Premier League Preview- 2010-11

The 2010-11 edition of the hugely competitive English Premier League kicks off in a few days from now. The league witnessed a first of sorts last season when Tottenham Hotspur broke the hegemony of the big four. We have had several managerial changes- most notably at Liverpool, Fulham and West Ham, where Roy Hodgson, Mark Hughes and Avram Grant have respectively taken over the reins.

Newcastle United have returned to the Premier League after their tearful departure in 2008/09, meaning that we’ll again get to see the Tyne-Wear derby between the Magpies and their local rivals Sunderland.

This is also the first time in twenty seven years that all four Midlands clubs-Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers, will be competing in the top flight together.

This season will also see the introduction of the 25 player squad limit rule as the league tries to limit the number of players being bought by clubs.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that as many as seven teams have the potential to win the Premier League this season. Chelsea and Manchester United are obviously the front runners, having finished first and second respectively last season. The Red Devils beat Chelsea in the Community Shield and look good value for money despite having made only three signings this summer.

Arsenal, having brought in the likes of Marouane Chamakh and Laurent Koscielny and having managed to keep Cesc Fabregas, could also mount a challenge for the title if they stay consistent. Liverpool were all over the place last season as their lack of squad depth was badly exposed. However one cannot rule the Reds out, especially if Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are available for all of their games.

Manchester City have splashed out money left and right in this summer window and will pose the biggest threat to Chelsea if manager Roberto Mancini gets his team to gel properly.

Most Tottenham fans will be simply hoping that their team can achieve what it did last season- a fourth place finish. Spurs will be having different kit sponsors in the Premier League and other competitions.

Aston Villa and Everton are still in with a shot, but the former would have been weakened by the shock departure of Martin O’Neill. Everton can beat the best on their day and in David Moyes, they have an astute manager.

Sunderland have invested heavily in recent years, but have had nothing to show for it. Fans of the Wearsiders will be hoping for improved performances from Steve Bruce’s team- especially away from home. The Black Cats were awful on the road last season and need to change that if they are to finish in the top half of the table.

Nobody would have expected Blackpool to be playing in the Premier League this season, but the debutants will look to enjoy their time in the sun. The Seasiders will be aiming to prevent an immediate return to the Championship, an ambition that will also be shared by West Bromwich Albion.

Wolves and Wigan Athletic are both possible candidates to go down, the former more than the latter. Lancashire outfits Bolton and Blackburn will be aiming for a safe mid table finish.

Here is our prediction for the top six this season. Let us know your predictions for the League this season.

Manchester United
Manchester City
Chelsea
Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool