Leicester

The same as I expected last year. Leicester are an ambitious club, and while our brief period of domestic and continental domination came much ahead of schedule, we are still in prime position to be “the best of the rest”.



Key men/weak links Leicester’s World Cup heroes will be the ones we’re reliant on this term. Schmeichel had a strong tournament and we’re still reliant on Vardy’s goals at the other end. Providing we can keep hold of him, Maguire will provide a valuable presence in both boxes. Maddison is the new boy to watch, he has Vardy-like qualities that will make him a terrace favourite in no time. We need another left-back. Chilwell is not an out-and-out defender and Fuchs, as brilliant as he has been, has entered the twilight of his career.

Headline maker Jamie Vardy is the face of this team, the last surviving member of the triple entente that led us to Premier League glory.

First-choice XI (3-5-2): Schmeichel; Morgan, Evans, Maguire; Pereira, Ndidi, Silva, Maddison, Chilwell; Iheanacho, Vardy.

Predictions: We will finish: 8th. Top four: 1. Man City 2. Liverpool 3. Man Utd 4. Chelsea. Bottom three: 18. Watford 19. Cardiff 20. Huddersfield Promoted: West Brom, Leeds, Bristol City. First manager sacked: Neil Warnock (Cardiff). Chris Whiting, TheChrisWhitingShow.wordpress.com, @ChrisRWhiting

Liverpool

It’d be impossible not to be impatient for this season, it’s the most anticipated and exciting start for some time. We didn’t get number six in Kiev, but last season ended on a high and the signings look brilliant. So buoyant yes, optimistic and confident yes, presumptuous no.



Key men/weak links The front three – Salah, Mané and Firmino – obviously. Van Dijk and Lovren will be helped massively with a proven, world-class keeper behind them. Keïta and Fabinho have looked ace in pre-season, so fingers crossed. And a year on, I’m still hoping Sturridge will make a comeback. Perhaps another central defender would be good, but I’m happy with what we’ve got.

Headline maker The manager for what he says and his touchline antics; Salah and endless comparisons to last season; and Mourinho, who seems to have plenty to say about us.

First-choice XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho; Mané, Keïta, Firmino; Salah.

Predictions: We will finish: 1st. Top four: 1. Liverpool 2. Man City 3. Chelsea 4. Man Utd. Bottom three: 18. Southampton 19. Bournemouth 20. Cardiff. Promoted: Stoke, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough. First manager sacked: Neil Warnock (Cardiff). Steph Jones, Observer reader.

Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum and new signing Naby Keita. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA

Manchester City

I’m expecting another title win, in all honesty. I don’t think we’ll be able to match last season’s points tally but it should be another very strong season. It’s easy to forget, given the team’s consistency last season, but the core of this side is still so young. Ederson, Stones, Laporte, Mendy, Bernardo, Sterling, Sané and Jesus are all under 25. It’s scary for the rest of the league.



Key men/weak links Given our failure to sign any cover, I think Fernandinho is probably our key player, which is a bit of a concern considering his age (33). A lot will rest on De Bruyne, naturally, but he’s more than good enough to shoulder the responsibility. In terms of young players to keep an eye on, you’ll all have heard of him by now, but it has to be Foden. He’s the real deal.

Headline maker If I had to pick someone then it would probably be Mendy. It’s easy to forget what a talent he was/is amid all the social media madness.

First-choice XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Mendy; De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Silva; Sterling, Agüero, Sané

Predictions: We will finish: 1st. Top four: 1. Man City 2. Liverpool 3. Chelsea 4. Tottenham. Bottom three: 18. Cardiff 19. Huddersfield 20. Bournemouth. Promoted: Stoke, Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough. First manager sacked: Javi Gracia (Watford). Lloyd Scragg, ninetythreetwenty.com, @lloyd_scragg

Manchester Utd

All Reds were hoping for a statement of intent in the transfer market, but we got Fred, an injured teenager from Portugal and Stoke’s third-choice keeper. It’s been a long time since expectations felt this low and unless something dramatic happens before the window shuts I can’t see us challenging for the title.



Key men/weak links I am hoping that Sánchez will finally click and if Pogba can replicate his World Cup form in the Premier League then he is going to have a big season. Hopefully Fred can bring more balance to our midfield. Mourinho needs to sign a ball-playing centre-half and decide whether he wants to play Shaw in to form or just use him as his fall guy.

