The new Premier League season kicks off on Saturday with a series of mouthwatering matches, but will your club live up to expectations or will they flatter to deceive? Will it be the title, a Champions League spot, mid-table mediocrity or one long battle against the drop?
Check out our bumper preview below to see what we feel lies in store for the great and the good in the world’s richest league…
Manchester United
The Premier League champions are third favourites behind Manchester City and Chelsea to defend the title they won last season. No new signings to speak of, but that could change before the end of August. United’s advantage is having a settled squad. If they keep Wayne Rooney, they will again be the team to beat.
Prediction: First
Odds: 5/2
In: Guillermo Varela (Penarol, undisclosed)
Out: Paul Scholes (retired); Reece Brown (released); John Cofie (released); Ryan Tunnicliffe (Ipswich, loan)
One to watch: Wilfried Zaha
Manchester City
Manuel Pellegrini is apparently unhappy with the centre of his defence after watching his side ship eight goals in their past three pre-season outings.
City have brought in Fernandinho, Stevan Jovetic, Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo, but it remains to be seen how quickly they bond. Should push United hard for first place.
Prediction: Second
Odds: 9/4
In: Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk, £30m); Jesus Navas (Sevilla, £15m); Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla, £24m); Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina, £22m)
Out: Carlos Tevez (Juventus, undisclosed); Maicon (Roma, undisclosed); Wayne Bridge (Reading, free); Roque Santa Cruz (released); Jeremy Helan (Sheffield Wednesday, undisclosed); Filippo Mancini (released); Kolo Toure (Liverpool, free); Ryan McGivern (released); Karim Rekik (PSV, loan); Reece Wabara (Doncaster)
One to watch: Stevan Jovetic
Chelsea
Jose Mourinho returns as Chelsea manager for a new season, and their is pressure on him to sustain a decent challenge at home and abroad.
Marquee signing Andre Schurrle is seeking silverware under ‘The Special One’ but those hopes will be boosted if they can persuade Manchester United to sell Wayne Rooney.
Prediction: Third
Odds: 9/4
In: Andre Schurrle (Bayer Leverkusen, £18m); Marco van Ginkel (Vitesse Arnhem, £8m); Mark Schwarzer (Fulham, free); Hilario (unattached, free)
Out: Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid, loan); Marko Marin (Sevilla, loan); Oriol Romeu (Valencia, loan); Patrick van Aanholt (Vitesse, loan); Yossi Benayoun (released); Paulo Ferreira (released); Florent Malouda (released); Hilario (released); Ross Turnbull (released); Billy Clifford (Yeovil, loan); Patrick Bamford (MK Dons, loan); Todd Kane (Blackburn , loan); George Saville (Brentford, loan)
One to watch: Marco van Ginkel
Tottenham
With Paulinho and Roberto Soldado added to the London club’s squad, Tottenham will harbour ambitions of finishing in the top four and returning to the Champions League next season, but this is easier said than done.
The last minute addition of Etienne Capoue gives them another option at defensive midfield and could allow Moussa Dembele to play in a more advanced role from the predicted line-up below.
Much will depend on whether or not they can resist Real Madrid’s advances for Gareth Bale.
Prediction: Fourth
Odds: 33/1
In: Roberto Soldado (Valencia, £26m); Paulinho (Corinthians, £17m); Nacer Chadli (FC Twente, £7m), Etienne Capoue (Toulouse, £9m)
Out: Steven Caulker (Cardiff, £8m); Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders, undisclosed); David Bentley (released); John Bostock (released); William Gallas (released); Nathan Byrne (Swindon, free); Jack Barthram (Swindon, free); Grant Hall (Swindon, loan); Massimo Luongo (Swindon, loan); Jack Munns (released); Jake Nicholson (released); Bongani Khumalo (Doncaster, loan); Ryan Mason (Swindon, loan); Alex Pritchard (Swindon, loan); Adam Smith (Derby, loan)
One to watch: Tom Carroll
Arsenal
A promised summer of big spending has yet to materialise. There has been interest in Gonzalo Higuain, Wayne Rooney and Luis Suarez, but manager Arsene Wenger left it late to do his business last year, and this year looks like it could follow a similar pattern.
Only Yaya Sanogo has arrived so far. And that level of signing does not signal improvement.
