Managers of lesser clubs (such as Bolton) will have taken his £15m move to Stamford Bridge as a sign that holding onto your best players is a futile quest when one of the Big Four gets involved.

And cynics will have taken Anelka’s arrival at his EIGHTH different club as a sign that leopards indeed do not change their spots. Anelka does not have many friends or sympathizers in the media, that’s for sure.

And yet there is the other view. The view that Anelka deserves a club the size of Chelsea at which to showcase his outstanding talent and ability.

That he is correct in believing that he is too good a player for a club like Bolton, and that his “Le Sulk” tag is more than just a tad overplayed.

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Group A: AZ Alkmaar, Zenit St. Petersburg, Everton, Nürnberg, Larissa

Everton scraped past Ukrainian minnows Metalist Kharkiv to qualify but should make it through a modest group. They face the Russians at home - never a bad thing - but will need to have assured progress before their tough final match at Alkmaar. The Dutch have not started well in the Eredivisie, but Zenit are competing for the Russian title and could cause problems at Goodison Park. Larissa were flattered by beating Blackburn Rovers and Nürnberg are the German Cup runners-up.

Group B: Panathinaikos, Lokomotiv Moscow, Atlético Madrid, Copenhagen, Aberdeen

A message to Aberdeen supporters; enjoy it while it lasts. Like Everton, they avoid a long trip to Russia, but trips to the Greek and Spanish capitals will likely prove fruitless. Two home wins are imperative; their venture to the Vicente Calderón is little more than a day out. Atlético Madrid scraped through the InterToto Cup to qualify for European football for the first time in what seems like an age but have a very strong squad including Forlán, Luis García, Maniche, Simão, Reyes, Maxi Rodríguez and Agüero. Good look Dons. Should be a scrap between the Danes and Panathinaikos for third place.

Group C: Villarreal, AEK Athens, Fiorentina, Mladá Boleslav, Elfsborg

The easiest group to predict on the face of it, but beware the disasters that have befallen Ajax, Real Zaragoza, Blackburn Rovers and Sampdoria already. The Italians have easy home matches against Mladá Boleslav and Elfsborg, but will be up against it at Villarreal and AEK. They are doing well in Serie A and should have enough to get through with the ever-impressive Villarreal and the sturdy Greeks.

Group D: Basel, Hamburg, Rennes, Dinamo Zagreb, Brann

A group that seemingly makes a mockery of UEFA seeding system. Dinamo Zagreb were outstanding in Amsterdam in knocking out Ajax (who had won the first leg in Croatia) and boast an outstanding captain in Luka Modric. Hamburg have a talisman in Rafael van der Vaart but not a lot else so Rennes, going well in the French league, will fancy their chances. Basel have a competent side but are always the bridesmaid.

Group E: Bayer Leverkusen, Sparta Prague, Spartak Moscow, Toulouse, Zürich

Toulouse’s punishment for their pathetic display at Anfield is a place in the toughest group in the tournament. Leverkusen were humiliated in the quarter finals last season, losing 3-0 at home to Osasuna, but Sparta Prague and Spartak Moscow will give little away. Spartak Moscow have the Germans at home which should make them group favourites; they have a squad bursting with internationals and something a bit special in Ukrainian midfielder Maksym Kalynychenko, who took Saudi Arabia apart in the World Cup.

Group F: Bayern Munich, Bolton Wanderers, Sporting Braga, Red Star Belgrade, Aris Thessonaliki

A glamorous draw for Bolton, including a trip to the Allianz Arena in Munich and the Crvena Zvezda stadium in Belgrade, which makes two home wins the key to progressing to the knock-out stages. Bad league form and an unconvincing display against weak opponents in the first round do not bode well, but in Nicolas Anelka they have someone with the ability to do something special. Braga play in a cave and have the best chance of taking something off Bayern, whom they host midway through the group. As for the Germans - Klose, Toni, Ribéry, Hamit Altintop, Podolski, Schweinsteiger - will they take seriously a tournament that they should be embarrassed to be in?

Group G: Anderlecht, Tottenham Hotspur, Getafe, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Aalborg Boldspilklub

Tottenham finish with Anderlecht away, but if they haven’t already qualified by then they barely deserve to progress. Getafe have gone downhill fast and have not yet won in La Liga, a trip to Tel Aviv shouldn’t be as tricky as it sounds as they are only Israel’s fourth best team and AaB at home should be three points wrapped up with a pink ribbon. The Belgians showed little resistance against Liverpool or Chelsea in the Champions League two season ago, but have a good mix of youth and experience, with Belgian internationals Jelle van Damme, Mbo Mpenza, Bart Goor and keeper Silvio Proto among the ranks.

