Premiership Predictions!

This week is the big one - the start of the Premiership season, and while I cannot pretend to be as excited about it as I am about watching Norwich City in the Championship, it's nice for us sport-lovers to be able to reclaim Saturdays for what they were first invented for.

I've been reading through a couple of the media predictions about the supposed big four and the end to their domination, but the Premiership is far from being an open contest this year. I may have the advantage of writing this with the first ninety minutes of the season already out of the way and two of the key contenders to break into that big four already having played, but here goes anyway...

Firstly, the big four had long since ceased to be a big four. There are a big two, Manchester United and Chelsea, and then there are some others. Simplistic, and I am sure that my blogging colleagues may disagree with this analysis, but for the last three years, pursuit of the title has only been a realistic likelihood for the Blues or the Red Devils. Lampard and Rooney may both have failed to light up the world cup this year, but I fully expect them to both be back on form within a few weeks of the world's premier league competition kicking off.

It will undoubtedly be a close run thing, but I am tipping Carlo Ancelotti's boys to pip United to the title by a point, and here is why...

GK - Edwin Van Der Sar is a couple of years past his prime but still an adequate Premiership keeper. Thomas Kuszczak will have to step up the plate and show some of his early promise, or Alex Ferguson will quickly show him the door. At Chelsea, Petr Cech offers more than either of the United keepers, but has not been the same player since his career-threatening head injury in 2006.

Marks out of Ten: Man Utd 7, Chelsea 8

DEFENCE - Rio Ferdinand's return from injury will be very welcome for United, as will the end of the uncertainty surrounding the future of Nemanja Vidic. These two will carry the bulk of the work for United this year, with help from the versatile John O'Shea and unheralded Wes Brown, whose international retirement may take the title for most unintersting news item of the season so far. Ashley Cole remains the world's best club left-back, and Chelsea will have adequate cover for the failing legs of John Terry and Paulo Ferreira in youngsters Mancienne and van Aanholt.

Marks out of Ten: Man Utd 7, Chelsea 7

MIDFIELD - The mercurial Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes will both be eager to play a part in what must surely be their respective final seasons in the top flight. For United to be successful, the likes of Nani, Anderson and Valencia will need to fire alongside the reliable figures of Darren Fletcher and Park Ji-Sung. The return to fitness of Owen Hargreaves and return to form of Michael Carrick would be big boosts for the Reds. Chelsea are arguably weaker for the loss of Joe Cole, but Frank Lampard and Michael Essien will be huge and they will be supported by John Obi Mikel and Florent Malouda.

Marks out of Ten: Man Utd 8, Chelsea 8

ATTACK - With Dimitar Berbatov blowing hot and cold, Michael Owen looking as far from match fitness as ever and Federico Macheda needing to make the step up quickly, United will be heavily reliant on Wayne Rooney for goals in what is likely to be a midfield-heavy formation. The signing of Javier Hernandez promises for me to be one of the most exciting signings of the season and I am eager to see him unleashed on tired Premiership defenders. In Drogba and Anelka, Chelsea have the Premiership's most potent front two and provided they both stay fit, you can expect them to top the scoring charts again. Chelsea may lack a little in depth going forward, but Salomon Kalou can cover in the short term and I would expect Ancelotti to strengthen here if required in the January transfer window.

Marks out of Ten: Man Utd 8, Chelsea 9

Overall: Man Utd 30, Chelsea 32.

As for the others - Tottenham seem eager to carry on excellent form from the end of last season into this and should get a Champions League spot next year. Man City will undoubtedly run around for a few weeks like the world's most expensive headless chickens, before finally realising some promise as a unit. Arsenal will be punished, as ever, by more physical sides who won't care to watch their slick passing game. Aston Villa, weakened by the loss of inspirational manager Martin O'Neill, will struggle to recreate last season's points tally. Everton will push bravely for a Europa League place. What do you mean, I've forgotten someone? Oh...Liverpool. They'll finish 9th.

So is it that easy to predict who will win? Is the writing on the wall already this season, or will there be a surprise package in the midst? Hang on, I see Blackpool are leading 3 - 0 at Wigan...

- J