Prem Preview 2

With the top four set to dominate once again, I’ve assessed the chances of those most likely to contest for European places in the second of my Premier League season previews.

Tottenham Hotspur

Following an atrocious start last season Spurs had no chance of leading the charge from the chasing pack behind the ‘Big Four’. They were clear fifth best in 2006 and 2007 however and the appointment of Juande Ramos is an excellent one. He is a proven winner and there is no doubt the ex-Seville chief has what it takes to succeed in the Premier League.

While Robbie Keane has departed, and Dimitar Berbatov also looks to be on his way out of White Hart Lane, what I’ve seen of the men from North London in pre-season has been hugely impressive and I cannot confidently rule out them breaking the monopoly of those expected to finish above them.

David Bentley is an excellent recruit, and will surely fit straight in, while Giovanni Dos Santos may just be the bargain of the summer. He could force his way straight into the side, to play behind Darren Bent, while Luca Modric and Jermaine Jenas will provide the creativity from the middle of the park.

The return to fitness of Gareth Bale is a huge plus, he is a real talent, but Spurs’ success will probably depend on just how healthy the likes of Woodgate and King stay throughout the season. Injury-free campaigns for that pair could see them even mount some semblance of a title challenge and it is hard to see them struggling as the did in the early weeks twelve months ago.

Predicted finishing position: 5th

Portsmouth

Success in the FA Cup last season was the least that Harry Redknapp and his side deserved having played some super football throughout the last twelve months and Pompey now have a European campaign to look forward to.

Many will point to that as a possible distraction but I am having none of it and their squad is big enough, and good enough, to cope. Lassana Diarra and Niko Kranjcar are stars in the making while Pompey have also effectively signed an England strike force.

Jermaine Defoe only arrived in January, but had an immediate impact, while the recruitment of Peter Crouch is sure to be a successful one. Crouch can forge an excellent partnership with the ex-Spurs forward and give Pompey even more options up front.

As with last season, I want to be with Pompey and cannot believe they are being talked about in the same bracket as the likes of Newcastle. For me they are miles ahead of the north-east club and the fact that I don’t even consider the Magpies being good enough to challenge for a European place speaks volumes.

The 1.91 about Pompey fishing ahead of Kevin Keegan’s men was clearly wrong, it is now a 1.67 chance, but I am confident they can also get the better of Blackburn, who are tipped to struggle, and will be backing accordingly.

Predicted finishing position: 6th

Aston Villa

Gareth Barry’s ongoing transfer saga has bored everybody to tears but Villa have been busy in the market themselves and I think they’ve done some pretty good business.

Brad Friedel, arguably the best ‘keeper in the land, will sure up an already effective defensive unit and following Wilfred Bouma’s injury in pre-season Martin O’Neill has been quick to act by snapping up full backs Luke Young and Nicky Shorey.

Villa finished last season in sixth place, qualifying for the Uefa Cup in the process, and there is no reason to think they won’t be there or thereabouts this time around. The exciting duo of Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor fit perfectly into a system where John Carew is the attacking fulcrum and were Villa in a position to kick on at Christmas then fans of the midlands club can be assured that owner Randy Lerner won’t be afraid to get out the cheque book.

Predicted finishing position: 7th

Everton

Everton have been knocking on the Champions League door for a while now, mainly involved in fascinating tussles with great rivals Liverpool, but I think David Moyes is becoming increasingly frustrated at the seeming lack of funds available to him.

Talk of the arrival of Moutinho is surely wide of the mark but the Scot will be desperate to spend the money from the sale of Andrew Johnson. Finding suitable back up to Yakubu doesn’t look easy however, with a lack of quality strikers currently on the market, and Tim Cahill will once again be looked towards for goals from midfield.

The Australian is absent for at least another month through injury however and surely Joleon Lescott, who bagged a hatful of goals from left back last season, won’t be as prolific this time around.

I was looking for prices about Everton to finish in the bottom half but laughable quotes of just 3.0 don’t interest me in the slightest given their recent pedigree and, although I think they’ll struggle, the Toffees should cling on to a place inside the top ten. I simply can’t find enough teams to finish above them.

Predicted finishing position: 8th

Manchester City

Mark Hughes’ decision to leave Ewood Park for Eastlands was one which shocked me at the time. However, it is understandable why Hughes made the switch, given the financial backing at City, and he’ll be hoping to make an impact during his first season in charge.

Sven did very little wrong last term, in guiding City to ninth place, and his replacement has not really spent the sort of cash that most probably thought he would have done over the summer. The obvious exception to that is the near £20m recruitment of Brazilian striker Jo. He remains a complete unknown quantity however and their shinning lights could once again be their youngsters.

The talents of Micah Richards are well documented, but this could be the season in which Michael Johnson makes his mark and he is certainly one to keep an eye on. In contrast, the likes of Elano and Martin Petrov still have a lot to prove and I find it difficult to imagine them improving much on the efforts of the last campaign.

Predicted finishing position: 9th