English Premier League Preview: It's Not Just a Four Horse Race

The once predictable English Premier League is now not just a four horse race but an exciting battle that will keep us guessing right to the end. Teams like Tottenham, Manchester City, and even Aston Villa will fight for the crown alongside the usual suspects in Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool.

At the start of last season if you told someone that Tottenham would take fourth spot and Liverpool finish a dismal seventh they would have scoffed at you and said you’ve got to be insane.

Liverpool had just had a great season where they were pipped at the post by Manchester United. Tottenham had battled a fight with the relegation zone until a midseason revival led by manager Harry Redknapp saw them ending up finishing ninth.

14 months on we’re wondering what will happen this time around.

Tottenham broke the top four barrier, making them the first non–big four team since Everton back in 2004/05 to achieve the once thought impossible. The worrying thing for other teams is they can only get better. Last season they beat three of the big four, so we know they can play good football. It is just a question on whether they can play that great brand of football all the time. If they do find consistency this season, watch out.

Manchester City is another team pushing for the top four and even perhaps the title with new summer signings. Spanish winger David Silva, along with Yaya Toure and Jerome Boateng add to arguably the best squad in England. The real difficulty here is trying to get them to play, act and be a team.

Many think Roberto Mancini is just the man for the job.

Their defence is another problem that needs to be fixed and fine-tuned. Last season the Man City defence conceded 45 goals more than any other team in the top seven.

Don’t rule out Liverpool, desperate to earn back respect. After their worst performance in the league since 1998/1999, Liverpool have began to make changes. After many years of calling for Rafa Benitez’s head the Liverpool bosses finally swung the axe and appointed former Fulham manager Roy Hodgens.

Is he the man that can bring their first English crown since 1990? Well if performances don’t improve it will be a tough time down at Anfield for Roy Hodgens and his team.

Every season we ask will this year be Aston Villa’s year, will they finally crack the top four? Well perhaps this will be their year.

James Milner is emerging as one of England’s finest midfielders. With him and fellow English youngster Ashley Young, Aston Villa not only have the immediate future but the long term to be excited about.

Are they "gunner" do it? Can the Gunners go all the way this season?

It’s been six years since Arsenal lifted the crown. Six years since they went undefeated. Six years since Thierry Henry netted on thirty occasions.

Their hopes may rest on the decision of Cesc Fabregas.

This 23-year-old possibly holds the hopes and dreams of millions. This creative midfielder has the ability to become the best player on the planet and he’s by far Arsenal’s best player.

If he goes to Barcelona many believe their chance at another title will be drastically decreased.

Manchester United was denied history last season. What could have been; four titles in a row, their names engraved in history books.

But one point denied them this.

The emotions are still raw for Manchester United and they’ll be looking to get one back against the Blues. With the best defence in the completion conceding just 28 goals last season means that if Wayne Rooney can stay fit then perhaps the title will be coming back to old Trafford for the 12th time in the Premier League’s short history.

Last but not least the defending champions. A record breaking season, 103 goals, a superhuman performance, but can they back it up? That’s the question. This summer they’ve lost three great talents, Michael Ballack, Joe Cole, and Juliano Belletti.

Can they cope with these losses and win the league again? They’ve gained Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool and he should give some more potency to an already dangerous attack.

Will Chelsea win back to back like '04/'05 and '05/'06? If they can stay injury free for the majority of the season the other teams may be hard pressed to beat the champs.

Just under a month away from the new season and it’s already shaping up as the best yet.

All I can say is game on!