Arsenal
Obviously, losing Theirry Henry was a massive blow for Arsenal meaning that Robin van Persie will now have to shoulder much of the goal burden along with new signing Eduardo Da Silva who I don't think will set the league alight this season.
Despite the loss of their talisman the Gunners still have plenty of young talent in their ranks with Eboue, Clichy and *ahem* Walcott. This could also be the season where Cesc Fabregas steps up and becomes one of the world's best midfielders.
The young stars mixed with the experience of the likes of Gilberto and Gallas should ensure that Arsenal finish in the top four under Arsene Wenger's astute management but they still don't have the quality to challenge for the title just yet.
Key Man: Robin van Persie - If he stays fit then he can grab the Gooners 20 goals this season.
Prediction: 4th
Aston Villa
The new regime under Randy Lerner's ownership and Martin O'Neill's management now needs to bear fruit after a season of stability. Villa hit a good run of form towards the end of last season and will be looking to build on that but there are question marks over the main new signings.
Selling a very promising young talent in Steven Davis and replacing him with the expensive Nigel Mediocre could be the worst bit of business of the summer whilst Marlon "Goomba" Harewood needs to show that he truly does have the ability to perform at this level. Other players like Petrov and Young will also have to prove that they were worth the money paid for them.
The O'Neill factor coupled with some promising youth in Agbonlahor and Cahill should see Villa finish in the top half but more talent will need to be added if they are to push for the UEFA Cup.
Key Man: Gareth Barry - The left-sided man is good in either attack or defence and will be key to Villa's performances.
Prediction: 10th
Birmingham City
The Blues have bounced straight back after our great escape run contributed to sending them down in 2006 but a struggle beckons in a season where the main aim is survival for Steve Bruce.
Bruce has made some solid signings in Kingson, Kapo and Schmitz and is still in the market for Mido as he needs to add strikers to his side. The goals are currently lacking as I personally don't believe that Cameron Jerome or Rowan Vine can cut it at this level whilst there are question marks over Forssell and O'Connor.
Much of the goalscoring burden will be on the shoulders of Gary McShefferey who scored over 20 from midfield last season but I think the reason that Birmingham will survive in the league is because they will make themselves very hard to beat.
Key Man: Gary McShefferey - Grabbed loads of goals from midfield last season and should be able to step up to Premier League level without any problem.
Prediction: 17th
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn have hardly been built up or talked about this season which will suit Mark Hughes. Lack of transfer activity has been compensated for by keeping hold of their best players such as Benni McCarthy and Morten Gamst Pedersen.
Roque Santa Cruz is a very good signing in my eyes and as long as Rovers can keep hold of their players and avoid the massive injury problems that hindered them last campaign then Hughes' side can make a very strong challenge for the UEFA Cup spots.
However, I think that with the extra games and injuries that their European campaign will bring, coupled with the inevitable suspensions they will receive for their indiscipline will mean that Rovers will end up falling just short of the top 8 but could taste success in the cup competitions.
Key Man: Benni McCarthy - Was one of the league's best strikers last season and Rovers surely cannot afford to lose such a goal threat.
Prediction: 9th
Bolton Wanderers
How much will Bolton miss Big Sam? We'll find out this season and my guess is that they will struggle to achieve the heights of the top half under new boss Sammy Lee.
It's not just Allardyce they will miss either as Ben Haim's free transfer to Chelsea won't have done them any favours. Should Anelka leave then I believe that Bolton will find themselves in a relegation battle and even if he stays then they could be one of the sides tipped for the dreaded drop.
Either way, Bolton still have the likes of Nolan, Speed and Campo to boss the midfield and their physical approach to the game should ensure that they aren't beaten at home too often. I can't see them breaking into the top half in Lee's first year and an early exit from Europe also looks likely.
Key Man: Kevin Nolan - A workhorse but with plenty of talent to go with it. He can dig Bolton out of sticky situations should they be losing.
Prediction: 15th
Chelsea
Losing Petr Cech and John Terry for a significant portion of last season meant that Chelsea lost their grip on the title but I believe they are prepared to steal it back from United because they will be much harder to score against than the Champions.
