As a transplanted Ex-Brit I am still very much a fan of English soccer.  Tomorrow is the first day of the new English Premier League season, and I am going to risk making a fool of myself and make some predictions.

During the off-season there has been a great deal of discussion about possible player moves, and here is my take on all of this:

Arsenal

Arsenal have lost quite a few of last seasons squad – Gilberto Silva, Alexander Hleb, Jens Lehmann and Matthieu Flamini and Justin Hoyte.  They are IMO considerably weaker, but Arsene Wenger always seems to have the knack of bringing out the best in his young squad.

Manchester United

No significant moves in or out for United, but Christian Ronaldo’s injury, as well as the summer’s “will he/won’t he transfer saga"" means that United start the season with a weakened strike force unless they can pry Berbatov away from Spurs.  Last season United played incredibly well to achieve the double of the Premier League and the Champion's League, but I can't see Ronaldo scoring 40 goals again.

Chelsea

Claude Makelele has moved on, but with a new (winning) coach in Scolari, new signings Bosingwa and Deco and Frank Lampard signing a new 5-year deal, Chelsea have strengthened their squad.  If either Robinho or Kaka can be obtained prior to the end of the transfer window I can't see any team beating Chelsea this year.

Liverpool

While the Alonso saga (will he leave) and the Gareth Barry saga (will Villa let him go to Liverpool) appears to be over with no change in the status quo, Liverpool have strengthened their squad with Robbie Keane (from Spurs), while losing Crouch to Portsmouth.  Is this the year for them to break into the top two?

So what will the end result be?  Here then are my predictions for 2008-2009.

1. Chelsea

2. Manchester United

3. Liverpool

4. Arsenal

Relegated:

Stoke City, Hull City and Wigan