Fantasy football: Which defenders do you need this season?

Fantasy football is very much back on the agenda with August creeping closer and closer.

Naturally that means the Premier League's return is not far away, with Arsenal and Leicester kicking off proceedings on August 11.

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But you'll need your Dream Team well prepared and drilled before that date if you're to stand any chance of that mouthwatering £750k prize pot on offer.

So which defenders are must-have picks this season?

Here's five we reckon you simply can't ignore...

1 Cesar Azpilicueta - £5m

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The highest points scoring defender on Dream Team last season, Mr Reliable is just as useful in the fantasy football world as he is for Chelsea.

How did Azpilicueta perform on fantasy football this season?

• 1 goal and 4 assists in all competitions
• WhoScored rating of 7.21 - higher than David Luiz and Pedro
• Highest scoring defender on Dream Team (118 points)

Azpilicueta plays pretty much every game, rarely gets injured and has an eye for an assist too, which might explain why he racked up 188 points last year.

2 Jan Vertonghen - £5.5m

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Tottenham's miserly defensive unit is the bedrock to their success under Mauricio Pochettino, and Vertonghen has developed into one of the finest centre-backs in England under his stewardship.

He partners his Belgian international team-mate Toby Alderweireld at the back but offers more going forward than his partner-in-crime, scoring 24 points more than him last season.

3 Eric Bailly - £4m

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Bailly took to the Premier League like a duck to water last season and by virtue of Manchester United going deep in multiple cup competitions, also played a shed load of games.

That means points aplenty - and alongside new partner-in-crime Victor Lindelof he should only get better.

The new Ferdinand and Vidic?

4 Vincent Kompany - £3.5m

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Kompany is fit and raring to go again this season after finishing the last campaign in style.

His injury nightmare up until the last few months of the term has resulted in a cut price on Dream Team this season which makes him an attractive prospect.

The big Belgian is a commanding presence and a real goal threat too after three goals in his last nine appearances.

5 Virgil van Dijk - £5m

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Regardless of where Van Dijk starts the season - Southampton, Liverpool, Chelsea etc - he's simply a must have.

The Dutchman is a towering figure at the back and a Star Man machine with four last season due to his composure and consistency both on the ball and in the air.

What’s different to fantasy football this season?

Well the main change between Dream Team this season and last season is that entry is absolutely free for all managers, with the golden prize pot at the end of the shiny rainbow an eye-popping £750,000.

There’s also a massive shake up on the Game Week front, with Game Weeks running from Friday to Thursday in 2017/18.

Which fantasy football team names are the most popular?

Team names have become almost as important as picking winning sides in recent years, with the punnier the better the general perspective.

So whether it’s Giroud Sandstorm, Neville Wears Prada or Teenage Mutant Ninja Skrtel, check out our foolproof list to help you decide.

You can stay up to date with all the latest fantasy football news with our fantasy football live blog and