With English’s top-flight once again relevant now the famous Leicester City F.C. have bounced back, there are just four weeks to go until the football season starts up once more.

Arsenal



@DanFromahier

Last season: 4th

Manager: Arsene Wenger

Rivals: Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester United

Odds: 9/1

1. What’s your greatest hope for the new season?

To have a consistent injury free season and win the Premiership and the FA cup



2.What’s your biggest fear?

Another injury plagued season ending in failure, and the sale of a couple of big players to top it off



3. In which areas does your team most need to strengthen?

I would say another keeper to make sure there is completion for the #1 spot and a quality holding midfielder



4. Who do you most want to beat this season?

Chelsea purely because of the whole Fabregas situation and I hate Jose Mourinho



5. Players in your squad to look out for…

Definitely the Ox providing he stays injury free can see him being one of arsenals star performers this upcoming season. I also think a young player to look out for is S.Gnabry , although the arrival of Sanchez will make it hard for him to break into the team



6. Who will win the league?

Hopefully Arsenal, but being realistic the signings that Chelsea have made has to make them favourites.



7. Who will go down?

Newcastle , Sunderland and QPR (if they can’t keep hold of Remy) if they can then Burnley will go down



8. Who will be this season’s ‘dark horses’?

Stuck between Leicester and Stoke for dark horses, both will achieve way more than expected this season

9. Where will you finish?

With the signings that are being made I would like to say 2nd or 3rd, not having to qualify for Champions League would be nice.

Aston Villa

@totteyvilla07

Last season: 15th

Manager: Paul Lambert

Rivals: Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers

Odds: 4000/1

1. What’s your greatest hope for the new season?

My greatest hope is for us to have a very solid finish around mid-table.



2.What’s your biggest fear?

My biggest fear of the new season is that we will struggle again due to the lack of funds but hopefully lambert can find a few cheap gems



3. In which areas does your team most need to strengthen?

In my opinion our main priority is getting a left back that is solid and consistent.



4. Who do you most want to beat this season?

Every season the teams I most want to beat are the teams that finished top 6 the previous season.



5. Players in your squad to look out for…

I think the main player in our squad to look out for is someone who we saw very little of last season and that is jores okore think he can come in to the team and really tighten up the defence and form a solid partnership with Ron Vlaar



6. Who will win the league?

Personally I can see Chelsea winning the league this season and with the 2 signings already made Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa they can be an absolute force next season



7. Who will go down?

I think Burnley will go down due to just not having a good enough squad to cope in the Premier League also I can see Sunderland going down the last team going down might be a surprise but I think Swansea



8. Who will be this season’s ‘dark horses’?

This season’s darkhorses will be either Queens Park Rangers or Leicester City because I think both teams will improve alot in the transfer window

9. Where will you finish?

I think we will finish 13th/14th as long as we don’t lose any of our key players through injury or even selling them.

Burnley

@NorAmClarets

Last season: 2nd (Championship)

Manager: Sean Dyche

Rivals: Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End, Bolton Wanderers

Odds: 10000/1

1. What’s your greatest hope for the new season?

I hope the side plays well, we’re competitive in every game we play and Sean Dyche shows that a side built around a strong team work ethic and players who passionately want to play for the shirt can survive and prosper in today’s Premier League.

2.What’s your biggest fear?

That it’ll be 2009-10 all over again. We’ll show promise, do well, and then some fundamental part of the side will leave and it will all fall apart. This time it might not be the manager; it might be the sale of a key player or even an injury.

3. In which areas does your team most need to strengthen?

We have a relatively small squad, so Sean Dyche needs to bring in some depth, which he’s started to do. The core of our squad is quality but lacks experience in the Premier League, and so Dyche is adding that too. Most supporters agree that we need another, faster, central defender to pair with Jason Shackell, another central midfielder and a striker to partner with Danny Ings.

4. Who do you most want to beat this season?

Being a small, unfashionable club taking the scalp of a big money club is very satisfying. We host Chelsea and Man Utd. at Turf Moor for our first two home games so either one of those would get us off to a great start. The last time we played Man City at home they pasted us 6-1, so it’d be nice to gain some revenge by beating the reigning champions. And of course we’d love to beat Blackburn Rovers again, but sadly they’re in the division below us.

