Fantasy Premier League 2013: Picking a Team for Season Openers

With the start of the new Premier League season less than two weeks away, now is the time when Fantasy Football enthusiasts begin plotting their team to take them to the top of the leaderboard.

No matter which version of the popular game you choose to play, the same rule applies. Points equal prizes!

Although consistency will be key throughout the season, a strong start is vital. Here we pick a starting XI to get you off to a flier on the opening weekend of fixtures.

All player values courtesy of fantasy.premierleague.com.

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech (Chelsea) £6.5 million

The Chelsea stopper has been consistently excellent for the Blues over the years and will relish the chance to play under former manager Jose Mourinho once again.

Newly promoted Hull City visit Stamford Bridge to get the season underway, and Steve Bruce's side will struggle to break down a strong home defence that includes Cech.

Expect the former Rennes keeper to keep a clean sheet.

Defender: Daniel Agger (Liverpool) £6 million

Recently linked with a move to Spanish champions Barcelona, Agger looks set to play a key part in Liverpool's defence next season after the retirement of Jamie Carragher.

Stoke City visit Anfield in the very first game of the season, with the side who scored only 34 goals last term continuing their attacking problems here.

Clean sheet for Agger as the Reds start with a comfortable win.

Defender: Ashley Cole (Chelsea) £6.5 million

Signed by Mourinho during his first spell at Chelsea, Cole remains one of the most impressive full-backs in the Premier League.

Hull are crying out for a natural goalscorer and will fail to create many chances this season, particularly at somewhere as tough as Stamford Bridge.

Clean sheet for Cole and the chance of an assist as Chelsea win easily.

Defender: Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City) £6 million

One of Manchester City's standout players last season, Zabaleta will be hoping to continue his good form under new manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Newcastle visit the Etihad in the Monday evening kickoff, with Alan Pardew's side, still without a single senior signing this summer, unlikely to match City's rejuvenated squad.

Clean sheet for the Argentine.

Defender: Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) £5.5 million

Although Arsenal are renowned for their sometimes lacklustre defending, Koscielny and Per Mertesacker formed a good partnership at the end of last season.

Aston Villa are the visitors to the Emirates on the opening day, and although they have the threat of Christian Benteke, the Gunners should be able to limit their midfield to minimal creativity.

Clean sheet for Arsene Wenger's side, just.

Midfield: Mousa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur) £5.5 million

Potentially a bargain at £5.5 million, Dembele looks certain to play a key role in a three-man Tottenham midfield next season.

Although Spurs are away on the opening day, they face a Crystal Palace side still not equipped with enough quality to keep them in the Premier League.

Expect Dembele to drive forward and finish with a goal or an assist to his name.

Midfield: Eden Hazard (Chelsea) £9.5 million

Mourinho has already singled out Hazard for special praise during preseason, as reported by the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel—it is a sign that big things are expected of the Belgian.

He faces an inexperienced Hull side on the opening weekend and will be targetting an impressive performance to cement his place in the Portuguese manager's team.

If he doesn't score, there's a good chance that he'll lay on a goal or two for his teammates.

Midfield: Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) £6.5 million

Raring to go ahead of the new campaign, Wilshere will be focused on avoiding injury and playing regularly for Wenger's side.

Up against an energetic but inexperienced Villa midfield on the opening day, the England man can dictate the game and get forward at will.

Not a prolific goalscorer, Wilshere is more likely to record an assist and a good all-round display.

Midfield: Kevin Mirallas (Everton) £7.5 million

Arguably Everton's most impressive player during preseason, Mirallas has continued the eye-catching form he showed at the end of the last campaign.

The Toffees visit Norwich City on the opening day, and Mirallas' pace could prove a vital weapon on the counter-attack.

The Belgian could well contribute a goal or assist at Carrow Road.

Striker: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) £11 million

Despite strong competition from new signings Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic, Aguero still looks certain to be City's main striker next season.

At home to Newcastle and with a point to prove after an injury-hit campaign last time, the Argentine will prove a big threat to Tim Krul's goal.

The former Atletico Madrid man can get on the scoresheet in his first game.

Striker: Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur) £8.5 million

Although Ben Rumsby of The Telegraph reports that Spurs are on the brink of completing a deal to sign Valencia's Roberto Soldado, the experienced Defoe looks set to start at Selhurst Park after a strong showing in preseason.

The Crystal Palace back four will struggle to deal with his pace and movement as they make their return to the top flight after an eight-year absence.

A goal for Defoe as Andre Villas-Boas' side record a narrow win.

Total cost: £79 million (£21 million left for four substitutes)