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Bolton: Bolton have lost both Daniel Sturridge and Johan Elmander, leaving Wanderers with a lack of firepower up front, and if they must invest in a forward to partner the reliable Kevin Davies if they are to challenge for European football. Retaining the services of Gary Cahill is also key to the clubs bid for continental football. However the club has strengthened in midfield, bringing in Darren Pratley and Nigel Reo-Coker, as well as Chris Eagles from Burnley, who joined along with Tyrone Mears. Overall the club should do enough to achieve a mid-table place, although Owen Coyle must do more to bring European football to the Reebok.

Prediction : 11th
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Fulham: After an eighth place finish last season, Mark Hughes decided to jump ship and was replaced by Martin Jol. Dutchman Jol who turned Tottenham from a mid-table club into one pushing for Champions league football, should be able to get the best out of this defensively sound team of which the core still remains from the Hodgson and Hughes era’s. John Arne Riise has returned to the Premier League and a healthy Bobby Zamora will be welcomed back by fans. I expect the Cottagers to start well, although ultimately a side that has been playing competitive football since mid-July will eventually tire out and an end of season slump to mid table is to be expected.

Prediction: 12^th
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West Brom: Although many thought the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo was rather harsh in February, it was his replacement Roy Hodgson that lead the Baggies to a surprisingly comfortable run to survival, and an 11^th place finish, their best in nearly 30 years. The return of cult hero Zoltan Gera and the signing of Shane Long should prove popular with fans, and if Peter Odemwingie can continue his form from last year West Brom should have no safety problems under the greatly experienced Hodgson.

Prediction: 13^th
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Wolves : While it is difficult to know whether their summer business is enough to keep the side up for another year, Wolves looked at times, much like a top six side last season, beating the likes of Chelsea, Villa, Liverpool and Man City, while smashing eventual Champions Man United’s undefeated record. However, McCarthy’s men found themselves in too many off days against too many beatable teams and looked doomed towards the end of the year before a late run-in secured safety on the last day. Should Doyle and Fletcher keep fit and Roger Johnson help fix the defensive problem, Wolves should at least be safe for this season at least.

Prediction: 14^th
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Wigan : After yet another last gasp escape from relegation in a campaign which began with a 4-0 defeat at home to Blackpool and ended with a Hugo Rodallaega goal 12 minutes from time to stay up, Wigan are realistic ahead of the pending campaign. Charles N’Zogbia did depart for Villa, but his exit should mean more starts for the promising Victor Moses. Midfielder David Jones has also arrived from Wolves, but easily the finest signing of the summer was to retain the services of manager Roberto Martinez. I expect Martinez’s decision to stay to be rewarded by a committed Wigan side eager to give their all for their young manager, ensuing a hard fought fight to survival.

Prediction: 15^th
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Join us tomorrow for Part 3 when we will be looking at the bottom half of the top ten.

After months and months of moaning about the Wolves defender/midfielder/striker (take your pick) being excluded from numerous Republic of Ireland squads, I was simply over the moon today when I heard he had been included in Giovani Trapatoni’s 33-man provisional squad for the internationals against Northern Ireland, Scotland and Macedonia.

Ward, 25, began his playing days with Irish side Bohemians and for someone who witnessed him banging in the goals at Dalymount Park in the red and black of the Gypsies, this call-up is long overdue.

So it’s congratulations to Wardy. Let’s hope this is the first of many call-ups for Stephen.

A 5th minute own-goal by Jose Boswinga gave Wolves a huge three points and leaves Chelsea’s title bid in tatters.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti was quoted as saying he was lucky to still be in charge at Stamford Bridge (and that was before tonight’s defeat) and to tell you the truth, I reckon his days are numbered.

Is this the end of the line for Ancelotti or will he be given more time to turn things around? Comments below please.

You can buy yourself FA Cup tickets and Champions League tickets right now.

Gianfranco Zola’s men remain in 17th place in the Premier League table, however 19th place Hull now have a game in hand on the Hammers and are only 3 points behind.

I fully expected West Ham to win in front of their home fans tonight and open a bit of a gap up between them and the bottom three, however after tonight’s result I really am starting to think they may actually go down.

As it stands, I feel Portsmouth and Burnley are down. The 9 point deduction Pompey received last week has killed any chance they had of staying up and with Burnley, I think they sealed their fate when they appointed Brian Laws as their manager.

One team will be joining them in the Championship next season and at the moment it’s between West Ham and Hull. The bookies have West Ham at around 13/5 to go down whilst Hull are odds-on to go down (4/5 with most bookies).

What do you think? Comments below please.

Yet another poor result for Rafa Benitez’ men which sees them fall three points behind Tottenham in the race for that final Champions League spot.

I am sure all you Liverpool fans won’t be best pleased with tonight’s results, so why not have your say in the comments section below.

Unsurprisingly, Manchester United beat Wolves, however it is McCarthy’s team selection which has angered Wolves fans and indeed football fans.

The former Republic of Ireland boss stated that he was resting his key players for this weekend’s six-pointer with Owen Coyle’s Burnley.

I personally was amazed when I saw some of the players McCarthy played last night, considering the fact his side travelled to Tottenham last weekend and actually won, so what’s to say they wouldn’t have won last night if they had of played the same eleven players.

So, Football Corner would like you to sum up McCarthy in three words. Tell us your three words by leaving a comment below.

My three words : an absolute disgrace

Q : How is the knee injury coming along and when can we expect to see you back playing again?

A : Its coming along well thank you. It was a setback but I should be back within the next month please God.

Q : Promotion last season must have been pretty special. Is there any one match which sticks out in your mind?

A : For me there is 2 that really stick in my mind. The win against forest at home in the 3rd match was special as we won 5-1 and was my first game at left back which made it significant for me. The 2nd was Qpr at home. it was the game in which we sealed are promotion to the premier league with a 1-0 win.

Q : Sum up Mick McCarthy in three words.

A : Honest Intelligent and Talented

Q : Who is the best player you have ever played against?

A : It would have to be Emmanuel Adebayor when we played Manchester City in Eastlands. Although Robinho and Carlos Tevez were good, Adebayor on the day was a handful and scored the only goal of the game.

Q : What is the best stadium you have ever played in?

A : It would have to be Eastlands at Manchester City or The Stadium of Light in Sunderland. Although, Molineux is a very special place to play when there is a good crowd in full voice.

Q : What stadium are you most looking forward to playing in?

A : I would say Old Trafford and Anfield. Hopefully I will be fit, well and available for when we go there.

Q : If you could choose, would you play left-back or up front?

A : I would have to say left back. I played over 40 games last season mostly at left back and to get promoted was a dream come true. I think this is now considered my position.

Q : Who will win the Premier League this season?

A : I think it will be close between Manchester United and Chelsea but I will say United.

Q : Will Ireland beat France in the World Cup Play-Off’s?

A: I think we have a great chance. If they keep it tight at Croke Park and get a win, I can see us keeping them out in Paris.

Q : Where will Wolves finish this season?

A : I think we have started well and are unlucky not too have more points but I feel our luck will change and we will stay up.

Q : And finally, who will win the League of Ireland this season?

A : I fancy Bohs to win the league of course.