Fortune telling 2008/9

It's a week to the start of the Premiership season, and finally the will he won't he saga of Cristiano Ronaldo's potential move to Real Madrid has ended.

The next question is whether or not United will have the firepower to retain their title. Their title rivals Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have recruited to some extent, leaving United as the only one of the top 4 not to have significantly invested over the summer. Spurs have outspent all of their rivals combined, going for broke (literally) and blowing huge sums on the likes of David Bentley, Luka Modric, Gio Dos Santos and Heurelho Gomes. Significantly they haven't replaced Robbie Keane, and must surely have another option lined up for when Dimitar Berbatov makes his protracted (but inevitable) move to United. Question is, what will this mean for the top 4?

The experienced heads at United and Chelsea should, in theory, ensure that these two are the main protagonists in the title race, but what of the others?

Liverpool's bumbling pursuit of Gareth Barry has only served to unsettle that player and cheese off another - the calming influence of Xabi Alonso won't be as great now he's been hawked round half of Europe in order to make room for Barry - surely not a better player? Robbie Keane looks a good signing but perhaps not the decisive match winner required to take the weight off Gerrard and Torres. 20 goals from Keane might make some difference but don't expect miracles. A settled (ish) back 4 is a benefit, but it's converting draws into victories that may make the difference. They'll be closer than last season, I feel 10 points max from the winners, and 3rd place. Rafa still hasn't the mastery of the premiership he enjoys in Europe.

Arsenal have made one or two interesting signings, (especially Samir Nasri) but I think their best new player may be an often overlooked existing one. It's about time Theo Walcott got a run in the team, and with Alex Hleb's defection to Barca, there may be a regular first team place for him. Certainly his pre-season form has suggested he has matured and doesn't panic when in the final third. Anyway, it'd be nice to see an English player in the most stylish team in the land! Arsenal could either destroy teams with their counter-attacking or suffer some hammerings if they concede early. Certainly they miss a top keeper and experienced back up in defence. 4th place for them - don't expect many draws!

Exciting though they appear to be, the signings at Spurs don't appear to be enough to drastically change their fotunes. I think a 4th place would be a major step forward, perhaps a bridge too far - it's just a matter of whether they have the patience to give the manager time to create a confident team. It's all well and good when they're battering hapless Roma 5-0 in a pre-season game, but when they're under the cosh at Old Trafford or being outmuscled at Stamford Bridge, what will the response be? Last season appeared to be over before it began for the men from the Lane, and must be considered a blip based on the players they have. Robinson may have gone, but Gomes certainly isn't the great keeper £9m would buy. Expect more from Spurs, but not too much yet.

Anyway, I think relegation might be more clear cut - much as it pains me, I expect Stoke City, Hull City and WBA to descend immediately back whence they came. The two flies in their parachute payment ointments may be Fulham and Wigan who seem to think volume of signings equates to points. I anticipate them struggling once again - even Andy Johnson and the irrepressible Jimmy Bullard can't make that much difference, surely. Of the 3 newly promoted teams, I think Stoke may have the best chance of upsetting a few people, a partisan Britannia Stadium crowd and a muscular approach may upset the likes of Arsenal's foreign legion.