In only a matter of weeks the 2014-15 English Premier League will kick off. So who are the teams who will finish in the top five positions, and who will be crowned champions?
Manchester City – 1st
The champions will be the team to beat, and with the most complete squad in the league it is difficult to see where their weakness lies. Having a relatively quiet summer they have signed Bacary Sagna, Fernando and Willy Caballero to add depth to the squad, and are soon to announce the signing of Eliaquim Mangala.
Manchester City seem to have negated last season’s defensive weakness and by holding onto key man Yaya Toure they are favourites to retain the title this year. The only issue could be the fitness and form of main striker Sergio Aguero, who struggled to perform at the World Cup this summer.
Chelsea – 2nd
Chelsea have bolstered their side with the signings of Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and club legend Didier Drogba. Jose Mourinho made no secret of his discontent with his squad last season and he has been given the funds to bring in the world-class talent needed to take them back to the top of the table.
If Oscar and Eden Hazard can reproduce their form from last season and Costa finds his shooting boots Chelsea will be challenging for top three. Their weakness is a light defence with too much reliance on an ageing John Terry.
Arsenal – 3rd
Having promised so much for so long, this is the season that the Gunners have been waiting for. With the financial shackles of the Emirates finally being shed they have followed up the signing of Mesut Oezil with Alexis Sanchez, who will bring “top top quality” to their side and share the goal burden with Olivier Giroud.
This is an important season for many of the younger players in the squad and if they can get the likes of Aaron Ramsay, Jack Wilshire and Theo Walcott to perform they are in with a great chance of challenging for the title.
Manchester United – 4th
The only club on this list to have swapped managers this summer, United have brought in the strong personality of Louis van Gaal to reinvigorate a beleaguered squad after a terrible campaign last year. If the World Cup is anything to go by then they have found themselves a very capable manager.
The signings of Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera point to a long term plan, and if they can find the key central midfielder in the transfer market or within the squad (Shinji Kagawa) we could see them return to the top four this season.
Liverpool – 5th
They have lost their talisman this summer with Luis Suarez opting to leave for Barcelona following a farcical bite at the World Cup. Liverpool have used the funds to improve the squad with seven new players coming in.
The Uruguayan is irreplaceable but in young Lazar Markovic they have an exciting new talent, and by signing the Southampton trio of Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert they are getting proven performers.
If Daniel Sturridge steps up and links well with his new teammates then we could see Liverpool challenge for top honours. However, it is more likely that this will be a season of adapting with them challenging for the top four and a good cup run.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Yeah I know. I was just pointing out rather sarcastically how ridiculous his comment was.
Shaunvdl
Roar Rookie
Im only saying he'll be top 4...not win it to be fair.
Suburban boy
Guest
Well I'm glad you like it but there is nothing remotely funny about supporting Southampton and seeing them claw their way back from League 1 and into the top 10 of the EPL only to have their squad decimated when the big boys come calling with their cheque books. I know this is how wealthy clubs act and I can't blame the individual players but gees it pisses me off.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Great point. No manager has ever won the EPL without managing a winning EPL team previously.
Rodger K
Guest
They may prove me wrong but their squad doesn't look as strong as either Man C or Chelsea. As far as LVG is concerned I only expressed my opinion. I still say more hype than substance.
Rodger K
Guest
When did he last coach a team in the EPL/BPL?
Rodger K
Guest
Only if a dozen other players don't play this season :D
Shaunvdl
Roar Rookie
lvg's track record would suggest otherwise.
Shaunvdl
Roar Rookie
Arsenal in the past have actually tended to start badly and finish strongly (normally to pip tottenham to fourth), however I feel that this season they have added a bit more depth. Still missing that destroyer defensive midfielder (strootman) to sure things up in the center but we could see ramsey/wilshire fill that role this year. Dont underestimate lvg, he is a winner.
Shaunvdl
Roar Rookie
bojan for golden boot?
Rodger K
Guest
Love the way your mind works Monty Python ;)
Rodger K
Guest
I'm thinking that some Man U fans may end up looking at last season as a good one. LVG doesn't impress me, more hype than tactical smarts. But only time will tell.
Rodger K
Guest
Must admit, it's been quite awhile since I have anticipated such a season.
Rodger K
Guest
Always naming the top 5 or 6 teams a month out is difficult, unlike some I don't rate LVG, he is too predicable and his squad is light on [however they don't have any European comps to worry about, that may save further embarrassment] and I still hold the belief that Man U fans will look upon last season as a good season instead of crying over it. Man C and Chelsea squads stand out as being the most complete but Arsenal will do what they always do, start well and fade after Christmas. Liverpool may find fighting on 2 fronts a novelty that BR isn't use to and like the Gunners will fade towards the end of the season which opens the doors to the likes of Spurs and maybe even Newcastle. Everton is another one that may sneak up into the Top 2 or 3 positions. But when you look at the clubs named not too many 'new' ones are capable of upsetting the bookies.
Suburban boy
Guest
Hey Ben you missed out on Southampton. After finishing a record high 8th in the EPL last season, I think they are ready to go all the way to become EPL champions. The loss of their two best players, Ricky Lambert and Adam Lallana to Liverpool, plus the defection of 3 other regular starters Lovran - Liverpool, Chambers- Arsenal and Shaw - Man Utd AND their Manager from last season is just a way of making them appear more heroic when they win the title. Well no actually it's not an attempt to appear more heroic it's just a raid on an improving mid level club by the cashed up big boys of the EPL. And if there is one thing that pisses me off about the EPL it's this sort of money arrogance that dominates the competition, leading to only 3 or 4 clubs having any hope of winning it. Now I expect to watch the Saints plummet back down the table, battling relegation again. Bah! Thank goodness for the A-League salary cap otherwise the same thing would happen here.
EPLextra
Roar Rookie
It’s always interesting trying to place the teams in order prior to the season starting particularly in a World Cup year and one where there have been significant changes key players and managers. My own personal view is that Chelsea has the best balanced squad and should be considered slight favourites ahead of City. Mourhino has had another transfer window to add to his squad and has brought in a couple of key players to ready them for the season ahead. The blue half of Manchester has a quality squad, but I think there are a couple of questions up front. Aguero has some injury concerns and is coming off a long World Cup campaign. Negredo is currently out. Dzeko can blow hot and cold. It will be interesting to see how Jovetic plays now that he has had a full pre-season. Trying to work out where the red half of Manchester will end up is another tough proposition. van Gaal has been quoted as saying he will need three months with his squad before it comes together, time which isn’t available in the EPL these days. Perhaps it’s just his honest assessment of where United are up to or perhaps he’s trying to lull everybody into underestimating Utd’s chances before blowing them away in the first few weeks as they have a pretty easy start to the season. Whatever the truth is, the season is building up quite nicely. Marko
AZ_RBB
Guest
I'm a United fan and I agree. Still short a defender or two from being genuine top 4 contenders. Hummels would be an ideal acquisition. But wishful thinking.
DJW
Guest
What have Man Utd done in the off season to make you think they will finish above Liverpool? I guess the loss of Suarez ,must be the reasoning. Man Utd defence has big question marks as well as if there midfiled can gel this season. Got to feel sorry for Southampton, they have been well and truely raided. Says something for there academy though.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Hull will win it in a Titanic tussle with Crystal Palace. Stoke will dominate in the first half but will have a horrid Christmas break from which they will not recover. Sunderland will look good for the final ACL spot (despite a late charge by QPR) but will be unable to worry the top 3 due to a shallow squad. You heard it here first :)