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4 more days to the start of the new 2007/08 EPL season. I just dunno why they changed it to Barclays Premier League, and everyone's calling it BPL now... Sounds uber wierd... Haha... I'm also wondering what's up with StarHub and ESPN Starsports. Ok, here's the main pointer, StarHub agreed a huge fee to pay towards the Premier League to have 370 'live & delayed' matches to be shown on their network. However, long time broadcasters ESPN Starsports couldn't agree a fee with StarHub, so StarHub cut their EPL relationship with ESPN Starsports. As a result, StarHub are now showing the EPL matches on Supersports and Supersports Plus, channel 22 and 21 respectively. In addition, an additional channel will be added, the Football Channel, on channel 27. Whilst we pay more for this, I think $10 more, we also get once pay-per-view channels 106 and 107, which is Goal TV 1 and Goal TV 2, in the package. This is all alright. But why does ESPN Starsports keep reiterating that they are showing some matches on their network again? So does it mean we have so many matches, sometimes repeated on two channels, live? But when checking the StarHub online Telescope, a program guide, ESPN Starsports on 11 August 2007 at around 6pm to 12am will show no matches from the EPL. So that's pretty wierd. Just know that there'll still be matches, no matter what channel. Just have to pay more...

Now to some real football. I'd like to give me opinion on the relegation candidates - working my way up the various battles in the upcoming days leading up to the start of the EPL. Now its the obvious clubs that just got promoted, Sunderland, Birmingham and Derby County. In addition, Wigan Athletic, Middlesbrough and Fulham look the most vulnerable, in accordance to last season and this summer's transfer activity and managerial changes.

First up, Sunderland. Roy Keane has done a good job in the Coca-Cola Championship, but what bout the EPL? He has brought in some players, but are unknown whether they are quality in the EPL... Russell Anderson, Greg Halford, Michael Chopra, Paul McShane and Dickson Etuhu are all quality in other leagues, most notably the Championship. Russell Anderson excelled in the Scottish League. Greg Halford excelled in the Championship, but failed to make an impact in the EPL with Reading. Michael Chopra was sold by Newcastle to Cardiff, and went on to score 20+ goals in the Championship season. Paul McShane was not needed by Manchester United, he and Dickson Etuhu excelled in the Championship too. All not from the EPL, will they do well in the EPL? Only Roy Keane's tactical analysis, and the hopefulness that these untested players will do well in the EPL, then will Sunderland be able to stay up.

10. Thats the amount of players another newly-promoted side has recruited. Steve Bruce's the manager. He has EPL experience, however guiding Birmingham to the drop two seasons ago. Birmingham stuck with him, and he led the club back to the big time. He has also brought in players, and some do have EPL experience. Franck Queudrue, Liam Ridgewell and Stuart Parnaby have all played in the EPL at least a few games. All are defenders, which are vital, as they have to keep a good, experienced backline to fight off opponent strikers. There are some unknown newcomers however, such as Juventus' Olivier Kapo, Daniel de Ridder, Rafael Schmitz, Garry O'Connor and Richard Kingston. Olivier Kapo is the most notable of the lot, having played in the Champions League and Serie A before. He'll add some European experience to this bunch of players. However what about the others? They have never tested EPL nor Championship football, and will they have what it takes to fit in? Their survival also counts on these untested players to do well in the EPL.

All except Lewis Price of the newcomers have played in the EPL, however bit part roles at their former clubs. This is still a good thing, as they have some sort of EPL experience. Robert Earnshaw will harbor most hopes as his goals will prove vital, if he can get 'em, of course. Defensive foursome Andy Griffin, Tyrone Mears, Claude Davis and Andy Todd are decent players. It will be seen how manager Billy Davies manages his players. Star player Giles Barnes will look to use this stage as a platform to move on to bigger things. His ability on the flanks will be crucial, as he is expected to pile up on his assists bonuses. Derby County are expected to finish last, and some have predicted they'll be the whipping boys of this season's EPL. Their will and character will be severely tested over these coming 10 months, and at the end of May 2008 will we see whether they had it, or they were just not good enough.

Another big spender is Wigan Athletic. A fairytale first year and a hard fought second will see them garner good enough experience. They bolster every section with at least one player of EPL experience. Tough, industrious midfielder Michael Brown, target man Antoine Sibierski and defender Titus Bramble will add more experience to an already experienced line-up. New to the EPL are Jason Koumas, Carlo Nash, Antonio Valencia, Mario Melchiot and Andreas Granqvist. The former three have played in the EPL before, but not so recently. Most of them have EPL experience, so would need lesser time fitting in. New manager Chris Hutchings will hope to have sort things out by now, and get his new players to gel with the current squad. A team with good depth, it wonders why they performed so badly last season.

Middlesbrough, under Gareth Southgate, have performed decently over the course of last season. New additions of Luke Young and Jeremie Aliadiere need no time in fitting into the EPL, whilst Turkish international Tuncay Sanli would need some of those precious time. Former captain of relegated Charlton, Luke Young would bring in leadership and defensive steel to a vulnerable backline. Jeremie Aliadiere, who misfired at Arsenal, will look to erase the memory of Mark Viduka and score a good amount of goals. An inconsistent side, Middlesbrough will look to their new players, as well as the current batch, to pull through some consistent results to keep them in the EPL, they're just too good for the Championship.

Fulham have bolstered their squad with 7 new players. EPL-experienced players of Steven Davis, Aaron Hughes and Paul Konchesky will bring in much needed stability to their inconsistent side. More newcomers Diomansy Kamara, David Healy and Lee Cook will look to aid Fulham in their survival cause, scoring and assisting. Chris Baird and Adrian Leijer will add depth to their squad. It looks to see if Lawrie Sanchez can provide the same magic he produced at international level with Northern Ireland, and push Fulham to where Chris Coleman couldn't. American duo Brian McBride and Carlos Bocanegra will be an integral part of their line-up, and if the former brings in the goals, Fulham should stay up.

So this is my opinion on the relegation candidates and their new signings. Now for my bottom three predictions.

Lenny
Joseph
Hua Peng
Sei Yee
Kelvin Kartoyo
Melvin
Seng Yew
Samuel C
Celeste
Mark

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