And he will make hay in a double gameweek against Everton and West Ham. I can’t think of any other uses for ‘make’. So make your way to http://fantasy.premierleague.com and get him in now.

With the weather, the postponements, etc it’s not worth sacrificing points to make changes this week – your transfers in may well not even play. Yes I’m looking at you -4 points Chris Baird… So, we’ve only one selection for you today, but it’s a good one…

And it is…

Abou Diaby has already played a pivotal role for Arsenal this season, pulling out a couple of big performances – and high scoring gameweeks. He has scored 14, 9, and 2 in the last three weeks, and it would have been more were Arsenal’s game against Bolton not postponed. The concern with Diaby is whether he will start – but with the departure of Alex Song to the African Nations Cup that starting berth is virtually guaranteed. And at 5.6m, he represents fantastic value for a starting Arsenal midfielder.

As always, don’t hold us responsible if he does sweet FA – but he’s one to get in over the next few weeks.

We haven’t done this for a while – here are our best three picks for this week and the weeks ahead… Although we make no assurances they will be successful.

1. David Dunn

He’s fat, he’s round, he’s only five point seven million pound… David Dunn. By a margin Blackburn’s outstanding performer this season, Dunn has already notched four goals, and in only seven appearances. In those seven he has also received bonus points four times (3,3,2,1) so represents outstanding value. If you have any further reservations, remember he is also Blackurn’s penalty taker. Sam Allardyce’s answer to Steven Gerrard is your answer to the cheap midfielder conundrum.

2. Kevin-Prince Boateng

No lesser judge than Steve Finnan has stated Boateng’s importance to Portsmouth – and they are now a side in form, with successive 4-0 wins following their wretched start to the season. He is central to much of their good work and has accrued bonus points in four of their last five matches. He has two goals and an assist to boot, and at only £5.0m is cheaper even than David Dunn. Pair them for a budget yet potentially lucrative central midfield partnership.

3. Robin Van Persie

Van Persie is on fire. He has scored in each of his last six matches, and has eight in eight. His gameweek scores have been 15, 9, 6, 7, 9, 8, 6 and his total is 78 from just 10 games. In those 10 he has 7 goals and 6 assists, and 14 bonus points. With Wolves to face this week… need I say more?

We are right at the business end of the season now, and long term picks are no longer an option. Go with your convictions each week, and go for quick, easy, dirty points.

I am still reeling from the decision to leave Arshavin on the bench the week he scored four – so I’m now going for a full strength eleven with rubbish subs, as I can’t bear another such error.

Looking at this week, the obvious stand out is United’s double header – away to Man City, and home to Wigan. Wigan also have two games, the first of which is away to West Brom, so may offer some appeal; but United are now well and truly over their blip and should offer a generous return.

Our tips are:

1. Nemanja Vidic - A rock at the heart of United’s defence, bar his wobble against Torres, Vidic also offers a goal threat. And with Man City’s defensive frailties, and Wigan visiting OT, there is more than the chance of a goal. Remember Vidics awesom return the last time there was a United double gameweek?

2. Wayne Rooney – Rooney is a man on fire, dragging Man United over the line, not least with his inspirational second half performance against Spurs. He is also the least vulnerable of the forwards to rotation, with his insatiable desire to play.

3. Michael Carrick – A surprise omission from the Player of the Year poll, Carrick has been excellent all season for United. With two games, and the possibility he will feature in both, assists and bonus points are on the agenda.

Apologies for the lack of any Fantasy picks for the weekend just gone… to all of you sitting atop of your mini-leagues after following our advice through the season I can only offer my sincerest ‘sorry’… fortunate, really, that there isn’t anyone in that category. Let us attempt redemption by pointing you the way of the excellent Fantasy Football Scout…

It is a simply superb site, with informed articles and excellent resources for the serious football manager. Lists of set piece takers for every club, up to date bans and injuries, breaking team and injury news, and well reasoned and balanced selections and advice are amongst the features that make it hugely valuable.

In this 6-7 game run in, where titles are decided and wooden spoons ‘won’ despondently, a quick visit to the Scout could make all the difference.

It’s Easter Weekend, a key moment in the season; from here teams can put together spectacular runs of form and pull clear of relegation, push into a European spot, even clinch the title; or likewise plummet inexorably downward, unable to save themselves. Who will do what? And who will be the key players involved? We try and pick the stand-outs from this weekend… and for the rest of the season.

James Beattie

Beattie has been instrumental in Stoke’s push for now likely survival; he’s lead the line well, and scored six goals in only ten games. Stoke take on Newcastle on Saturday; and with their remarkably strong home record will look for all three points. Beattie will be central to that; and is a snip at 6.0. Especially considering Newcastle’s defending.

Peter Crouch

Portsmouth face Hull in a crucial game – the winner (if there is one) will take a huge step towards safety. If that is to be Portsmouth, Crouch will have a big part to play – with three goals in his last three games, and a goal for England in between, he is a man in form. Pair him with Beattie for a potent strikeforce.

