Everton
Title odds - 100/1
Relegation odds - 100/1
Last seasons finish - 5th
Roberto Martinez wasn't every Everton fans first choice as their new manager. Bill Kenwright took the gamble on a new manager after 11 years under David Moyes when he left for Man U, and it paid off. Martinez now had the quality players to play the attractive style of football he wanted. That style of football nearly got Everton into the Champions league. With loans players Gareth Barry and Romelu Lukaku key to Everton's season. Barry returns on a 3 year free deal, and he'll again link up with James McCarthy. The pair gelled together quickly and will be key again in the centre of midfield. Top scorer Lukaku could return with a £20 million move from Chelsea. But if that deal doesn't go forward, goals will be hard to come by. With Kevin Mirallas, Steven Naismith and Arouna Kone not 20 goal a season forwards, a new striker is a must to repeat or better last seasons finish. Everton's defence will again be the catalyst to success. Tim Howard was 1 of the best goal keepers in the league last year, and a big reason why Everton had only 1 defeat at Christmas. With a record points total of 72, last season might be hard to repeat.
Key players
Phil Jagielka is captain and the main man in defence. Injury towards the end of last season showed when he played for England at the World Cup. He has created a good understanding with Distin in the centre of defence. But with Distin at 36, it could be young star John Stones along side Jagielka. Jagielka will hope to share his experience and the Everton centre backs could be teaming up for club and country.
Leighton Baines is as important to Everton's attack as he is to the defence. With 6 league goals the free kick and penalty specialist not only stops goals, but creates and scores them at the other end. His understanding on the left side with Steven Pienaar is sure to create plenty of chances again.
Ross Barkley yet another member of England's World Cup squad. Barkley shows that there are young quality players in the Premiership. He quickly rewarded Martinez faith in him with a few man of the match displays at the start of the season. With a keen eye for spectacular goals (won goal of the season for a volley against Man City) Martinez has called him a mix of Paul Gascoigne and Michael Ballack, some high praise.
Young player to watch
John Stones last summer was at the under 20 World Cup with England. 12 months later he was on the standby list for England's World Cup squad, and unlucky not to be included for Brazil. With Distin in what is probably his last season, Stones could very well be rewarded for last season as the main centre back along side Jagielka.
Prediction - 8th
Hull
Title odds - 5000/1
Relegation odds - 11/4
Last seasons finish - 16th
Hull were one of the favourites to go down this time last season, but ensured their safety with a month of the season remaining. Wins against Liverpool and hammering Fulham 6-0 were season highlights. To top that Hull will make their first ever appearance in Europe. After getting to the F.A cup final (losing 3-2 aet to Arsenal, after leading 2-0 within 15 minutes) means they'll enter the Europa league at the 3rd qualifying phase. Although Hull fans will be enjoying European nights at the KC stadium, this could seriously harm their league form. Curtis Davies and Tom Huddlestone were unlucky not to receive England call ups after their great season displays. After a poor World Cup display from England, they may get the opportunity this time around. January signings and top scorers Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic (4 goals each) came with big price tags. They immediately formed a great partnership and that will be crucial to survival this season. 38 goals in 38 games and 21 defeats might not be good enough this time around. Robert Snodgrass and Tom Ince have both been signed to try and help get that goals tally up. More signings are still needed by Steve Bruce to cope with the demands of European, league and cup games.
Key players
Ahmed Elmohamady was the only Hull player to play in all 38 league games last season, the attack minded wing back provides crosses which Long and Jelavic will crave. With his versatility, he'll be Steve Bruce's go to man again.
Tom Huddlestone joined for a club record at the start of last season. Many believed Hull was a step down for him, but his displays saw a big call for him to be England's holding midfielder at the World Cup, but these calls were ignored by Roy Hodgson, with a eye for goal and great from set pieces, he'll be pushing for an England recall again.
Curtis Davies joined for £2.25 million and was seen as Bruce paying over the odds. But it proved to be a bargain and Davies was one of the signings of the season. Ignored by Hodgson despite a lack of quality centre backs for England, he'll be out to prove a point again this season.
