So the new season of European football is upon us.
Whereas the Dutch League (PSV lead with 6 points from 2 games) and the French League (PSG after 1 game) have already started, the rest of the nations are still to start.
Next up is the Premiership, arguably the most over exposed league in the whole world. Things kick off this weekend - Saturday, August 14th - with 8 games on tap.
Having endured a terrible World Cup, in general, with most of its stars having a torrid time (not counting Cesc Fabregas but including Fernando Torres), all the top teams and marquee names will look to get busy with a new season and put the summer behind them.
And then there's England.
Their quadrennial campaign was predictably rubbish and both players and fans will look to forget things and go back supporting whatever bandwagon, foreign company or band of mercenaries their clubs represent.
To be honest, the English league looks like much of the same more or less.
Chelsea and Manchester United will square off for the title. One of them will go far in the FA Cup and possibly win it; while the other will do similarly in the Champions' League.
Behind them Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton will make the chasing pack, in, I feel, that very order. I was going to put Aston Villa in that group as well but with their manager, the brilliant Martin O'Neill suddenly gone, on the eve of their first game, and top players Ashley Young and James Milner both earmarked for big money transfers; Villa Park is going to take at least 10 games to recover.
By which time, the season and CL spots, will both have left them far behind.
Chelsea have more or less the same squad. Trading Joe Cole for Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun, the former a better player, but only a fringe luxury, at Stamford Bridge, but the latter a more crucial player at the Kop; and acquiring Brazilian midfielder Ramires while losing defensive stalwart Ricardo Carvalho and old pro Michael Ballack, Chelsea should be just as strong as last year.
United on the other hand may have acquired the young player of the summer, picking up Mexico's Javi Hernandez. Their midfield is still weak and their playing corps divides opinion, but having taken this set of players to multiple titles and a European crown already, Alex Ferguson will be confident of winning a 19th title.
It will be close, but I reckon United will win.
Behind them Liverpool will shake off last year's shambles to take third spot, just ahead of Tottenham.
The latter, with largely the same set of players, will build on their success last season in securing fourth spot. Liverpool have the talent and corps to challenge, as they did a couple of years ago, but without the stifling touch of Rafa Benitez, will collect more wins to edge back in to the Champions' League automatic berths.
Unpredictable but talented, Spurs' defence is their Achilles heel, however with a crafty midfield and a local thoroughbred in Jermaine Defoe, Spurs have to simply be consistent against the dregs of the Premiership to repeat their fourth place finish.
Arsenal, despite their acquisition of Laurent Koscielny and retention of Cesc Fabregas, are still the same edition as last year. Excellent going forward, inept at the back; rubbish at set pieces and unable to hold a lead. This year, without even a goalkeeper (Shay Given's rumours notwithstanding) and unable to ever challenge Europe's top teams (including the duo in West London and Stretford), Arsenal will crash out of the top four, and Champions League for the first time in 12 years under Arsene Wenger.
With his contract expiring next summer, Wenger will join Fabregas, Robin Van Persie, Thomas Vermaelen and Andrei Arshavin in next summer's exodus. Hopefully with the windfall, the new gaffer can build a new chapter at Ashburton Grove.
Manchester City, under second year manager Roberto Mancini, have added some quality but still lack the killer instinct, cutting edge and consistency to challenge. Despite a few wins over the top four, they will finish in 6th. Mancini will get the sack and ADUG will remain without a major title for another year.. In the wake of the top two concentrating on Europe, City will meet Spurs in the Carling Cup final, unless they draw each other earlier.
A Premiership and Champions' League are priceless, but for everything else there's MasterCard.
Everton excite me the most as their entire team is intact, healthy and with the same manager. Although injuries will affect their campaign by taking a toll on their limited squad, the Toffees will remain a match for most and may even break the top six. However seventh spot and a decent run in the FA Cup will be it for them.
So, in my opinion, the top of the table:
Manchester United
Chelsea
Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal
Manchester City
Everton
Cue comments.
