ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW

So the EURO 2008 has come and gone. Towards the end, I was kind of getting abit bored by it. So, I did not really bother about any updates after that. Heh. Sorry, but...how many readers do I have anyway??? None?!

Anyway, with BPL coming, it is time to look at the likely champions and also the pretenders who might just topple the Top 4.

We have Man Utd, who despite all the rumours of Cristiano leaving, should retain him for this season. Without Ronaldo for the start of the season could spell a bad start to the Champions for 2008. However, I rarely doubt so. The old-timers have what it takes to hold of any challenges, but perhaps the odd draws might keep them from sweeping victories at the start of the BPL. Thanks to the missing Ronaldo. Heh.

Chelsea, looks to be the strongest so far. With a new manager, a well-known manager in fact, Chelsea could be the team to beat this season. Scolari is a shrewd manager, let down only by his team's attitude. Chelsea proves to be more headstrong than Portugal, since there are less individualistic players and more team players, I think Chelsea will be a force to reckon with this season. They should be the likely Champions...

Arsenal has a new batch of youngsters, who proved that the big stage is no longer bigger than them. However, with all the youth in the team, the experienced players may find it hard to blend with the youth, and that is the only problem I foresee Arsenal will have. However, Arsenal has not really strengthen their side with good buys, and it may prove to be fatal when the season hits midpoint. Arsenal, could be battling for 3rd and 4th again.

Liverpool has many buys, but are they great buys? They are the most active in terms of purchases and should only get stronger. However, these new players take time to blend in, and Liverpool has not been performing too well with a 1 man strikeforce. With new boy Keane, more opportunities of attacking are available, but I think other teams have gotten smarter. Kill off Torres and shut down the midfield, Liverpool cannot do nuts! So Liverpool is definitely in for a hard time, and winning the title, may yet take another year...

Tottenham had a torrid time, selling off Keane, fighting off Berbatov leaving. But they have gotten rid of Paul Robinson. This has no particularly meaning though, although I feel that Spurs may still be a surprise package this season. With Bentley in Spurs now, they should have more attacking edge. No doubt, they may have trouble defeating the Top 4, but they might still pry 4th spot from Arsenal or Liverpool. Take heed, they have improved tremendously.

Portsmouth should do fairly well this season. Harry Redknapp is a smart man, limited by the $ he has, but he has made smart purchases. The best buy I feel, is getting Peter Crouch to partner Defoe. Crouch is a fairly skillful player and I think he will be the reason why Portsmouth are going to Europe next season.

Aston Villa has an on-going feud with Liverpool for Gareth Barry, but the inspirational captain might see himself stuck in Villa this season. Despite that, Villa is going to need players to really challenge the Top 4 and I do not see that happening. They have not been making any moves in the market that look to improve their squad, and they have sold off Olef Mellberg. Trouble? Maybe...

Everton? Don't even go there. The 1 season wonder team may just fall short this time round. I foresee them struggling in mid to bottom table.

Blackburn, faltering again I believe. They lost Friedel, and Bentley. 2 of the most influential players in Blackburn...how is that going to help their cause to challenge the Top 4? Struggling to reach Europe I believe...

So the Champions I predict is Chelsea, followed by Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs, Portsmouth. However, kickoff has not started, so I'll count my eggs again after the first month of the season has started. Seeya!