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Birmingham City 
Having signed a whole host of players in the close-season, Birmingham are something of an unknown entity. Their previous campaigns in the top-flight have invariably ended in relegation but Alex McLeish will be hoping to buck that trend this season.
The squad looks to have been strengthened no end with some good quality players coming in. Joe Hart has joined on loan and should take the number one shirt because he’s an excellent young player, he may be busier than he would like though this year.
That is mainly because the defence still doesn’t look up-to-scratch. Roger Johnson and Scott Dann have come in but both are inexperienced in the Premier League having both moved from Championship clubs this summer. Giovanny Espinoza may prove to be a shrewd signing, but the truth of the matter is... we just don’t know!
The midfield is shaping up well though, and making Lee Bowyer’s loan move permanent was a good step. Barry Ferguson is a good player also and provides a bit more Premier League experience but it is upfront where Birmingham are strongest.
Record signing Christian Benitez is an excellent player who should get a fair few goals in his first season, while he is competing with the likes of Kevin Phillips, Cameron Jerome, Gary O’Connor, James McFadden and Marcus Bent. All of whom have played Premier League football before.
Prediction: 18th – If Birmingham stay up it will probably be Alex McLeish’s biggest achievement. On paper their squad doesn’t look strong enough to ensure survival though. With a weak backline, Birmingham will be exploited by teams with a good strikeforce, of which there are many this season. That is why I predict them to head straight back to the Championship. You can guarantee they’ll put up a fight though and if they can go on a good run of results at some point in the season, they’ll have every chance of staying up.
Key Man: Christian Benitez – The Ecuadorian is strong and quick and can score goals. If he can do that on a regular basis he’ll more than good value for Birmingham’s money.
Aston Villa
In what was a highly impressive season under Martin O’Neill, Aston Villa surprised many with their brand of fast-paced, counter-attacking football. And even though they eventually missed out on Champions League football, the fans can look back on what was a highly successful season.
Things might not go so well this season though. The sale of Gareth Barry to Manchester City not only weakens Villa’s side but strengthens one of their serious rivals in the race to the Champions League. It could have a destabilising effect on the team, of which Barry has been a major part for many years. It is now essential that Ashley Young is kept. Losing the winger as well would be a disaster. Barry’s departure, coupled with Martin Laursen’s retirement due to injury, threatens to undo the good work Martin O’Neill has done over the past few years but there is still cause for optimism.
Stewart Downing is now on the books and the England winger, despite being out injured until at least December, not only provides competition for Young but offers Villa another dimension with his left-footed crossing. The likes of John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor should thrive on that service.
The somewhat over-priced, but nonetheless talented, Fabian Delph has also joined the ranks and whilst the youngster may not feature too heavily in the first-team this season, Villa fans can expect to see more of him in the coming years, and it is then that we will see his true value.
The lack of a direct replacement for Barry is a concern for Villa and if O’Neill can’t get somebody in before the window closes Villa will certainly be substantially weaker for it.
Prediction: 7th – If Villa can repeat the kind of football that saw them comfortably in fourth mid-way through last season then they may yet be capable of challenging the top four. But it is looking increasingly unlikely. Barry has to be replaced and Young must be kept. A new centre-back should also be a priority after Zat Knight was sold to Bolton. Habib Beye, whilst being a useful squad player, should not be in Villa’s starting line-up each week.
Key Man: Ashley Young. The England winger may have to occupy both wings at various times this season but you can guarantee he’ll be equally as effective on either flank. He is lightning quick and has scored his fair share of goals. Without him, Villa start to look like a very average side. Keeping him, despite the attentions of other clubs, is absolutely essential.
Yes, it’s that time again. Football fans up and down the country are literally bursting with excitement at the prospect of seeing their side turning out once again in the best league in the world.But how might each side fare this campaign, in what is sure to be one of the toughest, most competitive seasons ever? Arsenal
Arsene Wenger has yet to strengthen his side significantly, with the only notable signing coming in the form of Thomas Vermaelen, the £10 million defender joining from Ajax. He will have to act as a direct replacement for Kolo Toure however, as the Ivory Coast centre-back, and last remaining member of the famous ‘Invincibles’ squad, has moved onto big-spending Manchester City. And he’ll be in familiar company as he is joined at Eastlands by big striker Emmanuel Adebayor. The Tongolese international looked out of sorts at times last season but nobody can deny his goal threat. It is something that Arsenal will miss.
Despite the lack of signings, however, Arsenal fans can still look forward to the new season. The returns of Eduardo and Tomas Rosicky to full-time action are a major boost to Wenger and with Cesc Fabregas fully fit they should still be able to cement their top four status.
Whether simply ensuring Champions League qualification once again is enough for Arsenal fans remains to be seen, but a title challenge is simply beyond them unless Wenger strengthens the team in all areas before the window closes, something which looks increasingly unlikely.
Prediction: 4th – Arsenal simply do not have the squad to mount a serious title challenge this season. They will also have to contend with a string of improved sides below them all looking to take the Gunners’ Champions League spot. They should still manage it, but expect them to be pushed even harder than they were last year.
Key Man: Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard holds the keys as far as Arsenal are concerned. With him on the sidelines last season, Wenger’s men lacked creativity going forward and thus scored less than expected. If Fabregas can stay injury-free he should combine well with the likes of Andrei Arshavin, Samir Nasri and Tomas Rosicky to provide plenty of scoring opportunities, as well as chipping in with a few goals himself.
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