The eve of the new season is a dangerous period for the 'expert' writers and pundits, with the potential for gutsy predictions to make them look rather amateur - just ask Mark Bright about Liverpool's 2011/12 title challenge.
The season ahead promises to be as intriguing as ever, with as many as five teams capable of winning the title, depending on who you support - or how many common sense brain cells you have.
But the destination of the title come May is not the only question that needs answering during the next campaign: How will the latest reshuffled Liverpool squad challenge the new top four? How will Ronald Koeman's Southampton side cope with the additional pressures of a European campaign? Can sides such as Swansea and Stoke kick on from successful seasons? What will come of Steve McClaren's and Claudio Ranieri's returns to the Premier League? Will any promoted side beat the drop? And just who are Tottenham Hotspur?
Let's take it from the top:
The Contenders
The way it is looking as we sit here in early August, the strongest sides in the country are in the capital.
Chelsea are officially back as the best in the land and deservedly so. But while their rivals have strengthened, Jose Mourinho has kept faith with what he's got. That means Eden Hazard has to have another season like the last one, Diego Costa has to stay fit, and everyone else has to step up. Their rivals are stronger. It's a risky call, but they're good enough.
Arsenal finished the year as the form team and had an FA Cup to prove it. Taking Petr Cech off Chelsea's hands and beating them to the Community Shield last Sunday showed The Gunners mean business as they look to pick up from where they left off. They now have the world-class goalkeeper they have craved, but reinforcing the team's spine will be required if they are going to compete on multiple fronts.
The challenge is for the Manchester clubs to avoid the first London one-two for over 10 years. For the recently dethroned Manchester City, a second futile attempt at retaining their league title shows a team that can't hack that kind of pressure. With the pressure off, a stronger challenge should be expected, but the squad has not improved dramatically as the signings of Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph seem more concerned with fulfilling quotas than winning titles.
Manchester United are arguably better equipped to challenge, on that basis. The arrival of Memphis Depay brings a fresh attacking look to Old Trafford after Falcao and Robin Van Persie seek redemption elsewhere, while Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger can enforce a much-needed steely defensive mindset to the squad, while sparking fear into opponents, and the United kitman. But it is no secret that they would be on a par with Liverpool had it not been for David De Gea, and with his head elsewhere, it is hard to see how that crucial part of the puzzle can be United's saviour for much longer.
No matter how hard they try, Spurs just can't seem to make that step up. It won't be this year. Again. That is all.
Liverpool have spent big yet again and start their first campaign without talismanic skipper Steven Gerrard since 1998. But we have seen in the past how that has had positive effects on teams - Arsenal nearly won the league in 2008 after Thierry Henry's departure and Chelsea didn't really miss Frank Lampard last year. Also, Brendan Rodgers is due a bit of luck in the transfer market (but when you buy as much as he does, you're bound to find a gem eventually).
Southampton have a massive season ahead as they tackle the best reserve teams Europe has to offer in the Europa League. But based on their early showings against Chelsea Reserves (Vitesse Arnhem) and the stature of their summer signings, the chances of Dutchman Koeman suffering sh-econd sh-eason sh-yndrome look sh-lim (sorry).
It's also a big season for Roberto Martinez at Everton after they went backwards during 2014/15. But without the stresses of the Europa League impacting a talented squad there are no excuses for a poor return in the league this time around, otherwise time could be up for the Spaniard.
The Surprise Packages
This is the kind of area where the team that flirts with the Champions League places over the Christmas break usually ends up. It could be Swansea or Stoke, who, if they make any more progress in the league, will be entering Europe barring a shock in the cups. Garry Monk and Mark Hughes have made assembling their squads look easy as they have become established Premier League sides after their relatively recent promotions. Can they overcome the next hurdle? One hopes so.
Crystal Palace scored a personal best in the league after being rejuvenated by the return of former Eagle, Alan Pardew to Selhurst Park. Signing Yohan Cabaye signifies a great turnaround for a club that was without a manager this time last year after somehow waltzing to safety in the previous season. A feel-good factor is nice, but there's only so long a honeymoon period can go on for. But it looks like Palace are here to stay after successive PL relegations.
It's a first season as a manager in the Premier League for Slaven Bilic, and if his previous credentials are anything to go by, West Ham will be the team to watch this season. Their Europa League exit may be a blessing in disguise, with staying up imperative with a new stadium on the horizon. But can he do any better than Big Sam? Doubt it.
