Manchester City

This should be our year. Given the money Pep has spent and the overwhelming quality in our squad, anything other than a proper title challenge will be a failure. I’m optimistic, though: our summer transfer business has been excellent.

Key players The key signings are the full-backs: Walker, Danilo and Mendy. I know it’s only pre-season but they’ve already had a transformative effect on the way we play in terms of pressing, attacking play and defensive solidity. Ederson will be crucial too. In terms of a key player, I expect this will be the season De Bruyne announces himself as the best player in the league. The guy is a genius. Also keep an eye out for Phil Foden, a Stockport-born No10.

Weak links Central midfield is our problem. A lot will depend on Gündogan’s return, which is a massive risk given his injury record and the age of his replacements in Fernandinho (32) and Touré (34). But we can’t address every area of the squad in one window. Vincent Kompany’s fitness will be pivotal too.

Headline generator If his social media is anything to go by, Benjamin Mendy. Looks set for cult-hero status.

Favourite moment in 25 years of the Premier League Agüero’s goal – an unbeatable feeling. But I also can’t not mention Mario Balotelli: the man who agreed to be the face of Manchester’s fire safety campaign having set fire to his house with those fireworks just a few days before.

• Predictions – we will finish: 1st. Top four: 1. Manchester City; 2. Liverpool; 3. Chelsea; 4. Manchester United. The bottom three: 18. Huddersfield; 19. Burnley; 20. Brighton; First manager sacked: Mark Hughes (Stoke). Who will be promoted? Middlesbrough, Fulham and Aston Villa.

– Lloyd Scragg, ninetythreetwenty.com, @lloyd_scragg

Manchester United

We’ll definitely challenge – we may fall short but José knows this is a steady restoration job, not a quick fix. He has signed established top-flight experience in Matic and Lukaku, and they’ll help with the key challenge of breaking down sides that come to Old Trafford and park the bus. He’ll get it right but I’m afraid it won’t be with the swagger and panache of Ferguson’s teams.

Key players Matic will be pivotal: we lacked a natural defensive midfielder last season, and he should give us balance. And Axel Tuanzebe is one to watch: a strong, powerful, teenage defender.

Weak links We still haven’t solved the left-back position. Luke Shaw made only 11 league appearances last season and was criticised by both LVG and Mourinho for his attitude and lack of effort. He either needs to be shipped out or step up to the mark.

Headline generator Mourinho, of course. We can expect the war of words with Conte, Pep, Wenger and Klopp to be louder than ever due to the vast sums spent, with managers under more scrutiny than ever.

Favourite moment in 25 years of the Premier League Came in 2003 when we clawed back an eight-point gap to Arsenal, then went to Highbury in April level on points and drew 2-2. Fergie went on to the pitch to the United end with fists pumping, like he knew he had won the league that night.

• Predictions – we will finish: 2nd. Top four: 1. Chelsea; 2. Manchester United; 3. Tottenham; 4. Manchester City. The bottom three: 18. Burnley; 19. Huddersfield; 20. Brighton. First manager sacked: Craig Shakespeare (Leicester). Who will be promoted? Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Wolves.

– Shaun O’Donnell, Observer reader

Nemanja Matic: pivotal. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA

Newcastle

As long as the spectre of Mike Ashley hangs over NUFC it’s foolish to get too optimistic – we’re always wondering when we’ll be thrown the next curveball to knock us off our feet. But the Rafa effect will probably carry us through. Just.

Key players The signings so far haven’t been inspiring and we certainly aren’t competing at the top end of the market: the days of buying proven stars like Shearer, Woodgate, Parker and Owen seem a lifetime ago. But it’s early days: Rafa has the contacts and pulling power to lure players who may otherwise not have considered us. Keep an eye on young Jacob Murphy, though: he’s a Toon fan, rather than the usual carpetbagger-type, so that’s a good start at least. And it will be interesting to see if Rolando Aarons can make some progress this season.

Weak links Our midfield lacks steel and leadership – that was obvious in the Championship and we could easily be overrun as a result. A real worry.

Headline generator Mike Ashley, inevitably, and Jonjo Shelvey, who has a tendency to become riled. At least Rafa is a voice of reason: there’s a class about his public persona few can match.