Young player to watch
Tom Ince started the season in the championship for Blackpool, after an impressive start he was linked with a return to Liverpool where he was a youth player. An impressive loan deal in the premiership with Crystal Palace proved he could make it in the top flight. A host of clubs including Inter Milan came in for the free agent, but he opted to join Hull and looks like an exciting player to see at the KC this season.
Prediction - 15th
Leicester City
Title odds - 5000/1
Relegation odds - 13/5
Last seasons finish - 1st (championship)
Last season saw Leicester set championship records with the highest points total (102) and most wins (31). They were top of the league from Boxing Day and gained promotion with 6 games remaining, and won the title ahead of Burnley with 2 games to spare. Home form was good for Nigel Pearson's men last season and will need to repeat that again. Kasper Schmeichel had a taste of Premiership football with Manchester City in his early 20's, after signing a new deal will be ready for what will be a busy season ahead. Another key player who has top level experience is one time capped England man Dave Nugent. He won't have fond memories of previous visits to the top flight. Strike partner Jamie Vardy who was second highest scorer behind Nugent with 16 goals, will look to get his share of goals himself. As to will summer signing Leonardo Ulloa who was a regular Championship scorer for Brighton. Centre back pair Wes Morgan and Liam Moore will be tested to their limits against some of the worlds top forwards. Experienced defender Matthew Upson has been given a final premier league chance. At 35 his experience of relegation battles will be crucial if Leicester are to remain in the top flight.
Key players
Liam Moore at only 21 has a bright future ahead of himself. Arsenal, Man U and Tottenham have all been linked to the England under 21 international in recent months. A good season here and Leicester might struggle to keep the young star at the King Power stadium.
Dave Nugent will look to final live up to the potential he had when he won and scored in his only England cap 7 years ago. Poor showings in 4 seasons with Portsmouth and Burnley scoring only 6 goals in over 60 games, means he has a point to prove.
Marc Albrighton had a promising start to his career with Aston Villa, but fell out of favour with manager Paul Lambert. At 24 he has some much needed top flight experience, which Leicester don't have much of. He can also chip in with a few goals from midfield, and with goals possibly hard to come by, every goal will be crucial.
Young player to watch
Chris Wood never really got the chance at the top flight with former club W.B.A. Being loaned out many times where he scored on a regular basis for teams in the championship. At 22 and with 12 goals in 34 games for New Zealand, he has shown he can do it at international, now can he do it at Premiership?
Prediction - 19th
Liverpool
Title odds - 10/1
Relegation odds - 1000/1
Last seasons finish - 2nd
Champions league nights are back at Anfield. The dream was to break back into the top 4, but they almost went all the way. Gerrard's slip against Chelsea saw the title dream fade away from Liverpool, Throwing away a 3 goal lead to draw 3-3 with Crystal Palace ended it. With Luis Suarez scoring 31 league goals and Daniel Sturridge getting 21 the reds were almost impossible to beat. Scoring 101 goals over the season. Big wins against Tottenham (0-5 and 4-0) Everton (4-0) Arsenal (5-1) and Man U (0-3) showed that Liverpool were ready to be back where they belong, at the top end of the table. Brendan Rodgers took a team that was finishing outside the European places and made Anfield a place to fear again. This season might not be as good of a season as last year. With top scorer Suarez leaving for Barcelona, Rickie Lambert has been brought in, along with Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic to try and get the goals that will be missed from the Uruguayan. With a strong English core in Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Stirling, Glen Johnson and Daniel Sturridge already there, Lambert and Lallana should adapt quickly. One area that needs looking at is the full back areas which could prove to be a weakness, with fitness concerns over Glen Johnson. This could mean that young John Flanagan who impressed when called upon last season could be used again.
Key players
Daniel Sturridge will now be Liverpool's main up top. Often coming out on to the wings last season swapping with Suarez, he'll relish the chance to stay forward and will look to better the 21 goals he got last term. With his pace and finishing ability Liverpool will want to get the ball to him as much as possible.
