FantasyStakes.com - Weekly Fantasy Football

It’s time for our defensive review here at Fantasy Stakes ready for the start of the new season next weekend. If you missed our previous overviews, you can read the striker article here and the midfielder article here.

Let’s take a look at Arsenal’s defensive options for the start of the new season. The Gunners have splashed out £10m to sign defender Thomas Vermaelen over the summer and they will be hoping he will be helping to keep it tight at the back this season.

Along with Thomas, Wenger has a wide selection of players to pick from, at least 8 others who will all be fighting for a starting XI position at the back. So good luck predicting how rotation at the back will work this season at the Emirates!

Chelsea also welcome in a new face at the back, Yuri Zhirkov, who will challenge Ashley Cole for the left back position, but can also be moved up the field to play as a left winger.

The Blues have their every ready captain John Terry, who will be a key player once again this season and most likely a popular choice among the Fantasy Stakes faithful as well! Bosingwa was a regular point scorer at Fantasy Stakes last time out and with his reasonable pricing around the £7m mark, he could be a great addition to your squad. Make sure you also keep an eye on Ashley Cole and Alex who can both rake in the points if you select them in the right rounds.

Last season Liverpool’s back four was harder to predict than Rafa’s badly timed outbursts, so FS managers will be looking for more consistency in defence at Anfield this time around.

The Reds have waved good bye to Alvaro Arbeloa and welcomed in Glen Johnson from Pompy as they look to sure up the back line in a quest for the Premier League title. There is however, one name which was constantly on the team sheet, week in, week out, Jamie Carragher. Mr Reliable and firm favourite with the Kop, served his team heroically last season featuring in EVERY Premiership game for Liverpool. Find him on the player list hovering around £7m.

Manchester United today find themselves in a little bit of a pickle in terms of back line protection as Vidic has been ruled out for two weeks. He joins the injury list of Wes Brown, Gary Neville and Edwin Van der Sar for Utd at the back.

This means that Fergie will be looking to young central defender Jonny Evans to kick off the season alongside Rio, with Evra and Rafael on either side. However The Red Devils face Birmingham on the first day, so Evans may well be a bargain buy for your team, allowing you to spend a bit more in other places.

Some others to keep your eye on;

Joleon Lescott is currently at Everton but Manchester City are still pursuing him like crazy. No matter where he ends up, he is a top quality defender and should always be considered when selection your Fantasy Stakes team.

Another star man for Everton is little Leighton Baines, who had a great season last year and picked up points on regular occasions.

Man City have signed Kolo Toure from Arsenal, so he will be one to watch. Can Kolo sure up the leaky defence which troubled City last season?

Spurs have some injury problems at the back. The likes of Woodgate, King, Dawson and Bale are all doubtful for the start of the season, so keep an eye on Corluka, Assou-Ekotto and Chimbonda.

Aston Villa’s push for a top 4 position partly rests of their defence keeping the door shut and Curtis Davies is the man to organise the Villain’s back row.

Fulham are desperate to hold on to Brede Hangeland who served them so well last season, but they have Arsenal knocking on the door, so make sure you keep an eye on where he ends up.

There are just 8 days left until the Premier League kicks off and Fantasy Stakes jumps into full swing, so get your teams in now!