Jose Mourinho has shored up his squad with some good quality players that haven't cost a penny and can do a job against lesser league opposition so the big guns can be rested for more difficult tasks. I think Malouda is a very good signing but the key to the title rests on the shoulders of the players already at Stamford Bridge.
If Chelsea can avoid long-term injuries to the likes of Terry, Essien, Lampard and Drogba then they I believe they will win the league. You can't underestimate the contributions of the likes of Joe Cole and Carvalho who also chipped in with a few vital goals last season but they will need all of their big players for the big games.
Key Man: John Terry - If he doesn't play, then Mourinho's men look much more vulnerable at the back.
Prediction: 1st
Derby County
Billy Davies faces a massive struggle to keep Derby up having failed to sign any real quality players. When they're looking to spend a significant amount of money on a player like Kenwyne Jones it gives you the indication that the Rams simply won't be good enough.
What Davies will do is make sure that his side fight for everything much like Watford did albeit I think County are better equipped to survive having purchased Robert Earnshaw from Norwich. I think the Welshman will score goals at this level but can the big Steve Howard fare well against the better defences in this league?
If Derby do survive then Giles Barnes will end up playing a significant part in that. He looks like the only real class act in the team but Davies has already performed one minor miracle in getting Derby to the Premier League in just one season but I feel it will be a bigger miracle if he keeps them there.
Key Man: Giles Barnes - Has the quality to unlock Premier League defences with his pace and skill.
Prediction: 20th
Everton
David Moyes will be looking to repeat the feat of last season by taking the Toffees to Europe but with a small squad and extra games to come from the UEFA Cup he will find it harder this time round.
Everton have made two excellent signings in utility man Phil Jagielka and promising left back Leighton Baines. Add them to the quality they've already got in the squad in Andy Johnson, Arteta and Lescott and you have a team who are likely to challenge for the top 6 again.
The problems that might stop the blue side of Merseyside achieving this are the fact that Everton don't have much depth should key players get injured, banned or just tired if they go far in cup competitions. Bill Kenwright isn't as loaded as the chairmen of other sides who are also aiming for Europe so signing quality replacements will also be a tough ask for Moyes.
Key Man: Mikel Arteta - If he improves his consistency then he can be one of the Premier League's best players.
Prediction: 7th
Fulham
Northern Ireland, otherwise known as Fulham, are going to find it tough under Lawrie Sanchez and his new regime. Chris Coleman will be tearing his hair out after Al Fayed gave Sanchez well over £20 million to spend on players when he hardly got a penny.
But how much of that warchest has been spent wisely? Steve Davis is a good buy from Villa and QPR's Lee Cook looks promising but the rest of them I'm not sure are good enough. David Healy struggled to score goals in the Championship despite his impressive record for Northern Ireland, Aaron Hughes and Paul Konchesky are average at best whilst Diomansy Kamara couldn't hit a Premier League barn door.
I could be completely wrong and Fulham could end up surprising everyone if all of their new signings gel quickly and prove to be good enough in a team that really struggled last season. However, I think Norn Iron are in for a tough, long season at the bottom but will ultimately escape relegation.
Key Man: Antti Niemi - He's gonna be a very busy man in front of a poor defence marshalled by Chris "Scummer" Baird.
Prediction: 16th
Liverpool
Every year we hear from someone in Liverpool that it's going to be "their year" when they're finally going to lift the Premier League trophy but every year they never really look like challenging and I think that this year will be the same.
I'm not convinced Fernando Torres will do the business in England. His scoring rate in Spain wasn't amazing and there'll be less time on the ball for him to make things happen in the Premier League. I think Babel could be a hit and Voronin could shine but Yossi Benayoun won't solve the right hand side problem and they still lack a bit of width.
Liverpool's big strength has always been at the back and I can see this being continuing to be a massive plus point but unless Rafa signs a proven goal poacher and shows more enterprise on the road then they'll still be a significant distance behind United and Chelsea.
Key Man: Steven Gerrard - Who else?
Prediction: 3rd
Manchester City
Out of all of the sides in the Premier League, Man City are the most unpredictable. Sven has arrived with a good track record at club level but the Swede has brought in many players unproven in the Premier League and so could go either way.
To be fair to the former England manager he's had to sign all of these players as a dire squad became even worse when Joey Barton was signed by Newcastle and we pinched arguably their best defender for nothing.