Headline maker José will be the one making all the headlines, just like he has in pre-season. He is clearly agitated by the lack of signings and no doubt if we get off to a bad start it will all go sour very quickly. He’s in for a tough season.

First-choice XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Bailly, Young; Fred, Matic; Lingard, Pogba, Sánchez; Lukaku

Predictions: We will finish: 3rd. Top four: 1. Man City 2. Liverpool 3. Man Utd 4. Tottenham. Bottom three: 18. Newcastle 19. Huddersfield 20. Cardiff Promoted: Aston Villa, West Brom, Swansea. First manager sacked: Neil Warnock (Cardiff). Shaun O’Donnell, Observer reader

Newcastle

We aren’t optimistic – more than a decade of Mike Ashley’s ownership and a bewildering approach to the transfer market has seen to that. With no takeover currently on the horizon, we may lose our best asset – Rafa Benítez – at the end of the season. Our manager has built a great team spirit and, if he can work his magic again, a top-half finish could be within reach.



Key men/weak links We’re looking forward to seeing Ki reprise his partnership with Shelvey and having Dubravka between the sticks for a full season should pay dividends. But there is no real cover for Dummett and while Yedlin can damage the opposition going forward, he has defensive frailties. A proven striker is on the shopping list too.

Headline maker Unless a new owner steps in with deep pockets and a willingness to take the club forward, then the headlines will focus on our manager’s next move.

First-choice XI (4-4-2): Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett; Kenedy, Diamé, Shelvey, Ritchie; Pérez, Joselu.

Predictions: We will finish: 11th. Top four: 1. Man City 2. Chelsea 3. Man Utd 4. Tottenham. Bottom three: 18. Fulham 19. Watford 20. Cardiff Promoted: West Brom, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa. First manager sacked: Neil Warnock (Cardiff). David & Richard Holmes, Observer readers

What does the future hold for Rafael Benitez? Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

Southampton

Relatively optimistic after a fairly proactive summer. Some key holes have been filled with new recruits and business done in uncharacteristically quick fashion. I’m expecting an improvement on last season’s dreadful fare – let’s face it, that really shouldn’t be too difficult – but I don’t think there’s a quick fix to getting us back into the top half.



Key men/weak links Vestergaard looks like he has the potential to be the new defensive leader we’ve lacked since Van Dijk got injured 18 months ago, while Elyounoussi is a direct replacement for Tadic (his departure perhaps being the only negative so far this summer). Many fans are demanding another striker, but I think our problem is more creating chances for the ones we have.

Headline maker I fully expect Hughes to be involved in another tedious non-handshake saga this side of Christmas.

First-choice XI (5-4-1): McCarthy; Soares, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Yoshida, Bertrand; Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Armstrong, Elyounoussi; Gabbiadini

Predictions: We will finish: 12th. Top four: 1. Man City 2. Liverpool 3. Man Utd 4. Arsenal. Bottom three: 18. Burnley 19. Huddersfield 20. Cardiff Promoted: Stoke, Derby, Nottingham Forest. First manager sacked: Javi Gracia (Watford). Steve Grant, SaintsWeb.co.uk, @SteveGrant1983

Tottenham

I’m always optimistic when I look at this Tottenham squad and the young talent within. But at the moment, with no signings, it seems like we’re going out of our way to kick off our season on the wrong foot. It’s getting a little frustrating to watch the transfer window close every season having left our business until the closing stages.



Key men/weak links I think we’ll see a lot more of Lucas Moura this season, and I’m very happy with that. When we’re struggling to break a team down, he could be our man to pick the lock. We still need cover for Kane and a quick forward who can also play on the wing. I say this every time, but the answer to this predicament is Anthony Martial. Come on Levy, make it happen. I’ll owe you a pint.

Headline maker Aurier. He is a foul throw, penalty and headline waiting to happen, all rolled into one winger who is scared to take on a man.

