1 - Manchester City
It will be tougher for City this year (and they only won it in the final seconds last year!) and, as yet, they haven't strengthened well at all but they should still have enough spine to their team to take the title again. Hart, Kompany, Toure/Silva and Aguero are an incredible core to have and, sans injuries, its difficult to imagine a much stronger team. They didn't need Van Persie and they didn't get him so fans need to stop worrying about who did and focus on the players already there. Another centre-back before the end of the transfer window strengthens their position no end.
2 - Manchester United
Van Persie is 29 and coming off the back of an awful Euros so he might not be the megastar United clearly hope he is. Ferguson has gambled the kitty on a striker when they needed a midfielder but they needed one of those last season and they still managed to finish second, a smidgen away from the title. I don't think they've got enough to overcome City when it matters and the defence can be shaky.
3 - Chelsea
The greatest threat to the title leaving Manchester. Chelsea looked good against City when it was 11 vs 11 in the Community Shield but they have an inexperienced manager and an ageing core. That said, Lampard looked good on England duty mid-week and if Cahill and Luiz can fill in solidly when Terry picks up his inevitable injury then they might have a shot. They've spent bigger than a lot of people realise in the Summer and the pressure will soon be on Di Matteo if the wins aren't forthcoming.
4 - Liverpool
If Liverpool can sign Clint Dempsey and one out of the two of Nuri Sahin and Christian Tello then they look good for a tilt at fourth or higher. Joe Allen and Fabio Borini fill two of the huge gaps in the side and Dempsey/Sahin would fill another couple. Holding on to the established centre-back pairing of Agger/Skrtel is a must though as is starting off with an at least 'OK' record; their first three games at home are City, United and Arsenal. Rodgers buys are the most aspirational out of all their recent managers and his vision the most complete.
5 - Arsenal
The same faults that were there last year are still there, only now they must paper over them without Van Persie and (probably) without Alex Song. Jenkinson will probably start the season in the side, which shows how weak the team can become when injuries hit. Wenger is relying on two strikers with class but no Premiership pedigree and he will be under pressure from the naysayers very early doors, should the side slip to a couple of defeats.
6 - Tottenham
Whether AVB will be given more time here than at Chelsea is debatable, but at least he doesn't have the challenge of dismantling an ageing side of club legends hanging over him. Player power won at The Bridge but here he seems to have much more freedom... for now. A hot Jermaine Defoe is an under-rated property and he will need to be hot if Spurs are to stick with their current squad.
7 - Everton
Moyes works another wonder with a squad that, on paper, should probably be in the bottom eight. Ferguson's natural successor and one of the few managers who has already proven himself up to the task, several times.
8 - Sunderland
Currently, the squad looks threadbare but don't bet against Martin O'Neil. This position should count as over-achievement but how it will be seen at the Stadium of Light is anyone's guess.
9 - Newcastle
Second-season syndrome will hit Castle this season, after the dizzying spells of last year. Defences should be ready for Cisse (as they were for Ba in the second half of last year) and their signings look like 'ones for the future' in the main. Starting off with a lot of injuries too.
10 - QPR
Good investment in the off season and Hughes is starting to learn his on-the-pitch trade much more than at previous jobs. Needs to keep Tarabt quiet and ship out Barton to secure a bunch of happy campers but then this team could start to blossom. The incredibly entertaining Djibril Cisse needs to learn how not to get sent off. Tenth and playing good football would be a brilliant season for Rangers.
11 - Norwich
Over-achieved last season but a good replacement manager and some sharp signings. Hughton pips Lambert's Villa to 11th on the final day.
12 - Aston Villa
Lambert is good but the doom around Villa is near-unliftable and the squad still looks very weak. This would count as a success but probably won't be.
13 - Swansea
Laudrup is such an unknown quantity and last season's squad are being dissembled at an alarming rate. Not near the heady heights of last year's performance but still OK for a side only promoted a year ago. Could do with another striker. If Graham is injured they are in 'it'.
14 - Stoke City
Potentially in trouble. Pulis' transfer dealings look frustrated and the team - whilst not lacking in bite - still feels like it's missing a number of technically gifted players. Their inability to unlock teams away from the den of the Britannia is telling.
15 - West Ham
Big Sam will keep the Hammers up but don't expect it to be pretty or convincing. Diarra is a coup of a signing and will steady the midfield whilst Nolan ploughs forwards in support of Cole and a.n.other. A good start could see them push much higher than this.
16 - Fulham
It's difficult to see this team doing much and Jol's inability to see that Danny Murphy still very much had another Premiership season in him is befuddling. Petric is a good signing and should give them the goals to avoid real trouble. How long will the manager get? An early tip to see the door.
17 - Wigan
They've escaped before. They'll (probably) escape again.
18 - West Brom
Clarke's a first time boss, his signings look the wrong side of risky and the team wasn't that great to begin with. He should get time at this club but that doesn't mean he can save them. A really tough season is in prospect.
19 - Southampton
Adkins plays really good football but it feels like there's a total lack of experience in this team, especially at the top level. Could surprise a couple of clubs (remember when United used to get tanked by them every so often?) but not much more than that. Sadly through the trap door.
20 - Reading
Everyone's favourite for the drop, no? Pogrebnyak is their lone bit of quality and without brilliant service he won't keep them afloat. The defence could really ship some against the bigger teams. Only Chelsea away to worry about on opening day.