Only time will tell whether the likes of Bianchi, Bojinov and Elano will be hits or flops but this season will probably be one of inconsistency and consolidation but they shouldn't be in any danger under Sven because he will make sure they are disciplined at the back.
Key Man: Micah Richards - It's time for the promising defender to show his true potential.
Prediction: 12th
Manchester United
The Champions tore teams apart last season and I expect them to do the same again this season to the lesser opposition. Sir Alex has brought in plenty of exciting attacking players like Anderson, Nani and soon-to-be Tevez. Hargreaves also looks like a decent signing to hold things together in midfield.
I think it's at the back where United will come unstuck however. They have not signed a single defender as of yet and should one or more of the back four be out for whatever reason then their defence can be easily exploited. This won't be an issue against the sides their overpowering attacking flair can destroy but the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool could sit back and pick them off on the break.
I expect the title race to be close between United and Chelsea (include Liverpool if they get their act together) but the extra steel of the West Londoners (along with United's 3 annual dropped points at Fratton Park) should mean that they lift the league trophy. I still expect United to lift at least one cup though, maybe the Champions League?
Key Man: Cristiano Ronaldo - When the player of the year is on form, there is no stopping him (Unless you break his legs).
Prediction: 2nd
Middlesbrough
Despite a whole season in charge, there are still question marks over Gareth Southgate's credentials as a manager. After a mediocre campaign last season, the Boro fans will be hoping for some excitement this time but I can't see that changing.
In fact, it could be worse than mid-table obscurity should they lose Yakubu. I personally think they'll manage to keep hold of him but should he leave then the Smoggies could well face a daunting campaign, although a sturdy defence led by a fit Jonathan Woodgate should banish any thoughts of relegation.
Boro do look blunt up front though after the sale of Viduka and whilst Tuncay could be an unsung hit, I don't believe Aliadiere will be anywhere near good enough to replace the big Aussie.
Key Man: Jonathan Woodgate - Boro look a lot less likely to concede with him in the team but he must avoid injury.
Prediction: 14th
Newcastle United
Now that Sam Allardyce has taken charge, the high expectations of the Geordies can be justified now that a wobbly defence is being shored up. Titus Bramble has finally gone and has been replaced by David Rozenhal who arrives from PSG with a big reputation.
Losing Scott Parker is a blow but at least Joey Barton will replace the bite in a midfield already containing quality players like Emre and Milner. It's up front that the Toon really prosper with a strike force that is probably the best outside the top 4. Owen, Martins, Viduka, Smith, Luque and Ameobi gift Allardyce a whole variety of striking talent with different strengths that he can call upon depending on the opposition.
The Magpies are an outside bet for the top 4 if Allardyce can add one or two more quality players but more importantly, remove the injury curse and the defensive deficiencies of previous sides.
Key Man: Shay Given - Newcastle should always score goals given their attacking options but Given has constantly had to bail out the defence and will be needed to keep the goals out once again.
Prediction: 6th
Portsmouth
I'll post an in-depth preview of Pompey's prospects soon, so for now just for the sake of completion...
Key Man: David James - His outstanding displays in goal should gain us an extra 15 points this season.
Prediction: 8th
Reading
Steve Coppell did one hell of a job to take Reading to 8th in the league last season with the base of the side that ran away with the Championship. This season is surely going to be tougher now that the surprise factor is gone along with Steve Sidwell.
I'm not really a massive believer in "Second Season Syndrome" and if Reading do finish lower it'll be more down to the fact that their standards were extremely high last term and having lost a key player and not strengthened the squad anywhere near the teams around them have that repeating the feat will be extremely tough.
That's not to say I think the Royals will struggle, far from it. Whilst the "unknown" factor in the side is gone there's still enough quality in the side with Sonko and Shorey at the back to keep the goals out and Doyle and Lita up front to put the ball in the net. I expect a harder slog for Reading this season but relegation shouldn't be a worry.
Key Man: Leroy Lita - The England U-21 striker has outshone David Nugent in the international side but can he score more than him in the Premier League?
