New EPL Season

You know it's coming. The new EPL season is 1 day away, so it's my (usually way-off) veiws on who's in for the title and who is going down.

The Big 4
Manchester United - Champions last year who spend big this year, maybe too big. With Carlos Tevez's arrival almost certain, manager Sir Alex Ferguson has spend over $60 million to add to the array of attacking riches he already had. Last year they won due to the form of Cristiano Ronaldo, they will need him again as I think the new players will need time to gel. Also Wayne Rooney need to improve from a so-so season last year as Ferguson is gunning for the Champions League. They will be up there, but they won't be champions this year.

Chelsea- Only 1 big signing in Florent Malouda? Is this really Chelsea? Don't worry Chelsea fans because Chelsea got smart this year. They licked up some really good free agents this year. Tal Ben Haim, Steve Sidwell and Claudio Pizarro are all good players who will get into the team. Also Andriy Shevchenko had a year to bed in already, so I expect him to go total on the other teams. The biggest problem is the injuries to key players such as John Terry. Also the midfield is still overly dependant on the, in my view, over-rated Frank Lampard. Chelsea's defence make them the most difficult team to beat but they won't be champions.

Liverpool- Manager Rafael Benitez hit the transfer market this summer like Alex Ferguson but will they have enough to win the title? In Fernando Torres they have a great player who is quick, big and athletic but he isn't going to score 20 goals in the league. He will need help from Dirk Kuyt, Peter Crouch and the best buy of Liverpool, Andriy Voronin. Voronin is going to be the next Berbatov, the surprise hit signing of the season. The most likely champion of the new season.

Arsenal- They have finished fourth in the last two seasons, but without Thierry Henry...that might be a problem this year. Arsenal play a brand of football everybody agrees is the most beautiful in the league, but can they win it with that style? Not likely. Manager Arsene Wenger has a lot of trust in his players like Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin van Persie and new man Eduardo da Silva to replace Henry, I hope for the beautiful game, he is right.

Most Likely to go Down
Derby- The writing is on the wall. Manager Billy Davies hardly spend any money in the transfer market and everyone know this season will be a struggle for the Rams. Derby will be well supported with good crowds but that will not be enough. Very surprised if they manage to even finish fourth from bottom this year.

Wigan- Wigan was very lucky last year and this year their luck will run out. They will struggle for goals but Antoine Sibierski & Jason Koumas are 2 very good signings. New manager Chris Hutchings has bought in several players with good experience, still it will be a hard season. They will play hard and give their all, but I doubt it will be enough.

Reading- Ever heard of the second-season syndrome? Wigan suffered it last year and I think that Reading might just experience it this year. Other teams has one year to know Reading's style already and they lost a quality player in Steve Sidwell. Reading were also a defensively weak team and this more than anything will be a big problem this year. Don't be surprise if Reading is down there at the end of the season.