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Premiership Football News: Celeb Predictions

Andy Greeves talks to the 'stars'

As the new Premiership season gets ready for the big kick-off, Soccerphile speaks exclusively to well-known fans to find out how they think their seasons will pan out.

Arsenal - Judge Jules (DJ)

"I think the deciding factor in whether Arsenal will be successful as I'd like this coming season is injuries. Our squad is significantly smaller than our nearest rivals Chelsea and Liverpool so injuries and availability will count for everything. Key players I'd say would be Arshavin and Fabregas, on form they are indestructible."

Aston Villa - Oliver Phelps (Actor)

"I think Villa will maintain their top half finish this season. Hopefully a good cup run as its been way to long since a cup final. Fifth would be a realistic finish but fourth could be a possibility. Just as long as we beat Birmingham in the home and away games again! I think the key player this season will be Stilian Petrov who's improved season on season."

Birmingham City - Ian Clarkson (Former Birmingham City captain)

"The Premiership last season showed, outside of the top six, any teams can be in trouble with a bad month or two of form.

Blues have spent big money this summer and I think they will be well equipped to hold their own in the league this season. One of the best investments they've made this summer is getting a new pitch. Alex McLeish likes to get his team playing fairly expansive football and the pitch was a handicap during periods of last season.

Obviously all eyes will be on the new striker (Christain) Benitez. He has a good pedigree from what I've seen of him, but proving your worth in the Premiership is no mean feat.

I think Birmingham can top a 'mini-league' of teams that could struggle this campaign, including the new boys, Stoke, Wigan and maybe even Fulham. 15 th would be a fantastic finish and that's what I am going to predict.

Bolton Wanderers - Amir Khan (Boxer)

"Bolton Wanderers have been busy in the transfer market and we have bought in five new players so far this summer. I think with the players Gary Megson has bought in will steady us certainly at the back.

I look forward to this season as I am sure we will better than last season and if we have a top ten finish then that will be great for Gary and the team. As ever, I'll be cheering on the Wanderers this season, so good luck guys."

Blackburn Rovers - Wayne Hemmingway MBE (Fashion Designer)

"We will win Premiership this season. The key player will be local lad David Dunn, who will be first player in Premiership to score 50 goals. He will also captain England."

Burnley - Alistair Campbell (Former Director of Communications for New Labour)

"Burnley getting to the Premier League is in itself a massive experience. We will have the smallest squad and lowest wage bill by a long way. But I'm still confident we'll stay up. I'm going for 15th. Killer player? I think Chris McCann will rise to it. Steven Fletcher is a good buy."

Chelsea - Natalie Pinkham (TV Presenter)

"I'd be feeling more confident about winning the league if big Guus had stayed but Ancelotti could prove a hit at the Bridge, particularly if his banter in press conferences is anything to go by. Essien's fitness is crucial, when he's on form Chelsea are unstoppable."

Everton - Claire Sweeney (Actress)

"Ever since David Moyes' appointment, Everton have gone from strength-to-strength. We haven't needed to spend big money to succeed and I think we're more than capable of repeating our recent fifth placed finish again this season.

Tim Cahill is my favourite current player. He's a real live wire and so important to our fortunes.

I hope the boys can get to the cup final again come what May. I wasn't able to go last year because of work commitments, so am desperate for a trip to the new Wembley this time around. When, of course, we will win the cup too."

Fulham - 'Nasty' Nick Bateman (Former Big Brother Contestant)

"I think Fulham will have another strong season this year and I expect a top ten finish. Key players for me are Diomansy Kamara, when he actually plays, Danny Murphy and Mark Schwarzer in goal. I think Roy Hodgson has done a fantastic job and I just hope he is not poached by a bigger club this season."

Hull City - Roy North (Kids TV presenter and actor)

"Am I concerned the dreaded 'second-season syndrome' will kick-in at the KC Stadium? Of course. Our decline in form after Christmas last season was extremely worrying and what I feel we have lacked throughout our time in the Premiership is a clinical goalscorer.

That said, what we have achieved over the last few seasons is amazing and I still have to pinch myself when I look at the Premier League fixture list. I am confident in everything Phil Brown is doing at Hull and with Jimmy Bullard set to return to fitness this season, we will have a real key player available for the first time. His availability will feel like a new signing. If Giovanni can also re-establish his form in and we bring in a front man, we will maintain our Premiership status and I will be delighted."

Liverpool - Johnny Ball (Scientist)

"Benitez is quite extraordinary. From time to time, he seems to be pulling the wrong way and then it all becomes clear that his overall view of the game is quite masterful.

Losing Alonso is quite a big blow for Liverpool, but £30m was a fantastic price to get for him and we are already on the case with a replacement. Luckily I don't think there will be any more high profile departures this summer.

The players have their careers to think about and so loyalty gets very shaky sometimes, but Rafa has and is still building something very special here.

I cannot see any other outcome than Liverpool Top of the Premiership this coming year.

It will be a very long season, but I do think it will be this year, at long last."

Manchester City - John Stapleton (TV Presenter)

"I reckon Manchester City will finish in the top four following the long list of stars we have signed in the last few weeks and naturally we regard the remarks of our rival's manager with the contempt they deserve.  As for key players, my guess is that Gareth Barry will play a pivotal role in securing that success."