Prediction: 13th
Sunderland
Roy Keane did extremely well to haul Sunderland from the bottom of the Championship to the top and win promotion at the first time of asking. However, the real hard work starts here and I'm not sure that the Black Cats are equipped to survive in the big league.
Keane has used Niall Quinn's money to invest heavily on players such as Kieran Richardson, Craig Gordon and Michael Chopra but will they be able to make an impact on the side? I think that all 3 will struggle and Keane's other signings have a lot to prove in the Premier League. The core of the side is going to change a lot and I'm not sure that buying overpriced players who are either unproven or over-rated instead of keeping faith with the core that won you the league is the way to go.
It's all down to Keane though. I'm sure he won't have any problems motivating his side but I believe a lack of managerial experience amongst some of the best managers in the game could end up costing his side in the end. Of course, I'm not completely ruling out that Keane will have such an influence that Sunderland end up surprising everyone.
Key Man: Craig Gordon - £9 million is a huge fee to pay for a goalkeeper and so the former Hearts stopper has to prove that it's justified.
Prediction: 18th
Tottenham Hotspur
Is this the season that Martin Jol finally breaks Tottenham into the top four to claim that much coveted Champions League place? I personally don't think so but the amount of quality in the side should ensure that they're a shoe-in for the top 5.
Spurs boast a selection of strikers that most other league managers would envy. Berbatov, Keane, Defoe and new recruit Darren Bent should ensure that the goals rain in at White Hart Lane. Aaron Lennon should also be a big hit this season. There are a few problems which I think will stop Spurs breaking into the top 4 though...
Jol's side conceded far too many goals last season and it remains to be seen whether the arrival of Kaboul and Gareth "Scummer" Bale can help keep clean sheets. Tottenham's away form was also simply not good enough and they need to be more solid on the road if they are to achieve greater things.
Key Man: Ledley King - King was injured for a big chunk of last season and that was the biggest reason why they leaked so many goals.
Prediction: 5th
West Ham United
West Ham fans will be glad that the whole Tevez saga is over and look forward to a more positive season this time. Eggert Magnusson has put his money where his mouth is and Alan Curbishley has strengthened the side considerably.
The Hammers' forward line looks impressive even without Tevez. Craig Bellamy is a good signing whilst Dean Ashton's return from injury is a major boost. Scott Parker's arrival should add steel to a flimsy midfield but I'm not sure if Ljungberg is past it now. Irons fans are gutted that £6 million Julien Faubert will miss most or maybe even all of the season and that could be a massive blow.
West Ham's defence still doesn't convince me and you have to remember that this is a side who only escaped relegation on the final day after constantly being bailed out by Carlos Tevez who is sure to leave. Another one of their best players; Yossi Benayoun has also left Upton Park. The East Londoners may well challenge for Europe but I think they'll end up just outside the top half.
Key Man: Dean Ashton - A class act who brings more than just goals to the side when he's playing.
Prediction: 11th
Wigan Athletic
After such a good first season, Wigan were soon brought back down to earth with a bump and now that Paul Jewell has gone and been replaced with a manager who's only previous top flight managerial experience was a short, unsuccessful stint at Bradford, the writing looks on the wall already.
But we shouldn't be quick to dismiss Chris Hutchings and his side. The transfers that many people have scoffed at could turn out to be inspired signings. Antoine Sibierski wasn't too bad for Newcastle, Jason Koumas could turn out to be a brilliant buy and who knows? Maybe Titus Bramble will prove everyone wrong and learn how to concentrate!
As it is, I think Wigan will end up taking the drop purely because their defence looks like it will concede far too many goals whilst if Koumas flops then there's a lack of creative spark in the midfield that the likes of Heskey and Camara will need if they're to score and even then, there's question marks over how many times they will find the net as neither are very prolific.
Key Man: Jason Koumas - Has the potential to be one of the signings of the season.
Prediction: 19th
Final Premier League Table
1. Chelsea
2. Manchester United
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
5. Tottenham Hotspur
6. Newcastle United
7. Everton
8. Portsmouth
9. Blackburn Rovers
10. Aston Villa
11. West Ham United
12. Manchester City
13. Reading
14. Middlesbrough
15. Bolton Wanderers
16. Fulham
17. Birmingham City
18. Sunderland
19. Wigan Athletic
20. Derby County