So there's no getting around the fact that, when you publish a preview on the 2009-10 English Premier League season after most of the league's 20 teams have already played three matches apiece, you're a little late to the game.
But as many Liverpool supporters would do well to realize about now, there's still a long, long, long way to go.
Indeed, 35 of the 38 fixtures are yet to be played over a grueling 10-month season, and, in truth, the story of this campaign hasn't even really started to unfold yet.
I am here, however, to tell you what I think is going to happen.
Before we dive into my predictions, let me offer this disclaimer:
After getting hooked on the sport known as the beautiful game following the 2002 World Cup, I eventually started watching many leagues and many teams, all the while naturally gravitating toward the Premier League and toward Manchester United. The summer after Manchester United pipped Arsenal to the 2002-03 league title, gloriously overhauling an eight-point deficit to knock out the Gunners, United bought blossoming U.S. star Tim Howard from the then MetroStars of MLS.
When that happened, I decided to become a proper Man. United supporter, and I was quickly reeled in — hook, line and sinker.
Three hugely tumultuous seasons have been followed by three hugely successful and hugely memorable seasons, and through the ups and downs, my love and appreciation for Manchester United Football Club has grown and grown.
I tell you this for one simple reason — if you read the ensuing predictions and wonder why it sounds like they've been written by a Manchester United supporter, it's because they have been.
Champions: Manchester United
Stunning prediction, huh? Losing Cristiano Ronaldo, the world's best player, to Real Madrid undoubtedly hurts. A lot. Ronaldo quite simply was the difference-maker for United on so many occasions over the past three years. There's no getting around that. It also hurts to a lesser extent to lose Carlos Tevez and his overinflated opinion of himself to Manchester City.
But the encouraging thing from a Manchester United point of view is that none of the other so-called "Big Four clubs" (Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal) got significantly better between last season and this season. And in the case of Liverpool losing Xabi Alonso, you can make a solid argument that the Scousers will be worse than they were last year.
I personally believe that the Premier League will be won by less than the 90 points that Manchester United earned to win the league a season ago, and I see United having enough strength left without Ronaldo to still hold off the ensuing pack and win the Premier League for what would be a record fourth time in a row.
As so many have suggested, I think Wayne Rooney will step up even more this season, and I think enough guys can pitch in behind him to make the difference.
Runner-up: Chelsea
Early on, brilliant Italian manager Carlo Ancelloti has clearly revitalized Chelsea, and the Blues have earned a maximum nine points from their first three matches.
Of course, Chelsea started pretty strongly last season, only to fade badly during the middle third of the season. Whether that happens again is, of course, open to debate, but I just don't feel that the club's aging squad has what it takes to be consistent over 38 games.
The key to Chelsea's title challenge could be the fitness of superstar midfielder Michael Essien, who can be peerless in midfield when healthy. If Essien can stay on the pitch, I do see Chelsea pushing United most, if not all the way, this season, and I wouldn't rule out Ancelloti from pushing the Blues over the top.
Other Champions League qualifiers: Liverpool and Arsenal
Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United's manager, delighted in pointing out recently that "Liverpool have just had probably their best season for 20 years, finished up with 86 points and still finished four adrift. It will be hard for them to match that, let alone improve. Other teams will read Liverpool better."
On the evidence of the opening three games of the season, which most definitely isn't a big enough sample size, that assessment seems spot on.
In stumbling to two losses in three matches, Liverpool FC has looked particularly poor, and while they will improve immensely, questions are going about to be asked about a squad that relies so, so heavily on Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. I think losing Alonso to Real Madrid could be a big blow, notwithstanding the subsequent addition of Alberto Aquilani, and as Fergie pointed out, I think it will be hard for Liverpool to match last season's success, let alone surpass it.
Below them, I see manager Arsene Wenger finding ways to hang on to a Champions League spot ahead of super-spenders Manchester City.
Europa League qualifiers: Manchester City and Everton
Ah, Manchester City. As a United supporter, I delight in pointing out to City fans that they aren't even United's "rival." It's meant to be as much of a dig at Manchester City as a homage to the rivalry that Manchester United has with Liverpool, which is the rivalry as far as I'm concerned.
But having said that, you can't summarily dismiss what success-strapped City did over the summer. After City brought in a host of pretty decent players, including Tevez, fans genuinely believe they'll be challenging for things and pushing the "Big Four" this season. I wouldn't count them out at the moment, but I don't believe they will get there just yet. A fifth- or sixth-place finish, however, does seem very plausible for the club.
Meanwhile, despite starting out very poorly, I still tip Everton FC to bounce back and qualify for a European place again.
Relegated: Wolves, Burnley and Stoke
As things currently stand, I think you could make a solid argument for each of the following clubs to be relegated by the end of the season: Wolves, Burnley, Stoke, Birmingham, Hull City and Portsmouth. Those clubs will take solace from the fact that, while there are six of them, only three can go down.
I'll tip newly promoted Wolves and Burnley to make the drop back down to the championship, and I think Stoke is living on borrowed time, notwithstanding last season's second-half success.
Premier League Predictions
Dan Rasmussen's 2009-10 Premier League Predictions
Champions: Manchester United.
Runner-up: Chelsea.
Other Champions League qualifiers: Liverpool and Arsenal.
Europa League qualifiers: Manchester City and Everton.
Relegated: Wolves, Burnley and Stoke.
e-mail: drasmussen@desnews.com