5. Players in your squad to look out for…

Danny Ings was Championship Player of the Year last year ahead of Ross McCormack and Danny Drinkwater, and we’re looking forward to seeing him take his game to the next level. Right back Keiran Trippier was named in the PFA Championship team for the last two years and seems poised to to become England’s best right back. Michael Kightly, who was on loan from Stoke last season, has now joined us permanently and seems ready to star.



6. Who will win the league?

As much as I’d like to see someone new push for the title I think it will come down to one of Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea or Arsenal with Liverpool as a bit of a dark horse. If pushed I’d have to go with City.



7. Who will go down?

Interesting that the three promoted teams are the favourites to go down. I’m going to be optimistic and choose Hull, Crystal Palace and West Brom to go down.



8. Who will be this season’s ‘dark horses’?

I’ve already said that I think Liverpool have an outsiders chance of winning the league. I also think Southampton will do well in spite of how the bigger clubs are plundering their young talent.



9. Where will you finish?

I’m predicting we’ll finish in 14th place. I think we’ll get enough points to be out of the danger zone and give ourselves another year to continue to establish ourselves in the Premier League. Unfortunately, that’ll mean another year without an East Lancs Derby, but it’ll be worth it.



Chelsea

@JonathanCDavies

Last season: 3rd

Manager: Jose Mourinho

Rivals: Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool

Odds: 2/1

1. What’s your greatest hope for the new season?

Last season was strong despite falling at the final hurdles. My greatest hope is that we can push on and go further in the league and Champions League.

2.What’s your biggest fear?

That’s a really tough one. I suppose the biggest fears probably aren’t realistic- getting relegated, not qualifying for the Champions League etc. I suppose it would have to be finishing fourth and having a poor Champions League (don’t think it’ll happen though!)

3. In which areas does your team most need to strengthen?



We all knew where Chelsea needed to strengthen, and they have with the signing of Diego Costa.

4. Who do you most want to beat this season?

Probably Manchester City. The two wins last year were probably our best performances of the season – it would be great to do it again at the Etihad after a few rough years there.

5. Players in your squad to look out for…

I’d say Andre Schurrle. He had an okay first year, not bad not great, but he had a brilliant World Cup and will be coming back with the added boost of being a World Champion.

6. Who will win the league?

Chelsea.

7. Who will go down?

West Brom, Burnley and QPR (in no particular order)

8. Who will be this season’s ‘dark horses’?

I’m not sure there will be a dark horse this year. I don’t think Liverpool will compete to the same extent this year, and United will be closer. Arsenal are always there or thereabouts but you wouldn’t consider them dark horses.

9. Where will you finish?

Top of the pile!

C r y s t a l P a l a c e



@russell2103

Last season: 11th

Manager: Tony Pulis

Rivals: Brighton & Hove Albion, Millwall, Charlton Athletic

Odds: 10000/1

1. What’s your greatest hope for the new season?

Survival is still the biggest priority. Same as last year is good enough for me

2.What’s your biggest fear?

Relegation & losing Pulis



3. In which areas does your team most need to strengthen?

Left back. We don’t have one.



4. Who do you most want to beat this season?

We don’t really have a rival in the Premier league. So a big scalp like Chelsea/Man U is more appealing than London rivals like West Ham



5. Players in your squad to look out for…

Gayle was very impressive in the last few games and could really step up this season.



6. Who will win the league?

Chelsea

7. Who will go down?

Burnley – Ings could be off & he’s being replaced by Marvin Sordell

QPR – another season of players there for the money not the club with the same outcome as before

Hull – strains of Europe will take their toll despise big signings

8. Who will be this season’s ‘dark horses’?

Leicester. A very strong squad in the championship and money to spend they could really surprise people & finish top 10

9. Where will you finish?

14th, comfortably mid table but stability instead of progression in our second season



Everton

@AdamRathe

Last season: 5th

Manager: Roberto Martinez

Rivals: Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City

Odds: 150/1

1. What’s your greatest hope for the new season?

To achieve the Champion’s League. With other sides strengthening yet again, it’ll be another battle, but with Martinez surpassing everyone’s expectations we’re the most optimistic we’ve been.

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2.What’s your biggest fear?

To not spend the money we all know we have. Martinez MUST be backed.



3. In which areas does your team most need to strengthen?

Up front – Lukaku will be a miss and we’ll need a reliable goal-scorer if we want to achieve our aspirations.

