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AFTER THE SUMMER distractions of Euro 2012 and the London Olympics, the Premier League’s return has quietly crept up with the opening round of fixtures kicking off this weekend - which means it’s time to get your fantasy football team in order.
We brought you six steps to being successful as a manager in fantasyland last week and today our aim is to assist you in picking out those players who will make or break the opening weeks of the 2012/13 campaign.
Below are five players we believe will rack up the points right from the get-go.
1. Pepe Reina – Price: 6.0 Last season: 122 points
Last season, only champions Manchester City and runners-up Manchester United conceded fewer goals than Liverpool’s 40 in the league. Amassing a total of 122 points during 2011/2012, Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina had a relatively low scoring campaign by his own standards (he is generally 150+) but should be up among the top of the leaderboard this time around.
Brendan Rodgers’ men begin away to West Brom on Saturday afternoon where you would expect a win for the Reds.
Credit: Martin Rickett/PA Archive/Press Association Images
2. Joleon Lescott – Price: 6.5 Last season: 132 points
Vincent Kompany may be the main man at the heart of Manchester City’s defence but England defender Lescott isn’t far behind him – scoring just 12 points less overall during their triumphant season.
And for £1m less, Lescott is a worthwhile buy. He conceded just 22 goals, had 14 clean sheets and City are unlikely to be troubled by Southampton on Sunday. Only found the back of the net twice in 2011/12 but is threat from set-pieces and should improve on that return.
Credit: Sang Tan/AP/Press Association Images
3. Luis Antonio Valencia – Price: 9.0 Last season: 140 points
It’s a big season for the talented Ecuadorian winger, who has been handed the No.7 jersey by United. Valencia scored a respectable 140 points last year (contributing 14 assists) but I believe that, if he stays injury-free, he can better that by teeing up the likes of Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck from wide areas.
First up for United is a trip to Goodison Park on Monday night.
Credit: Martin Rickett/PA Archive/Press Association Images
4. Santi Cazorla – Price: 9.0 Last season: New signing
Arsene Wenger struggled to replace Cesc Fabregas last summer but have gone some way to doing so with the acquisition of Santi Cazorla. The 27-year-old Spanish international arrives from Malaga and should slot straight into the Gunners midfield.
Last term, the pocket-sized playmaker was involved in 1/4 of the team’s goals and had a passing success rate of 89%. Expecting big things from him in England.
Credit: Cordon/CORDON/Press Association Images
5. Torres Price: 10.0 Last season: 92 points
He may have won the Champions League and Euro 2012 but this year has been a frustrating one for Fernando Torres at times. However, already off the mark with a goal in last Sunday’s Community Shield and with rival Didier Drogba gone to China, El Nino is set to thrive at Chelsea.
Roberto Di Matteo’s side have got a wealth of talent in attacking midfield areas who will be tasked with assisting the former Liverpool frontman in rediscovering his form as one of the best finishes in the Premier League.
Chelsea play twice in Week 1, Wigan away on Sunday and Reading at the Bridge next Wednesday, so it is set up nicely for Torres to make the perfect start.
Credit: John Walton/EMPICS Sport
Who do you think is worth a punt? Let us know in the comments section below
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