Premiership finishing places prediction.

Last updated : 15 August 2003 By Dave Burgess

Some, like Chelski, have spent third world debts, others, like ourselves have been more frugal with their hard earned monies.

However, what difference will it make to their chances of success or failure this coming season?

Here are my predictions for those who will win and those who will lose; here are my predictions for the final standings after the final whistle of the last game of the season ends.

1. Manchester United
Experience and class from Scholes and Van the Man see them edge it in a close finish
Key Man: The Ginger Dynamo

2. Chelski
Close but no cigar in their first cash backed season
Key Man: Damien Duff, worth every penny

3. Gooners
Pushed down into third with over reliance on key players
Key Man: Thierry Henry complete with over the knee socks

4. Newcastle
Another good, but ultimately trophy-less season for our friends from the North
Key Man: Keiron Dyer, due a good season

5. Liverpool
Frustration galore on Merseyside
Key Man: Michael Owen in his final season with his boyhead team

6. Everton
Securing the final UEFA place, unlike last season
Key Man: Thomas Radzinski, lightning pace and top-quality finishing

7. Middlesborough
McClaren makes more progress on Teeside
Key Man: Malcolm Christie, makes the grade in the top flight

8. Tottiningham
Better but still lacking something to make the top six
Key Man: Frederic Kanoute, shows what he can do with service

9. Man City
First season at the new stadium returns stability
Key Man: Trevor Sinclair, pushing for an England place ahead of Euro 2004

10. Blackburn
Loss of Duff and Dunn prove costly
Key Man: Brad Friedel, great keeper, a fantasy football must

11. Southampton
Similar season to last, but Beattie struggles to return a repeat performance
Key Man: James Beattie, partnered with Kevin Phillips still returns good goal ratio

12. Leeds United
Reid gets Leeds back on an even track
Key Man: Alan Smith, a great player

13. Birmingham
Slight disappointment after last season but top Midlands team
Key Man: Robbie Savage, love him or hate him he brings something to the side

14. Aston Villa
O’Leary struggles at the helm of a previously sinking ship
Key Man: Gareth Barry, a rare bright spot for Villa

15. Charlton
Struggling in parts but keeping out of the danger zone
Key Man: Matt Holland, proving he still has what it takes

16. Portsmouth
Redknapp pulls off a miracle to avoid the drop
Key Man: Eyal Berkovic comes good

17. Fulham
Coleman is replaced early on, but Fulham recover to avoid relegation by a whisker
Key Man: Facundo Sava, uses his mask to pull off daylight robbery, to keep Fulham in the Premiership

18. Bolton
Another dogged fight that this time doesn’t work out
Key Man: Jay-jay Okocha but he can’t stop the inevitable this time

19. Wolverhampton Wanderers
A brave battle but mission impossible isn’t achieved
Key Man: Silas comes from nowhere to provide hope for a straight return

20. Leicester City
Another Division One team finding the gulf to wide to jump
Key Man: Muzzy Izzet, can’t keep his team in the big time

Agree or disagree?

Let me know your thoughts.

E-mail me with any comments or feedback to: dave@wolves-mad.co.uk