4. Who do you most want to beat this season?

Liverpool – After we should have beat them at Goodison and their mauling of us at Anfield last season – in addition to our higher league finishes from 11-13 – we want to show the gulf isn’t what it seems. It’ll be a huge marker to put down for our aspirations too.

5. Players in your squad to look out for…

John Stones – a potential England captain. The expected defensive attributes and the composure and technique to accompany it, all in a 20-year old.

Ross Barkley – Vital player and he’s honing his decision-making, which has always an issue before last season.

Aiden McGeady – could be really important next season. Showed glimpses of his Celtic form and he should find himself a starter at the beginning of the season.

6. Who will win the league?

Chelsea – Mourinho has got the type of striker that is conducive to Chelsea’s style. On paper, he should grab them the goals they lacked last season.

7. Who will go down?

Burnley, West Brom and Swansea

8. Who will be this season’s ‘dark horses’?

Tricky one, but if I had to choose I’d go with Sunderland. I can’t work out whether Poyet’s a bit of a gem or just incredibly fortuitous, but I’d say you don’t see that run that kept them up if you’re the latter. I think with a full season to have a crack at the PL, Poyet will put them in the top half. Now watch them go down…



9. Where will you finish?

6th – I hate to say it, but I’d be lying if I expected us to finish above one of Liverpool, United, City, Chelsea or Arsenal. Then again, we’ve not spend significantly yet, so I’d say that answer isn’t quite set in stone.



Hull City



@scottfarrow88

Last season: 16th

Manager: Steve Bruce

Rivals: Leeds United, Scunthorpe United, Grimsby Town

Odds: 5000/1

1. What’s your greatest hope for the new season?

On the pitch, improving on our points tally and position of last season. Off the pitch, the club to stop forcing the Hull Tigers issue



2.What’s your biggest fear?

Relegation. Bruce and the owner are starting to assemble a potentially brilliant side, but god only knows the financial state the club will be in if we go down.



3. In which areas does your team most need to strengthen?

Maynor Figueroa showed signs of promise at the beginning of the season, but it was easily the most vulnerable position last season. Saying that, Robbie Brady will be like a new signing for us this season and Joe Dudgeon will be returning from injury to provide some options in this position.



4. Who do you most want to beat this season?

Most fans would say Leicester and Nigel Pearson, but a repeat feeling of Arsenal in 2008 would be nice.



5. Players in your squad to look out for…

Curtis Davies. He was solid in the centre of defence for us last year. Robbie Brady was starting to show his worth too before his injury, so keep an eye on him.

6. Who will win the league?

On current signings, I can’t see Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool winning it, and Manchester United I think will struggle to get close to the top 4, so I would have to say Manchester City.

7. Who will go down?

I think it will be a tight one in the bottom half again this season. But I’d go for Burnley, QPR and West Brom.



8. Who will be this season’s ‘dark horses’?

Leicester. Really liked the work Pearson did when he was at Hull, made some great signings too. They’ve been threatening promotion now for a couple of seasons and I think they’ll surprise a few people.

9. Where will you finish?

I’d be delighted to make an improvement on last season’s position of 16th. But, if (and hopefully we will) we progress to the group stages in the Europa League, then I’ll be happy if we stay up!



Leicester City

@beckytlcfc

Last season: 1st (Championship)

Manager: Nigel Pearson

Rivals: Nottingham Forest, Derby County, Coventry City

Odds: 5000/1

1. What’s your greatest hope for the new season?

Staying comfortably in the Premier League with minimal stress (yeah right on the latter)

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2.What’s your biggest fear?

Getting less points than Derby THAT season.

3. In which areas does your team most need to strengthen?

RB- Although RDL is very good and I think will be effective in the prem we need comfortable back up in that position.

Striker – linked with Ulloa & Wickham, think either would be ideal. People are really worried about this but I’m happy we have Nuge, Wood and Vardy who are capable

CB is questionable; we do have, Morgan, Wasyl, Moore & Upson, but considering the age and speed of Wasyl & Upson think we could do with another to strengthen, I think Morgan May struggle a bit.

4. Who do you most want to beat this season?

Everton at home first game. Going into our first game back into the Premier League with a win would be the most incredible thing, other than that I’ll take any wins, no particular massive hate for any Premier League teams.



5. Players in your squad to look out for…

Matty James – not only one of most promising young players of our squad who was vital for our success last year, but you should look out for him for his pretty face.

