Manager: Phil Brown
Second season syndrome could play a huge part in Hull's campaign after only winning 1 game in the division in 2009. Luckily, the form for the team in the first part of the year meant that they survived by the skin of their teeth and can look forward to playing Manchester United and Chelsea compared to Scunthorpe and Preston. This season may be a bridge too far for Hull and it could mean that relegation to Championship could be the fate of the club come May.
Predicted Finish: 20th
Liverpool
Manager: Rafa Benitez
After running Manchester United close last time round, Liverpool will want to go all the way this season and win the trophy that their supporters crave, the Premier League. One must wonder though about the depth of the squad in terms of attacking threat. Last season, injuries to Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres meant that draws against Stoke, Fulham and West Ham at home lost them valuable ground on the Champions. If the two players pick up injuries again, the big question is whether the club can cope with the losses of these two heroes. Expect a much closer title race this time around.
Predicted Finish: 3rd
Manchester City
Manager: Mark Hughes
A very busy summer at Eastlands with plenty of attacking players brought in to try and break into the top four. Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz have all been added up front with Gareth Barry signed to strengthen the midfield. Kolo Toure has been brought in to add a bit of steel at the back with Joleon Lescott expected to sign before September. It will take time for the new signings to gel and if Mark Hughes gets the time needed to mould together a title winning team, City can become a dominant force in world football in the next 5 years. A good cup run and high league finish can be expected.
Predicted Finish: 5th
Manchester United
Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
Another season, another Premier League title expected at Old Trafford. Ferguson has to be looked at as a real legend in the game and this could be his last season in football if the club wins the title. He has always said he will be retiring soon with Jose Mourinho a candidate to replace him. This season though, Ferguson must do without Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. 50 goals have been taken out of their side and Gabriel Obertan, Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia have been signed as replacements. The squad has the talent available but the losses of Tevez and Ronaldo could prove to be massive blows.
Predicted Finish: 2nd
Portsmouth
Manager: Paul Hart
Portsmouth could be in trouble this season. Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson have left the club, Jermaine Pennant has not joined permanently and Hart has yet to add any real quality replacements. Steve Finnan and Antti Niemi have been signed but they not really headline signings. The takeover at the club must be completed soon and quality additions made if they are to survive and may have to wait until January before they can add top players to their squad. Survival must be the main objective but it will be hard.
Predicted Finish: 19th
Stoke City
Manager: Tony Pulis
Like Hull, Stoke will probably be hit by second season syndrome and will have to rely heavily on their home form if they are to survive. Stoke are a physical team who are very direct and give 100% every game. With this attitude, they could stand a chance of survival but must not get sucked into a bad run of form. If this happens then relegation could be the clubs fate at the end of the season but are not certainties for the drop.
Predicted Finish: 18th
Sunderland
Manager: Steve Bruce
New boss Bruce has inherited a decent squad and has made a couple of decent signings in Darren Bent and Fraizer Campbell. Affected by second season syndrome last time around, Sunderland can now try to look at pushing on for a top ten finish and Bruce is certainly the man to lead the club onto the next level. The clubs public pursuit of Lee Cattermole has made Bruce unpopular with fans at the DW Stadium and is showing no signs of giving up on the player he signed from Middlesbrough whilst in charge of Wigan. A solid season of rebuilding is expected from Bruce and Sunderland.
Predicted Finish: 12th
Tottenham Hotspur
Manager: Harry Redknapp
Since he joined the club, Redknapp has done a fantastic job in putting together a quality 'Spurs side. Bringing back Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe has proved popular with the fans as well as signing Peter Crouch, Wilson Palacios and Sebastian Bassong. These all are top players and a successful season looks to be on the horizon. As always, 'Spurs have decent cup runs and you can expect the same again, especially in the Carling Cup. A season of trying of push for the top 6 looks possible and they will definitely be in the top 10.
Predicted Finish: 8th
West Ham United
Manager: Gianfranco Zola
Zola has got West Ham playing attractive football and is getting the best out of his squad. Carlton Cole looks like a new player since Zola arrived and has added Luis Jimenez to his squad. The Chilean can pull the strings from midfield and is known for scoring good goals. Proved at the JJB last season, West Ham can play amazing football and possess the ability to score fantastic goals involving one-touch passing. A top 10 finish will do the Hammers nicely.
Predicted Finish: 9th
Wigan Athletic
Manager: Roberto Martinez
Chairman Dave Whelan certainly made fans happy when he confirmed Roberto Martinez as the clubs new manager. After gaining a fantastic reputation at Swansea, Martinez will want to prove to the world that he can cut it in the best league in the world. Antonio Valencia, Henri Camara and Antoine Sibierski have all left the club with Jason Scotland, Jordi Gomez, Scott Sinclair, James McCarthy and Hendry Thomas all joining. More signings are expected soon but a season of getting use to the new flair tactics will do no harm at all. Gelling together has to be the target with a push on the top ten next time around.
Predicted Finish: 13th
Wolves
Manager: Mick McCarthy
The last time Mick McCarthy was a Premier League manager, he was dismissed before the season finished. A horrific season at Sunderland meant that he was dismissed from duty early. Now, he is back with Wolves and he has a squad full of talented players. The strikers at his disposal can all score goals, especially Slyvain Ebanks-Blake who netted 20+ goals in the Championship last term. Kevin Doyle is a good addition and the club could do the best of all the promoted teams. Expect Wolves to do well.
Predicted Finish: 14th
PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
1st Chelsea
2nd Manchester United
3rd Liverpool
4th Arsenal
5th Manchester City
6th Aston Villa
7th Everton
8th Tottenham Hotspur
9th West Ham
10th Fulham
11th Blackburn Rovers
12th Sunderland
13th WIGAN ATHLETIC
14th Wolves
15th Bolton Wanderers
16th Birmingham City
17th Burnley
18th Stoke City
19th Portsmouth
20th Hull City
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