I LOVE this time of the year.

It's a time when all teams are equal, when hopes are high, players aren't yet fighting and it's too hot for Jose Mourinho to wear that coat.

It's also a time when my crystal ball gets it annual rub.

So enjoy my predictions, and I guarantee by May, at least one will be right.

1st CHELSEA:

They'll have the title wrapped up in March. They're in a league of their own both on and off the pitch.

Good buy: Shaun Wright-Phillips. Good riddance: Juan Veron (at last).

2nd MANCHESTER UNITED:

The four Rs - Rooney, Ronaldo, Rio and Ruud - will bring the smile back to Fergie's face (well, for 10 minutes at least, see right).

Good buy: Edwin van der Sar. Goodbye: Roy Carroll.

3rd ARSENAL:

They'll miss Vieira, and an injury to Henry will put pay to a title challenge. Should have strengthened more.

Good buy: Alexander Hleb. Good heavens: Patrick Vieira really did go!

4th LIVERPOOL:

Another inconsistent league campaign. Benitez cleared out the dross - but then spent the money on Peter Crouch.

Good buy: Jose Reina. Good grief: Was Antonio Nunez really the kitman?

5th BIRMINGHAM:

This season's surprise package. If Mikael Forssell's knee holds out, then it will be a Brucey bonus of Europe for the Blues.

Good buy: Nick Butt: Goodbye: Robbie Blake is back in the division he belongs.

6th ASTON VILLA:

David O'Leary might look like a character out of The League of Gentleman, but he's made some canny buys in Kevin Phillips and Aaron Hughes.

Good buy: Patrick Berger.

Good heavens: Darius Vassell won't be missed.

7th TOTTENHAM:

Another solid season for Martin Jol. I can't wait to see Edgar Davids in his shades on a wet Tuesday night in Middlesbrough.

Good buy: Tom Huddlestone.

Good business: Getting £4m for Simon Davies.

8th EVERTON:

Not quite a Champions League campaign this time as David Moyes' boys put fans to sleep playing a 9-1-1 formation.

Good buy: Phil Neville.

Goodbye: Alan Stubbs - he's joined the old people's home at Sunderland.

9th MIDDLESBROUGH:

Yakubu and Hasselbaink will win games. A shambolic defence will lose just as many.

Good buy: Yakubu.

Good grief: Stewart Downing wasn't bought by a big club.

10th CHARLTON:

Like that mole on your backside - ugly, inoffensive and will always be there.

Good buy: Darren Ambrose.

Good lad: Danny Murphy. He'll be player of the season.

11th BOLTON:

Big Sam's a great tactician but he's bought too many foreigners who will take too much time to gel.

Good buy: El-Hadji Diouf.

Good riddance: Julio Cesar - et tu Brute? Who was he?

12th MANCHESTER CITY:

Psycho Stu will make sure the long-suffering City fans don't endure a relegation fight. Andy Cole and Darius Vassell could be a surprise package up front.

Good buy: Darius Vassell.

Good grief: Who are the City fans going to boo now Steve McManaman has gone.

13th NEWCASTLE:

They won't finish the season with Graeme Souness in charge. A new boss will pull them out of danger after Christmas. Sounds familiar?

Good buy: Scott Parker.

Goodbye: Bellamy, Robert, Butt, Kluivert, Ambrose ... and anyone else who was decent.

14th BLACKBURN:

Bellamy and Kuqi will improve the attack, but Rovers still lack a real flair player in midfield. That'll be the difference between one point and three each week.

Good buy: Craig Bellamy.

Goodbye: Jon Stead - phew!

15th PORTSMOUTH:

Laurent Robert can't save a mediocre season.

Good buy: Andy O'Brien.

Good riddance: Ricardo Fuller.

16th WEST BROM:

Another escape act from Robbo. Richard Chaplow will emerge as a Premiership talent.

Good buy: Diomansy Kamara.

Good heavens: The words 'Bryan', 'Robson', 'managerial' and 'success' in the same sentence.

17th WEST HAM:

Cor blimey guv'nor, the Hammers live to fight another year. Teddy Sheringham, at the age of 73, signs a new one-year contract.

Good buy: Danny Gabbidon.

Good riddance: Sergei Rebrov - how the mighty fell.

18th SUNDERLAND:

You can't buy middle of the road journeymen and hope to survive. But third from bottom will be an achievement!

Good buy: Alan Stubbs.

Good heavens: Jon Stead - of two-goal fame last season - will be the main striker.

19th FULHAM:

This has been coming for a couple of seasons. The loss of Lee Clark, Andy Cole and Edwin van der Sar will hit them hard.

Good buy: Heidar Helguson.

Good grief: Chris Coleman is the first Premiership manager sacked.

20th WIGAN:

Who wants to play for Wigan? Not many by the looks of it. At least the three men and a dog who turn up every week will enjoy one season in the big time.

Good buy: Haven't made any.

Goodbye: ...To the Premiership.