Every season, 20 Premiership clubs start level on points and for a single day we all believe that maybe, they each have a chance of glory. Then reality sets in and the big four start to pull away. They're chased by the wannabe biggish other four. The six remaining wannabe, wannabes then look down their noses at the scrambling six. Those poor half dozen will fight it out for survival. It's sort of like 'Beyond the Thunderdome', but instead of one man enters...one man leaves, it's more like six teams enter...three teams leave.

So will someone gatecrash the big four - is there a pretentious wannabe thinking above their station - and just who will slug it out for the untold millions that is Premiership survival...? All will be revealed. (Last years finish in brackets)

20th Derby (Newly Promoted): When the bookies make you odds on favorite for the drop before a ball is even kicked even the most optimistic Ram must fear for the worst. Billy Davies will do well to last the season and he'll rely heavily on Rob Earnshaw. The boy's a born scorer but can he get the twenty plus needed to make life interesting at Pride Park - check back in May.

19th Wigan (17th): If you offered the Latics the same scenario as last season right now - a do-or-die match for Premiership survival they'd bite your hand off. There is a funk around the JJB that screams relegation. The fans aren't interested, they can't attract talent and their best players want away. No wonder Paul Jewell did a runner. It's a shame he's leaving his mate Chris Hutchinson to go down with the ship.

18th (16th) Fulham: Like a lot of pundits, I was a fan of Chris Coleman fan was sorry to see him sacked last year. Laurie Sanchez is the new man-in-charge however with a new gaffer, comes new ideas and I wonder if they will include the American trio of last seasons top scorer, Brian McBride, defender Carlos Bocanegra and Clint Dempsey. The Cottagers seem to have too much class to go down but don't we say that about one team every campaign.

17th (Newly Promoted) Birmingham City: I'm glad to see the Blues back in the big time after a year slumming it in the Championship - not for their football mind - that'll be horrible but their annual dust-ups with Villa are always worth watching. I think Steve Bruce has learnt his trade and he'll make the Brummies very hard to beat. The question mark for me is goals. Having failed in their attempt to sign Egyptian hothead Mido, just who will get the twenty plus goals to ensure Birmingham survive.

16th (7th) Bolton: From Champions League pretenders to relegation contenders. It sounds rough but I don't think its possible to overlook the shadow that Sam Allardyce cast about the Reebok. His number two, Sammy Lee just doesn't carry the same weight. With an aging squad, no cash, European commitments and the highly disruptive duo of El Hadji Diouf and Nicolas Anelka waiting to explode, I see them doing a West Ham.

15th (8th) Reading: The Royals will be hoping to avoid a nasty case of 'second season syndrome'. Ipswich, West Ham and Wigan all previously caught a heavy dose after having their heads in the clouds after stunning first seasons back in the big time however I'm convinced that Steve Coppell will not allow that to happen. Saying that though, it'll be a struggle of sorts because they're now a known factor. A solid start is crucial so facing United and Chelsea straight off the bat will be the ultimate test.

14th (Newly Promoted) Sunderland: The last time the Black Cats were in the Premiership they were a joke - no one is laughing this time around. The reason why...Roy Keane! It's hard to change the habits of a lifetime and the Irishman has one very serious addiction...he's a winner. The turnaround at the Stadium of Light since the Irishman kissed and made up with Niall Quinn has been nothing short of remarkable and I can't wait for September 1st when Keano takes his lambs to the slaughterhouse known as the Theater of Dreams. This is what football's all about - Darth Vadar and Luke Skywalker, "I am your father Roy."

13th (12th) Middlesbrough: Gareth Southgate maybe an awful post match interview but in his first season at the Riverside he carved out some rather successful results. They took points from all of the big four, enjoyed a cup run of sorts and were never truly threatened with the drop. Losing striker, Mark Viduka to Newcastle has been offset by the signing of Arsenal's, Jeremie Aliadiere, while Jonathon Woodgate has made his Real move permanent. Perhaps the biggest factor though is the remarkable Academy that continues to produce Premiership caliber players. In a few years, Boro could conceivably be a contender...you read it here!

12th (14th) Manchester City: After a year of cashing Football Association checks, SGE (Sven Goran Eriksson) has dared to put his little toe back into the frigid water of football management. The response from City fans has been tepid at best however SGE has a highly impressive resume in club football. If he can bring a trophy home to Manchester, Soho Square (home to the FA) will be even redder faced than usual. The cash has certainly been splashed thanks to new chairman and ex-Thai Prime Minister, Dr. Thaskin Shinawatra and we await the results with baited breath. It couldn't be any worse than last year...10 home goals in 18 matches.

11th (15th) West Ham: I thought 'Eastenders' was the soap opera of choice until 'Hammer Time' came along. Carlos Tevez, point deductions, pre-season injuries, club captain (Nigel Reo-Coker)...gone, troublemakers in (Craig Bellamy). One thing is for sure, Alan Curbishley has his hands full and they'll be no room for excuses this time around as he's in charge from the off. I like to start a book as to who will be the first player to get red carded, fined or suspended...Bellamy 2/1, Bowyer evens, Boa Morte 3/1. Take your pick.

