TITLE CONTENDERS
1 - MANCHESTER UNITED: A hungry ManU along with the strike force additions Sir Alex brought in bring the title back to Manchester.
2 - CHELSEA: A year older and a title later, the Blues fall just short, even with the addition of Michael Essien.
3 - ARSENAL: The Gunners close the gap between themselves and the Top Two, but don't have the defense to lift the trophy. Bet-hedging caveat - if Wenger signs a top-flight goalkeeper before the August transfer window closes, Arsenal wins the league.
4 - EVERTON: Without the Jolean Lescott distraction, David Moyes avoids the disastrous start from last year and snags the final Champions League spot.
EUROPEAN CONTENDERS
5 - LIVERPOOL: Roy Hodgson is the right guy for the job, but the uncertain ownership situation prevents him from finishing the job this year.
6 - MANCHESTER CITY: I'll believe Mancini can blend his All-Star team into a league-winning team when I see it, not before.
7 - FULHAM: Mark Hughes has something to prove, and the Cottagers don't have Europe to consider.
8 - TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR: An extended European adventure will pull Spurs away from their top four finish from last year.
SAFELY MID-TABLE
9 - STOKE CITY: The defense is just as stingy, and there's a little more offensive punch for the Potters.
10 - ASTON VILLA: If you're a Villa fan, and you're not incredibly angry at Martin O'Neill for leaving your boys in the lurch like this, there's something wrong with you.
11 - BIRMINGHAM CITY: Last year was no fluke, as Birmingham can play defense and has enough offensive threat to push for a top-half finish.
12 - SUNDERLAND: The Black Cats probably should be higher than this, but with the talent they have they won't be any lower.
13 - BOLTON WANDERERS: A full year of Owen Coyle will open up Bolton and add some goal-scoring to their tough defense.
RELEGATION SURVIVORS
14 - NEWCASTLE UNITED: Welcome back to the Toon Army.
15 - BLACKBURN ROVERS: Big Sam's anti-football is enough to keep Blackburn up, but there's not enough goals in the squad to push to the heights of last year.
16 - WEST HAM UNITED: Avram Grant is the most underrated and underappreciated manager currently in the Premier League. Now that he has an actual squad to deal with, the Hammers will be comfortably safe.
17 - WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS: Even with Mick McCarthey's fear of second season syndrome, Wolves set enough of a foundation last year to survive another season.
THE DOOMED
18 - WIGAN ATHLETIC: Too much talent has left and not enough has come in to keep the dream run alive for Wigan.
19 - WEST BROMWICH ALBION: No one wants to see the Baggies yo-yo again, but there's not enough steel in the side to stay up.
20 - BLACKPOOL: Wonderful story. Terrible team, by Premier League standards
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