Prediction: Fifth
Odds: 10/1
In: Yaya Sanogo (Auxerre, free)
Out: Gervinho (Roma, £8m); Marouane Chamakh (Crystal Palace, undisclosed); Andrey Arshavin (Zenit St Petersburg, free); Denilson (released); Sebastien Squillaci (released); Andre Santos (Flamengo, free); Ignasi Miquel (Leicester, loan); Craig Eastmond (Colchester, free); Sanchez Watt (Colchester, free); Vito Mannone (Sunderland, undisclosed); Francis Coquelin (Freiburg, loan); Johan Djourou (Hamburg, loan); Jernade Meade (free transfer); Chuks Aneke (Crewe, loan)
One to watch: Chuba Akpom
Livepool
Liverpool can cut open teams at will on their day. Have an immense amount of flair, but continue to lack consistency. Have brought in Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas, Simon Mignolet and Kolo Toure but like Spurs with Bale will they keep the family jewels in the form of Luis Suarez? And will he be of a mind to contribute to the greater good. Should challenge for fourth if all the pieces fall into place.
Prediction: Sixth
Odds: 28/1
In: Simon Mignolet (Sunderland, £9m); Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo, £7m); Luis Alberto (Sevilla, £6.8m); Kolo Toure (Liverpool, free)
Out: Andy Caroll (West Ham, £15m); Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea, £5m); Stewart Downing (West Ham, undisclosed); Pepe Reina (Napoli, loan); Jamie Carragher (retired); Jay Spearing (Bolton, undisclosed); Peter Gulasci (Red Bull Salzburg, free); Danny Wilson (Hearts, free); Suso (Almeria, loan); Michael Ngoo (Yeovil, loan); Krisztian Adorjan (Groningen, loan); Conor Coady (Sheffield United , loan); Henoc Mukendi (Partick, loan); Jack Robinson (Blackpool, loan)
One to watch: Luis Alberto
West Ham United
May not be rated as the prettiest side to watch, but you could never accuse Sam Allardyce of not knowing what he wants. West Ham have landed Andy Caroll on a permanent deal while the signing of Stewart Downing should also prove helpful. If they keep Carroll fit, expect West Ham to feature in the top half of the table.
Prediction: Seventh
Odds: 2000/1
In: Andy Carroll (Liverpool, £15m); Stewart Downing (Liverpool, undisclosed); Adrian (Real Betis, free); Razvan Rat (Shakhtar Donetsk, free); Danny Whitehead (Stockport, undisclosed)
Out: Carlton Cole (released); Gary O’Neil (released); Rob Hall (Bolton, tribunal)
One to watch: Ravel Morrison
Everton
Roberto Martinez has a hard act to follow in David Moyes, but there is no reason why the Toffees cannot produce under the Spanish coach. Arouna Kone proved his class with Wigan last season. Should be well clear of relegation, but may toil to challenge for the top four.
Prediction: Eighth
Odds: 250/1
In: Arouna Kone (Wigan, £6m); Antolin Alcaraz (Wigan, free); Joel Robles (Atletico Madrid, undisclosed); Gerard Deulofeu (Barcelona, loan)
Out: Jan Mucha (released); Thomas Hitzlsperger (released); Phil Neville (retired); Jake Bidwell (Brentford, undisclosed); Conor McAleny (Brentford, loan)
One to watch: Gerard Deulofeu
Southampton
Were a side heading in the right direction when Mauricio Pochettino succeeded the sacked Nigel Adkins last season. With Rickie Lambert in the England squad, Southampton look to be in a decent shape. Have added Dejan Loveren and Victor Wanyama to their squad. Should provide a sustainable challenge in retaining their Premier League status with some ease.
Prediction: Ninth
Odds: 2000/1
In: Victor Wanyama (Celtic, £12.5m); Dejan Lovren (Lyon, undisclosed)
Out: Vegard Forren (Molde, undisclosed); Frazer Richardson (released); Ryan Dickson (released); Daniel Seabourne (released); Danny Butterfield (released); Richard Chaplow (released); Steve de Ridder (Utrecht, free)
One to watch: James Ward-Prowse
Sunderland
Another club who look to be on the way up having struggled to break free of relegation last season under Martin O’Neill. The arrival of Paolo Di Canio as manager changed all that. Expect them to continue their recovery this season. The imaginative signing of Emanuele Giaccherini should provide some bright spots for the Black Cats.
Prediction: 10th
Odds: 2500/1
In: Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus, £6.5m); Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar, undisclosed); El-Hadji Ba (Le Havre, undisclosed); Vito Mannone (Arsenal, undisclosed); Valentin Roberge (Maritimo, free); Cabral (Basel, free); Modibo Diakite (Lazio, free); Duncan Whatmore (Altrincham, undisclosed); David Karlsson (Gothenburg, £1.5m); Ondrej Celustka (Trabzonspor, loan)
Out: Simon Mignolet (Liverpool, £9m); James McClean (Wigan, £2m); Titus Bramble (released); Matt Kilgallon (Blackburn, free); Ahmed Elmohamady (Hull, £2m); Alfred N’Diaye (Eskisehirspor, loan)
One to watch: Jozy Altidore
West Brom Wich
Made a rousing start to last season that provided them with the backbone to finish eight. Don’t expect them to emulate that feat this term, but should be able to stave off any relegation worries. The main problem for them is replacing the goals of Romelu Lukaku.