10th (9th) Portsmouth: Having completely humiliated myself by predicting Pompey would get relegated last season, the tune has to change. Harry Redknapp has made some smart moves in the transfer market especially in the attacking department. David Nugent has a nose for goal despite a lack of Premiership experience, while Nigerian, John Utaka links up with his countryman, Kanu. Matty Taylor will look to build on a fantastic year and if and it's a fairly big 'if' the back four stay healthy, a challenge for Europe is not that far fetched.

9th (6th) Everton: The key to Everton's season is simple...get knocked out of all the cup competitions early - David Moyes doesn't need this additional strain because his squad is thinner than Nicole Richie. On the bright side the team is battle hardened, tested, committed and capable of playing with the best. To push for another European spot they'll need a special year from Andrew Johnson and hope that a few of the youngsters keep developing. With Tim Cahill already crocked though, it's all gone a little gloomy at Goodison Park as the look enviously at their neighbors across Stanley Park.

8th (10th) Blackburn: How Mark Hughes has retained the services of Benni McCarthy, Morten Gamst Pedersen and David Bentley is a mystery to me but the fact that he has sends a strong message. This is a team that knows itself and is moving in the right direction. The addition of Roque Santa Cruz is a mouthwatering prospect and I believe Rovers will take the extra step and make a cup final this campaign. This is a team that can look after itself and yet play highly attractive football. If Arsene Wenger leaves Arsenal next year, look for Hughes to be poached because he is a manager going places.

7th (13th) Newcastle: Perhaps this is the season that the Black Crows that have been masquerading as Magpies leave St. James' Park to ruin some other clubs life...er, maybe not! Michael Owen is injured...again. New signing Joey Barton is off to court. Kieron Dyer is off to West Ham and Big Sam Allardyce looks like he has a chairman (Mike Ashley) that prides himself on having all eight fingers in eight different pies. If it was any other club than Newcastle you'd forecast relegation but with the signings of Mark Viduka, Alan Smith, David Rozehal, Geremi, the above mentioned Barton, quality oozes from every pore. Rest assured it won't be dull for the Toon Army.

6th (11th) Aston Villa: Martin O'Neill's 'get out of jail free card' has expired and he'll need to produce the goodies 'early doors'. Once again they'll be tough to beat but they must turn a majority of those seventeen draws from last season into wins. The tools are in place with Rob Carew, Ashley Young and the addition of Nigel Reo-Cocker and Marlon Harewood but does O'Neill know how to use them - I'm backing he does and so are 24,000 punters who have already snapped up season tickets.

5th (4th)Arsenal: 'You can't win the Premiership with kids' said famed pundit Alan Hansen one year. He was talking about Manchester United and Fergie Fledglings who then shoved it down his throat storming to the title. The Gunners will not repeat that feat. One thing we do know is that they'll be no TH14 which should be a good thing as he apparently ruled the dressing room or Freddy Ljunberg who has moved east to West Ham. This is for all intents and purposes a brand new team. Wenger has cleaned shop and I admire his cojones but will he stay to see the four-year job through?

4th (5th) Spurs: I backed Tottenham for fourth last year but a shocking start to the campaign doomed them to a fruitless chase. Martin Jol will be well aware that there are no second chances and this time he'd better get it right. Keeping Dimitar Berbatov was definitely a good move but spending $34 million on Darren Bent seems strange when you've already go to keep Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane happy. Then tab on an extra $20 million for the teenager, Gareth Bale and Spurs are either making a statement of intent or gambling with their sponsors money (Mansion!). One thing is for sure, 100%, a slam-dunk - the WHL faithful will not be patient.

3rd (3rd) Liverpool: Is the best cup side in England ready to show consistency over 38 matches? Can they find another 21 points? Is Rafa just a rotator or a genius? Are the American owners in it for the love of the game or the love of the buck? Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel are class but can they quickly adjust to life in the Premiership? So many questions and no simple answers. Last year I predicted Liverpool would win the title but like Spurs their start was appalling and away form beyond a joke. Benitez like Jol must get it right because the Reds have spent like never before and the Anfield crowd wants a title before they say goodbye to the Kop. It's been eighteen years!

2nd (2nd) Chelsea: My gut tells me the Blues will win the Premiership but my head says no for this reason...The African Cup of Nations. No team in the world could afford to lose Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou for one day let alone four weeks. How Jose Mourinho copes with this could well define his Blues legacy. Don't get me wrong, the 'Special One' has cover but in Drogba and Essien he loses in my humble estimation the two best players in the world in their respective positions...simply crippling.

1st (Champions) Manchester United: Give SAF credit, he is not resting on his laurels after regaining the title. Nani, Anderson, Owen Hargreaves and Carlos Tevez represent some serious talent to go alongside a squad that is relatively unchanged from last season. My only concern would be Edwin van der Sar who seems to be aging but if the back four stay healthy and the Gabby Heinze situation doesn't prove to be a headache, United will not be stopped.

The prediction business though is a funny old game and other than Derby and the top five anything can and will happen.

Until then, get the beers in.