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Fulham

I’ve been impressed with the players that Roy Hodgson has drafted in over the summer but getting rid of not far off a dozen sub-standard squad members was also key and Fulham could be in for a relatively good campaign.

Jimmy Bullard’s apparent decision to stay Craven Cottage was as important as any new face however and if the midfielder can remain fit then he and Danny Murphy are a more than decent axis in the middle. Mark Schwarzer’s arrival in between the sticks is another positive and with Andy Johnson plus one other up front (chose from Nevland, Kamara or Zamora) then Fulham’s spine looks pretty good.

Zoltan Gera can provide some much needed creativity to a fairly otherwise unimaginative midfield but there is Premier League experience everywhere you look and Swedish international Fredrik Stoor should slot in at right back.

While Wigan are my main fancy on the handicaps, Fulham also warrant respect and look the danger. They have been popular right across the board on the back of their transfer activity but may still have been underestimated and will carry some of my money. Like Wigan, 45 points or more will see them in the shake up.

Predicted finishing position: 14th

West Ham

All is certainly not well at Upton Park and there are plenty of similarities with the Hammers and Newcastle.

Injuries to key men cost West Ham dearly last season but players such as Parker, Ashton and Bellamy are on the treatment table far too often for it to be a coincidence and Alan Curbishley may have to rely on youth team members far more often than he’d like once again.

The East London club capitulated from January onwards last season and I have massive doubts about the desire of the man in charge. Curbishley fails to inspire and full back Valon Behrami is their only significant major summer signing.

If Ashton were to leave, Spurs are rumoured to be interested, then that would leave Carlton Cole responsible for finding the goals to make them competitive and if that is the case then it is likely to be a long season.

Predicted finishing position: 15th

Blackburn

The arrival of Paul Ince was initially hailed in most quarters but talk of dressing room unrest before a ball has been kicked is very worrying for Rovers fans and I think they are in for a tough time.

The loss of David Bentley is a big blow, even more so given that Blackburn will only receive around 60% of the fee, but Brad Friedel’s departure to Aston Villa is more of a concern and the arrival of Paul Robinson could be a disaster waiting to happen. He was a player massively low on confidence towards the end of last season and wont have been cheered by his hasty exit from White Hart Lane.

While Bentley and Friedel will be sorely missed, even more responsibility now lies on the shoulders of Roque Santa Cruz to stay fit and score goals but plenty of strikers have flattered to deceive in their second season having made such a big impact in the previous twelve months and the Paraguayan only need to look across the training pitch at Benni McCarthy to see that.

I think Rovers will be OK at the back, Danny Simpson is a good signing, but Robbie Fowler simply can’t cut it at this level any more and they look vulnerable in the middle too. David Dunn is ruled out through injury far too often for my liking while the years are rapidly catching up with Tugay.

Predicted finishing position: 16th

Bolton

If there is one team that survived last year that could get dragged into a relegation battle then Bolton look standout candidates. Their squad, on paper, looks thin at best and a £10m gamble on Johan Elmander looks very risky indeed.

Gary Megson’s arrival last season resulted in a mini revival but Wanderers still had only four teams below them at the end of the campaign and would surely have been better off spending that sum of money on four or five bodies rather than on Elmander alone.

If Kevin Nolan can return to his superb form of two seasons ago then the Bolton cause will be boosted significantly but it is asking a lot for him to carry the team and they have lost plenty of experienced squad members, Stelios, Campo and Diouf to name but three, and I find it hard to imagine anything but a season in or around the bottom three.

Fabrice Muamba is a decent acquisition but goals look in very short supply unless big Johan can hit the ground running and I think that’s certainly more unlikely to happen than him becoming an instant Premier League hit.

Predicted finishing position: 18th