Prediction: 11th
Odds: 1500/1
In: Nicolas Anelka (Juventus, free); Diego Lugano (PSG, free); Matej Vydra (Udinese, loan); Goran Popov (Dynamo Kiev, loan)
Out: Marc-Antoine Fortune (Wigan, free); Zoltan Gera (released); Gonzalo Jara (Nottingham Forest, free); Jerome Thomas (Crystal Palace, free); Scott Allan (Birmingham, loan)
One to watch: Matej Vydra
Swansea City
Could not have gone much better for Swansea last season under Danish coach Michael Laudrup. After losing manager Brendan Rodgers to Liverpool, Swansea prospered in finishing ninth and winning the League Cup. Should be in contention for another top 10 place with Michu and Wilfried Bony leading the line.
Prediction: 12th
Odds: 1500/1
In: Wilfried Bony (Vitesse Arnhem, £12m); Jonjo Shelvey (Liverpool, £5m); Jose Canas (Real Betis, free); Jordi Amat (Espanyol, £2.5m); Jonathan de Guzman (Villarreal, loan); Alejandro Pozuelo (Real Betis, undisclosed); Jernade Meade (free agent)
Out: Kemy Agustien (Brighton, free); Alan Tate (Yeovil, loan); Mark Gower (Charlton, free); Kyle Bartley (Birmingham, loan); David Cornell (St Mirren, loan)
One to watch: Alejandro Pozuelo
Norwich City
Chris Hughton’s Norwich finished 11th last season, and should be potent enough to challenge for a repeat of that position this term. Have recruited Ricky van Wolfswinkel from Sporting Lisbon, but the capture of Celtic striker Gary Hooper is every bit as meaningful. Expect Hooper to hit double figures as he attempts to prove himself sharp enough for the Premier League.
Prediction: 13th
Odds: 4000/1
In: Nathan Redmond (Birmingham, undisclosed); Javier Garrido (Lazio, undisclosed); Ricky van Wolfswinkel (Sporting, £8.5m); Martin Olsson (Blackburn Rovers, undisclosed); Carlo Nash (Stoke, free); Leroy Fer (FC Twente, undisclosed); Gary Hooper (Celtic, £5m)
Out: Grant Holt (Wigan, £2m); Leon Barnett (Wigan, undisclosed); Andrew Surman (Bournemouth, loan); Tom Adeyemi (Birmingham, free); Lee Camp (released); George Francomb (Wimbledon, free); Simeon Jackson (released); Chris Martin (Derby, free); Korey Smith (released); Marc Tierney (Bolton, free); Elliot Ward (Bournemouth, free); Jed Steer (Aston Villa, free); Declan Rudd (Preston, loan); James Vaughan (Huddersfield, undisclosed)
One to watch: Nathan Redmond
Aston Villa
Should learn from last season’s debacle when they flirted with relegation before finally pulling themselves out of the quicksand in the death throes of the campaign. With Darren Bent departing, Christian Benteke will be relied upon to deliver the goals. Won’t be in the top half of the table, but neither should they be heading for the Championship.
Prediction: 14th
Odds: 2000/1
In: Jores Okore (Nordsjaelland, undisclosed); Aleksandar Tonev (Lech Poznan, undisclosed); Nicklas Helenius (Aalborg, undisclosed); Leandro Bacuna (Groningen, undisclosed); Antonio Luna (Sevilla, undisclosed); Jed Steer (Norwich, free)
Out: Richard Dunne (QPR, free); Brett Holman (released); Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest, free); Andy Marshall (released); Jean Makoun (Rennes, undisclosed); Stiliyan Petrov (retired); Derrick Williams (Bristol City, free)
One to watch: Jores Okore
Newcastle United
Joe Kinnear has been installed as the club’s director of football. Has made a decent start to his remit by bringing Loic Remy to the club to support Papiss Cisse. If Ben Arfa can stay fit, there is no reason why Newcastle should fear for their Premier League future. But will manager Alan Pardew last the pace working with Kinnear?
