Last year, Britney Spears kicked off her comeback by defying conventional wisdom and taking home four 2008 MTV Video Movie Awards, including Video of the Year, for "Pieces of Me."

Even the pop superstar seemed stunned by her winnings for a video (let alone a single)t hat will hardly be remembered as one of her best . She made up for the faith MTV put in her with the massive hit "Womanizer" (77 million plays on YouTube and counting) less than two months later, a clip that stands up with some of her best manufactured work. 

This year, Brit is back in the big category, but she's got big competition from Beyonce Knowles' "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)," Kanye West's "Love Lockdown," "Lady GaGa's "Poker Face" and Eminem's "We Made You." 

Before you decide who you think is going to win the top prize, check out the predictions of the HitFix crew -- Melinda Newman, Katie Hasty and Greg Ellwood -- in all the major categories.  If our guesses are right, it looks like there will be some definite surprises and bruised egos at Radio City Music Hall the night of the big event.

Russell Brand hosts the MTV Video Music Awards, Sunday Sept. 13. Look for continuing coverage the night of the event on HitFix.