Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images Nani established himself among the Premiership's top players last season and will again be a key component as Manchester United looks to successfully defend the league title. Nani established himself among the Premiership's top players last season and will again be a key component as Manchester United looks to successfully defend the league title.

We are less than a week away from the start of another Premier League season, and Manchester United looks a good bet to retain the crown -- despite the growing threat from neighbor Manchester City and a rejuvenated Liverpool side under Kenny Dalglish.

The distraction of a first-ever Champions League campaign makes it unlikely that City can close last season's nine-point gap, though manager Roberto Mancini has again added some attacking strength and overall depth to his squad for the 2011-12 campaign.

United features the successful blend of firepower and top defenders -- plus the "Fergie" factor in longtime manager Sir Alex Ferguson -- that has the Red Devils positioned as favorites again.

Other top contenders include a Liverpool squad that looks exciting with a number of new signings, including Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam. But is the defense good enough?

Elsewhere, none of Chelsea, Arsenal or Spurs looks to have enough to take the trophy.

Here is an alphabetical team-by-team guide heading into the 2011-12 EPL season:

[+] Enlarge Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images With Stewart Downing and Ashley Young gone, Aston Villa will need to find a new supply line to striker Darren Bent.

ARSENAL: Cesc Fabregas should be fired as captain and sold, because his heart is not in it. The need to improve keeper and defense has not yet been addressed by the Gunners, making them hard to fancy for the league title.

ASTON VILLA: Alex McLeish has lost key players Ashley Young and Stewart Downing, but gained pacy danger man Charles N'Zogbia. Darren Bent's goals will keep Aston Villa in the top half.

BLACKBURN: Rovers have lost young tyro Phil Jones to Manchester United, and Chris Samba could also be on the way out. If so, Blackburn is in big trouble.

BOLTON: With Johan Elmander and Daniel Sturridge gone, Kevin Davies will be shouldering a big scoring load. Owen Coyle's side needs Stuart Holden's return from injury, yet could end up in the bottom half.

CHELSEA: The aging team does not look good enough to win the title for the "new Mourinho," manager Andre Villas-Boas. But I predict Daniel Sturridge will break through and become an England player.

EVERTON: Money is too tight to mention as manager David Moyes approaches 10 years in charge. But with Phil Neville, Leighton Baines, Mikel Arteta, Louis Saha and Tim Cahill in the lineup, the Toffees will make the top eight again.

FULHAM: American Clint Dempsey was top scorer for the club last season and has become a key man at Craven Cottage. Even under new manager Martin Jol, this team is built around defensive rocks Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland and can make the top half.

LIVERPOOL: Goals will not be a problem for Kenny Dalglish's big spenders, but stopping opponents from hitting the net might be. A vibrant mood can lift them to a top-four finish.

MANCHESTER CITY: The Blues are looming as big challengers now. Exciting Sergio Aguero can be a new cult hero if forward Carlos Tevez leaves Eastlands. But there is a feeling that cautious boss Roberto Mancini needs to let his team off the leash more.

[+] Enlarge Clive Mason/Getty Images The transfer window remains open until the end of August, with Carlos Tevez rumored to be on his way out at Manchester City.

MANCHESTER UNITED: With Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Javier Hernandez, Nani, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young, United has enough to win a 20th topflight title but needs a Wesley Sneijder to inspire a sometimes unconvincing midfield.

NEWCASTLE: Selling all its best players (Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan and probably Jose Enrique and Joey Barton) and not finding quality replacements is a recipe for enraging loyal fans.

NORWICH CITY: Can promotion heroes Grant Holt and Wes Hoolahan cut it in the Premiership? Not sure; but fantastic spirit and a bright boss in Paul Lambert might see them survive -- just.

QUEENS PARK RANGERS: Keeping last year's inspirational attacker Adel Taraabt and signing the likes of D.J. Campbell and Jay Bothroyd might not be enough to keep a workaday squad afloat.

STOKE: The strong, well-balanced side should easily maintain manager Tony Pulis' record of never being relegated as a manager -- although it will be harder this season with European distraction.

SUNDERLAND: Last season's top-10 finish disguised an alarming slump after Darren Bent left. Lots of new arrivals will look to help, but I predict a mid-table showing again.

SWANSEA CITY: History indicates that promotion playoff winners do not remain in the Premiership. The Swans might be this year's Blackpool, winning lots of friends but not enough points.

TOTTENHAM: Things are eerily quiet at White Hart Lane, apart from the battle to keep unsettled playmaker Luka Modric and the signing of keeper Brad Friedel. Spurs need their strikers to start firing if they are not to be remembered as one-hit wonders in the Champions League.

WEST BROM ALBION: West Brom was full of surprises last term -- including Peter Odemwingie, Youssuf Mulumbu and Chris Brunt, not to mention manager Roy Hodgson. The Baggies are good enough to stay up again.

WIGAN: Losing danger man Charles N'Zogbia is a major setback for Wigan, who'll face another tough battle to stay in the big league.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Roger Johnson's signing from Birmingham may shore up a leaky defense, but if Wolves escape the drop again it won't be by much.

2011-12 PREDICTIONS:

Top of the league:

1. Manchester United

2. Manchester City

3. Chelsea

4. Liverpool

5. Arsenal

6. Tottenham

Relegation:

Three from QPR, Wigan, Swansea, Wolves, Norwich, Bolton, Blackburn and Newcastle.

FA Cup:

Liverpool

League Cup:

Tottenham

Ian Darke is a commentator for ESPN. You can reach him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/iandarkeespn.