Source: SKY_Sports
Chris Kamara's picks
The Premier League season is just around the corner - and once again Soccer Saturday will guide you through all of the twists and turns.
Jeff Stelling and the boys will be on your screens every Saturday to talk you through one of the most intriguing seasons in the history of the Premier League and there are plenty of questions to be answered.
Will Manchester United hold onto their title in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo or will there be another name on the Premier League trophy in May? Can Manchester City gatecrash the top four or will we see a surprise name in contention for the Champions League spots?
Who will be scrapping it out at the bottom? Which player will bag the most goals? Which summer transfer deals will provide the best value and which signings will we be laughing at by the end of the campaign?
We asked the stars of Soccer Saturday to gaze into their crystal balls and give us their views on what we can expect in 2009/10 - as well as letting us know what they've been up to on their summer holidays.
Chris Kamara will be travelling up and down the country all season, but he gave us a few tips before he heads out on the road...
CHAMPIONS - Chelsea They've got a goalscoring midfielder and that makes a huge difference at the top level. Manchester United have obviously lost Cristiano Ronaldo, but Chelsea have Frank Lampard and one or two others who can chip in with a goal. I just cannot see a regular goal supply from midfield for United this season.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTS - Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal I don't it being any different to the usual Big Four, I think Manchester City will get there eventually but not this season. It will be something of a settling in period for City this season.
FIFTH - Aston Villa Manchester City will be in and amongst it, they'll certainly be top eight but you just do not know how all these new players will settle. I envisage them having a few teething problems when it comes to settling on a formation and fitting all these new signings into the team. If I was pushed for picking fifth place, I'd go for Aston Villa.
SURPRISE PACKAGE - Bolton I think Burnley will surprise one or two but Bolton will be the ones to do better than expected this season. Gary Megson never gets the credit he deserves, he saved them from relegation in his first season yet the fans were not overly enamoured with him, he did well last season somewhat under the radar, and I think they'll improve their position this year - probably roughing a few teams up along the way.
GOING DOWN - Not saying! I don't predict this - I want fans to like me! From my experience, if I predict who's going down I end up paying for it when I visit their respective grounds! I actually meet these fans face-to-face, it's not like the lads sitting snugly in the studio!
GOLDEN BOOT - Nicolas Anelka I picked Fernando Torres last year and Nicolas Anelka beat him. Obviously Didier Drogba would be expected to feature more this season, Michael Owen's chances of topping the charts rely heavily on how many games he gets, so I'll go for Anelka.
BEST BUY - Michael Owen You'd have to say the free transfer of Michael Owen. You don't get many deals like that in a lifetime.
Somebody of his young age and ability, obviously there were the injury problems at Newcastle but that will merely stand him in good stead because his body should be well rested.
BONKERS BUY - Stewart Downing Maybe Stewart Downing because you have to consider the fact that he won't be fit until December. It seems strange for Martin O'Neill to sign a player who is out until December, although I do appreciate he's probably looking at the bigger picture rather than the first six months. But then again, he could have let him rehabilitate at Middlesbrough and then signed him in January - possibly for less money. On saying that, the one transfer that doesn't make sense in the whole of football is Sven Goran Eriksson going to Notts County.
HOW HAS YOUR PRE-SEASON TRAINING GONE? It's only just started, I only just got back from Australia a few days ago so I'm now trying to get my mind right, get my research done, find out who's gone where etc. It was a fantastic pre-season in all honesty but now I'm having to shed a few pounds before the opening day!
