So what if City lose Adebayor; they can buy someone else on top of Bellamy, Tevez, Santa Cruz and Robinho (plus the usual goals from Ireland).

Chelsea will lose Essien, Drogba, Mikel and Kalou - two of their top three players in midfield and up front. Chelsea's squad is actually quite thin (and old). Factor in a couple of injuries, and it would be tough for them if they had hard games, but they've only got Burnley, Sunderland, Hull, Fulham, Birmingham and Wolves - with one big game against Arsenal at 'The Bridge'.

Surprisingly, Arsenal only lose Eboué and Song - all of their other 'African' players hold European passports.

Come the end of Jan, I think we'll see the table looking like this:
1. United
2. Chelsea
3. City
4. Spurs
5. Arsenal
6. Liverpool