EPL 09/10 season predications Part 1

With just over a week to go to the new English Premier League season here are my predication's for where the teams will finish, starting with the...

Relegation candidates

Burnley. Newly promoted Burnley, have not signed enough players of premier league quality in the transfer window to stop themselves getting relegated after just one season in the top division.

Wolverhampton. Another promoted team the wolves, like Burnley look to have a lack of players of premier league quality in their squad to avoid the club from suffering automatic relegation.

Portsmouth. Since their victory in 2008 FA Cup a lot of quality players have left pompey, tall striker Peter Crouch is just the latest with not many new players being brought in to replace them. This coupled with a small squad should see Portsmouth relegated.

Clubs that will just escape the drop.

Hull. Just survived the drop last season and should do just enough to survive the drop once again. New signing young gun USA striker Jozy Altidore should help them be more clinical in front of goal this season.

Wigan. In the last six months Wigan have lost important players Wilson Palacios and Antonio Valencia and it's doubtful if the players brought in to replace them are of the same quality. Young up and coming manager Roberto Martinez will have a difficult first season in charge of Wigan.

Birmingham City, are the third of the promoted teams. Compared to the other promoted teams Birmingham have a bit more quality across the field and have made a couple of quality signings. Birmingham should enjoy a successful first season back in the EPL and avoid automatic relegation.

Mid table mediocrity.

Stoke City. Stoke surprised many by staying in the top flight last season and shouldn't suffer any second season blues. Stoke have been able to keep their squad together and should have a mid table finish.

Bolton. During the pre season Bolton have been able to make some useful signings with out losing any important players. This should enable Bolton to have a comfortable season finishing mid table.

Blackburn. After having a poor season last season, experienced premier league manager Sam Allardyce has made some useful additions to the squad. This should see Blackburn finish the season in mid table mediocrity.

Sunderland. Sunderland have a new manager in Steve Bruce, and strengthened all areas of their squads with some handy signings. However even with the new additions Sunderland will probably struggle to finish in the top half of the table.