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.
MAN UNITED
Where to start with the English champions? Firstly by mentioning that CRISTIANO RONALDO will miss the first few weeks of the season with an ankle injury, while it’s worth keeping an eye on his potential move to Real Madrid. WAYNE ROONEY tends to be overpriced in most FF games and CARLOS TEVEZ offered much better value last term. Defensively, you can expect the Red Devils to be sound, and they also have a back five which largely picks itself. Therefore, EDWIN VAN DER SAR, NEMANJA VIDIC, RIO FERDINAND and PATRICE EVRA all fit the bill, depending on how many you can afford.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Surely I wasn’t the only one to be impressed by TUNCAY at Euro 2008, and the Turk could be a lively cheap pick in your team. AFONSO ALVES also started to look good at the back end of last season and shouldn’t set you back too much cash either. Boro tend not to be too shabby in defence, and DAVID WHEATER will continue to grow in stature this season, especially with his tendency to get forward at set pieces.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Many might suggest that picking Magpies defenders requires one’s head to be tested, and I’m inclined to agree. However, Kevin Keegan loves his teams to get forward and many will pin their hopes on MICHAEL OWEN having an injury-free season. MARK VIDUKA is also a class act but struggles to stay fit, while GEREMI and JAMES MILNER are likely to bag a few goals from midfield, especially the former from set pieces.
PORTSMOUTH
I expect Portsmouth to go well next season, especially with the acquisition of PETER CROUCH to accompany JERMAIN DEFOE up front. The former Liverpool striker could be the value pick up front, especially as many FF games anticipated another season of bench-warming for him. The Pompey defence was very strong last term, with DAVID JAMES shining in particular. He also saved a fair few penalties, while SOL CAMPBELL and SYLVAIN DISTIN provide a formidable barrier in front of him.
STOKE CITY
As with any promoted team, it’s probably not worth considering players from a defensive point-of-view. However, in RICARDO FULLER, the Potters have a striker who can notch 15+ goals this season and LIAM LAWRENCE is a winger who can probably create that many, especially with his set-piece deliveries. It’s hard to make a case for any other player, although new signings are imminent.
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 and Wigan Fantasy Tips