James Hoxey's 2009/2010 Predictions: Part 1

1. Who's going to be in the top four, and in what order?

1. Man Utd
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal

This order I feel will be the one come the end of the season. Ferguson could single handedly enter the record books ahead of Liverpool for league titles and finally 'knock them off their f***ing pedestal'. Ronaldo might be gone, but they have strength and depth, and I can see Ferguson playing a narrower formation this season, using the skill and power of the team through the middle channels.

Chelsea are certainly going to look at proving they can still be a force, and it's a good thing they've hired Ancellotti as he is a specialist in managing cultured, seasoned players. With key figures at the club aging, Lampard and Drogba are in their 30s now, maybe the Italian will get a couple more Big Four standard years from this squad.

Liverpool seem to be taking a huge step backwards in selling Alonso and ultimately, Gerrard will have to drop deep to compensate for this, meaning Liverpool will lose a big lump of their attacking force.

Arsenal will probably hang in there, with Wenger proving you can just about stay in the Big Four with kids...

2. Who's going down?

18. Hull
19. Birmingham
20. Stoke

Hull haven't strengthened enough, and, considering their dependence on Premier League veterans such as the heroic Nicky Barmby, it will be only be a matter of time before they lose their legs in the last 10 minutes of games and leak goals.

Birmingham have strengthened, but they seem to lack that special player which many promotion sides bring in to provide those moments of class in a game, like Geovanni offered Hull when they were finding their Premier League 'legs'.

Stoke will be on their way with a severe case of 'Readingitis'; when you combine a great debut season and no strengthening, the only way is down. You can't rest staying up on Delap-mans shoulders.

3. Which team is going to show the biggest improvement?

It has got to be Manchester City. If they keep all of these new players fit, they should be able to improve on last seasons performance you would hope.

4. Who's going to bang in the most goals?

This season will be Fernando Torres' year, he is looking to be the only out and out goal scorer Liverpool play this year, and he's certainly potent enough in front of goal.

5. Who's going to win the FA Cup?

Liverpool. Rafa needs to grab some sort of Silverware this season, I fancy him to make sure Liverpool are at Wembley this year.