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West Ham: 7th, Odds: 350:1
The Hammers probably have the nucleus of the future England attack. Nigel Reo Coker, the captain of the U-21 England squad (captain of the Hammers at 21 years of age), Dean Ashton (22 years, and called up to the England squad), Marlon Harewood (26 years, frequently mentioned as a possibility), and Matthew Etherington (24 years, another left sided midfielder). There is also Bobby Zamora and Carlton Cole, who have not lived upto expectations but are still dangerous. John Pantsil, Ghana defender who laong with Emmanuel Pappoe gave a stouthearted display of defence in the World Cup, joins up a defence that is considered to be amongst the best, with Anton Ferdinand, Paul Konchesky, and Daniel Gabbidon. Alan Pardew has gelled this team nicely.
Blackburn Rovers: 8th, Odds: 200:1
The Rovers strength is their defence. Lucas Neil, Brett Emerton, Andy Todd, Zurab Khishnavilli, and Ryan Nelsen, gave up 42 goals keeping a GD of +9. Now with Benni McCarthy, one of the few well known South African stars and a bonafide striker, they should be able to add to their goal tally. Andy Reid and Tugay Kerimoglu anchor the midfield. Blackburn made a turnaround with Mark Hughes, former Wales international, and have kept up the improvement.
Aston Villa: 9th, Odds:750:1
What we have seen with the likes of underperforming clubs like Tottenham, Blackburn, and West Ham, is that under a new coach you can get immediate results. Martin O'Neill is the type of coach you can expect to see results that get Villa back in the top 10. Villa has some good players who did not respond to David O'Leary. Prospects like Jjloyd Samuels and Luke Moore will flourish under O'Neill. Veteran defender and Swedish stalwart, Olof Mellberg, and the striker duo Milan Baros and Juan Pablo Angel will prove to be productive. The hardest working midfielder in England, Steven Davis, anchors the midfield. Martin O'Neill is the reason that Villa vaults to the top 10.
Wigan Athletic: 10th, Odds: 750:1
The club that everyone loves to hate. The Latics did well last season. And they look like they will do just as well this season. The big reason is Luis Valencia, the Ecuadorian midfielder who was the only bright spot in the otherwise somnolent Ecuadorian attack against England in the World Cup. Valencia's speed is blazing and he posesses excellent technical skills. He lost out to Lukas Podolksi in the Best Young Player award for this year's World Cup. Henri Camara, had a good season with Wigan, scoring 14 goals. Crystal Place signees, Fitz Hall and Emmersoin Boyce, should strengthen the defence. Denny Landzaat, the Dutch midfielder, a regular substitute for Wesley Sneijder this World Cup, is an excellent holding midfielder. The question marks are Emile Heskey, Birmigham City striker, slow and overweight, for which Wigan paid over 5m pounds and Pascal Chimbonda, French defender, who is unhappy in Wigan but whose asking price is too high for most clubs.
Newcastle United: 11th, Odds:150:1
Steady improvement under Glenn Roeder, after that disastrous beginning in the 2005-2006 season. The Magpies were in danger of relegation with Michael Owen injured since December 2005, with a broken foot, and Alan Shearer playing with injured knee ligaments, preceding his retirement. Graeme Souness was given the boot and that was when Newcastle started it's climb back up the table. The signing of Damien Duff, another Chelsea discard, arguably the most versatile midfielder who has blistering pace, and playing down the left, and defends against the counterattack is further proof that Newcastle keeps the momentum going. The Magpies have shown an improvement in their finances which keeps the door open for more signings.
Bolton Wanderers: 12th, Odds: 350:1
Bolton Wanderers have benefited from great coaching by Sam Allardyce, considered a front runner for the England job, at one time before Steve McLaren were chosen. You look at the roster of players and wonder what is that has actually changed their fortunes? Allardyce has taken temperamental players like El Hadji Diouf and Kevin Davies and ultilized their talents to win games. The midfield looks solid with Kevin Nolan and Ivan Campo bolstered by new signing, Quinton Fortune, a long time favourite of Sir Alex when he played at Man U.
Middlesborough: 13th, Odds: 500:1
Middlesborough should improve on their 16th place finish with their signing of Sunderland defender Julio Arca. The rest of the club looks solid with striker Yakubu and England midfielder Stewart Downing and Brazilian Fabio Rochemback. Goalie Mark Schwarzer looked good in the Socceroo games in the World Cup.
Portsmouth: 14th, Odds: 500:1
Portsmouth's defence was terrible all of last year and they just escaped relegation. It should improve with the arrival of Sol Campbell and goalkeeper David James. . Paolo Mendes, Noe Pamarot, and Sean Davis will improve on Portsmouth's 37 goals scored last season. This looks like a club that wiil be going Chelsea's way with the amount of money that the new club owner, Russian tycoon Alexandre Gaydamak, is willing to throw on new players.
Charlton Athletic: 15th, Odds: 1000:1
Darren Bent, the best striker that England did not take to the World Cup. Finished with 18 goals out of Charton's 41 goals scored last season. Some other bright spots include Luke Young, right back and on England's call up list for the World Cup and Thomas Myhre, Charlton goalie. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who had some phenomenally productive years for Chelsea is a big name player, who might be capable of some big moments. However, this team looks disjointed which showed last year. There won't be much of an improvement this season.
Manchester City: 16th, Odds: 750:1
It seems Stuart Pearce's club will survive a relegation scare. The only reason why Manchester City will prevent relegation is because of Hatem Trabelsi, the Tunisian defender, who showed excellent tackling and initiating counter attacks in this World Cup. Dietmar Hamann, is another signing and everybody acknowledges his contribution to Liverpool while he was there but he is getting on in years. However, experience does count and Didi should bring bolster an otherwise perfunctory midfield.
Reading: 17th, Odds: 1500:1
The Royals will escape relegation because they actually have two good US players. Bobby Convey, fleet footed midfielder, who loves to fly down the left, and outstanding goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann. They were both voted as players of the season, responsible for getting Reading promoted to the Premiership. Reading established the most points in a single season in any English professional league: 106 points (2005-06). Reading also has Leroy Lita, one of the most exciting future prospects for the English squad. This should be enough to escape relegation.
Relegated teams:
Fulham FC: 18th, Odds: 1000:1
Terrible defence that gave up 58 goals. There does not seem to be any improvement in that department. Some good individual strikers in Luis Boa Morte and Heldar Helguson. But that is about it.
Sheffield United: 19th, Odds: 2500:1
Great manager of a hard luck team. But it will be much too much not to get relegated.
Watford: 20th, Odds: 2500:1
Elton John's former club will have to contend with "I am still standing." |
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