Manchester-based Liverpool fan David Horsburgh predicts a return to the top four for the Reds!

Top Four

Manchester United

As exciting as it would be to see a new Premier League champions in the form of mega-bucks Manchester City, the safe money would have to be on a 19th English title heading towards the red half of the city.

Confidence will be flowing after their Community Shield win over Chelsea and Sir Alex's smile after the final whistle suggests that he has high hopes for the new season. New striker Javier Hernandez is well on his way to becoming an Old Trafford legend, but most important of all will be the form of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, who are playing with the desire wrought from the knowledge that this could be their last chance at further glory.

All in all, United have not only the squad depth, but the experience of winning the title and this could prove vital in what should be a close campaign.

Chelsea

Still one of the most intimidating sides in the country and under Ancelotti, now instilled with a clinical sense of efficiency, the Blues have every chance of claiming back to back titles this season. 

Ignoring their poor Community Shield performance, as I'm sure most of their players will do, the squad is still lacking in a little youth and excitement. John Terry has been on a steady decline since his infamous ‘man-marking' of Wayne Bridge's wife and Ashley Cole has, at times, looked a million miles (or the 785 miles to Madrid at least) away.

However, in Didier Drogba they have probably the best striker in world football and with him guaranteeing 30-plus goals a season in addition to the almost traditional 20 from Frank Lampard, Chelsea will be there or thereabouts at the season's end.

Liverpool

After struggling through a torrid campaign last season Liverpool fans and players will be out to prove that the Reds are still on par with the best clubs in the country, and it is this desire that could see the Anfield club make a surprise comeback to the top four.

Despite a meager transfer budget, (assuming the takeover saga is not completed before the transfer deadline) Hodgson has brought in a number of exciting players and keeping Gerrard and Torres was also a major boost.

Liverpool's rollercoaster-like premier league history suggests that after such as poor season they will bounce back strong and the genuine excitement around the club now indicates this may well be the case. 

Manchester City

Having missed out on Champions League qualification last season the ‘other' Manchester team will be desperate to live up to their multi-million pound hype this time around.

However, exciting though they maybe, Yaya Toure and David Silva may struggle to adapt to the English game, and with the almost circus-like atmosphere around City it's hard to image the squad gelling enough to challenge for the title.

Relegated!

West Brom

The very definition of a yo-yo club, West Brom have been in and out of the Premier League more times than Paul Gascoigne has to rehab.

However, after another promotion winning campaign in last season's Championship, many believe current manager Roberto Di Matteo has the ability to guide the Baggies to safety this time around. Whether or not he has enough talent at his disposal is another matter, and unfortunately, unless there are major signings before the end of August, the answer is probably no.

West Ham

Having just survived relegation last season by finishing in 17th place, Hammers fans will undoubtedly be nervous over the club's prospects for the new season. 

Although blessed with a number of reasonable talents in the form of Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole, the club has generally underperformed and things seem eerily similar to 2002-2003 when many also believed squad to be ‘too good to go down'.

20 - Blackpool

It must be hard being a Blackpool fan, with the excitement of playing in the Premier League for the first time matched up against the fear of what will probably be an embarrassing season. 

Their pre-season form has less than inspiring, with the Tangerines scraping 2-1 wins of the likes of Accrington and Leyton Orient, and it is hard to imagine them repeating these results against premier league opposition.

The main aim of fans, although they will say it is premier league survival, is probably to avoid Derby County's illustrious record for the lowest ever Premier League points total. They've got 11 to beat.