New Season Preview

Last updated : 10 July 2008 By Michael Goodman

From the first game until the last, fans will experience highs and lows of the roller coaster ride that is the Barclays Premier League. Here is the preview of the teams fighting for the title, battling for Europe and digging in deep to reach the magic 40 point mark.

Arsenal

I'm sure that we will witness another great season of total football from Arsenal. Arsene Wenger will be desperate to keep hold of Emmanuel Adebayor as his goals will be key to Arsenals title bid. Can they push Manchester United and Chelsea one step further than last season?

Predicted Finish: 4th

Aston Villa

Martin O'Neill's side are young and ambitious. They will provide tough opposition to every side they play and will be playing UEFA cup football if they can come through the Intertoto Cup. Gareth Barry will be a blow to them when his move to Liverpool goes through but if they can deal with this and bring in a good replacement then they should be fighting for the a place in the top 6.

Predicted Finish: 9th

Blackburn Rovers

Paul Ince faces his toughest managerial test at the helm of Blackburn but he inherits a good squad who have been competing for a UEFA Cup place for a number of seasons. However with David Bentley and Roque Santa Cruz both being touted with moves away, can Ince bring in the quality to replace them should they leave?

A tough first season for Ince, pushing for a place in the top half

Predicted Finish: 13th

Bolton Wanderers

After a great escape last season, Gary Megson will be aiming higher this time round, hoping to emulate their progress under Big Sam. The signings of Johan Elmander and Fabrice Muamba show that Megson can get Bolton spending big with around £15m already being spent. I cannot see them breaking into the top ten though, battling for survival and mid table mediocrity will be the best that Bolton can hope for in the league with possibly a good cup run.

Predicted Finish: 15th

Chelsea

Big Phil has got a hell of a job on his hands, with Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba both reportedly unsettled and wanting moves added with the pressure is on him to deliver silverware come May. Huge ambitions go with a huge salary but with Big Phil at the helm anything's possible.

Predicted Finish: 1st

Everton

Will be aiming to break into the top four once again but David Moyes will have to invest in the transfer market to even come close. Maybe a job to far this season for Moyes. A good cup run in either Europe or domestic competitions will be a more realistic target.

Predicted Finish: 6th

Fulham

A tough season could lie in wait for Roy Hodgson and his team after a great escape last season. Depending on whether any of the promoted sides can adapt quickly I fear they could face another season of uncertainty.

Predicted Finish: 18th

Hull City

What an achievement Hull have made in becoming a Premier League side. Phil Brown can be very proud of what he has done to the club and I feel that with one or two good signings they could scrape through a very tough relegation battle.

Predicted Finish: 17th

Liverpool

Fernando Torres. What a first season he has had at Liverpool and added with scoring the winner in the Euro 2008 final has made him one of the most popular strikers in world football. If Rafa Benitez can bring David Villa to Anfield then a title push could be on the way in what I believe will be the closest title race in years.

Predicted Finish: 3rd

Manchester City

Are Manchester City going to become the new Chelsea and sack managers for not meeting unrealistic targets in a sport which is fiercely competitive? I hope not and with Mark Hughes at the helm I believe Man City will have a very productive season. Maybe no trophies this season I feel but with a good cup run and you never know. A UEFA Cup spot should be achieved.

Predicted Finish: 7th

Manchester United

A tough one to call but I feel the Manchester United dominance of the Premier League could be about to end. With so much speculation around Cristiano Ronaldo, can he get his head down and go back to his best should a move to Real Madrid fail to materialise this summer? This could be Sir Alex Ferguson's toughest season at Man Utd yet.

Predicted Finish: 2nd

Middlesbrough

A tough call on how Middlesbrough will fare this season. Gareth Southgate has brought stability to the club but can he take them to the level that Steve McClaren took them to. Another season in the bottom half could be on the cards.

Predicted Finish: 14th

Newcastle United

Kevin Keegan has his work cut out for him this season. High expectations from Mike Ashley could put Keegan under pressure to get results but a solid season and good investments in the transfer market could see a top half finish for the Toon Army.

Predicted Finish: 10th

Portsmouth

The FA Cup winners will be looking to try and break into the top four sooner rather than later but I feel that could be next season. Another good cup run and challenging for a place in the UEFA Cup could be on the cards for Harry Redknapp this season.

Predicted Finish: 8th

Stoke City

I fear that the Premier League could be one step too far for Tony Pulis and Stoke City. They play as a team and are hard to break down but unless quality signings are made, I see trouble ahead for Stoke.

Predicted Finish: 20th

Sunderland

Expectations are high in Sunderland but second season syndrome could kick in for Roy Keane. The long term plan for the Mackems is to qualify for Europe as it is for most teams in the league but this season will be a tough test for Roy Keane and Niall Quinn.

Predicted Finish: 16th

Tottenham Hotspur

This could very well be a good season for Juande Ramos and Tottenham. Signing Midfield duo Giovanni Dos Santos and Luka Modric has signalled their intent to gain Champions League qualification and I think they could run the 'big four' pretty close. My favourite of all of the English teams in the UEFA Cup to win the competition.

Predicted Finish: 5th

West Bromwich Albion

Did fantastic to win the Championship under Tony Mowbray but whether they can survive in the Premier League is a different matter. The signing of Gianni Zuiverloon is an impressive one but whether more good signings follow will be the key to Albion's survival.

Predicted Finish: 19th

West Ham United

I fear Alan Curbishley could be one of the early season managerial casualties in the Premier League unless they get off to a solid start. They face a tough first few fixtures and with such high expectations from the West Ham board, Curbishley could be one of the first to go.

Predicted Finish: 12th


Wigan Athletic

Saving the best till last. Steve Bruce performed a miracle last season by avoiding relegation from what seemed certain in November but the club goes into the new season full of optimism and excitement. If Wigan can keep hold of Wilson Palacios and Antonio Valencia for at least another season then a good cup run and battling for a top half finish could be possible

Predicted Finish: 11th

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