I just did random opponents, but went for any protective civs first of anyone I couldn't just walk into.
I think I have no chance of beating 1875BC, or even 1725...my goal is simply to beat 1000BC, I generally finish my fighting around 2000-1500BC, but it takes me forever to build my settlers. My 675BC game, I took so long I was able to research at 20% to Music and then bomb a GA.
I find artists to be fast for border expansions, but for most of the game, only my capital will have a BFC if I dont get Stonehenge early, and that leaves me with little chance of having horses or copper to hook up.
I can definitely see workers as being more helpful than settlers though, since workers are the sticking point in my production.