The Premier League might be (almost) on hold until next midweek, but you have to settle on your line-up by midday Saturday.

And with a glut of FA Cup fixtures muddying the waters further, it promises to be a tough week for Fantasy managers.

Choose 'em or lose 'em offers its weekly batch of handy hints to help you on your way.

GOALKEEPERS

Choose 'em

There are a load of bargain basement keepers with good match-ups this week. Craig Gordon (3.76) and Mark Schwarzer (5.46) have winnable home games against Birmingham and Wigan respectively. The dirt-cheap Antti Niemi (2.92) could also prove decent value at Bolton, as could Chris Kirkland (3.30).

Lose 'em

This column has never been a big fan of paying big bucks for keepers. You need a win, a clean sheet and a load of saves to do well, and that is often a tough ask. So Petr Cech's 16.77 price tag is decidedly uninviting, even at home to Reading. Scott Carson is back for Villa so be sure to ditch Stuart Taylor (5.30).

DEFENDERS

Choose 'em

Unlike in goal, it is easy to see what makes a good Fantasy defender - an attacking player on a good team. As such, we'll concentrate on some January transfers. Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic (5.62) and Liverpool's Martin Skrtel (5.11) are both risky as they may never play - but the gamble could pay dividends. He's not a recent transfer, but get Vedran Corluka (6.48) in for Man City's trip to Derby.

Lose 'em

Bolton's Gretar Steinsson (7.24) should be a regular but is far from cheap. Playing every week may not be an advantage for Danny Mills (5.04) at Derby and Phil Bardsley (6.40) is also too expensive. Wigan newbie Erik Edman would be worth investigating if he had been registered in the game, which he hasn't.

MIDFIELDERS

Choose 'em

Places in the Everton midfield are not easy to come by, but back Manuel Fernandes (5.82) to make an impact while Steven Pienaar is away with South Africa. Martin Petrov (11.81) is playing Derby and guarantees you 20 points or your money back, and his mate Stephen Ireland (7.29) could also enjoy himself. Shaun Wright-Phillips (9.76) is enjoying a mini-purple patch for Chelsea, while Paul Scholes (6.51) should return to Premier League action against Portsmouth.

Lose 'em

There is no point saying drop Cristiano Ronaldo (30.83), but think twice before picking up a man who is fully 11 million more than the next midfielder. Gareth Barry (12.88) is injured and Elano (10.30) has been abject recently. Tottenham bandwagon-jumpers should still steer clear of Aaron Lennon (11.47).

FORWARDS

Choose 'em

Nicolas Anelka (15.69) is two goals and an assist waiting to happen at home to Reading, while a sharp fall in Ashley Young 's (14.82) value makes him worth a gander. At the cheaper end, you could do worse than Tuncay (7.03) and Darius Vassell (8.10).

Lose 'em

The hat-trick hangover hits Benjani (17.57), who is up over six million and plays the best defence in the division. Certain unnamed columnists fell for Michael Owen (8.22) last week, but a pathetic display put him in the dog house. Dean Ashton (11.04) continues to creep up in value - not the best bet for a visit to Anfield. And it's arrivederci Rolando Bianchi (7.40).

For more help, check in with bloggers Jeremy Spitzberg and Neal Thurman, who have forgotten more about Fantasy Football than you'll ever know. Click the link under the photo.

Alex Chick / Eurosport