Let's look at the teams for this coming season:

The Champions:

Aston Villa record - 6th / 1st - Well, they were 20/1 and against all odds won with a week to spare. The squad are all in the top 80,000 and can go from strength to strength. They'll be hard to beat again...price 5/2

The Contenders:

Rangers record - 17th / 2nd - Almost unstoppable last season, and with Maureenho and barry they have two of the great players. The other three players are all in the top 50,000 and I feel they'll push Villa all the way. The opening fixture could prove vital...price 9/4F

Hull City record - 8th / 4th - Always underestimated, but not this year, after two great seasons they've strenghthened with Discogod and in Abumies have one of the stars of the league...price 4/1

Southampton record - 1st / 5th - Made a great defence of their title, but were always carrying Knulpuk. He'll have to improve for this team to challenge again and there are doubts he can...price 6/1

Chelsea record - 13th / 7th - Made great strides last year, and if they continue to improve they could surprise. Splashed the cash on a new captain, expectations are high...price 8/1

Crystal Palace record - 15th / 3rd - Beaten only twice last season, they've brought a new player in and will hope to stay up with the leaders. On paper they have it all to do, but the feeling is they've got improvement in them...price 12/1

The Pack:

Stoke City record 16th / 12th= - SUZYKINS joins the team and could turn them from under-performers to a top team. The bookies aren't being too generous...price 13/2

Newcastle United record - 20th / 19th - Not great form! They have signed a good player in spudder and with allwaysonthebeer playing well they could be the surprise package this season...price 16/1

Leeds United record - 10th / 10th - Consistent. They got to a cup final, but couldn't win the silverware. A new squad player in Bandit, but hard to see them challenging...price 18/1

Nottingham Forest record - 19th / 17th - Cup winners, and it's time they did better in the league. jpk100 is the weak link, but the rest of the team are worthy...price 12/1

Portsmouth record - 4th / 6th - Two great seasons, but this small squad are struggling with internal squabbles. Knotty is disinterested, steve_lee seems bored, but the others are always dangerous so they should be a mid-table team this year...price 16/1

Arsenal record - 5th / 18th - WHat on earth happened last year! Only 4 wins but they were unlucky with their games. They've signed three new players and will be praying they don't go the way of Man City, buying big and sinking fast...price 12/1

Everton record - 2nd / 16th - They seemed to put all their efforts into winning the League Cup, and sunk to the bottom of the league. I expect a better effort this season...price 10/1

West Ham United - 12th / 9th - Mid-table performers. Two good players, three average or poor ones. More of the same...price 16/1

Making up the Numbers:

Brighton & Hove Albion record - 0 / 11th - Did quite well after a sticky start and the men look like they're playing well. Julie, however is losing interest and could drag them down...price 14/1

Liverpool record - 3rd / 8th - They've got a good spine to their team, but keep rotating. So often their better players are on the bench! Last season they scored less goals than Newcastle in 19th place, but got lucky by conceding the 4th least goals...price 10/1

Ipswich Town record - 0 / 14th - They struggled after a good start and will need general jedi and blahblah to take the game seriously or they could be for the drop...price 22/1

Manchester United record - 9th / 15th - Only three players in the top 100k so with their large squad I think they'll struggle again...price 20/1

Tottenham Hotspur record - 11th / 12th= - They have two star players and a bunch of amateurs. Hopefully they can stay afloat, but it's a sad state for this big club...price 25/1

Derby County record - 18th / 0 - Well, they managed to get their paperwork done in time for the new season, but their squad looks very thin on paper. One decent player but the rest are poor...price 40/1

Gameweek 21 Fixtures:

Brighton & Hove Albion v Portsmouth

Brighton were hammered last season when they ventured down the coast to Portsmouth, a man down and unsure of themselves. But after a reasonable 11th place finish last time, they'll be confident of making a better fist of it this time. If the snow clears and Julie doesn't find it too cold the Seagulls could surprise...Prediction 1-0

Crystal Palace v Man Utd

Never a team to stand still, Palace have signed up eagle224 in the transfer window and he comes straight into the team for the visit of the Reds. UEM, has rested his tired old bones and will take the armband for this game hoping that this season they can get off to a good start...Prediction 1-1

Derby County v Ipswich Town

This is going to be a hard match for the new boys. Derby at least have home advantage, but their players look in poor form apart from captain j0nners who has been off the Xmas pud in preparation. Ipswich settled in nicely last season and will hope to humiliate the newbies...Prediction 1-2