Newcastle United have a new man in charge, and by acquiring some intriguing talents from the Eredivisie - where he was a league champion - Steve McClaren will be hoping for no repeats of last year where The Magpies almost suffered the most calamitous of collapses. After going close with taking Derby up, the ex-England boss has finally earned his stripes as he looks to breathe new life into Newcastle.
The Ones That Get Away
Tim Sherwood has a huge task on rebuilding the club he only rebuilt back in March. The departures of Delph and Christian Benteke leave some work to do in the transfer market, but by going for the Alan Pardew method of raiding France for young talent, he may just rebuild once more. Nevertheless, one win in pre-season does suggest another tough season lays ahead.
How Eddie Howe has taken Bournemouth from the brink of non-league football to the Premier League, only he knows. What he also knows is how to reinforce a side capable to beat the drop in the Premier League. He'll be hoping what looks to be a perfect blend of Premier League experience and Championship fighters can turn Bournemouth into this season's Leicester City.
The Struggle For Survival
Speaking of Leicester, they may well have been placed in the section above had they not sacked Nigel Pearson in the off-season. Not only did they sack the man that miraculously kept them up, they have replaced him with a man all too familiar with undeserved sackings in Claudio Ranieri, who is just off the back of taking former European champions Greece to the bottom of their qualifying group. You can't underestimate that kind of disruption to team spirit. It won't be the same Leicester, surely?
West Brom are an okay team. But that's it. Nothing jumps out at you. Their best player is reportedly worth £20 million and yet scored three goals in the last three months of the season. Tony Pulis may have a great record at keeping teams up, but this team? Where are they getting goals from? Who is their creative hub? Of course, they'll only go on to win the Capital One Cup and finish 10th after that rant...
Dick Advocaat's decision to stay as Sunderland boss is surely a move for the good of the team, given their latest great escape. But three times in a row? They're good on their day, but they're no Wigan Athletic. After selling Connor Wickham, Jermain Defoe will need to fire the Black Cats to safety, but they look set to struggle once again.
Watford have taken the same approach as Bournemouth by buying a raft of players in the transfer window. But whereas The Cherries' new recruits have experience of English football, only three of Watford's 10 signings have Premier League games under their belt, although some of the names do look good on paper, their survival hopes will pin on their new manager's ability to get the best out of a team going through yet another change.
Norwich's decision to hire Alex Neil as their new head coach was the decision of the year last season. To have resulted in an immediate return to the Premier League would have beyond their wildest dreams. But if you have seen the Scot's deathly stares from the touchline last season, it's no wonder they rocketed back up the Championship table. Can he do the same in the Premier League? No reason why not, but it'll be mighty close.
It looks like we will have a much tighter race on our hands than last year. Chelsea have not improved greatly and hopefully the others have finally caught up. Arsenal have built their best squad since they last won the league and will push them all the way, and the Manchester duo will not be as far behind as last year.
Liverpool should improve without Mario Balotelli spearheading the attack. Christian Benteke is an instant upgrade but The Reds will realistically be looking for fourth at best. Southampton have the look of a team that can balance domestic and European commitments but Spurs have shown all too often that sacrifices, one way or another, will have to be made. If Roberto Martinez's Toffees play to their potential, they should trouble most of the league and have a real go at the cups this season. It's been over 20 years since they won anything now.
The usual suspects should make up the mid-table picture. Swansea, Stoke and Crystal Palace all have solid squads which should in theory bring solid results, but crazier things have happened. Newcastle could yet be the surprise package this year after last year's horror show.
West Ham may be inclined to play it safe this year with the need to bring Premier League football to the Olympic Stadium and have an able manager by their side - and now without travelling around Europe every other week.
Tim Sherwood starts his first full season in management and Villa should feel the benefit of a clean slate, but they need to make sure someone steps up as the club's new goal source for things to go to plan. Bournemouth have the unique position of enjoying their first-ever Premier League season and will make Dean Court a difficult place to visit. Eddie Howe may just have enough to keep them up. Quique Sanchez Flores may see similar at Watford, as much of his multicultural squad taste the Premier League for the first time.
Even if Sunderland start the way they ended last year, they will in and out of the bottom three all year. Their fans are in for a ride whatever happens. Norwich and West Brom could be in for similar as their squads just won't match up to many on matchday. And as for Leicester, if you think there is any way they can kick on from last year, you must be an ostrich.
In short, it is going to be an unpredictable nine months. Bring it on.
The final prediction:
Come On You Reds!
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