Prediction: 15th
Odds: 1000/1
In: Loic Remy (QPR, loan); Olivier Kemen (Metz, undisclosed)
Out: Steve Harper (Hull City, free); Danny Simpson (QPR, free); James Perch (Wigan Athletic, undisclosed fee); James Tavernier (Shrewsbury, loan); Mehdi Abeid (Panathinaikos, loan); Shane Ferguson (Birmignham, loan)
One to watch: Haris Vukic
Fulham
Martin Jol’s Look likely to be involved in a battle against relegation. May sound harsh, but there is not much to suggest they will be genuine contenders for the top half of the table. Much will depend on the form of the moody Dimitar Berbatov. And the equally moody Adel Taaarabt, who has been recruited on loan from Queens Park Rangers. Must also demand more from Hugo Rodallega and Bryan Ruiz while the reported addition of Darren Bent will certainly help.
Prediction: 16th
Odds: 2000/1
In: Adel Taarabt (QPR, loan); Maarten Stekelenburg (Roma, undisclosed); Sascha Riether (Cologne, undisclosed); Fernando Amorebieta (Athletic Bilbao, free); Derek Boateng (Dnipro, free); Ange-Freddy Plumain (Lens, free)
Out: Mark Schwarzer (Chelsea, free); Chris Baird (released); Simon Davies (released); Mladen Petric (released); Mahamadou Diarra (released); Dan Burn (Birmingham, loan); Csaba Somogyi (released); Ryan Williams (Oxford, loan)
One to watch: Kerim Frei
Cardiff City
Malky Mackay and Cardiff finally get their shot at the big time after years of narrowly missing out on promotion to the elite. Have landed Steven Caulker from Spurs, but will look to Craig Bellamy to safe fit in their fight for survival. Might just make it, but not by much.
Prediction: 17th
Odds: 5000/1
In (signed): Andreas Cornelius (FC Copenhagen, £7.5m); Steven Caulker (Tottenham, £8m); Gary Medel (Sevilla, £9.5m); John Brayford (Derby, £1.5m); Simon Moore (Brentford, undisclosed)
Out (signed): Heidar Helguson (released); Nat Jarvis (Kidderminster, free); Stephen McPhail (released)
One to watch: Andreas Cornelius
Stoke City
Mark Hughes once said he builds football clubs rather than teams. Looks to have a serious rebuilding job on his hands at Stoke, a side who were fortunate to avoid relegation last season. Needs to make a vibrant start otherwise this campaign could be long and languid one in attempting to avoid the drop.
Prediction: 18th
Odds: 3000/1
In: Jermaine Pennant (re-signed, free); Erik Pieters (PSV Eindhoven, £3m); Marc Muniesa (Barcelona, free)
Out: Michael Owen (retired); Carlo Nash (Norwich, free); Rory Delap (released); Mamady Sidibe (released); Matthew Upson (released); Dean Whitehead (released); Matthew Lund (released)
One to watch: Marc Muniesa
Hull City
Hull City manager Steve Bruce is determined to bolster his squad before the transfer window closes. He is still looking for two more players which could yet determine whether or not his side have the quality to avoid relegation. Have signed Danny Graham, but are not renowned for scoring goals. Probably lack the quality to avoid the drop, but will look to the heroics of Phil Brown’s side in managing the feat some four years ago.
Prediction: 19th
Odds: 7500/1
In: Danny Graham (Sunderland, loan); Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham, £5m), Jake Livermore (Tottenham, loan); Steve Harper (Newcastle, free); Ahmed Elmohamady (Sunderland, £2m); Maynor Figueroa (Wigan, free); Curtis Davies (Birmingham, undisclosed); Allan McGregor (Besiktas, undisclosed); Yannick Sagbo (Evian, undisclosed)
Out: Corry Evans (Blackburn, undisclosed); Jack Hobbs (Nottingham Forest, loan); Andy Dawson (Scunthorpe United, free); Jay Simpson (released); Paul McKenna (released); Seyi Olofinjana (released); Mark Oxley (Oldham, loan); Sonny Bradley (released); Tom Cairney (Blackburn, loan); Mark Cullen (released); Jamie Devitt (released); Daniel East (released)
One to watch: Robbie Brady
Crystal Palace
Ian Holloway’s side appear to lack the required quality to avoid relegation. An element of surprise should help them pick up results at the start of the campaign. If they fail to register wins early, it could be a long hazardous season for the Selhurst Park men. Especially without Wilfried Zaha.
Prediction: 20th
Odds: 10000/1
In: Marouane Chamakh (Arsenal, undisclosed); Jose Campana (Sevilla, undisclosed); Jerome Thomas (West Brom, free); Dwight Gayle (Peterborough, undisclosed); Stephen Dobbie (Brighton, undisclosed); Elliot Grandin (Free)
Out: Jermaine Easter (Millwall, loan); Alex Marrow (Blackburn, undisclosed); Jason Banton (MK Dons, loan)
One to watch: Jose Campana
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