Cottee's PL picks

Cottee: Big fan of Torres

Also see

• Jeff Stelling's picks
• Paul Merson's picks
• Alan McInally's picks
• Charlie Nicholas's picks
• Phil Thompson's picks
• Matt Le Tissier's picks
• Chris Kamara's picks
• 2008-09 preview

It's a dangerous game, making pre-season predictions. But with just days to go before the big kick-off in the Premier League, the Soccer Saturday gang have gallantly agreed to put their necks - and their credibility - on the line.

Former West Ham and Everton goal machine Tony Cottee is the last - but certainly not least - of the Soccer Saturday panel to give his season tips.

Champions

I'm going to say Manchester United but only on the basis that they sign Berbatov. If they don't sign another forward, then it could be Chelsea's year. I think Scolari will be fine adapting to the Premier League. The bottom line is he's got a lot of good players there - all he's got to do is get them organised and pick the right team! We all missed Mourinho when he went and after Avram Grant, Scolari seems to be a bit of a character so I think he'll do well. But if United can get Berbatov - or if not perhaps Thierry Henry because he's been mentioned - that will give them that out-and-out forward. They've got lots of skillful players like Tevez and Ronaldo as we all know but they need someone to lead the line. And if they get Dimitar, they'll win it.

Champions League spots

I'm going to go for Liverpool to finish above Arsenal and the the only reason for that is Robbie Keane - I think he will form a really good partnership with Torres. Arsenal have still got a lot of kids and although we know they play good football, I still think they'll pip Liverpool.

Fit for fifth

I think it will be a scrap but I'm going to tip Aston Villa this year. I think most people will say Spurs but if they lose Berbatov, in addition to losing Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe, it might turn out to be more of a difficult season than some are expecting. I think Martin O'Neill has made some strong signings and they're a team who can only get better.

Surprise package

This is not really a surprise but if - and it is an if - Portsmouth get their game together, they could potentially go up to fifth or sixth place. But I'm saying that on the basis of Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe - two great forward players - really get going. These days, it's not a surprise to tip them to finish in the top half but if they're on their game, they could push for a UEFA Cup place.

Going down

I think it will be very difficult for the teams that have come up - Hull, Stoke and West Brom - and if I'm put on the spot, although I think it's only happened once before, I think it could be those three to go this year. I think the usual suspects like Wigan and Bolton will be down towards the bottom again but I think they might just have a little bit too much for the three new boys. Of those new teams I really hope that Hull stay up, not just because I've got a lot of friends there - and I know if they finish 17th, they'll be delighted.

Golden boot

I backed Fernando Torres and Michael Owen last year - I wasn't far wrong with with Torres and obviously Michael had a lot of injuries. But I'm going to stick with my man Fernando again. I think he'll score a lot of goals, especially with Keane alongside him. After all the speculation about his future over the summer, I fully expect Ronaldo to just get on with it when he returns from his injury. It'll be interesting to see what reception he gets in the first five minutes but no doubt he'll ping a goal in in the seventh, and the fans will be cheering his name again. He's a wonderful player and I'm pleased he's still in the Premier League.

Best buy

I know he cost a lot of money but I have to go back to Robbie Keane. He's a tremendous player, he's proved it year-in, year-out and I think he could be the missing link for Liverpool and help them to have a really good season. He'll link the midfield and Torres, and allow Benitez to play Stevie Gerrard in the position he feels he can get the best out of him. I expect Keane and Torres to get 50 goals between the pair of them, so while he's not necessarily value for money, he's a really top quality player.

Barking buy

I can't think of one that's particularly knocked me for six but I think Blackburn are set to offer Robbie Fowler a contract and that's certainly an interesting one. Robbie would be the first to admit that he thought his Premier League days were finished but it's a great opportunity - he'll probably be a squad player because I can't see him getting in front of Roque Santa Cruz and a few others - and he's such a good goalscorer that if he gets the chance i think he could still do the business.

Soccer Saturday summer slacker

As always, I've got to give Tony Gale a bit of stick! He might have put on a few pounds over the summer but that's par for the course for him...I'm also expecting Charlie Nicholas to come back with a cracking tan because I know he's a slave to soaking up the rays!