Favourite moment in 25 years of the Premier League Alan Shearer versus Roy Keane in 2001. Keane saw red, Shearer was ice cool and it sealed a great 4-3 win at a time when we were riding high.

• Predictions – we will finish: 10th. Top four: 1. Chelsea; 2. Tottenham; 3. Manchester City; 4. Manchester United. The bottom three: 18. Stoke; 19. Watford; 20. Huddersfield. First manager sacked: Mark Hughes (Stoke). Who will be promoted? Fulham, Leeds and Middlesbrough.

– Richard & David Holmes, Observer readers

Jacob Murphy: Toon fan. Photograph: Serena Taylor/Newcastle Utd via Getty Images

Southampton

What to expect? Probably something similar to last season, in truth. There might be a slight increase in energy from the players under the new manager but the squad has barely changed, so more of the same is expected. Which, let’s face it, wouldn’t be a disaster.

Key players A big season for record-signing Sofiane Boufal, who has all the talent in the world but needs to know when to show off his skills and when to play it simple. Virgil van Dijk’s future remains up in the air, so Jack Stephens will start the season as first choice after impressing last term. And anyone who can put the ball in the net will catapult themselves into MVP territory.

Weak links While we’ve been strong defensively for a while now, Fraser Forster had a shocker of a season (which was oddly rewarded with a new contract), so I’d expect opponents to be advised to shoot on sight.

Headline generator Van Dijk has dominated proceedings thanks to the vast array of ex-Liverpool players happy to tell the press he should be allowed to leave (while remaining strangely silent on the subject of Coutinho). I’d expect that to continue into the autumn. They literally have no shame or self-awareness.

Favourite moment in 25 years of the Premier League The Man Utd invisible grey shirts game in 1996, where we were 3-0 up at half-time with Fergie blaming their kit. We proved that wasn’t the case when we then beat them 6-3 the following season.

• Predictions – we will finish: 8th. Top four: 1. Manchester City; 2. Chelsea; 3. Arsenal; 4. Tottenham. The bottom three: 18. Burnley; 19. Brighton; 20. Huddersfield. First manager sacked: Craig Shakespeare (Leicester). Who will be promoted? Middlesbrough, Hull and Norwich.

– Steve Grant, saintsweb.co.uk, @SteveGrant1983

Sofiane Boufal: big season ahead. Photograph: James Marsh/BPI/Rex/Shutterstock

Stoke

I was dreading this season, expecting to be in the bottom three by October. But over the summer I’ve found some new optimism. Losing Arnautovic, Walters, Whelan, Martins Indi and Bardsley will have an impact of course but Stoke have always been at their best when people have written them off. So, bearing that in mind, we could surprise a few people.

Key players This could be the year where Shaqiri makes his mark, while Kurt Zouma could prove the signing of the season. And for the first time in a long time we have a crop of young players ready to step up: Ramadan, Verlinden, Edwards, Tymon and Ngoy.

Weak links The full-backs were a concern last season and we haven’t spent any substantial money to address that. And despite being pleased to see the back of Arnautovic , I’d like to see a replacement purchased.

Headline generator The new corner at the Bet 365 Stadium. The ground has undergone its biggest transformation in the 20 years since we’ve called it home: this could be the season where it comes to life again after a few quiet seasons.

Favourite moment in 25 years of the Premier League An ongoing one: the relationship between Arsène Wenger and Stoke fans. It started in our first season and has continued every season since. We just don’t get on, which normally makes for a great derby-type atmosphere.

• Predictions – we will finish: 13th. Top four: 1. Manchester City; 2. Manchester United; 3. Chelsea; 4. Tottenham. The bottom three: 18. Huddersfield; 19. Brighton; 20. Swansea. First manager sacked: Tony Pulis (West Brom). Who will be promoted? Aston Villa, Fulham and Norwich.

– Rob Holloway, Observer reader

Kurt Zouma: signing of the season. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images via Reuters

Swansea

I’m not as pessimistic as this time last year. We’ve a much better management team and our focus isn’t being distracted by the sale process. That said, Sigurdsson’s delayed move to Everton is frustrating: new signings depend on it and we’re still two or three players short. But so long as we strengthen before the end of August, we shouldn’t make such hard work of staying up as we did last season.

