Man City
Up and down like a bride’s nightie over the years, this time City are most likely of the three promoted sides to be playing Premiership football next season. Despite his obvious lack of tactical nous, there are few better managers in the game at organising and motivating a positive and attacking football side. He’s no mug - as his dealing in the transfer market has shown. Two Frenchmen may hold the side’s destiny in their hands. At the back, Distin will need to build on the promise shown with Newcastle last season. Going forward, City will create openings - and should Anelka find form even approaching his great Arsenal days, then City fans should be looking at a mid table finish.

Man United
Despite what many people feel, Rio Ferdinand may well not be the answer to all of United’s ills. Excellent defender that he is, the Red Devils’ problems seem to run deeper. Ferguson’s indecision is at the heart of it. Announcing his retirement and then deciding not to, breaking the bank to buy Veron without a clear vision of how to use him, upsetting the balance of the side with constant tinkering - a general loss of direction. United fans will be concerned at Fergie questioning the hunger of established stars. Still have the class - but the holes are appearing quicker than they can be patched up. Could struggle to make the top three this time round.

Middlesbrough
At last, Boro seem to have found a manager to use chairman Gibson’s millions sensibly. One of the few sides to actually have cash to splash, boss McClaren has made some interesting investments over the summer - most notably Massimo Maccarone, Geremi, and crowd favourite Juninho. Italian wonder kid Maccarone could well be the answer to the club’s goal scoring problems, whilst Geremi, on loan from Madrid, will add class and guile to midfield. Sadly, Juninho will miss a large chunk of the season due to injury. But with a solid and well-drilled defence and the ever-improving Greening out wide, Boro could well finish in the top half. A UEFA cup spot would not be out of the question.

Newcastle United
The big surprise of last season, but the element of surprise is gone. Can Sir Bobby firm up his defence? Can Alan Shearer keep up his excellent form of last season? Will Dyer, Jenas, and Bellamy add consistency to their undoubted talent? And just what will new signing Hugo Viana bring to the side. A good blend of youth, experience, pace, skill and width - but European distractions and unconvincing defending will see the Goerdies struggle to make the impact of last season. Should still have enough to make the lower half of the top six.

Southampton 
Strachan did very well to ensure that the Saints managed to avoid being dragged into last year’s relegation dogfight. This year, he may well do the same - he can probably count on the likes of Birmingham City and West Brom to fill two of the relegation births. Strachan’s job will be to avoid filling the third. A good start is key. His side is pretty unremarkable - making survival last season all the more laudable. Goals could well be the main issue - Pahars and Beattie need to be injury free and take whatever chances come their way. Will struggle I feel - finishing above Bolton might earn survival once again.

Sunderland
Poor old Peter Reid. Sunderland fans have delusions of grandeur. They should be thankful that they are in the Premiership at all. But no, they want so much more. But having a spanking new ground and attracting big crowds does not a successful club make. Reid has cash at his disposal - but Sunderland is not destination to set a star’s heart racing. May have to content himself with stealing talent from Premiership strugglers. Will comfortably avoid the drop. To progress, a big name manager is required to lure top talent. Reid has done all he can for them.

Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs fans must be close to despair. Surely Hoddle was brought in to make the club great again? Spurs should at least be the match of Chelsea - both in terms of resources and on-field success, but instead, the club has been run into the ground. Crazy old Glenn will still make a good fist of it - but without proper resources, he’ll have to rely on clever Bosman’s and talented kids. For the future, the club’s only hope is that the recession will bring many of their old rivals down to their level financially. Sadly for Spurs fans, they’ve been stripped of the right to say “There’s always next season” as these days, every season is the same for them. Mid-table again - and possibly a run in the cups.

West Brom
Oh dear - I suppose Baggies fans should just enjoy the season whatever happens, for next year, it’s back to Gillingham and Walsall. A decent hard working team with a solid defensive structure. Good enough to see off Nationwide strikeforces, but the Premiership is a different matter. Megson’s a good man - but it’s hard to see them scoring, even if prodigal son Hughes returns. Surely relegation fodder.

West Ham
The Hammers are the club who are benefiting most from football’s hard times. In any other season, Glenn Roeder would have been fighting off the attentions of the big guns for his talented youngsters - Cole, Carrick and Dafoe. But Roeder and West Ham will surely prosper from seeing these boys mature at Upton Park for at least another season. Breen just might help shore up the ever leaky defence - but don’t bank on it. Nevertheless, the Hammers do have the quality to maintain a top half of the table position and even push for a UEFA Cup spot. A definite danger in the cups, especially if they get home advantage. Thrills and spills and a perhaps place in the top eight for the Hammers.

Little at Large’s Premiership predictions

Premiership 1,2,3 - Arsenal, Liverpool, Leeds

Relegation fodder - West Brom, Birmingham City and Bolton