It's looking good for west London - our predictions

Dec 30 2008 By Yann Tear

The region's four league clubs may have had some dips in form in 2008 - but all are on course for a great 2009.

The smartest money should go on Brentford to gain promotion from League Two. They will start the new year in second place, just five points adrift of leaders Wycombe and with a game in hand.

Andy Scott is managing limited resources superbly, although it helps that this is not a vintage year for the division. Last year, Peterborough and MK Dons stole the honours but there is no-one to intimidate defences to that extent this time and if Scott's side can steer clear of injuries and suspensions, they must have a chance of automatic promotion, let alone a play-off place.

January will be a crucial month for neighbours QPR. Not just in terms of results, but also in terms of recruitment. They have the means to bolster an already competent squad and that could make the difference in the final months.

New coach Paulo Sousa has inherited a team that is close to the play-offs, but which has been painfully short of goals. If he manages to address that deficiency, we could well be seeing the Hoops head off to Wembley for a thrilling climax to the season.

In the Premier League, there could also be glory for Fulham and Chelsea. The Whites believe their home form will have them knocking on the door of a Uefa Cup place after several years of struggle at the wrong end of the table.

And who knows what Chelsea might achieve? It might be nothing. It could be everything. They are desperate to make up for the near miss in the Premier and Champions League campaigns last season and Luiz Felipe Scolari will be anxious to deliver some silverware to Roman Abramovich in his first year in charge.

Their two-legged clash with Juventus at the end of February and beginning of March - against a club now led by former boss Claudio Ranieri - will be pivotal to their ambitions of reaching Rome for another crack at the elusive European club prize.

Before then, there are domestic trips to Man United and Liverpool which will also be a big pointer towards their chances of wresting the league title from Old Trafford. Win those games and the self-belief that has sometimes been missing would surely return.  

Our predictions: BRENTFORD: To gain automatic promotion. QPR: To reach the play-offs. FULHAM: to miss out on Europe, but to equal or possibly go one better than their best ever top-flight placing of 9th. CHELSEA: Maybe a good FA Cup run, but missing out on the top two prizes once again.