With the soccer scoreboards set to light up in the next couple of weeks, the buzz around the next premier league season has began. Who will win it? Are there going to be any surprises? Who will get the fourth spot?

Chelsea looked well set up to retain their trophy this time around. The core players of the club are still there; namely Petr Cech, Terry, Lampard and Drogba. These players rarely have let the club down in the past. Cole and Ballack have gone, but the quality midfielders Yossi Benayoun and Ramires have replaced them, and they look to be more than adequate replacements.

The Ghanaian Michael Essien will return after missing a substantial part of last season because of injury, and he will give Chelsea a big boost. Perhaps, dare I say, they even have a decent shot at the competition that has eluded them so far, and the ultimate prize in club football: the Champions League. Oh, yeah, but then Barcelona are in it too, so I wouldn’t give Chelsea too much hope this time round!

Of –course, it would be foolish to write off Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, and they look to be Chelsea’s main competitors once again. When they finish second one year, they are normally more up for it the next year, and no doubt they will be desperate to retain their position as the number one team once more.

Ryan Giggs, Scholes and Neville will surely play their last season at the club. There is no doubt that they will want to make it a big one. They have a new player too: the fast and skilful Mexican Javier Hernandez, who will bolster the already impressive attack, and who had a great world cup and a good pre-season.

The team most people love to hate at the moment, as they have done what Chelsea did a few years ago, and have gone for the quick “success through dollars” route. By doing this they have distorted the transfer market with the ridiculous money they are paying for players. Manchester City, however, have obtained a huge and talented squad, and they will challenge the top teams next season. Two top signings over the summer were Yaya Toure and David Silva, but regardless of this few people think that the time has come for the club to be right at the top at the end of the season.

The magic fourth spot will most likely be held, if not by City, by one of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham. I think that out of these three teams, Arsenal have the best chance of making it. They haven’t finished outside of the top four for 15 years, and certainly do not intend to this year.

So, really, apart from the march of Manchester City, the predictions are the same old for this season. Like many fans, I’m hoping for a team to surprise me this season, and if not win it, get into the top four. Can Everton or Aston villa finally fulfill their potential? Then things will become more interesting!

For more information, go to: premierleague.com