It’s that time of the year when all football fans still have hope. Hope that hasn’t been immediately pummelled following the first few matches that just go to show that nothing changes. However, there is a rescue remedy for the reality of football - and that’s Fantasy Football. Specifically, the newly-launched Sportingo Fantasy Classic, which is being run in partnership with the same game used by the Daily Mail, Channel 4, Skysports, Teamtalk and Football365.

In addition to £100,000 in grand prizes offered as you play against people from across all those websites and more, you'll be competing in our very own Sportingo League, with £250 for the top manager, £100 for second and £50 for third!

Whether you're new to Fantasy Football or make it an annual ritual to take money from friends, family and co-workers at the end of the season, here's a quick breakdown of what you can look forward to:

Fun and Games
There is a good chance that the amount of success and enjoyment you get from the team you select week in and week out will be far and away superior to the pain and suffering you experience every weekend. So where do you start? Well, once you’ve signed up it’s time to take a look at who’s out there; newly-promoted teams bring new players, some of whom might be worth taking a punt on. Sunderland’s Michael Chopra and Derby County’s Robert Earnshaw would be a cheap alternative to the usual attacking fare, and could well do the business whilst leaving you with a ton of money to spend on shoring up your defence.

Fantasy League football is the perfect way for you to try to even the balance. You probably shout at your side's manager often, and question both his parentage and his footballing selections. Now you can do his job, and you can cheat because you can pick from the whole Premiership and there is little or no chance of getting the sack. What have you got to lose?

First impressions
Pre-season friendlies now have an added significance. Whereas previously they were there simply for fans to see what the new shirts looked like, now they can act like a testing ground for those new faces you may have felt worthy of a starting place in your new-season Fantasy squad. There are always the standard top-level players who get into everyone’s XI. You know the ones we mean - Frank Lampard, John Terry, Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henry (oh, strike that one) - your key consistent performers. The key to doing well in this game is those hidden gems that separate your side from the kind of team a child of six could name.

Hidden gems
Benni McCarthy was just such a player last term, a player who cost next to nothing but performed admirably, scoring a shed-load of goals for Blackburn. Who will be this year's Benni? Well, picking a less obvious side who you think have a steady defence, and then finding a couple of cheap defenders, is a tactic that can pay dividends. Just ask those who picked up Nicky Shorey or indeed Linvoy Primus last term.

Marathon not a sprint
The week-to-week running of your side is also crucial - looking out for injuries and suspensions and indeed dramatic loss of form. All these factors are key to keeping your side ahead of the chasing pack. Keep an eye on breaking news and reviews with a view to forming the perfect side all year around, but don’t splash the cash too quickly as you may end up without any transfers or cash. That could mean you being stuck with a side that will invariably all fall foul to a Joey Barton or Ben Thatcher challenge which will render him useless to you and your Fantasy League chances.

Basically doing well in the Fantasy games requires good knowledge of the ever-changing football world; it is not just a case of picking a player just because he is in your friend’s side, or because he used to play for your beloved club (I learned my mistake with Gabriel Zakuani in 06/07). Doing well depends on your footballing brain - do you have one that’s big and brave enough?.

Fantasy better than reality
Can you pick this season's Cristiano? Who’s the best keeper to choose? Is it worth risking all that money on Robin van Persie? Will Robbie Savage undo all this hard work with costly bookings and sendings off? Many questions will arise when selecting your dream team, but are you the boss with the answers?