We've looked at last season's stats, and cross-referenced what we found with our crystal ball. We've taken into account who missed months through injury but should be fit for this campaign, and which delicate performers might spend more time in the treatment room. We've considered whose playing time might be affected by squad rotation, a change of manager or European commitments, and who has been given a chance to be a first-team regular this season.

And we've come up with a list of the players we think should be the ones who are taken in a 10-team league. If any of these players are still available at the end of your live allocation, either we have made a mistake - or you have.

We think that Peter Crouch, Jimmy Bullard and Steven Sidwell can look forward to more successful seasons that they enjoyed in 2007-08. We fear that Kanu, Manuel Almunia and Michael Dawson will not be as valuable as they were last time out.

And before you send in that email of complaint, we're not saying that Stewart Downing is a better player than Ryan Giggs - but we are suggesting that he will play more Premier League games, giving PlayTheGame Managers a better return in assists, minutes played and successful passes.

We admit that Joleon Lescott is probably not the second coming of Bobby Moore - but he plays in a solid defensive side, he weighs in with goals, and he is eligible at two positions. There may be "better" players, but Lescott can help you win. And if you're aiming to top your league table, that is all that matters.