Everton v Arsenal

Two terrible teams last season, but Arsenal have recruited large over the break and blood new boy Dan Caek for their trip up north. He actually takes over as captain and that's what Arsenal have been missing, a true leader. the other new signings, atx and gjkendall are both out of shape. Everton dump djnuttie and I fancy that will be good enough to see them home here...Prediction 2-1

Hull City v Chelsea

Hull bring in loan signing Discogod and he takes over from Aadvark on the wing. It'll seem strange not seeing his name first on the team-sheet. Chelsea were much improved towards the end of last season and they've spent big bucks bringing in Roga from Barcelona. Roga's contract stipulated he must have the armband, so mkc0303 is benched. Prediction 2-2

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur

Mintman takes over again as Liverpool captain as they look for more consistency. Spurs have a great captain in RememberTheTitans and a superb striker in Doogal, but the rest of the team are as terrible as usual...Prediction 2-1

Newcastle Utd v Stoke City

Newcastle have splashed the cash on spudder, and he looks a good signing. Maybe they'll do better, as they surely need to. Stoke bring in SUZYKINS who should strengthen their team. Karrde takes the armband. Should be a good game Prediction 2-3

Nottingham Forest v Leeds Utd

A repeat of last season's FA Cup Final sees Leeds visit the cup holders Forest. Leeds are putting up a weakened team, Surprised getting a surprise call-up. Forest unchanged as usual...Prediction 2-0

Rangers v Aston Villa

What a game for our first week. The Champions visit the Runners-Up in the frozen wastelands over the border! Last year Rangers came south and pillaged and this year they have their skipper barry playing. Everything points to a Rangers victory but Villa, with the outstanding Colbert and a fit again Spinynorman in their ranks will fight them from the off...Prediction 2-2

West Ham Utd v Southampton

Southampton lost their crown last season and will want it back. This isn't an easy start though and West Ham with the amazing Mercer (5 goal hero in an international friendly last week) will push them all the way...Prediction 1-1

So a very big game for the mighty Villa to begin with. Let's defend our title with pride.

Here's hoping for a good clean game.

You boys will get a tough test at Ibrox - no quarter given.

This is the real deal now... The Teddy Bears are at full pelt

The General has made 5 transfers this week, already

You need to find another Ipswich fan

There are so many of us

I've got my thermals ready so I should be raring to go for the Seagulls at Pompey

Is it too late for Cup teams still (aren't I technically a Bosman )? I'll be Colchester United if allowed.

Ipswich?

You can represent Colchester if you like, but you'll be up against it. You do have the option of going out on loan to one of the Premier clubs if you can bear to play for another team.

Bring. It. On.

Tough trip to the Frozen North to begin proceedings but an away win would set the ball rolling for a successful defence of the title.

Great work Spencer by the way, nice intro to the season.

Spencer - Can I represent Bristol City for the cups and Arsenal for the league.

Thanks Spencer. Looks like a great comp, that is if anyone can get a team out for GW21.

Nice to see some fixtures have escaped the minor frost.

We could struggle to make up that -16 points

SEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAGULLS!

Let's just hope we don't suffer from second season syndrome. Wouldn't want to end up with the minnows in the cup competition.

If anything, the first game of the season is going to be 'interesting'.

From a brief look down the teams it looks like you guys have quite a big advantage over us this week. Even more so if the City game is off as the Villans have high hopes for Tevez it seems.

Gameweek 21 Results:

Brighton & Hove Albion 1 - 3 Portsmouth

The season kicked off in blizzard conditions, but virtual football isn't affected by the weather so Portsmouth had the chance to hammer their South Coast neighbours again and duly did so. It really was cold, and fears that Julie couldn't handle the conditions were proved accurate as she shivered alone on the wing as Steve_Lee, Dronning and frattonender all took advantage of her (!) and put Pompey 3 up. A late consolation from Ironfist but it's Portsmouth who hit the top spot after week one...Motm Dronning Maud Land

Crystal Palace 2 - 1 Man Utd

The Eagles new signing eagle224 scored on his debut and generally looked a good buy. bluelionman made it two and then they cruised to a comfortable win. United looked like a team without structure. bert. messed about, UEM looked like a man who'd eaten too many mince pies, poor start...Motm bluelionman

Derby County 0 - 1 Ipswich Town

What a dreadful advertisement for the league this was. Derby were just not ready for this. Their players have to realize that more is expected of them this season. -DC- especially seemed to think he only needed to turn up and sign a few autographs. Ipswich weren't much better, general jedi and blahblah threw snowballs at each other for most of the match, but luckily WHATEVER made the most of the only chance that came his way...Motm WHATEVER