Branislav Ivanovic

With two strikers picked so far, we’ll go for the most likely clean sheet – and that appears to be Chelsea at home to Bolton. After Ivanovic’s immense contribution to Chelsea’s Champions League win over Liverpool it’s likely that the SErb will be rewarded with another start – and if that’s the case, he is a snip at 4.9m

It seems like an age since the last set of Premiership fixtures; and we’re straight back in at the deep end, with a United’s crucial game against Villa, Liverpool’ tough assignment at Fulham, Shearer’s baptism against Chelsea, and the relegation six pointers at the Hawthorns (against Stoke) and the KC Stadium (Portsmouth). With many players returning from international duty, and teams not being together for over a week in some cases, anything could happen. We’ve sifted through for what we think are the three best options to propel you up your Fantasy League…

1. David Di Michele

West Ham are probably the only side you’d have any confidence following this weekend, home to a Sunderland side they’ve beaten five successive times at home. With Carlton Cole out, David Di Michele looks certain to start (unless Zola opts for a bizarre Trista/Savio partnership) and could be a potent source of points. He comes in as a budget option as well, at 5.2 million in FPL.

2. Matt Taylor

Taylor has re-endeared himself to fantasy managers this season, scoring 114 points (including 8 goals from midfield). Bolton face struggling Middlesbrough, and have a decent run of games coming up.

3. Andrei Arshavin

We’ve urged you to select the Russian magician before, but if there’s ever a time to select him it’s when Man City come calling. Their abject away form sees no signs of abating, and Arshavin could profit handsomely. He would also be our shout for captain…

So there we are. This week is possibly the toughest of the season – lots of points will be scored, but it’s so difficult to predict who by! We’ve done our best… fingers crossed.

Here are our Fantasy Football suggestions for this weekend’s fixtures…

1. Andrei Arshavin

Arshavin has looked excellent since joining Arsenal, flying in the face of the doubters who said he wouldn’t suit the Premiership. He put in a virtuoso display against Blackburn, and if there’s any side against which attacking players could flourish it’s Newcastle. Arshavin is one to get in and keep hold of – he has the quality to do something special against any class of opposition.

2. Jonathan Greening

Greening has recently come back from a long term injury, and has started the last two games. His absence has been a huge blow for the Baggies; Greening is vastly underrated, but makes West Brom tick, and weighs in with the occasional valuable goal or assist. He is dirt cheap at £4.8m and represents a great budget option.

3. Leighton Baines

We tipped Baines last week but are repeating him here as an urge to select him – he is almost a must have. Part of one of the best defences in the Premiership, a set piece taker since the absence of Arteta, and extremely good value (only £4.7m in FPL), get Baines in now.

It seems an age since we last did these, mainly because the last gameweek covered all the way up to Blackburn’s victory over Fulham in midweek. We’re back to usual now, with all the teams playing once; and it has to be said, nothing jumps out. We’ve had to dig particularly deep this week, so read on to see who we’ve gone for; to predict our failure, if nothing else…

1. Jussi Jasskelainen

Bear with us. Fulham are coasting, now, and are awful away from home anyway (only three goals scored all season) so Bolton look good for a clean sheet this week. Plus, they have a relatively easy run of games coming up. And, Jussi is an excellent sht stopper, and often picks up points that way (1 point for 3 saves in FPL).

2. Leighton Baines

Everton’s defence is excellent, and you wouldn’t back against them securing another shut out against travel-sick Stoke. Also, now Arteta is injured, Baines has set piece taking duties. He’s also good value at sub £5m in the FPL games.

3. Didier Drogba

Rather less imaginative, this one… but Drogba is in red hot form, reacting brilliantly to Hiddink’s appointment. Man City are poor travellers, and its not inconcievable for Chelsea to win every remaining league fixture. Get the detestable Drogba now, clench your teeth, and keep him in to the end of the season.

It’s another double gameweek… we set things up nicely last week and were repaid handsomely by Stephen Warnock, if not so much by Morten Gamst Pederson.

This time, Fulham, Blackburn, Spurs and Sunderland all have two games. Our three to watch:

1. Mark Schwarzer

You must have either or both of John Paintsil or Brede Hangeland already; and complete the Fulham triumvirate with their keeper. Schwarzer saved a penalty the week before last, and secured three bonus against Arsenal, so is a man in points form. Fulham’s two home games make all of their players attractive, particularly considering their defensive stability.

2. Aaron Lennon

Check on his fitness tomorrow, as there are rumours he was withdrawn against Man Utd as he picked up a knock. If he is fit, though, bring him in; he’s a man in good form, and was comfortably Spurs’ best player on Sunday. He also scored against Hull in his last league game. Furthermore, Spurs have two games…

3. Roque Santa Cruz

He penetrated United’s defence two weeks ago, and set up Blackburn’s first goal last time out. The Paraguayan seems to have displaced Benni McCarthy from the Rovers’ starting lineup and if he continues to play, he will get more goals. Not the cheapest option though, and if you want a Blackburn player and didn’t go for Warnock last week do so now – he is playing in midfield but down as a striker, too. Blackburn again have two games.