Whether you're competing against friends, family, workmates or a complete bunch of randoms, there's nothing quite like finishing top of the pile and claiming the bragging rights. Every season, we want to have the edge in our fantasy football game of choice and I've listed below some of the players worthy of consideration at this stage.

Arsenal

The defence were not massively reliable last season and the Gunners' free-flowing style will mean clean sheets are relatively scant. However, CESC FABREGAS is a player for any shortlist, while EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR should be good for 20+ goals if he sticks around. ROBIN VAN PERSIE is also capable of a big goal haul, although he doesn't seem to last many games without getting injured.

Aston Villa

Once again, not a great defensive record last term, although MARTIN LAURSEN managed six goals from the back last year and could be a value pick. STEVEN SIDWELL was something of a forgotten man at Chelsea last term, although if he rediscovers his Reading form, he could be a cheap but effective midfield option. ASHLEY YOUNG shone last year but is expensive in most games, while GABRIEL AGBONLAHOR should hit double figures.

Blackburn

Much depends on whether DAVID BENTLEY remains at the club, with the winger proving to be an assist machine last season. It remains to be seen whether ROQUE SANTA CRUZ can emulate last season's tally of 19, although MORTEN GAMST PEDERSEN might offer good value if he returns to goalscoring ways,

Bolton

Defensively, they can't be trusted after struggling last term, while there aren't many offensive players that stick out either. JOHAN ELMANDER was an expensive purchase from Toulouse and the Swede could be dangerous for the Trotters, while KEVIN NOLAN might be a decent cheap pick.

Chelsea

A tricky one to call with so much still up in the air. Defensively, they should be strong, so PETR CECH and RICARDO CARVALHO and JOSE BOSINGWA all fit the bill, providing you have enough money! If FRANK LAMPARD remains at Stamford Bridge, he's a rock solid fantasy league pick, while DIDIER DROGBA is reassuringly expensive and could explode on the goal front.

See our Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn, Bolton and Chelsea Fantasy Tips
See our Everton, Fulham, Hull, Liverpool and Man City Fantasy Tips
See our Man United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Portsmouth and Stoke City Tips
See our Sunderland, Spurs, West Ham, West Brom, Wigan fantasy Tips