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As the days get shorter and the air gets colder, let us warm your cockles with our fantasy player picks for the upcoming round of fixtures.

GOALKEEPERS

Choose 'em: Newcastle's Shay Given (6.24) may have seen his price more than treble in recent weeks, but he still looks worth a look at home to Stoke City.

What do you mean we recommend Given every week? Fine, in that case, how about really coming from left field and picking Hull's Boaz Myhill (4.93) against a stuttering Middlesbrough. We never suggest him.

If you want to push the boat out that little bit further, then Aston Villa record-breaker Brad Friedel (11.94) should have a relatively quiet afternoon, dealing as he will be with an injury-hit Everton attack led by Victor Anichebe (4.41).

Lose 'em: This is not the week to go bargain hunting for goalkeepers. With Given's price-hike the bottom two keepers - Blackburn's Paul Robinson (1.15) and Sunderland's Craig Gordon (2.22) - may look tempting, but they are up against Liverpool and Manchester United respectively.

Manchester City's Joe Hart (8.55) is undoubtedly a very good keeper, but City have only kept one clean sheet in their last six league games so Fulham will fancy their chances against them at Craven Cottage.

DEFENDERS

Choose 'em: Robin van Persie's winning double against Chelsea represented the first goals conceded by the Blues in the four league games that Branislav Ivanovic (6.49) has started. The big Serb looks set to continue ahead of Alex (12.35) for Scolari's side.

Tottenham captain Ledley King (6.34) could return for the trip to West Ham, but what's more certain is that Jonathan Woodgate (6.52) will play against a Hammers side that hasn't scored twice in a game since September.

With Wes Brown still out injured, Rafael da Silva (8.04) will keep his place in the Manchester United line-up.

Lose 'em: They may fancy their chances of scoring against City, but Fulham will still have to deal with Robinho (12.32) . As such, best not go near Brede Hangeland (10.05), John Paintsil (7.54) and co.

Despite their European heartbreak, Portsmouth have scored two goals in each of their last four games, and West Brom's defenders - including Jonas Olsson (7.00) and Gianni Zuiverloon (6.54) - are in for a torrid time.

MIDFIELDERS

Choose 'em: Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher (5.64) is set to return to first-team action against Sunderland, and the Scot generally gives excellent value for his price.

If he can avoid getting lumps kicked out of him by Stoke's finest then Jonas Guttierrez (5.89) is just the type of player to unlock the Potters' defence for the likes of Michael Owen (9.81) and Obafemi Martins (12.43) and perhaps even register his first Toon goal.

Lose 'em: Sunderland will begin the post-Roy Keane era without Kieran Richardson (7.49), who misses his return to Old Trafford due to a one-game suspension for picking up five bookings this season.

Despite returning to fitness from a knee injury, Paul Scholes (5.78) will not be in the United squad to face Sunderland.

FORWARDS

Choose 'em: Portsmouth's Jermain Defoe (14.35) has hit three goals in his last four league games, and will be looking forward to facing one of the division's most porous defences, as will strike partner Peter Crouch (9.90).

If scoring a hat-trick/four goals (delete as appropriate) doesn't get Carlos Tevez (10.22) a start, then nothing will. The little Argentine is in line to start alongside Wayne Rooney (18.29).

Liverpool may have failed to score in their last two domestic matches but Dirk Kuyt (11.58) will revel in the rough and ready challenge of facing Blackburn's rugged but rubbish defence. Who knows, he may drag strike partner Robbie Keane (9.95) into some form by sheer enthusiasm alone.

Hull's Marlon King (8.30) scored a beauty against Stoke last week, and could finally bag his first goal at the KC Stadium when Middlesbrough come to town.

Lose 'em: Chelsea are still without the suspended Didier Drogba (7.79), while Aston Villa's John Carew (9.68) will miss out through injury.

Mark Viduka (7.55) is back in action for Newcastle, but is likely to start against Stoke on the bench so be careful if you are tempted by that price.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport