Kog's guide* to the English Premier League

Yay! English soccer starts again this weekend. But who can provide me with all the action from Pommy land? I don't have Foxtel, SBS is showing the Olympics so hopefully the BBC is doing live commentary. Ah, the good old radio.

Arsenal - Imminent future surrounding Vieira will unsettle them...goalie is getting a bit old...never defended the title and it won't start this year.

Aston Villa - Made good progress last season, but does not have the quality to be title winners.

Birmingham - Similar to Aston Villa so the local derby should be interesting to watch.

Blackburn - Flopped badly last season and while they'll recover, mid-table is as far as they will go.

Bolton - Surprise packet last season but I think they'll struggle this year. Why did they sign a 36 year old back?

Charlton - Will push for European places but not the title. Do not underestimate this squad. Capable of a surprise or two.

Chelsea - So they think money will buy happiness (and title)? Get out of here! I'll laugh so hard if they flop. The team needs time to gel and by the time they do that, it'll be too late.

Crystal Palace - What comes up must go down. Back to Division 1 for this team.

Everton - One man team in Rooney but he can only go so far. Threadbare squad.

Fulham - Mid-table finish.

Liverpool - Team looks good on paper but what about on the pitch? They didn't show that last season...

Man City - Will be dragged into relegation dogfight like Everton.

Man Utd - Motivation to win the title back from Arsenal...return of Ferdinand will bolster defense. And what about the kickass partnership of Van Nistelrooy and Smith? No doubt about it, the title is heading back to Old Trafford =)

Middlesbrough - Spent big on attack over the off-season. Also, they are playing in Europe for the first time so it may prove their undoing in the league.

Newcastle - Will challenge for the title but just miss out. Strike force VERY dangerous.

Norwich City - See Crystal Palace.

Portsmouth - Managed to survive last season in their first year in the Premiership but will find it hard to do that again. Volatile relationship between manager and chairman.

Southampton - Like Charlton, a good team even though with what appears on paper an average squad. Mid-table.

Tottenham - The jury is still out on the new coach. Too early to call but a place in Europe will be as far as they go I think.

West Brom - See Crystal Palace.

There you have it, your guide to the new Premier League season. Enjoy!

*more like a biased guide to the EPL ;-o