Group H: Bordeaux, Austria Vienna, Galatasaray, Panionios, Helsingborgs

Mmm. Doesn’t exactly whet your appetite for European football, does it? Galatasaray are the glamour name in the group, although Bordeaux are top seeds after last season’s brief flirtation with the Champions League. The Ali Sami Yes stadium in Istanbul is not a pleasant place to visit, with one of the most vocal, partizan home crowds in Europe. As for Austria Vienna, Panionios and Helsingborgs, take your pick. The Autumnal Henrik Larsson is still dangerous, and could help the Sweden bely their status as the lowest ranked team left in the competition.

So, who will end up at the City of Manchester Stadium on Wednesday 14th May? Difficult to say as we don’t know who will drop out of the Champions League - although there could be a big casualty or two with Werder Bremen, Liverpool and Lyon making poor starts. Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid are the obvious choices. They have true strength in depth but Bayern may not take the tournament that seriously - you can bet they won’t be in it next year - and Atlético Madrid are as erratic and inconsistent as ever. Tottenham Hotspur and Everton have a sporting chance for England, while clubs like Galatasaray, Fiorentina, Villarreal, Spartak Moscow, Bayer Leverkusen and Dinamo Zagreb will fare well if they can turn their home stadia into fortresses.

As far as I can see, football fans fall into one of two categories when it comes to post-match analysis of a defeat. There are those who like to watch the replays, read the papers and debate the team’s failings on the internet. Then there are those of us who prefer the ‘head in sand’ approach.

If Bolton don’t get at least a point, it seriously alters my way of life. Match of the Day is a no-go. As is the TV news. The Sunday papers are banned, with their in-depth tactical dissection of my misery. I don’t contribute to or read the many internet message boards. Last but by no means least I’m in fear every time I receive a text message. This is just in case it’s a message from a mate who supports the team we’ve just succumbed to, or even worse, a mate who doesn’t like the opposition especially but is just engaging in a bit of Schadenfreude.

Why? I don’t really know. Probably because it’s hard enough to live through a defeat live in the stadium or via the TV or radio. So living through it again from several angles with commentary isn’t ideal. And having the likes of Mark ‘how on earth do I get paid for stating the obvious?’ Lawrenson rubbing salt in the wound certainly doesn’t help.

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Liverpool and Arsenal lead the table after victories against Derby and Portsmouth respectively, the Reds hammering Billy Davies’ Rams side 6-0 with Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso scoring twice apiece as Liverpool indicated for the first time in a long, long time that they will sustain a challenge for the league. Arsenal recorded their most convincing victory of the campaign, 3-1 winners against Portsmouth, and despite the lack of transfer activity and departure of Henry, Arsène Wenger’s side also appear ready to contest for the title. While Liverpool and Arsenal have ten points after four matches, Chelsea stayed on that number following their fifth game and first defeat of the season. They fell to a 2-0 defeat against an impressive Aston Villa side with Zat Knight doing more than he did in eight years at Fulham by scoring the opener and keeping a clean sheet.

Everton also lie on ten points after Joleon Lescott netted in the 90th minute to give David Moyes’ outfit a 2-1 victory at struggling Bolton, who now reside in 19th position. The most exciting game of the weekend came from Craven Cottage as Tottenham threw away a 3-1 lead with 12 minutes remaining to draw against Fulham, Diomansy Kamara netting a brilliant overhead kick in the final minute to ensure the points were shared, although the visitors dominated throughout. Martin Jol’s position as coach has become even more precarious. Manchester United beat Sunderland by a single goal from Louis Saha as they continued to flounder in front of goal, and there were wins for Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Blackburn and West Ham too. Reading, after losing 3-0 at home to the Hammers, lie in the relegation zone and second season syndrome is hitting them hard.

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West Ham continued their slow start to the new season with a tame 1-1 draw with third-placed Wigan, as Chris Hutchings continues to prove his critics wrong. Bolton also got off the mark by hammering Reading, and there were wins for Aston Villa and Birmingham while a draw was played out at Goodison Park between Everton and Blackburn as Roque Santa Cruz continued to impress for the visitors. Sam Allardyce says he wants to bring in new faces before the transfer window closes on Friday after watching another draw for his Newcastle side. A visit to the Riverside saw them lead twice only to allow Middlesbrough to level almost immediately on both occasions.

