Sunderland
Title odds - 2000/1
Relegation odds - 9/2
Last seasons finish - 14th
In came Gus Poyet who can preform miracles, seemingly down and out with just 6 games remaining, he said only a miracle could save them, that happened, not only did he save them, but he finished 14th. The final 6 games saw some incredible results including a 2-2 draw at Man City, a 1-0 win at Old Trafford and winning 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, which ended Jose Mourinho's Chelsea record of 77 unbeaten home games as Chelsea boss. The Sunderland fans also enjoyed a trip to Wembley, beating Man United on penalties in the semi final before losing 3-1 to Man City in the final of the League cup. The season started poorly for Sunderland after former manager Paolo Di Canio bought 14 new players, many of whom never made an impact. The only good buy were keeper Vito Mannone who was the star in the penalty shoot out win against Man United, and Fabio Borini who finished top scorer. One thing they will need to improve on this season is their discipline, Seven red cards was a league high. New signings Billy Jones and Jordi Gomez will add strength in depth to the squad.
Key players
Vito Mannone will again be the key player at Sunderland, he pulled off some amazing saves last season and earned Sunderland vital points to ensure they beat the drop. He'll face tough competition from new signing Costel Pantilimon which will keep him on his toes.
Wes Brown made his return last season after 18 months injured, there were question marks over his future in the game and he even considered retirement. But he came back and proved he still has lots to offer. Experienced and with a good understanding of the game, he formed a vital partnership with ex Man United team mate John O'Shea at the heart of Sunderlands defence. The only downside was he picked up 3 red cards last season.
Adam Johnson showed flashes of brilliance last season, he hit a hat trick against Fulham and scored many vital goals. His form made him an outsider for the England World Cup squad, with his strongest attribute being his crossing, forwards will love playing along side him.
Young player to watch
Connor Wickham came into the squad towards the end of the season. With main forward Steven Fletcher out for the season, and Jozy Altidore being in poor form with 1 goal in 30 games, all hopes were pinned on Wickham. He raised to the challenge and grabbed 5 goals in 3 games which proved vital in the results against Man City and Chelsea. The England under 21 international is starting to look like he can live up to his £8 million fee.
Prediction - 11th
Swansea
Title odds - 1500/1
Relegation odds - 5/1
Last seasons finish - 12th
Last season saw Swansea play in the Europa league, as a result of this their league form suffered. Tipped at the start of the season to finish in a European place, they were instead in a free fall heading for a relegation scrap. Michael Laudrup was sacked with the club 2 points from the relegation zone, and replaced by club captain Gary Monk as manager. With inexperienced Gary Monk in charge they achieved a mid table finish and will now look to build on that this season. Swans fans can look back at last season with a smile now. Knocking Man United out of the F.A cup at Old Trafford in the 3rd round was a shock result. But not as much as going to Valencia in the Europa league group stage and winning 3-0. This season they will have to deal without 2 key players. Both Michel Vorm and Ben Davies have joined Tottenham, with former Swansea loan star Gylfi Sigurdsson returning. They will look to the Icelandic international to replace another star who's leaving in Michu. One player Swansea need to keep is Wilfried Bony, without his 25 goals last season, Swansea would surely have joined rivals Cardiff in the championship. Bony will have a new partner upfront in Bafetinnbi Gomis, the former Lyon star joins on a free and was a proven goal scorer in France. With pacey winner Jefferson Montero and Arsenal's goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski other additions, Swansea will do a lot better this season I'm sure.
Key players
Ashley Williams is captain for both Swansea and Wales. A strong, solid centre back who controls the defence, he's the type of defender who would fit into any team. Swansea have tied him down to a new 4 year deal to keep the bigger clubs away and will look to him to lead by example this season.
Wilfried Bony is being linked to a move away from the Liberty Stadium. Saying that he wants to play in the champions league was bad news for Swansea. But their 25 goal hero is still there at the moment. They will look to him for goals again this time around and he'll need to score for Swansea to do well.
Ki Sung-Yueng was loaned to Sunderland last season, with an option of a recall in January. With key performing excellent and Swansea struggling, fans were angered when the 25 year old South Korean wasn't recalled. Back this season, he could form an interesting midfield trio with Jonjo Shelvey and Leon Britton.
Young player to watch
Stephen Kingsley made his debut for Falkirk at 16 and played over 100 games, being in last seasons SPFL championship team of the season. Still only 20, he's been bought to compete with Neil Taylor as the replacement for Ben Davies at left back. I fully expect him to be the winner come opening day of the season.
Prediction - 9th
Tottenham
Title odds - 66/1
Relegation odds - 300/1
Last seasons finish - 6th
Last season started with the sale of Gareth Bale for a world record fee of £85 million. Meaning Tottenham had over £100 million to spend on new players, being a team who narrowly missed out on champions league football over the last few seasons, many thought this season would be it. Andre Villas-Boas bought Roberto Soldado for £26 million but 6 goals in 28 games wasn't impressive. Young Roma star Erik Lamela was the direct replacement for Bale, at £30 million he managed only 1 goal and made just 17 appearances (many of them from the bench). Etienne Capoue cost £9 million but an injury hit season limited him to 18 games, and £17 million Brazilian midfielder Paulinho had an average season. The only successful signing was Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen 10 goals in 36 games proved a bargain at £11 million. A.V.B was sacked after poor results, new manager Tim Sherwood didn't do much better and was sacked at the end of the season. The only good he did was bring top scorer Emmanuel Adebayor back in to the team. Mauricio Pochettino has been brought in, but told 4th is a must this season, with a bit of time and a season of 2 that could be a reality, but chairman Daniel Levy must give him time. One thing that needs to be addressed by the new man is the defence, 5 times last season they lost by 4 or more. Results like that will not get you 4th.
