Neji still has unfinished business, as for Chouji and Kiba they're most likely to die.
if Neji was going to die his seal would have disappeared - so we know he isnt.
as for the arc, its catering to the anime generation, this arc will definately be the best in terms of fight scenes since each genin was matched up well.

i know reading fight scenes each week isnt too exciting but just imagine what they're going to be like in the anime, also the anime covers at least 2 manga chapters usually so it'll be alot faster then.