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Defending champions Manchester United already have a big mountain to climb if they are to retain their crown after falling 1-0 at Manchester City, thanks to a Geovanni effort. United dominated but lacked a cutting edge, leaving them on just two points after three matches having scored only one goal in that period and they lie five points off favourites Chelsea, who benefited from a stroke of luck to earn a 1-1 draw at Anfield against Liverpool. Fernando Torres scored a brilliant opener, but Frank Lampard levelled when referee Rob Styles incorrectly ruled that Florent Malouda had been fouled in the box. Both sides remain unbeaten and look set to battle it out for top spot over the next few months, especially after Arsenal failed to take advantage of their rivals’ results. A 1-1 draw at Blackburn offered little indication that the Gunners would compete any better this season than they did in the last.
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Portsmouth v Bolton (1245 UK)
A relegation struggle is looming for Sammy Lee’s Bolton after defeats to Newcastle and Fulham, but while their own defence is struggling, they face a Portsmouth side potentially without Sol Campbell, Noe Pamarot, Gary O’Neil, Dejan Stefanovic and Lauren, while Sulley Muntari’s suspension could leave Harry Redknapp with just 16 senior players.

It already seems imperative that Bolton take at least a point from this encounter as Lee struggles to work his 4-4-2 formation, a change from Sam Allardyce’s successful 4-3-3 tactic. Portsmouth’s half-time adjustments versus Manchester United triggered a much-improved performance, which gained them their second point of the season, and eyes will be on goalscorer Benjani and expensive new striker signing David Nugent to provide the impetus.

Prediction: 1-1

Birmingham v West Ham
An early relegation ‘six-pointer’ against Sunderland yielded only one point following a stoppage time equaliser from old boy Stern John and while their fellow promoted club have picked up four points, Steve Bruce’s side look set for a difficult campaign. They will have midfielder Olivier Kapo and central defender Johan Djourou back, and after West Ham’s sluggish start to the new campaign, there is hope and expectation that Birmingham will pick up their first victory.

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Torrential rain threatened to further affect a match already low on quality but Fulham coped admirably in the adverse conditions that had handed their opponents a goal advantage, and their pluckiness served them well in a narrow but significant victory.

Fulham were six minutes from a shock win at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, their early lead maintained for 83 minutes by the fantastic Tony Warner, but the reserve goalkeeper – who again stood in for the injured Antti Niemi – belied his previous heroics when clumsily dropping the ball as he ran into Zat Knight, and former Cottager Heidar Helguson scored the easiest goal of his career.

There was a touch of irony about Helguson’s twelfth-minute strike. Two years ago, the Icelandic international bailed out Warner in a Carling Cup tie at Craven Cottage against West Brom, netting deep into stoppage time to force a 2-2 draw after the former Leeds stopper had embarrassingly miscontrolled a passback to let Kanu score two minutes from time.

On an apocalyptic night in West London however, Helguson was in no mood to save Warner’s blushes and Bolton looked set and ready to robustly defend their slim lead and take three much-needed points back to Lancashire.

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Arsenal
There’s little chance of Arsène Wenger’s side winning the Premier League, so it’s down to the Champions League to make something of the Gunners’ season. However, the departure of Thierry Henry and lack of a comparable replacement makes success on the continent difficult to envisage. Wenger’s future is unresolved and the team lacks direction as a result, meaning success in the domestic cups might be as good as it gets though medium term prospects are excellent.
Prediction: 4th

Aston Villa
New American owner Randy Lerner has not delivered the anticipated revolution to Villa Park, and the close season has brought in just two familiar names both from West Ham. Too many draws last season ensured the Martin O’Neill miracle failed to transpire – for once – and his squad still looks far too thin for European push. Without a major overhaul, Villa look set to continue to mingle with mediocrity and mid-table finishes.
Prediction: 12th

PREDICTION TABLE 1 Chelsea 2 Liverpool 3 Manchester United 4 Arsenal 5 Tottenham 6 Newcastle 7 Portsmouth 8 Everton 9 Manchester City 10 Blackburn 11 West Ham 12 Aston Villa 13 Reading 14 Bolton 15 Fulham 16 Middlesbrough 17 Birmingham 18 Sunderland 19 Wigan 20 Derby