Steven Gerrard will forever be haunted by the moment he slipped, and Demba Ba raced through to all but end his dream of lifting the title. The one club man has recently retired from international duty, which is great news for Liverpool. He has become vital in his new role as the holding midfielder. Whilst the days of Gerrard bombing forward might have gone, he can still pick out the killer pass. He'll be hoping that this year he might see his dream come true.
Jordan Henderson almost became a Fulham player 2 seasons ago. Not valued at the club, he was offered as part of a swap for Clint Dempsey, but that deal fell through. He was then given the chance when others were out injured in midfield and has stayed there since. Becoming a key man for club and country. With Gerrard sitting just behind him, he knows he has the opportunities to push forward. With a good eye for a pass, and not afraid to go for goal himself when the times right, he'll be key to Brendan Rodgers plans this year again.
Young player to watch
Raheem Stirling exploded on to the scene last season with his raw pace and ability to run at defenders. Chipping in with his fair share of goals also. Real Madrid were heavily linked with him this summer. But he's to stay at Anfield this year and Liverpool will look to him to provide the forwards with goal scoring chances. An exciting player for club and country, he'll be looking forward to show his talents on the European stage against the best.
Prediction - 4th
Manchester City
Title odds - 12/5
Relegation odds - 1500/1
Last seasons finish - 1st
Manchester City won the premier league for the 2nd time in 3 years. With Edin Dzeko, Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo all hitting double figures, all hitting double figures in the league, they have the most feared attacking line up in England. Add to that vice captain Yaya Toure who 20 plus goals last season, and the likes of David Silva, Jesus Navas, Samir Nasri and Steven Jovetic and their line up strikes fear into the opposition. They have strengthened their squad this season with the signing of free agent Bacary Sagna from Arsenal. Who along with right back rival Pablo Zabeleta are 2 of the best in the world in their field. Fernando another new signing will help Fernandinho as the holders in midfield. All is not flowers and rainbows at the Etihad stadium though. With Yaya Toure unhappy that the club didn't wish him happy birthday, he said he wanted to leave. But he remains at the club for now, seemingly calling the 'incident' nothing major. It remains to be seen if he wants to stay at the club or if lack of interest has forced him to stay. One thing for sure is he'll once again be key for Manchester City if he has his heart in Manchester. With Champions League the holy grail for the owners, it will be interesting to see that if an early Champions League exit again will mean the axe for Manuel Pellegrini. Even with the Leauge cup and Premiership last season. It seemed the City owners wanted more. It could be European glory or bust for Pellegrini next season, no matter what happens domestically.
Key players
Vincent Kompany is the captain and the glue that keeps the team together at the back. Not only is he a solid defender, but also a handful at corners and free kicks in the other half. When he got injured at times last season, City looked vulnerable at the back, they'll hope to keeper their skipper fully fit this season to fight for glory at home and in Europe.
Sergio Aguero on his day is unplayable, with 52 goals in 87 games for City he is their main goal threat, not only does he get goals, but he has the ability to get other players into the game. He and Negredo formed a lethal partnership at the start of last season. But hamstring injuries made the second half of the season stop, start. After not featuring that much for Argentina at the World Cup, City will hope he's 100% come the start of the season.
Yaya Toure got 20 league goals last season, and he's supposed to be a holding midfielder. The signing of Ferdandinho last season ment that Yaya could push forward more. Deadly from free kicks and penalties, he'll grab a few more this season. He's a big intimidating figure in the centre of the park and has the ability to match it. Unrest with the club during the close season overshadowed a great season, City fans will hope that all that is in the past come August.
Young player to watch
Matija Nastasic was limited to only 13 games last season due to injury, but the season before that he was key in defence with Kompany. Still only 22 and an established international with Serbia he can be a key player for years to come. Strong interest from Arsenal has been talked about, along with Man City looking into signing Porto's French defender Eliaquim Mangala. No matter where Nastasic plays next season, he has the ability to strengthen any teams defence.
Prediction - 3rd
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