As important as knowing who to pick is who not to pick. You do not want the sterling work of your stars undermined by a couple of also-rans who should be in a circus wearing make-up, oversized shoes and a comedy wig instead of being in your lineup.

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The Barclays Premier League being the harsh learning environment it is, with two points lost each time your defenders and goalkeepers concede in PlayThe Game, if you pack your back line with players from the promoted clubs, the chances are your team’s points tally will soon resemble Luton Town’s.

One factor to consider is the Olympic Games, which means that a few Premier League players from countries who do send a team to China will miss the first couple of matches. Those are likely to be: Alexandre Song (Arsenal), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers), Victor Anichebe (Everton), Adrian Leijer (Fulham), Lucas Leiva, Javier Mascherano and Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Anderson (Manchester United) and Jô (Manchester City).

Quite apart from breathing all that questionable Beijing air, there is the risk of getting injured, which brings us to another key factor: do you take a gamble on crocked players, such as Eduardo da Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo and Tim Cahill, who will not be ready for the start of the season but could be effective on their return? Or those who are fit but could find their way around the treatment-room blindfolded: step forward (carefully, so as not to break anything) Michael Owen, Fredrik Ljungberg, Kieron Dyer, John Terry, Jonathan Woodgate and Robin van Persie, to name a few.

Then there is squad rotation to consider. Do you plump for a regular starter at a small or medium-size club in the knowledge that their thin squad will ensure your man starts every week and does not get substituted, or go for a better player at a top team who may only play two thirds of the time? In other words, Stewart Downing or Ryan Giggs; Jermaine Jenas or Michael Essien?

Beware, also, of the fantasy equivalents of Whigfield: the one-hit wonders who are big for a bit but swiftly fade from starlight into shadow. Do not overpay for hype and past performance. He is an excellent player, but will Roque Santa Cruz repeat last season’s 19-goal haul? Can Dean Windass really do the business in the top flight at 39? And will age catch up with Sol Campbell?

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