Who Will Be Top Dogs In The Midlands?

Just a few years ago the Midlands representation in the Premiership was decimated leaving Aston Villa as the only real standard bearers for that part of the country. The East is still suffering but in 2010 the West is back with a vengeance.

The traditional 'Big 4' of the West Midlands conurbation are all on the start line this year- add in Stoke City from up the M6 and the fixture list is littered with fiercely contested derbies. Villa hold the bragging rights after finishing just outside the Champions League berths for two seasons in a row  but their local rivals are anxious to take them on.

Birmingham Cty should be the closest challengers after a very steady campaign last time out. The Blues became a very difficult team to beat under Alex McCleish and the question is whether they can push on to add more flair to their sound organisation. Blues fans will be optimistic as Villa struggle to hold on to James Milner.

Wolves were happy to stay up in 2009/10 and while they will hope to move up the table, they are unlikley to pass their Second City rivals. Molineux fans have the derby with West Bromwich Albion to look forward to again but the Baggies will be content just to stay up.

Stoke Cit are the jokers in the pack. The Potteries club easily negotiated a second season despite the opposition becoming wise to their long ball style. In fact, Tony Pulis had begun to alter the team's style to a more subtle game plan.

Villa start warm favourites in this mini-league but Birmingham and Stoke fans might fancy a flutter on their sides to cause an upset.

Aston Villa 4/9

Birmingham    4/1

Stoke 6/1

Wolves  16/1

WBA 33/1

Prices from Bet 365