Key players
Hugo Lloris is the best goal keeper in the league and maybe even the world. But he wants champions league football. Failure to get that, will result in him leaving at the end of the season. His performances might just get them there. With Michel Vorm waiting to take Lloris place in the team. The French keeper will be on top of his game again this season.
Jan Vertonghen is one of the senior defenders in the team, but is still young at 27, heavily relied upon he'll be the key man at the back again this season. With Ben Davies brought in as left back, Vertonghen will be back in his favourite role as centre back.
Christian Ericksen was the only bright light in Tottenham's dismal transfers last season. With goals not coming from the forwards he stepped up with 10 goals, and many assists. He'll be looking to get them figures again this time around.
Young player to watch
Harry Kane was given the chance when poor form from Soldado ment there was an opening in the team. One thing Tim Sherwood did was put his trust in youth players. Kane repaid that faith with 3 goals in 10 games. He also got 3 in 4 for England under 21s last year. With no forwards bought yet, next season he may be the main choice and push for an England 1st team call up.
Prediction - 6th
West Brom
Title odds - 5000/1
Relegation odds - 5/2
Last seasons finish - 17th
Last season was always going to be hard for Steve Clarke after loan signing Romelu Lukaku who was top scorer the previous season didn't want to return for a 2nd season on loan. Controversial forward Nicolas Anelka was brought in on a free, but in the early weeks of the season he walked out of training, saying he retired. He came back a few weeks later after compassionate leave. Only to celebrate with an anti-semitic quenelle gesture a few months later, after being fined, Anelka again walked away from the club. Early season results impressed. They won 2-1 at Old Trafford, Drew 2-2 at home to Arsenal and only a poor referee decision denied a win at Stamford Bridge, which ended in a 2-2 draw. But after 4 defeats in a row, Clarke was sacked, 1 win and 3 draws for caretaker Keith Downing made him the fans favourite. But West Brom opted for unknown Spanish manager Pepe Mel. 3 wins in 18 games for the Spanish man just about kept the club up. But wasn't enough to keep his job. New boss Alan Irvine will look to avoid another season like the last. He's bought well with free agents Craig Gardener and Jolean Lescott have come in, along with forward Brown Ideye.
Key players
Joleon Lescott is a surprise signing for the baggies. Winning 2 titles with Man City he was linked to moves in Spain, Italy and Turkey. But has decided to stay in England. His experience is second to none after a decade in the Premiership and will be a huge player this season. A good season could also see an England recall.
Youssouf Mulumbu isn't a household name, but he's appreciated by the faithful at the Hawthorns. Linked with moves to Arsenal after saying he wanted to play at a 'classier' club, another impressive season could see that move happen. With the ability to break up play in midfield. He'll be the 1st name in on Irvine's teamsheet.
Brown Ideye is a club record signing at £10 million after scoring 33 in 74 for Dynamo Kyiv. With Stephane Sessegnon and Saido Berahino top scorers with 5 league goals each last season, Ideye's goals will be crucial to the club. With a point to prove after missing out on the Nigerian World Cup squad, he'll look to hit the ground running for his new club.
Young player to watch
Saido Berahino broke into the 1st team last season and hit 9 goals in all competitions, his early season form saw calls for an England call up, but his form dipped towards the end of the season. With blistering pace he is a real handful for defenders. But he's still learning at this level and needs to improve in front of goal. He'll look to hit double figures this season.
Prediction - 12th
West Ham
Title odds - 2000/1
Relegation odds - 5/1
Last seasons finish - 13th
Last season saw Andy Carroll join the Hammers for £15 million after impressing on loan the previous year. Injuries limited him to only 15 games in which he scored twice. This time around he's injured again, this has prompted chairman David Sulivan to say they made a mistake buying him. The biggest mistake maybe was when they bought Carroll, they let Carlton Cole leave. Then were forced to bring him back as they were struggling for goals. With Modibo Maiga grabbing just 2 in 18. They turned to Italian forward Marco Borriello on loan in January, but after 2 games he was ruled out for the season by injury. Sam Allardyce has acted fast by bringing in 2 much needed forwards this summer. Argentine Mauro Zarate joins along with Enner Valencia who scored 3 goals for Ecuador at this summers World Cup. One player who will look to avoid injury this season is New Zealander Winston Reid who is a key man in a relatively weak defence, who only managed 21 games last season. Steel has been brought into the midfield with Senegal international Cheikhou Kouyate joining from Anderlecht. But Big Sam and the chairmen don't see eye to eye at the moment over transfers and the future of young star Ravel Morrison, who started well last season then fell out with Allardye and ended up on loan at Q.P.R. Will Big Sam still be there when the season starts?
Key players
Adrian started last season as back up to veteran Jussi Jaaskelainen but dislodged him mid season. Earning save of the season for a stunning one handed save from Oscar against Chelsea. The Spanish keeper will be looking for an impressive season again.
Kevin Nolan is Sam Allardyce main man, having gone from Bolton to Newcastle and then to West Ham with him, he is now club captain. Top scorer last season, the goal scoring midfielder will look to be amongst the goals again.
Mark Noble has come through the ranks at West Ham. He was voted player of the season by both fans and players last season. His never say die attitude, and passion for the club has made him a fans favourite for the club he loves.
Young player to watch
Deigo Poyet was Charlton's player of the year last season, despite only playing 20 games. A host of clubs came in for him (including Sunderland, managed by his dad Gus). The promising youngster can play for Spain, England or Uruguay, a good season could see him have a difficult choice to make as to who he represents at international level.
Prediction - 16th
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