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Who is Worthy of the Top Four? | 
The season is fast approaching, and with preseason friendlies now fully underway squads are getting ready for the 2009/10 Premier League season. Last season saw Aston Villa comfortable in fourth place for much of the season before stuttering over the finish line, but Martin O’Neill’s side lead a long list of clubs hoping to crack into the four coveted Champions League spots this season.
Here are the four sides that are most likely to challenge the top four.
Manchester City
City are the most likely of these candidates to dislodge United, Chelsea, Liverpool, or Arsenal this season. Backed by their billionaire owner, City has built a solid squad under Mark Hughes. With Robinho leading the attack and Kolo Toure now paired with Richard Dunne in front of Shay Given, there is no doubt that City could cause some damage this season. Emmanuel Adebayor is an excellent addition to the Citizens, and along with Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz, City is not short on options.
In midfield Stephen Ireland will be looking to follow up his best season with more of the same, and if he can click with Nigel de Jong and company then City look good all the way from front to back.
The only question mark that remains is Mark Hughes. Sparky has never managed a top four side, and with a whole host of egos now resting in the City of Manchester Stadium it’s up to Hughes to keep everyone happy and positive.
Look out for: Emmanuel Adebayor. The big frontman has scored goals wherever has played, and with worldclass players all around him and a key role in the side he should flourish.
Everton
If anyone knows how to challenge the top four, it’s David Moyes and Everton. The Toffees ousted crosstown rivals Liverpool from the top four in the 2004/05 season, and they’ll be looking to do it again. Everton have become used to finishing in fifth, and with a little bit of luck and a healthy squad they are more than capable of doing so.
Too many people are forgetting that Everton’s most clinical striker missed almost the entirety of last season. Yakubu is a proven goalscorer in the Premiership, and with the Yak back in the lineup Everton fans are expecting success. Louis Saha is a more than capable strike partner, but the former Manchester United striker is also prone to injuries. The midfield pairing of Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini is one of the best in the league, but injuries and suspensions kept both of them out of the lineup quite a few times last season.
Look out for: Marouane Fellaini. If you haven’t seen this big fella play yet, watch him this season. The Belgian has immense skill with his feet, is a threat in the air, and is never afraid to put in a crunching tackle.
Tottenham
It seems like every season it’s Tottenham that is being tipped for greatness. This year, though, things should finally be different. Instead of underachieving, it appears that the Spurs finally have the pieces in place. Harry Redknapp is a more than capable manager, and with time to put his own mark on the squad and a full preseason under his belt, Tottenham is shaping up.
The signing of Peter Crouch means that Tottenham have three of the most proven strikers in the Premier League. Combined with Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe, Crouch will form a dynamic partnership up top. Tottenham is capable of choosing a different style to play each week – there is a big-little combination, a little-little combo, and pace to burn all over the pitch.
Last season we didn’t get to see much of Ledley King, but this year we should get a pleasant reminder as to why he deserves a shot in the England squad. With Jonathan Woodgate also in the heart of the Tottenham defense, Gomes shouldn’t need to worry about conceding too many goals.
Look out for: Luka Modric. The Croatian playmaker arrived with big expectations, but with his own squad underperforming, Luka fell into the trap as well. With a rejuvanated squad around him, Luka should be back to his best. And trust me, his best is pretty good.
Aston Villa
Villa is the side that came so close to finishing in the top four this past season. Martin O’Neill and his determined squad were hanging on to fourth all season long, but eventually their thin depth was revealed and Arsenal reclaimed their Champions League spot.
Villa are now without their former captain Gareth Barry, but in place of him they’ve got bags of confidence and far more experience. O’Neill has been desperately clinging on to the young and talented Ashley Young, and it’s he who holds the key this season. A healthy John Carew will help, too, but chances are that Villa won’t be quite as good as they were last season.
Look out for: Gabriel Agbonlahor. Agbonlahor started off last season in spectacular form, but as Villa’s form dropped so did their star striker’s. With more experience under his belt and a thorough preseason to get back into the swing of things, Agbonlahor should be able to get back in the goals again. Who knows, he just might make the England World Cup roster.
Will any of these candidates break into the top four? Have your say below!
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Spurs has finished 5th twice with a capable manager and just missed out on 4th. So they can achieve it. Aston Villa just need depth and Everton has made it but never stuck, Everton need world class player and need to hold onto them. City won’t as long as Hughes is on the helm.
Realistically, it is City and Everton. With all due respect, Villa’s holding on to forth last season was mostly because of under performing Arsenal. When Gunners returned back to their best Villa was left back in the dust. As for Tottenham, they will do … just like typical Tottenham.