by Tom Allen
The Premier League title will once again surely be contested by the usual
trio and even though I'm a huge fan of Roy Hodgson, one has to wonder whether
he'll cope with the step up in grade at Anfield.
The news that Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres remain committed to the
cause will have cheered Liverpool's new boss no end but the Reds have a massive
amount of ground to make up on the league's leading three clubs and fourth spot
come next May would represent a significant achievement for Roy in his first
season in charge.
Spurs, who will hope to be playing Champions League football for the very first
time this year, will have plenty to say about that but disappointingly Harry
Redknapp has only added Brazilian midfielder Sandro to his squad to date and of
those clubs in the so-called second tier I nominate Everton to go well.
David Moyes, still so underrated as a manager, saw his men put together a
title-winning standard finish to last season to grab eighth place and it's not
beyond the realms of possibility that the Scot can guide the Toffees into the
top four.
Everton started 2009 woefully but rallied magnificently from the turn of the
year, picking up 39 points along the way, and in Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill
possess two of the very best midfielders the Premier League has to offer.
It's any three from five as to who will make up the top half dozen this time
around but Aston Villa look a team on the slide to me, with star man James
Milner set for Eastlands, and you certainly know what you'll get with the
Merseysiders who now boast real quality in just about every department.
Pick: 3pts Back Everton Top 6 Finish @ 15/8 (Ladbrokes)
