Fantasy Football Tipster: Gameweek 5

The fantasy football tipster returns, suggesting XI players set to star in their respective matches this coming weekend. With a couple of high profile clashes on Sunday, nothing will be certain in games between Arsenal and City or an emotional and heated affair when United travel to Anfield.

There are, however, a number of games that look like being in favour of certain sides as we continue to pick players based on stats and likely outcomes from our team characteristics. As ever our match forecasts, generated when one side’s weakness clashes with an opponent’s strength, help inform our decisions along with selecting those on form.

Goalkeeper

The most likely number one to keep a clean sheet this weekend may well be Petr Cech, with Stoke failing to score on their previous 4 trips to Stamford Bridge and the Blues conceding just once in 6 games against The Potters overall. However, for the more cash-strapped manager we have opted for West Brom's Ben Foster, acting as last man of the defence to a Baggies side yet to concede at home this season facing a Reading side that already looks to be up against it.

Defence

Our four-man backline contains arguably the two best left-backs in the league, with tactics not an issue in this fantasy world. For all of the above reasons claiming that Cech is a good bet for a clean sheet this weekend, we have opted for Ashley Cole. The fact that the forecast suggests that Chelsea will score from a fast break against Stoke may suggest that the England man can bomb forward and add to his 2 assists already this season.

On the opposite flank Leighton Baines will always get you points, coming up against a Swansea side with a severely weakened backline. The match forecast suggests that Everton will create many chances and score from a set piece situation. With Baines the resident set piece specialist at the club, he could add to his goal contribution tally having scored one and picked up an assist thus far.

Our centre-backs look likely to keep clean sheets this weekend, with Gareth McAuley chosen to help Foster and co. complete a third successive home shut out against lowly Reading. A threat in the opponent’s box as well as very adept at defending his own, the West Brom man looks like a steal this season and we partner him with Tottenham's Jan Vertonghen.

Despite failing to keep a clean sheet this season Spurs have almost done so in their previous three matches and it should only be a matter of time before they last the entire 90 minutes. They host a QPR side that have only scored twice all season and this could be their best chance, with the Belgian having been their strongest defender this season and looking likely to score goals for his new club as he did at Ajax.

Midfield

Staying with Tottenham, the match forecast for their game with Mark Hughes' QPR side suggests that the hosts are very likely to score from a fast break and likely to score as a result of individual skill. Rather than opt for the obvious option in Gareth Bale we've gone for Aaron Lennon, looking to build on a first assist of the season from last weekend, with the Welshman yet to set up a goal thus far.

On the opposite wing we've gone for somewhat of a wildcard entry, predicting that Swansea's Pablo Hernandez will be handed a home debut this weekend after a bright cameo at Villa. The match forecast from the Welsh outfit's game with Everton suggests Laudrup's side are extremely likely to score as a result of a through ball and the Spaniard may well have the guile to unlock The Toffees' defence.

In the middle of our 3-man midfield Hatem Ben Arfa gets the nod due to the fact that we predict Newcastle are very likely to score a long shot. Having netted an absolute beauty against Villa recently - one of two goals this season - the Frenchman could be the difference against Norwich this weekend, with the home side likely to be strong favourites despite playing in the Europa League on Thursday.

Attack

Robin van Persie, who has become a real thorn in the side of Liverpool over recent seasons, is the first striker in our team. The Dutchman has scored 4 in his last 5 league games against The Reds, including a brace at Anfield last season capped by a sublime late volley. The chances of him returning to the scene and doing the damage once again will be very daunting to Liverpool fans.

Perhaps the biggest long shot in our XI, we're tipping Villa's new signing Christian Benteke to prove a real handful to a shaky Southampton defence thus far, providing the young Belgian earns his first start. After netting in a busy cameo display against Swansea he could well come into Lambert's side and with Villa likely to dominate in the air at St. Mary's the intimidating figure of the 21-year old may strike fear into a Saints defence that has conceded a whopping 14 goals.

Our final, and perhaps most profitable, pick sees Dimitar Berbatov complete our front three, with the Fulham man on top form last weekend. His record in games against Wigan suggests that should continue this weekend, having only scored more goals against Blackburn in his career than the 8 in 10 games that he has netted against The Latics. With Fulham likely to create many scoring chances and very likely to score a long shot, Berbatov shouldn't be far away from the headlines again.