Key players Without Sigurdsson and with Llorente’s future up in the air, we need Tammy Abraham to hit goalscoring form quickly. Mesa and Carroll could form an excellent midfield unit in front of the defence – which will include Alfie Mawson, a 23-year-old who’s developing into an excellent centre-back.

Weak links Our defence hasn’t been strengthened despite conceding 70 goals and we’re desperately short of options if any of the back four are sidelined. Then there’s the Gylfi gap: Sigurdsson provided 13 assists last season and the next player had three.

Headline generator The board. I’m hopeful we’ll keep our manager for an entire year, at least.

Favourite moment in 25 years of the Premier League Watching Cardiff getting a 3-0 battering at the Liberty Stadium in 2014 was hard to beat.

• Predictions – we will finish: 14th. Top four: 1. Chelsea; 2. Manchester City; 3. Tottenham; 4. Manchester United. The bottom three: 18. Burnley; 19. Huddersfield; 20. Brighton. First manager sacked: Mark Hughes (Stoke). Who will be promoted? Fulham, Middlesbrough and Derby.

– Kevin Elphick, Swansea.vitalfootball.co.uk

Tammy Abraham: needs to start fast, Photograph: Nigel French/PA

Tottenham

Optimism? Spurs fans live and breathe that stuff, but this season is a different beast altogether. One word; Wembley. If we can get to grips with playing there, then I reckon we’ll be in with a sniff. However, we do need to strengthen the squad. Last year’s FA Cup semi-final was a great example of the lack of creativity we have to call upon from the bench. Will Lamela be like a new signing this season? Will Jansen step up to the plate?

Key players There are lots of key players but only one for me that is a crucial part of the team, and that’s Dembélé. When he plays, things seem right. In terms of emerging youngsters, I would say our one to watch is Josh Onomah. His loan spell to Villa is a good move for him and the club in general – he needs more game time. Other than that, there aren’t many realistically knocking on the door of first-team football. Right-back will be an interesting position to watch this season, though, especially if we don’t sign another player. If that remains the case, it looks like Poch is putting his faith in Walker-Peters as our back up for Trippier. If the former Burnley man’s injury against Juventus was a bad one, Walker-Peters is set for some deep end treatment. Fill your boots, son, and all that.

Weak links The Liverpool game last season is a good example of where Spurs were exploited. Ben Davies played at left-back and it was painful to watch. Mané – who we should have strongly pursued – tore him apart. I do rate him but he’s no Danny Rose. That said, it wasn’t all his fault. Poch didn’t deal with the situation quick enough and Son was guilty of pushing too far up the field.

Headline generator No one. Is it a bad thing that the most controversial tomfoolery the players find themselves in the thick of is a cringe handshake? Where’s Gazza when you need him?

Favourite moment in 25 years of the Premier League Every time I watch that Ledley King v Arjen Robben tackle from 2006 I can’t help but grin. He’s only got one knee. He’s better than John Terry. But I don’t have to tell you that, now do I?

• Predictions – we will finish: Top three. That’s all you’re getting from me. Top four: OK, go on then. 1. Chelsea; 2. Tottenham; 3. Manchester City; 4. Arsenal. The bottom three: 18. Brighton; 19. Watford; 20. Huddersfield. First manager sacked: Arsène Wenger. Who will be promoted? Aston Villa, Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday.

– Jonny Holmes, Observer reader

Mousa Dembélé: key man. Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty Images

Watford

I’m more optimistic than our nosedive at the end of last season ought to warrant. Marco Silva unified Hull and we could do with a bit of that after Mazzarri’s rather detached reign. We’re one of a number of sides that could struggle if the wind blows the wrong way but that happened last season and we stayed up anyway.

Key players Our signings have been understated but impressive. Nathaniel Chalobah’s arrival drew attention for how it reflected on Chelsea’s youth development but it’s great we persuaded him to come. Will Hughes looks a lot of fun. And it looks likely we’ll break our transfer record for a Brazilian forward who we’d not heard of a week ago. What’s not to like? Also important will be the return of key players whose injuries stuffed us last season, not least Roberto Pereyra, out since December.

Weak links Hard to say with the transfer market so constipated: like many we’re expecting a number of comings and goings before the end of the month. At the moment you’d worry about the full-back positions, but there’s time …

Headline generator For one of the more unusual and interesting stories in the Premier League we’ve become quite adept at not attracting attention. We’re the side you’ll forget when trying to name the teams in the top flight. Our owner is too smart to court headlines.