Arsenal 2 - 0 Everton

Well the leadership of DanCaek got off to a winning start. The game was switch to the Emirates after the coach driver realized he'd already taken Arsenal to Goodison earlier last season! A great display from the Gunners, totally outplaying Everton all over the field. If they play like this each week they'll have a good chance...Motm DixieDean

Hull City 1 - 1 Chelsea

The only draw of the Gameweek and a very tactical game it was too. Chelsea will be pleased to get this one out of the way, they didn't play well, and if it wasn't for a terrific all-round display from Matty B and a super goal to equalize they may have got nothing at all. Hull were poor themselves, shm247 limping off after hardly getting a touch all game...Motm Matty B

Liverpool 1 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur

Liverpool played some good football, Krispy, finding his form again and crossing perfectly for Mintman to score. Spurs had their chances but although Doogal was his usual dogged self they couldn't put the ball in the net. Motm...Krispy

Newcastle Utd 2 - 0 Stoke City

There has been quite a bit of support for Newcastle on Betfair lately and here they showed that the last two under-performing seasons may be behind them. Although new signing spudder looked a little out of shape, topknotch and looney put them two up and they never looked back. Stoke had the game's outstanding player in the pom, but the others just moaned to the ref about the cold and were as much use as a one legged man in an arse kicking contest ! ...Motm the pom

Nottingham Forest 1 - 0 Leeds Utd

How Forest must love it when the all-white strip of Leeds line up beside them in the tunnel, though this repeat of the FA Cup Final was a damp squib at best. Shaggy powered home a free-kick and despite andybarrell nearly equalizing, Leeds were really poor. Spencer4 especially slow and lacking any guile. Only one goal in it, but the score flattered Leeds...Motm Shaggy365

Rangers 1 - 2 Aston Villa

This was the big one! The crowd were hanging from the floodlight pylons to hopefully see their heroes live up their favourites' tag and de-frock the Villa. The Champions are made of teak these days and despite captain Colbert feeling unwell and playing poorly, the other players rose to the occasion and put on a powerful second half performance after trailing at the break. This was not the game for the two stars, barry and Maureenho to stumble in but they did, and if it wasn't for AMc things might have been a lot worse. Villa eventually won this well and easier games lie ahead for the new favourites...Motm AMc

West Ham Utd 2 - 1 Southampton

West Ham have hit the ground running. they dominated this game and should have won by more than the odd goal in 3. Mercer looks fit and happy again and even a poor display from Hammerddh couldn't prevent them winning. Southampton need to find a way to win again. Knulpuk's extra training had clearly worked, but the others were content to take their money and run...Motm Hammered

blahblah your snowball had a stone in it you b*gger

Ooopsie, but off to winning ways. I feel an 'Invincible' season lies ahead.

/jinx.

No wonder we lost, the everton lads had obviously gone to Goodison. And seeing Dixie Dean playing for Arsenal against Everton is just so, so wrong!

Well it was a strange week wasn't it. Doesn't seem like many of us had Tevez, just a couple maybe. A winning start is always good though.

nice one The Toon. hope i play the next game.

I'll go out on loan to Ipswich, most Col U players have crossed the divide anyway

Gameweek 22 Fixtures:

Aston Villa v West Ham Utd

So the Champions return home to parade their silverware and it's last weeks winners West Ham that come visiting. One 100% record will go here, Villa are unchanged but West Ham bring in Richt...Prediction 3-2

Chelsea v Nottingham Forest

Chelsea looked distinctly under par last week, whereas Forest played well. Chelsea take the captaincy from Roga and let mkc030 have a go and Amcal59 comes into defence for 5 long bones. Forest unchanged again and could surprise...Prediction 1-2

Ipswich Town v Brighton & Hove Albion

The signing of Tacalabala from Colchester came too late for this match but Ipswich will appreciate his endeavour as the season progresses. Both these teams were poor last week, but the warming temperatures may help Julie perform for Brighton. Draw on the cards...Prediction 2-2

Everton v Derby County

Derby really didn't look ready for the speed and quality of this league last week. Perhaps they'll be better after a week of training. Everton were terrible themselves and drop Bunners for djnuttie, still suffering from a split personality...Prediction 2-0

Leeds Utd v Arsenal

Arsenal were a revelation against Everton and will hope to maintain that form on the trip north to Leeds. They drop Maradona for this one, but welcome back atx1003. Leeds have had enough of Spencer4, the captain is booted and new signing Bandit takes the armband. Surprised follows Spencer4 onto the bench (!) as GM returns...Prediction 1-3

Manchester Utd v Newcastle Utd

This will be a real test for both teams. Newcastle seem to have turned over a new leaf, crushing Stoke with ease last week so they'll hope to be able to maintain that good start at United. The reds underperform again, though UEM is solid as skipper. They shuffle the pack again...Prediction 1-2