Manchester United - Darren Campbell (Athlete)

"I'm pretty confident we'll do well this season, especially on the domestic front.

A lot has been and will be said about the departures of Ronaldo and (Carlos) Tevez and no doubt we will miss them. But we have  a big squad, full of quality players so we can fill the void they have left.

For me, this season will be all about Wayne Rooney. He was requested to play out of position by Sir Alex (Ferguson) last campaign, but he should be playing as an out-and-out centre forward from now on. He can terrorise defences and with him on-song, I really do believe we will win the league again.

(Manchester) City have out and signed quality players, there's no doubt about that but it takes time for a team to gel. I don't think they'll be able to sustain a title challenge this year.

Michael Owen's signing is very clever. He still has pretty decent pace and is a proven goalscorer. Imagine being in the situation where we need a goal with 20 minutes to go - what a player to bring off the bench.

It's going to be a big season for Dimitar Berbatov too. There were people writing him off last season, but he's got so much talent and it will only be a matter of time before he makes his critics eat their words."

Portsmouth - John 'Portsmouth Football Club' Westwood (Pompey's most famous 'bell-ringing' fan)

"My ambitions for Pompey this season are simple - stay in the Premiership. Despite the money that's been invested in the club, I'm under no illusions as to the challenge we will face this campaign. There's a lot of teams on a similar footing in the league, as was showed last season with the small gap between sixth position all the way to the lower part of the division. We've got lots of players coming and going, whereas other clubs perhaps have more settled squads. It will take time for the new-look side to blend, so we'll have to be patient as supporters."

Stoke City - Peter Shilton (ex-Stoke City and England footballer)

"Having more than held their own in the Premiership last season, the new campaign will prove even tougher for Stoke City. What impressed me about Tony Pulis' team last season was that they didn't adjust their style from their promotion winning side the previous year. If they continue to play a direct style of football this season, they will still be very difficult to beat.

Thomas Sorensen, Rory Delap and James Beattie are a good spine for Stoke and if Pulis can add say, another quality striker to the mix in the next few weeks, I think Stoke will definitely stay up.

Staying in the league is the biggest priority again for Stoke this season, so because of that, I class a 17th placed finish as a success for them." 

Sunderland - Denise Richardson (TV Agony Aunt)

"It was great to have a pretty stable time of things last year - very unusual for Sunderland fans as we're generally battling relegation or fighting for promotion.

Everything that chairman Niall Quinn has been responsible since his take over of Sunderland has been good. He's made a great appointment in Steve Bruce, who knows the Premier League inside out and is signing some very good players. One of my favourite ever strike partnerships at the Stadium of Light was Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn. In Frazier Campbell and Kenwyne Jones I hope we've got a strike force capable of being as prolific as these guys.

A top ten finish would suit me nicely."

Tottenham Hotspur - Iain Duncan-Smith (Former Conservative Party Leader)

"Tottenham have always had a tradition of being a cup side and think that's going to be our best path back into Europe this season.

I want more than anything for Spurs to be part of the top four, but with the strength of the sides up there at the moment and the spending might of Manchester City, sixth position will be the best finish we could hope for.

Harry Redknapp really turned around our fortunes last season and I think the good work can continue. Luka Modric excites me greatly and can't wait to see him in action again. Jermain Defoe is a proven goalscorer and I think he can shoot us up the league.

Aaron Lennon will prove again this year what a great player he is - given his current form he's got to start for England in the World Cup in 2010."

West Ham United - Cass Pennant (Author)

"Our best signings this summer was to retain the dynamic managership duo of Zola and Clarke. What their true capabilities are worth won't truly be seen until they are given the resources to build the squad they want rather than what they have inherited. With the club remaining under tight control of the Icelandic bank plus that £25m hole in the pocket from the Tevez affair we desperately need a new takeover bid. The fans can and will dream of Europe as ever but victory will likely be finishing above Tottenham. Our key man is keeper Robert Green, while rising star is Jack Collision."

Wigan Athletic - Roberto Martinez (Wigan Athletic manager)

"We have until August 31 to improve the squad of players we have got and help the players become stronger. I am confident we can do that.

You can never have enough good players to help you in the Premier League, but I'm sure when the season starts, we'll have a squad that can be more than competitive in this league."

Wolverhampton Wanderers - Beverley Knight (Singer)

"Got to be honest, Wolves are going to have to work really hard to stay in the Premiership and everyone knows that. I think we can do it, but we may find ourselves lower down the table than we would like. The point is, we want to stay up. The standard separating the Championship and the Premiership is massive, but we are capable of staying up and we're in better shape this time round than the 2002/2003 season.

Mick McCarthy is a very no nonsense manager and the players have responded to his style, although it took some time. You don't stay on top of any league without that dressing room respect. Lads like striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, defender Kevin Foley and goalie Wayne Hennerssey were great for us last season. Hopefully Michael Kightly will have a full season this time around, and stay free of injury.

The big question for me is IF I will get enough chances to go to the Molineux and see Wolves play! I am in full promotion /touring mode during this season so it'll be tough. I live less than a mile from the Emirates stadium so I will at least be able to see our lads there... But watching us away to Arsenal?! My heart will be in my mouth."

Andy Greeves

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