Birmingham
Steve Bruce’s side exited the top-flight following a terrifically dull season of mundane football, but now the former Manchester United defender is expected to steady the Birmingham ship and rebuild their status as an established Premier league club. And of the promoted clubs, Birmingham appear to have the most capable squad. The likes of Garry O’Connor, Olivier Kapo, Daniel de Ridder and Franck Queudrue have all arrived, complementing present talent such as Larsson, McSheffrey, Jerome, Forssell and Jaidi. Don’t suppose that attacking football will be served up, but Birmingham have invested considerably in order to avoid the drop and they have the means to reach 40 points.
Prediction: 17th

Blackburn Rovers
Mark Hughes has done a tremendous job at Rovers and there is no sign of any slip-up just yet. An FA Cup semi-final and promising progress in the Uefa Cup were the highlights from last season, and a late surge in the league earned Blackburn an Intertoto Cup place, meaning another season of Uefa Cup football is imminent. The astute signing of Roque Santa Cruz has strengthened their front line and an accomplished squad containing Pedersen, McCarthy, Bentley and Savage is again set to compete for a position inside the top six, though their bid may be hampered by the focus on cup competitions.
Prediction: 10th

Bolton Wanderers
Sam Allardyce was the driving force behind Bolton’s unlikely recent successes, but his departure means the club will struggle to overachieve again. Sammy Lee has little managerial experience and didn’t impress at the end of last season, but he has brought in a host of new players, stamping his own authority over the squad, and can rely on Allardyce players like Diouf, Campo, Nolan, Jaaskelainen and Anelka. Regular scalps of the top four and top six finishes may be off the cards for next season at least, but Lee has enough quality at his disposal for a comfortable mid-table climax.
Prediction: 14th

Chelsea
For the first time in five years, it has been a relatively sensible summer at Stamford Bridge – no galacticos, no rifts, and no lack of concentration on the season’s objectives. A hat-trick of free transfers can do no harm and Jose Mourinho beat Liverpool to the signing of French international Florent Malouda. The pressure this campaign is on Manchester United, not Chelsea, and Mourinho’s side will revel in their underdog status, especially with much expected of the other contender, free-spending Liverpool. A great work ethic and unprecedented desire to succeed and avenge last year’s demons stands Chelsea in good stead to recapture the Premier League crown from their Manchester foes.
Prediction: 1st

Derby
Unsurprisingly, the Rams are favourites for the drop having failed to lure much in the way of Premier League talent. Billy Davies paid a mammoth £3.5m for Robert Earnshaw – unimpressive for Norwich when they were in the top-flight – while Andy Todd and Andy Griffin will bring some experience to the back line. A few notable players, such as Barnes, Howard and Fagan, may save Derby from embarrassment but at a time when even relegation contenders are spending big, the club’s frugality will surely cost them.
Prediction: 20th

Everton
The yo-yo club of the Premier League, Everton have again reacted to qualifying for Europe by failing to strengthen their squad substantially. Phil Jagielka arrived early on for £4m, but David Moyes has been frustrated since by inflated transfer fees though seems ready to spend £5m on Leighton Baines and has bid £11m for the dexterous Lucho Gonzalez. With the existing squad, success on two fronts – in the league and Uefa Cup – looks improbable so progress on the continent could compromise the chase for another top six finish.
Prediction: 8th

Fulham
It would ironic if new manager Lawrie Sanchez, who has spent as much this summer as predecessor Chris Coleman did in four years, fails to match the Welsh rookie’s relatively good performance, but in spending more than £20m on untested Premier League players, a season of struggle seemingly awaits. Sanchez himself is distrusted by the majority of Fulham fans and the pre-season matches have witnessed a tentative and directionless side. Such expenditure ought to ensure relegation is off the agenda, but the West Londoners seem set to spend the next ten months endeavouring to reach the golden 40-point mark.
Prediction: 15th

Liverpool
A year ago, a frightening number of pundits predicted Liverpool would win the league but that dream soon evaporated on the back of continuing poor away form and results against their immediate rivals. The same prediction now would have far more substance following Rafa Benítez’s spending spree, which included bringing in Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel, but are Liverpool ready to flatter to deceive once again? Their lack of consistency has cost them in recent years but with such significant investment this time around, pressure is on Benítez to succeed away from cup competitions. An immensely talented squad must perform, and with constancy, if Liverpool are to keep pace with Manchester United and Chelsea.
Prediction: 2nd

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