With the 2009/10 Absa Premiership season set to kick off this weekend, its time to look at the contenders for the crown, the mid-table finishers as well at the favourites for the dreaded relegation drop.

The contenders - Supersport United, AmaZulu, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs

The race for league honours will be between Pirates, Chiefs, SuperSport and AmaZulu. Of the four sides, Pirates are the favourites to clinch the league after coming agonisingly close to winning it last season. The 'Buccaneers' had to settle for a second-place finish last season because they had an inferior goal difference to winners SuperSport. Chiefs are second favourites to win it. The 'Amakhosi' seem to have settled well judging from their pre-season form and this often proves vital for the upcoming season. SuperSport United and AmaZulu deserve to be mentioned as well in the contenders list as they both have the ability to surprise many and win this season's title.

Top eight finishers - Ajax Cape Town, Golden Arrows, BidVest Wits, Mamelodi Sundowns

Ajax, Arrows, and Wits will retain their top eight spots, while big spending Sundowns will make a welcome return to the top eight after finishing ninth last season.

Mid table finishers - Free State Stars, Santos, Platinum Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic, Moroka Swallows

With all these teams ? with the exception of Celtic ? undergoing changes at a technical level, it's certainly going to take time for the players to understand their new coaches' instructions. But they all have quality players who will be able to maintain their status in the league.

Relegation candidates - Mpumalanga Black Aces, Jomo Cosmos, Maritzburg United

As it always the case with teams making their debut in the league, Black Aces are certainly the favourites to be automatically relegated. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out why we also chose them to make a quick return to the National First Division. Cosmos and Maritzburg United will fight it out for the promotion/relegation playoffs.

  • So here are our predictions? Are we spot on or are we missing the plot? Leave your prediction/comment below!