Premiership preview: Let the games begin
Darren Barrett previews the chances of the 20 Premiership teams for the new season.
Arsenal
Last year: 2ndPredicted finish: 3rdManager: Arsene WengerPlayer to watch: Robert Pires
It has been a quiet summer at Highbury after the disappointment of finishing second last season. The Gunners saw the departure of defender Oleg Luzhny and ageing goalkeeper David Seaman to Manchester City. Question marks remain over the future of Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry, both of whom are being sought by mega-rich Chelsea. With the cost of a new stadium escalating, the FA Cup winners may find it hard to challenge this season.
Aston Villa
Last year: 17thPredicted finish: 12thManager: David O'LearyPlayer to watch: Gareth Barry
New boss David O'Leary has his work cut out at the under-achieving Midlands club. With very little money to play with - although as he found at Leeds, having cash is no guarantee of success - O'Leary seems prepared to give his current squad a chance to shine. Leeds keeper Paul Robinson was a summer transfer target but talks collapsed in the end, while rumours of a takeover by a South American billionaire have yet to be proved true.
Birmingham
Last year: 13thPredicted finish: 13thManager: Steve BrucePlayer to watch: Christophe Dugarry
Birmingham were one of the success stories of last year after a long absence from the top flight. Steve Bruce bought shrewdly in England defender Matthew Upson and French ace Christophe Dugarry and the Blues recorded some fine results - most notably doing "the double" over city rivals Aston Villa. This summer the main addition to the sqaud has been Blackburn and England under-21 midfielder David Dunn for £5.5m.
Blackburn
Last year: 6thPredicted finish: 8thManager: Graeme SounessPlayer to watch: Lorenzo Amoruso
It's been a hectic summer of ins and outs for Graeme Souness at Ewood Park. David Dunn has gone to Birmingham for £5.5m, Keith Gillespie fell out with Souness and found himself at new boys Leicester, while Damien Duff has joined the Russian revolution at Chelsea for a cool £17m. In for Blackburn comes Lorenzo Amoruso from Rangers for £1.4m and Australian Brett Emerton from Dutch outfit Feyenoord for £2.2m. Expect further purchases.
Bolton
Last year: 18thPredicted finish: 20thManager: Sam AllardycePlayer to watch: Jay-Jay Okocha
Bolton clung on to Premiership survival by the skin of their teeth - mainly thanks to the brilliance of Nigerian international Jay-Jay Okocha. Allardyce has gone all foreign with three summer signings: Ivan Campo completed his move from Real Madrid to join Florent Laville from Lyon and Stylianos Giannakopoulous from Olympiakos. I wonder how many fans will have that on the back of their shirts? In any event, I see another tough year at the Reebok Stadium.
Charlton
Last year: 12thPredicted finish: 15thManager: Alan CurbishleyPlayer to watch: Scott Parker
Every year Charlton surprise the so-called experts who tip them for the drop - and I'm sure this year will be no different. Arriving at The Valley this summer was Leicester goalkeeper Simon Royce on a free and Ireland midfielder Matt Holland who signed from Ipswich for £750,00. Despite the loss of John Robinson to Cardiff, Alan Curbishley will be hoping to hang on to 22-year-old Scott Parker who is the outstanding talent of the team.
Chelsea
Last year: 4thPredicted finish: 4thManager: Claudio RanieriPlayer to watch: Geremi
Ok, deep breath. Russian squillionaire Roman Abramovich took control of Chelski - as they are now called - from Ken Bates. In came England right-back Glen Johnson from West Ham for £6m. He was quickly followed by Geremi (£7m) from Real Madrid, Wayne Bridge (£7m) from Southampton and Damien Duff (£17m) from Blackburn. Gianfranco Zola went back to Italy. Oh, and Sven-Goran Eriksson will probably be the new boss in October. And relax...
Everton
Last year: 7thPredicted finish: 7thManager: David MoyesPlayer to watch: Wayne Rooney
Everton had their best season for many moons last year, thanks mainly to the management skills of David Moyes. Boy wonder Wayne Rooney was handled with kid gloves before being unleashed on an expectant nation and fast-tracked into the England team. Transfer news has been rare at Goodison this summer. The only deal of note has been the £4.5m signing of Nigerian Joseph Yobo from Marseille who spent last year on loan with the Toffees.
Fulham
Last year: 14thPredicted finish: 17thManager: Chris ColemanPlayer to watch: Junichi Inamoto
Despite the millions of chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed, Fulham have been quiet in the transfer market this summer and have been completely overshadowed by neighbours Chelsea. Boss Jean Tigana was replaced by Chris Coleman who has extended the loan periods of Martin Djetou from Parma and Japanese World Cup star Junichi Inamoto from Gamba Osaka. Full-back Steve Finnan joined Liverpool for £3.5m. Plans for a new stadium remain a major concern.
Leeds United
Last year: 15thPredicted finish: 11thManager: Peter ReidPlayer to watch: Mark Viduka
Cash-strapped Leeds have suffered a fall from grace in recent years and the exodus of star names continued this summer with Olivier Dacourt heading to Roma for £3.5m and winger Harry Kewell completing a controversial switch to Liverpool for £5m. Or was it £7m? Maybe it was £3m? Nobody is quite sure. Striker Mark Viduka is rumoured to be next for the off. Into Elland Road came Jody Morris who was released from Chelsea. Mid-table at best.
Leicester
Last year: Runners-up Div 1Predicted finish: 18thManager: Micky AdamsPlayer to watch: Keith Gillespie
Promoted Leceister will have their work cut out this season but in Micky Adams they have a cunning manager who can work wonders on a small budget. Free agents have dominated the summer signings with Les Ferdinand (West Ham), Keith Gillespie (Blackburn), Riccardo Scimeca (Forest) and Paul Brooker (Brigh
