Premiership Preview

As the years of the Premiership have gone on it has become easier to predict the position of most clubs. For example it is common knowledge that no matter how much money they spend Liverpool will always finish in fourth.

It is almost very common for at least two of the three promoted clubs are relegated back to the Championship.

This season is no different unfortunately and this could be the most predictable Premiership season we’ve ever seen.

The identity of the Premiership champions can only come from two teams this season Manchester United, looking to pick up there third title in a row for the second time, and Chelsea will be looking for there third Premiership title in five years in Luis Fliipe Scolari’s first season.

United as yet haven’t strengthened there squad at all which to me is a crazy decision, and if they go the whole transfer window without making any purchases it would be a huge mistake. Expect Gary Neville to play almost and entire season which will seem like a new signing. Keeping Cristiano Ronaldo is a huge boast as well. United’s top scorer might not be around for much longer but keeping him for another season is better than nothing.

Chelsea have of course been recruiting all summer as well as there change in manager, they have signed both Bosingwa and Deco. The club have made it clear that they want a further player and it looks more and more likely the Brazilian Robinho will be the final piece of Scolari’s jigsaw. Keeping Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba is huge for the London club, who will have a huge squad to choose from next season, something that went against them last season when they endured lots of injuries.

It’s been all change at both Arsenal and Liverpool. Alexander Hleb and Mathieu Flamini have both left the club to be replaced by Nasri and Aaron Ramsey. Keeping Emmanuel Adebayor is very important for Arsenal as without Eduardo it’s hard to see where the rest of the goals will come from. I don’t’ care whatever anyone says about Eduardo but if he is back playing before the end of the year I will be shocked, with an injury like that the last thing you need to do is rush back. Even though the squad is clearly weakened from last year I still expect a good season from Arsene Wenger’s side, but enough to put up a decent title challenge.

Liverpool have spent plenty of money this summer as they look to break into the top two. Robbie Keane for me is a super signing and 19 million is about right for the Republic of Ireland captain. If Gareth Barry also comes in then Liverpool will have a great squad to choose from and will be mouth watering to think of, along with Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Ryan Babel. They will certainly be a threat to the other three but its always the results against the other three that sets them apart. They usually under-perform. With some big game players now in there squad they have th opportunity to make the step up, if I’m honest I wouldn’t back Liverpool with anyone else’s money let alone my own.

Now I’ve done the definite top four I’m going to look at the Champions league pretenders.

The closest a side outside the top four has come to making there way into the champions league has been Everton. The Merseyside club did qualify for the qualifying rounds a few years back and were conned as they went down to Villareal. They haven’t really developed as a side since then, yes they have finished fifth two seasons in a row but not ever set the league alight. The loss of Andy Johnson to Fulham is more of a step back and with no real sign of any signings it seems like a summer of going back back than of one going forward. They still have a good starting 11 but as they showed when they lost Tim Cahill last season they are a little thin on the ground.

The same can be said for Aston Villa whose starting eleven can compete with the top four, but loose a few players here and there and they look like an average outfit. If Barry is to leave then the introduction of Steve Sidwell to replace him isn’t going to be enough to maintain the success as last season.

Juande Ramos is starting to build a decent squad now and the signings of Gomes from PSV Enidhoven and Giovani De Santos are sure to make an impact. I’m not sure about David Bentley however, for me 15 million is too much for a player like him, and I’m really not sure what the fuss is about. He will do a good job for them don’t get me wrong, but I don’t think he’s the sort of player that’s going to help them make the step up into the top four. Loosing Robbie Keane is a huge loss if Arshavin was to come in then the squad would look a lot stronger. Getting him would certainly be the step up they are looking for.

Waiting in the wings are FA Cup winners Portsmouth who have lost influential midfielder Sulley Muntari but have gained England striker Peter Crouch. A pretty even swap but I’m sure if you ask most Portsmouth fans they would have been happy with what they had. Blackburn Rovers will be in for a difficult season with Paul Ince at the helm. For me it’s a truly appalling appointment, he’s not a bad manager he just isn’t ready for this level. If Rovers were to loose Santa Cruz then I would think they would be doomed to relegation, however if they can keep the Paraguay forward then I’m confident that they can finish in the bottom half without to much alarm.

West Ham United and Newcastle United will be looking to recover from poor seasons last year. Both very inconsistent and there biggest notable summer achievement was keeping their prized assets of Dean Ashton and Obafemi Martins. Kevin Keegan will of course have his first full season and how much he uses Joey Barton will be fascinating to see.

At the other end of the table I can’t help feel that the three promoted sides will be returning to where they came this season. When I look at sides coming up I always look at whether they can get goals or not. I look at the front to of the each of the sides. Ricardo Fuller and Dave Kitson, Roman Bednar and Ishmael Miller, and Dean Windass. None of which will strike fear into the Premiership defences. I wouldn’t trust any of the back fours either. However Ryan Shawcross of Stoke was one of my players of the season last season. Stoke have spent a lot of money to be fair, but in this day an age no-where near enough.

All three for me look vulnerable, I know lots of people will tip West Brom to stay afloat, but some of the defensive signings leave a lot to be desired. If you can’t score and you can’t defend they I don’t give any of these sides a chance.

From the outset only Bolton look like challenging this. They have still not replaced Nicolas Anelka and showed that they aren’t going to score many goals. They have spent some money, 10 million of Ellmander of Sweden. It’s left to be seen if he can step up to the mark. I do worry for Bolton but reckon, just like last season there will be three sides worse than them.

Champions: Chelsea
Runners up: Manchester United
Champions League: Arsenal, Liverpool
Relegation: West Brom, Hull City, Stoke City