Riyad Mahrez – fresh from brilliant experience at the World Cup with Algeria, only getting better, think his trickery and class could be vital for us to catch teams out.

Jeff Schlupp – honestly believe he’ll flourish at new position of LB. Full pre season of training and learning in that position, speed and power he’s got going forward could be a real asset.

Chris Wood – unlucky with injury last year has been a bit off the radar on our success of last year, think will play a bigger part than people would imagine for next season.



6. Who will win the league?

Chelsea. I think if the imminent signings of Diego Costa, Fabregas and a few others succeed ‘The Special One’ will have a team too strong for the rest of the league, will be a close one think Man City, United & possibly Arsenal could be pushing; providing transfers go through.



7. Who will go down?

Villa, West Brom/Burnley & QPR – QPR looking to continue with marquee signings they’ll be another team of individuals, think they were lucky to come up last year so think (& hope) they’ll head back down.

Villa were lucky it was a poor league down the bottom last year, haven’t had many inspiring signings which make me feel like they’ll be any better next year.

Then West Brom/ Burnley – didn’t want to say Burnley as think & wanted them to stay up, but their recent signing of Marvin Sordell didn’t show much ambition imo, West Brom just seem uninspiring and haven’t been down in a while. They’ll be scrapping I reckon.



8. Who will be this season’s ‘dark horses’?

Leicester have the potential to be dark horses for success but I’m a massive pessimist when it comes to us, so I can’t choose us.

So, if they complete their potential signings they’ve been linked with I’d say Palace could do very well, considering they were bottom by a long way last Xmas they’re on the up. – not dark horses for the league, but higher than imagined.



9. Where will you finish?

16th, I really believe we have the right backbone of the club and squad to survive and establish ourselves as a Premier League club, but I am scared and think it will be more of a struggle than some people are thinking, but I’m always pessimistic about LCFC.

Liverpool



@AcresOfSeven

Last season: 2nd

Manager: Brendan Rogers

Rivals: Manchester United, Everton, Chelsea

Odds: 10/1

1. What’s your greatest hope for the new season?

Mignolet to come into his own, the back four to exude efficiency, Lallana to hit the ground running and Sturridge to build on his form of last season and edge towards ‘World Class’ territory. A trophy would be nice, too.



2.What’s your biggest fear?

Squandering the money garnered from the sale of one of the world’s best players on mediocre talent, otherwise known as ‘doing a Spurs’.



3. In which areas does your team most need to strengthen?

Full Back – Johnson, Flanagan, Enrique doesn’t quite cut it at Champions League level – Centre Back, and now of course striker. There are some who think Sturridge is capable of being our lone striker and predominant goal scorer. 24 strikes last season speaks for itself, but his bouts of inconsistency worry me, as does his ability to replicate last season’s form without Suarez.



4. Who do you most want to beat this season?

I don’t think I’m alone in saying Chelsea would be a particularly gratifying win. They took 6 points off of us last year, and essentially destroyed our title aspirations.



5. Players in your squad to look out for…

Jordon Ibe, merely 18, a pacy winger of the Sterling Ilk though arguably a more clinical finisher. Expect him to light up pre-season and receive opportunities in the first team before Christmas. Additionally, Jordan Henderson should improve on his Goal Scoring/Assisting from last season.



6. Who will win the league?

Chelsea, though City will run them Close. I see 4 teams still competing for the title well into April.

7. Who will go down?

West Ham, West Brom and QPR stand out as potential candidates.



8. Who will be this season’s ‘dark horses’?

Burnley to finish top 12, Sunderland in the top 10



9. Where will you finish?

3rd if we make accomplished signings that flourish early, 5th if not. An Fa Cup win is due as well…



Manchester City

@mcfc_kyle_nyr

Last season: 1st

Manager: Manuel Pellegrini

Rivals: Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea

Odds: 21/10

1. What’s your greatest hope for the new season?

At least one trophy and improve in European competitions.

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2.What’s your biggest fear?

No trophies.



3. In which areas does your team most need to strengthen?

Centre back, but it is a minor concern.



4. Who do you most want to beat this season?

Man Utd.



5. Players in your squad to look out for…

Fernando Reges and Stefan Jovetic.



6. Who will win the league?

One of Chelsea, Liverpool or Man City.



7. Who will go down?

QPR, Burnley, and Sunderland.



8. Who will be this season’s ‘dark horses’?

Leicester



9. Where will you finish?

Top 3