Favourite moment in 25 years of the Premier League Mugging Liverpool at Anfield in 1999. It was the only trip I missed, being at a Liverpool fan’s wedding. More generally, some solace can be taken from the fact that despite the protectionist, conservative intent of the Premier League’s formation, more than half of the 92 have played in it since 1992.

• Predictions – we will finish: 14th. Top four: 1. Manchester City; 2. Chelsea; 3. Manchester United; 4. Tottenham. The bottom three: 18. Stoke; 19. Brighton; 20. Huddersfield. First manager sacked: Mark Hughes (Stoke). Who will be promoted? Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Fulham.

– Matt Rowson, bhappy.wordpress.com, @mattrowson

Nathaniel Chalobah: impressive. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images via Reuters

West Brom

As the squad stands at the moment, it’s hard to see anything but a hard season and potential trouble. Once again we’re leaving things very late in the window and there are huge holes in the squad to be filled. If we can fill those gaps it’ll give the fans some belief but, as it is, belief is missing now as much as at any time in the last few years. The natives are restless and the knives are out for the new owners and the manager.

Key players Jay Rodriguez has settled well in the friendlies and if he can get back to the fitness he once had, he could be key. Retaining Jonny Evans has been the most important move of the summer, while Sam Field, Jonathan Leko and Kane Wilson are all excellent kids who have the ability to play at this level.

Weak links Losing Darren Fletcher was a blow. He was the leader on the pitch and we lack that right now. Up front, despite Rodriguez, we look light as Rondon continues to look half the player he was in the first half of last season. Robson-Kanu is not up to this level. And the seven-year search for a left-back goes on.

Headline generator The return of Lord Gary Megson has stolen the headlines around these parts. It will be interesting to see how the dynamic works with Pulis. Double headlocks all round!

Favourite moment in 25 years of the Premier League The 2005 Great Escape under Bryan Robson. An incredible day that will always stay in my memory.

• Predictions – we will finish: 17th. If we strengthen, 13th. Top four: 1. Manchester United; 2. Chelsea; 3. Manchester City; 4. Liverpool. The bottom three: 18. Swansea; 19. Huddersfield; 20. Burnley. First manager sacked: Paul Clement (Swansea). Who will be promoted? Middlesbrough, Hull and Derby.

– Richard Jefferson, wbaunofficial.org.uk/forum, @richbaggie

Jay Rodriguez: settled well. Photograph: Shutterstock/REX/Shutterstock

West Ham

A much better transfer window this time, with four proven Premier League performers in Hernández, Arnautovic, Zabaleta and Hart, and some decent money in for squad players. All the new players are a little on the old side but short term they should ensure a decent season and a winning mentality. It’s a big season for Bilic who has to provide better fare than the last one.

Key players We’ve long lacked a fit goalscorer so hopes are high for Hernández. And “Little Pea” as a nickname makes a change from the likes of Nobes and Ginge. Hart and Zabaleta will be crucial, and Antonio should shine again. And promising striker Toni Martinez may well get some games.

Weak links If Lanzini is injured we look short of creativity, while the backline lacks pace. Arnautovic has lots of talent but might drift out of games to judge by his Stoke days. And some things never change: Andy Carroll will miss the start of the season with injury.

Headline generator Good news: there won’t be endless media coverage of the new stadium issues this time. But expect co-chairman David Sullivan and his sons to cause a few social media spats.

Favourite moment in 25 years of the Premier League Paolo Di Canio trying to substitute himself against Bradford in 2000, being persuaded to stay on by Harry Redknapp, then wrestling with Frank Lampard for the ball to take a penalty and ultimately inspiring a 5-4 win.

• Predictions – we will finish: 8th. Top four: 1. Man United; 2. Man City; 3. Chelsea; 4. Tottenham. The bottom three: 18. Brighton; 19. Burnley; 20. Huddersfield. First manager sacked: Mauricio Pellegrino (Southampton). Who will be promoted? Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday.

– Pete May, Author of Goodbye to Boleyn, hammersintheheart.blogspot.co.uk

Javier Hernández: hopes are high. Photograph: West Ham United FC/via Getty Images

• Part one: Arsenal to Liverpool