Arsenal and Tottenham have two each in team of season so far

Now that the Premier League season is seven games old, punters, supporters and fantasy football players alike have gained a far clearer understanding of what the campaign is likely to hold for almost all teams.

Below we have identified our team of the season so far, with some potential controversial selections included.

West Brom were the dark horses of many punters to go down this season once Steve Clarke was named as the successor to Roy Hodgson, but instead occupy the dizzy heights of sixth in the current standings.

Having the fourth best defensive record in the division is one reason for this start, with three clean sheets kept in their four home games and Foster has done his bit in this run.

West Brom are 21/20 to finish in the top half this season.

No player has had more Premier League minutes on the pitch in 2012 than Kyle Walker and he has continued at Spurs this season where he left off the last.

He is a regular forager down the right flank and is ultra consistent in both his offensive and defensive work.

Arsenal have failed to shut out the opposition in all of the three games in which Mertesacker has been absent this season and especially missed his organisational skills when conceding twice from set plays against Chelsea.

He may not be blessed with pace or a great ability to jump given his extreme height, but Arsenal have only conceded three league goals in his six appearances thus far.

Stoke may be the most unsung team in the standings so far, as even though they only sit 12th in the table, defensively they have been rock solid.

Only five goals have been shipped in seven fixtures, which includes meetings with Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool, with captain Shawcross at the heart of their defensive unit.

Baines has virtually been a left winger for Everton this season and has creative more opportunities than any other player in the division, including those who operate in midfield.

He is certainly one of the chief reasons why Everton have made an untypical strong start to a new season and they are now 10/11 to secure a top-six finish.

It is no surprise that Tottenham failed to win a single Premier League game prior to Dembele’s arrival from Fulham, but have taken maximum points in all four since.

A player with his dribbling ability, pace and dynamic nature were missed early on as Spurs were a bit rigid and predictable, but he could prove their most important asset as they chase a top-four finish.

This can be backed at 19/10.

Diame has been West Ham’s player of the season so far and it is unusual for a player at Upton Park to have two separate songs sung about them, especially one so new.

His strength on the ball and willingness to carry it forward means he can prove a worthy replacement for Scott Parker, while sticking with the Sam Allardyce preference for physicality.

Sterling has even impressed Gary Neville with his ability for one so young, not just in terms of being on the ball, but also getting his head up early and picking the right pass.

Although Liverpool have started below expectations, this is one bright spot for Brendan Rodgers.

What a difference he has already made at Arsenal and the early signs are that he could end up better than Cesc Fabregas.

Strong with both feet, an ability to play the killer ball and perhaps most important of all a rare Arsenal player willing to shoot from distance, he must be the first name on Arsene Wenger’s teamsheet.

Hazard could not have made any more of a blistering start with a goal and six assists in his first three Premier League outings at Chelsea.

He has gone a bit quiet of late, but bounced back with a goal against Norwich and is one of those players capable of that moment of magic that Chelsea will undoubtedly need at times this season to stay in the title picture.

Now back as the focal point of the attack, Ba is thriving.

He spent the second half of the last campaign in a wider left role to accommodate compatriot Papiss Cisse, but Alan Pardew has now opted to pair them together.

This is favouring Ba the most and he is currently the top scorer in the top flight with seven goals and he can be backed at 14/1 to still be the case at the end of the season.

All odds and markets correct as of publication