Portsmouth v Crystal Palace

These two teams both won last week and this will be a great match-up. Nevblake is back for Palace, replacing Zipnolan who is struggling with his form. Portsmouth just need Knotty to pay attention at the back and they could go all the way this season...Prediction 4-2

Southampton v Rangers

These two giants are both coming off a shattering loss. Rangers losing at home to Villa could well derail their season so they'll hope to take advantage of Southampton's poor start. Maureenho is rested for once. Southampton are slipping, only captain JD007 playing with any authority, this could be a tough match for them...Prediction 1-3

Stoke City v Liverpool

There won't be much in this. Stoke drop the very disappointing Takeshi Kovacs who hasn't turned up to training since October! Sasquatch comes into midfield for Liverpool and Kitkatshuffler hopes to have throws off his winter vomiting bug! Prediction 1-1

Tottenham Hotspur v Hull City

Tottenham drop Jeffersdn again and replace him with blueprint. Doogal takes over as captain from RememberTheTitans. For Hull Aadvark is back for shm247, this will be close...Prediction 1-1

GW21 hurts in oh so many ways

Gameweek 23 Results:

Aston Villa 4 - 5 West Ham Utd

UEFA's experiment with goalkeepers having their arms tied behind their backs was trialled this week and what a crazy, goal-tastic week it turned out to be. Whether the Villa team will view it quite so fondly is debatable, Spinynorman in goal this week, knocked himself out on the post and the happy hammers took full advantage...Motm Hammered

Chelsea 5 - 3 Nottingham Forest

Chelsea remain unbeaten, many thanks to Forest having keithy007 sent off early in the game. amcal59 scored 2 quick goals and Matty B and Roga added to their total in the second half. An own-goal by Shaggy saw them 5-0 down, but freckles made the scoreline respectable with three late goals...Motm amcal59

Ipswich Town 6 - 5 Brighton & Hove Albion

Eleven goals in this topsy-turvy game. WHATEVER scored a hat-trick and flyingkillercob got 2. For Brighton, fil16 woke up at last and nearly led a great recovery but Julie didn't like the way the inbreds ogled her from the crowd, it quite put her off her game...Motm WHATEVER

Everton 6 - 2 Derby County

Rams to the slaughter, Derby still looking like a lower-league club. Everton took full advantage, even an off game from captain Scottoffee couldn't stop them as goals from moonlightdribbler, newb0rn and a late sixth from djnuttie saw the Scousers home...Motm moonlightdribbler

Leeds Utd 5 - 7 Arsenal

Arsenal seem to have turned over a new leaf this season. Usually this is just the kind of game they'd have lost, but there was not a weak link in the team here as they answered every Leeds' goal with one of their own and when andybarrell was stretchered off late on, they put the game to bed with a couple of DanCaek free-kicks...Motm DanCaek

Manchester Utd 7 - 5 Newcastle Utd

It was like watching a game in sepia, for Stanley Matthews read UEM as he shredded the hapless Newcastle defense again and again. His four goals were the first time he'd scored four in a game before and he proudly exited with the match ball. Newcastle didn't play badly and their improved form was noted, but LooneyToon let the team down again and despite great play from allwaysonthebeer and URkiddingme, they were soundly beaten...Motm UEM

Portsmouth 7 - 2 Crystal Palace

The table-topping Portsmouth dismantled a surprisingly poor Palace in this South Coast contest. Seven goals for Pompey who now have knotched up double figures in just two games! The whole team played to their very best form, dominating Palace in every area...Motm Dronning Maud Land

Southampton 7 - 3 Rangers

The pre-season favourites find themselves second bottom as Southampton run riot. A powerful performance from The Saints, faster and stronger than Rangers, the 7-3 scoreline didn't flatter the ex-Champions. barry will need to rouse his troops to prevent this season slipping away from them...Motm Knulpuk

Stoke City 6 - 5 Liverpool

Stoke put Liverpool firmly in their places with a good win. Teamwork was the name of the game for Stoke, no star performances just a great all-round display. Liverpool had the star of the show in Krispy, but his 3 goals were not enough...Motm Krispy

Tottenham Hotspur 8 - 7 Hull City

15 (Fifteen) goals at White Hart Lane as a rampant Spurs side set a new Premier Fans league record. Hat-tricks for Doogal and RTT and goals for bagpuss and blueprint saw them home against a never-say-die Hull side. perivar scored 5 goals for Hull but in basketball fashion Spurs always replied and more. I think this UEFA experiment isn't going to work, back to untied goallies next week !...Motm perivar