Well, since I did a season review at the end of last season of
the EPL, I decided to do a season preview before this Saturdays
kick-off. To keep this preview short, I will just focus on the
title favourites and err
one not so favourite 
:
Arsenal (Last season - Defending champions)
They had a tremendous season last year, achieving the League and FA
Cup double. Few will argue (apart from Spurs fans) that they didnt
deserve it. With Frances dismal (I decided to refrain from using
harsher words) performance in the World Cup, its French stars will
be out to prove a point this season. However, with the departure of
Richard Wright and Alex Manninger, one wonders if theyve got
enough depth in the goalkeeping department. Considering David
Seamans age (can someone pease tell him to lose the ponytail?!),
loaning Fabian Carini from Juventus might not be enough. With the
additional retirements of Lee Dixon and Tony Adams, new signing
Pascal Cygan has to settle into the team or Arsenals defence might
face problems through the season. Having already achieved the
Double twice with Arsenal, Wenger will try to improve on Arsenals
performance in the Champions League from previous seasons. This
might cause the manager and his players to lose focus on the league
and cost the Gunners the league title. Prediction 2nd
placing.
Liverpool (Last season - 2nd placing)
The Reds. The club I have been supporting for 18 years. Ill try
not to be too biased .
One must admit that Gerard Houllier has done an impressive job
since his arrival at Liverpool. He has successfully transformed
Liverpool from an under-achieving, flashy team of Spice Boys
to a hardworking and occasionally boring team (see, I can be partial) that can once again
grind out results. Every Liverpool fan will tell you that having
finished 4th, 3rd and then 2nd last season, the title is destined
to return to Anfield after 12 years. The main problem with
Liverpool last season was the lack of creativity in their attack
when they face defensive teams. Although Steven Gerrard is capable
of spraying some brilliant passes, he is still not the playmaker
that Liverpool so badly needs. With the arrival of El Hadji Diouf
and Bruno Cheyrou, Houllier might have just found the creativity
needed in the squad. The faster they find their feet in the English
game, the higher Liverpools chances of premiership glory will be.
Although Liverpool will want to do well in Europe this season, the
manager and players have all declared that the premiership is their
target this season. Prediction - Champions! (I tried )
Manchester United (Last season 3rd placing 
)
I must first declare that I have nothing against Man U and even
liked them during the days of Bryan Robson. I just dont like the
attitude of some of their players and the manager as well
. After a trophy-less season, everybody is expecting Man U
to bounce back with fire. The purchase of Rio Ferdinand for 30
million pounds (talk about over-priced! 
) only
adds to that belief. I personally feel that the defence will still
be the Achilles heel of this team, especially with the departure of
Dennis Irwin and Ronnie Johnsen. How well they do will very much
depend on how soon Veron starts playing the way hes capable of,
how Van Nistlerooy copes with his 2nd season (always the toughest
for a striker) and how Ferguson juggles his midfield. With an
immense wealth of talent in midfield, Ferguson will have a big
headache squeezing Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Roy Keane, Juan
Veron, Paul Scholes and now Nicky Butt into 4 midfield slots.
Having said all that, the Red Devils are still a very good team and
are favourites for the title. However, with the recent furore
surrounding Roy Keanes book, you can expect the press to blow
everything little issue out of proportion. With this distraction in
addition to Fergusons dream of winning the Champions League at
Old Trafford, crucial points might be squandered during the course
of the season. Prediction - 3rd placing.
Tottenham Hotspur (Last season 9th
placing)
Glenn Hoddle. White Hart Lane legend as a player and now
prophesised messiah as a manager. After continuous seasons in
mid-table mediocrity, the fans are expecting big things from him
(reincarnation and faith-healing aside ). As a
club manager, he does have a proven track record with relatively
successful spells at Chelsea and Southampton, so expect him to turn
things around if he gets the necessary financial support from the
board. Spurs have strengthened their squad by getting midfielders
Jamie Redknapp from Liverpool and Milenko Acimovic (Aci-who?) from
Red Star Belgrade. While they are good players (they really are),
what the club REALLY needs is an established striker to take on the
goal-scoring responsibilities. While theyve been linked to the
likes of Robbie Keane, Rivaldo (yeah right! )
and Fernando Morientes, the lack of that badly needed striker will
prevent them from achieving much this season. Prediction - 7th
placing.
Well, thats it... 
My forecast
for the EPL this season. While I have predicted the usual suspects
for the top 3 positions, there is every possibility that Leeds,
Newcastle, Chelsea or even Man City manage to squeeze their way in.
Of course, these are just my personal views and any similarities to
what actually happens during the season are purely coincidental!
Last but not least, in answer to the thought going through your
heads now; yes, Im too free
