Its that time of year again.....

Here we are again then folks... after 69 days of waiting... the football season officially gets underway tomorrow night as Middlesbrough take on Sheffield United. I preview the season ahead and tell you who's going up and who's going down.

Premiership

Champions: Liverpool- After finishing runner's up to Manchester United last season, I think this year could be the year that the Merseyside club finally claim their first title since 1990. After the loss of Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid, Rafa Benitez has strengthed the squad with the signings of England right back Glen Johnson and imminent signing of Italian Alberto Aquilani. With the goals of Fernando Torres, and as always the influence of Steven Gerrard, their time has come.

Runners Up: Manchester City- Spending over £80m in the transfer window to date, Mark Hughes has made his City side real challengers for next season. The department that let them down last season- Defence- has been tightened with the acquisition of Kolo Toure from Arsenal so I expect to see them right up there at the end of the season.

Champions League Spots: Manchester United and Chelsea.

Europa League: Everton/Aston Villa, Arsenal and Tottenham.

Relegated:

Portsmouth: With the imminent change of ownership to Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim, it would be fair to say that things seem to be looking up for Pompey. It may seem that way but with it being dragged out with only a week before the Premier League starts, they have no time to get players in and settled. With the departure of David Nugent to Stoke looking set to happen, the South coast club only have Kanu, John Utaka and on loan striker Fréderic Piquionne to choose from. Havent strengthened enough so I think it may be curtains for them.
Birmingham: Although they have strengthened with the signings of Joe Hart, and Scott Dann amongst others, I still dont think they have enough to stay in this league with their back up players.
Hull: Although the loan signing of Jozy Altidore brightened up their chances, I still dont think the Tigers can stay up for another season.

Championship

Champions: West Brom-Under the stewardship of Roberto Di Matteo, he should guide the Baggies back into the top flifght again at a canter.
Runners Up: Sheffield United. After the play-off final loss last season, Kevin Blackwell has not rested on his lorals and bolstered his squad with some astute signings.
Playoffs: Nottingham Forest(Additions should give them success) Reading(Should have enough to get there) Middlesbrough(Squad is good enough to challenge) Ipswich Town
Relegated: Scunthorpe, Peterborough, Doncaster.

League One
Champions: Huddersfield: Lee Clark has been astute this summer signing big defenders Antony Kay and Peter Clarke as well as adding some good attacking options like Robbie Simpson and Theo Robinson.
Runners Up: Leeds United: After the loss of Fabian Delph, Simon Grayson should recover with Michael Doyle a more than suitable replacement, their return to the big time is not far off.
Playoffs: Brighton(Additions have been good enough to make them contenders) Leyton Orient(Williams has done a superb job, suprise package this season) Norwich and Brentford/Hartlepool.
Relegated: Carlisle,Exeter, Swindon, Stockport.

League Two
Champions: Rotherham
Runners Up: Notts County
Third: Rochdale
Playoffs: Northampton, Crewe, Bradford, Chesterfield
Relegated: Dagenham and Macclesfield.

Blue Square Premier
Champions: Luton
Playoffs: Grays, Oxford, Crawley, Wrexham
Relegated: Eastbourne, Salisbury, Gateshead, Hayes/Ebbsfleet.