First-choice XI (3-4-2-1): Lloris; Alderweireld, Sánchez, Vertonghen; Trippier, Dembélé, Wanyama, Son; Alli, Eriksen; Kane

Predictions: We will finish: 2nd. Top four: 1. Man City 2. Tottenham 3. Man Utd 4. Liverpool. Bottom three: 18. West Ham 19. Huddersfield 20. Cardiff Promoted: Stoke, Middlesbrough, Derby. First manager sacked: Mark Hughes (Soton). Jonny Holmes, Observer reader

Watford

Difficult not to be optimistic. We have a sumptuous midfield – this season we might even get to see them play together. The return of Ben Foster will be fabulously popular and we’ve done the usual thing of pulling in a few players that we’ve never heard of. Our record is pretty good: we’d not heard of Richarlison a year ago but have made a vast profit on a player who was only passable for two-thirds of last season. I’m expecting a solid mid-table finish.



Key men/weak links Doucouré is still on the books, and if Chalobah and Cleverley can return to fitness then frankly we could be playing me and Elton up front and still have half a chance. The most obvious weak link is our injury list. The last two seasons have been extraordinary.

Headline maker Those running the club tend to keep a low profile and Javi Gracia is an affable sort of guy. Deeney can be relied on to shoot from the hip.

First-choice XI (4-2-3-1): Foster; Femenía, Cathcart, Kabasele, Masina; Doucouré, Chalobah; Hughes, Cleverley, Pereyra; Deeney.

Predictions: We will finish: 11th. Top four: 1. Man City 2. Liverpool 3. Man Utd 4. Tottenham. Bottom three: 18. Huddersfield 19. Cardiff 20. Southampton Promoted: Stoke, Middlesbrough, West Brom. First manager sacked: Marco Silva (not really). Matt Rowson, BHappy.wordpress.com, @mattrowson

Ben Foster is a popular returnee at Watford. Photograph: Steve Bardens/Getty Images

West Ham

For once fans are feeling optimistic, with Manuel Pellegrini in charge, a new director of football in Mario Husillos and eight new signings. We might have to swap ‘sack the board’ for ‘praise the board’ at this rate. Could this be the season we finally forget about the problems of the stadium and celebrate a side worthy of the next level?



Key men/weak links As our record signing, £36m Anderson will be under pressure to produce and Yarmolenko needs to settle in quickly too and, with Lanzini crocked, a lot will depend on Wilshere staying fit and creating chances. We also need to keep hold of Arnautovic and hope that Diop and Balbuena solve our defensive problems.

Headline maker David Sullivan will inevitably say something tactless and might fall out with Pellegrini if results don’t materialise. At least Andy Carroll has got his long-term injury in early.

First-choice XI (4-4-2): Fabianski; Fredericks, Diop, Balbuena, Cresswell; Anderson, Noble, Wilshere, Yarmolenko; Arnautovic, Hernández

Predictions: We will finish: 8th. Top four: 1. Liverpool 2. Man City 3. Man Utd 4. Chelsea. Bottom three: 18. Huddersfield 19. Watford 20. Cardiff Promoted: Aston Villa, Stoke City, Derby County. First manager sacked: Benítez (Newcastle). Pete May, Author of Goodbye to Boleyn, HammersInTheHeart.blogspot.co.uk

Wolves

Compared to our last arrival in this league, the club is just so much more prepared. Under Nuno, anything is possible. We won the Championship in style but with an organisation and discipline that will serve us well against the top sides.



Key men/weak links It is hard to believe that Neves is just 21, he’s an astonishing all-round footballer. He and Coady make us tick. Jota has gone somewhat under the radar so far, he is so talented, and Boly is a colossus at the back. The signing of Patricio and Moutinho is some statement of our ambitions. The popular wing-back Douglas has been sold, so we are pretty light in that area despite signing Jonny on loan from Atlético. We will miss Douglas’s set-piece delivery.

Headline maker If we perform we’ll be ready for clubs lower than us (or above and feeling threatened) bleating about us supposedly being run by super-agent Jorge Mendes.

First-choice XI (3-4-3): Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny; Costa, Jota, Jiménez.

Predictions: We will finish: 8th-12th. Top four: 1. Man City 2. Liverpool 3. Tottenham 4. Man Utd. Bottom three: 18. Watford 19. Huddersfield 20. Cardiff. Promoted: Stoke, Middlesbrough, Leeds. First manager sacked: Javi Gracia (Watford). Louie Silvani, ThroughTheThirds.blogspot.com, @louiesilvani4