With the start of the Premiership just a couple of days away I thought I would put my two cents worth in and share my opinion on each team for the new campaign:
Arsenal: I don't think they will have progressed much from last year with only two new signings so far in Chamakh and Koscielny and could be in for a real battle to keep their stronghold on Champions League football. Keep an eye out for England youngster Gibbs who looked good in yesterday's friendly but the man to watch has to be their Russian dynamo Arshavin.
Aston Villa: Last week I'd have said Villa would be right in the mix for that Champions League/European spot. However with the resignation of Martin O'Neill and the imminent departure of Milner I think Villa will struggle to hit the heights this season. There doesn't seem to be any real decent managers available at the moment and when he does arrive the new man won't really be able to do any promising transfer business. If Milner does indeed leave for Manchester City then Downing must step up along with Ashley Young so keep your eyes on them, young talent watch must be on U-19 international Nathan Delfouneso and Marc Albrighton.
Birmingham: After finishing a fantastic 9th last season I can't see Alex McLeish emulating it this season. They do have the same squad with Ben Foster arriving at St.Andrews which should boost their squad like Joe Hart did last year. Keep an eye out for new striker Zigic alongside Seb Larsson and Craig Gardener.
Blackburn: After finishing 10th last season I don't think Sam Allardyce can better that however I do think he will be able to emulate that and cement Blackburn as a mid-table team. Pedersen didn't have a great season last year so will be hoping to better himself and Klasnic will have even more pressure to be top striker with the loan spell of Mame Diouf arriving at Ewood. Young talent watch goes to Frenchman N'Zonzi who looked very good in midfield for Blackburn and Canadian striker Hoillet who is only 20 years old.
Blackpool: Being promoted via the playoffs, I fear that Balckpool's stay in the Premiership will be a season long one but surprises can happen (i.e. Reading and Hull). The are lethal at free-kicks with captain Charlie Adam so keep an eye out on that but he also likes a challenge and could see a couple of red cards this season. Ian Holloway has been on a buying spree bringing in Marlon Harewood who would want to rejuvenate his career. Young talent has also been brought in with Craig Cathcart from Manchester United and Martin a promising French footballer.
Bolton: Were caught up in a relegation battle last season finishing just nine points ahead of Burnley in 14th place. I think they may be headed for another close battle which again I think they will survive. You have to keep an eye out for 22-year old Lee Chung-Yong who impressed last season and in the World Cup for South Korea.
Chelsea: Going into the season as Champions, Chelsea have had a very poor pre-season culminating into the loss of the Community Shield. With their squad ageing and the only really potential young talent entering being Danny Sturridge I think they will surrender their crown but not without another close battle with Manchester United. It looks like new signing Benayoun is going to play the same role Chelsea as he did for Liverpool but keep an eye on him anyway.
Everton: It'll be another season for Everton to fight for that Champions League place and have a good case for doing so. Cahill and Bilyaletdinov looking good in pre-season they will boost their chances of making into Europe for next season. A somewhat belated move to the Premiership for Jermaine Beckford may have hampered his progress as a footballer but still should make an impact next season and young talent watch goes to Jack Rodwell.
Fulham: After a brilliant season and a Europa League final I don't see how Fulham can go anywhere further. Especially now Roy Hodgson has left it may even be hard for them to break into the top ten after finishing 12th last season. All eyes have to be on Dempsey and Zamora the goal getters of the club, however there doesn't seem to be any young talent coming into the Fulham squad at the minute.
Liverpool: After their worst season for a while and despite Roy Hodgson now in charge I don't see Liverpool faring much better this season either. Torres is still injury hit and all hopes fall to Gerrard and now Joe Cole and they can't provide a whole team's work output. Young talent watch goes to Jay Spearing who featured a little last year and looked quite good also keep an eye out for Jonjo Shelvey who may feature a little this season.
Manchester City: All the money in the world and they still couldn't buy a win in pre-season, the only one they did manage was via a penalty shoot-out. With more countless signings and zero chemistry at the club I think City will succumb to the Europa League again just to prove that apart from Chelsea you cannot buy yourself to the Premiership title. There is no real young talent watch because they are all being pushed out e.g. Joe Hart. But keep an eye out to see how new signings Yaya Toure and David Silva do.
Manchester United: They will be in another tight battle against Chelsea for the title as the two just push away from the rest of the field. This year I think it will be United's once more with a decent all round squad. You must keep an eye out for Javier Hernandez who has continued to impress in the World Cup and scored on his debut in the Community Shield.
Newcastle: Welcome back to where you belong, Newcastle were always thought of as too big to go down and that's why they came back up straight away. Out of the three promoted teams Newcastle the likeliest to stay up but they will be in for a titanic battle to do so. Keep an eye out for Danny Simpson, Leon Best, Wayne Routledge and new signing Dan Gosling as they all look decent talents.
Stoke: Tony Pulis did well with Stoke to take them to 13th last season, however I think they will be in for a battle to avoid relegation this year. With new striker Kenwyne Jones added to the already biggish striking talent there should be a keen battle to be top striker. The player to watch is Matthew Etherington who played very well last season.
Sunderland: Just finished 13th last season avoiding the relegation melee. With Kenwyne Jones leaving the club for Stoke all eyes have to be on Darren Bent and Frazier Campbell must step-up this season. The added loan spell of Danny Welbeck from Manchester United could well heighten the attack for Steve Bruce's side. Young talent watch goes to Jordan Henderson who has impressed when appeared for Sunderland.
Tottenham: After grabbing the final Champions League spot last season they will be looking to retain it this year amongst another tight tussle. Gareth Bale was one of the best players last season and should look to improve even more this campaign for Tottenham and Wales. Young talent watch must be Danny Rose who scored that wonder goal against Arsenal last season.
West Brom: Boing Boing Baggies are at it again and I think they will inevitably be relegated again. New signings Ibanez, Shorey and Myhill should all add good Premiership experience so keep a look-out for them. Young talent watch goes to New Zealand international striker Chris Wood.
West Ham: Favourites to go down this season but under ownership and manager Avram Grant. After impressing last year at Portsmouth West Ham have bought Frederic Piquionne, Behrami and Diamanti looked quite good last season. Young talent watch goes to Freddie Sears, Junior Stanislas and Franck Nouble.
Wigan: Also possible favourites to go down, Roberto Martinez hasn't really made any significant changes apart from Paraguayan defender Alcaraz who scored against Spain in the World Cup. If N'Zogbia does stay then he will be a huge boost for Wigan and young talent watch goes to Victor Moses who must prove himself this year.
Wolves: Again other possible favourites to be relegated Wolves could do with strengthening the squad. Wayne Hennessey looks a very good young goalkeeper for Wales and will be vital at shot-stopping. Young talent watch goes to Sylvan Ebanks-Blake who didn't impress much last season but needs to step-up to help Wolves avoid relegation.
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