10 Things to Expect from the 2010-11 Premier League Season

The phony war is over. A new EPL season starts on Saturday and it promises to be a humdinger.

Can Manchester City turn their riches into trophies? Are Liverpool really dark horses for the title? Will Sir Alex Ferguson and his men take back Chelsea's crown? Can Newcastle survive the drop? Will Arsenal get kicked to pieces? Will the real Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres stand up to be counted?

Here are my 10 predictions for the new season.

No. 1: Liverpool will Turn the Corner

Roy Hodgson has already done a magnificent job in convincing Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard to stay.

I see him steadying the ship at Anfield and leading the Reds back into the top four. The title is beyond Liverpool, but baby steps in the right direction will do nicely.

No. 2: Blackpool will be Relegated by March

Ian Holloway's team are good to watch and full of personality, but they simply don't have the quality to stand up to life in the EPL.

No. 3: Manchester United will Win the Title

United are still smarting from their disappointment last season and will hit the ground running this campaign.

In Javier Hernandez Sir Alex Ferguson appears to have captured a geniune match-winner, and a return to form for Wayne Rooney is surely inevitable.

Darron Gibson will add goals from midfield, and Chris Smalling could prove a very shrewd signing in defense.

No. 4: City Will Break into the Top Four and Win a Trophy

City have a simply ridiculous array of talent at their disposal, and it would take a managerial performance of serious ineptitude for them to miss out on a Champions League spot.

That said, Roberto Mancini will need time to find the right blend and the title may be beyond City this time. I see them finishing third.

Such is their strength in depth, however, that I expect City to end their 34-year wait for a major trophy in either the FA Cup or Carling Cup.

No. 5: The Wenger Years Will End in Disappointment

Arsene Wenger's team will miss out on the top four and fall short in the FA Cup and Carling Cup.

Wenger will resign at the end of the season to take on a new challenge, and Cesc Fabregas will spend at least half the year daydreaming he was plying his trade at Barcelona.

No. 6: Chelsea Will Run Out of Steam

Carlo Ancelotti's team are still a force to be reckoned with, but I would argue they are slightly too reliant on aging players and could really struggle if one or two of their key men suffer long-term injuries.

A sluggish pre-season points towards a slow start, and I expect the Blues to finish some way behind Manchester United in second place.

No. 7: Newcastle Will Survive...Just

On paper you'd expect Newcastle to fall straight back down, but the 'Toon Army' factor will see them scrape to safety.

The goals of Andy Carroll will be key, as will their ability to turn St James' Park into a fortress.

No. 8: West Brom Will be Whipping Boys

If there's to be a comical 8-0 or 9-0 this season, West Brom are surely favourites to be on the end of it.

Roberto Di Matteo's men will provide plenty of entertainment, but a return to the Championship seems an almost certainty.

No. 9: Craig Bellamy and Joey Barton Will Make New Enemies

Craig Bellamy has said he may quit football if he's left out of Manchester City's 25-man squad for the season.

Meanwhile, Joey Barton is surely set for a season of wall-to-wall boos as he returns to the top flight and sets about kicking people for fun.

Expect both to make predictably rash decisions on and off the field.

No. 10: Space Will be at a Premium

The World Cup hinted that a new tactical era could be upon us. Lesser teams have learned that by packing midfield and closing space on the flanks they can nullify more talented opposition.

Inter Milan's defeat of Barcelona last season comes to mind - and it could prompt EPL managers to adopt a more negative approach this season,