Sunderland

Manager: Paolo Di Canio

First six fixtures:       Sat 17^th Aug: Fulham (H)

Sat 24^th Aug: Southampton (A)

Sat 31^st Aug: Crystal Palace (A)

Sat 14^th Sep: Arsenal (H)

Sat 21^st Sep: West Brom (A)

Sun 29^th Sep: Liverpool (H)

Boy, if Sunderland don’t establish themselves this season, you certainly wouldn’t want to be a player on Paolo Di Canio’s watch. We think the fiery Italian’s temperament might spark something within the Black Cat’s ranks which could lead to a very promising top-half finish. That, and they actually look like they have made some clever signings in the close-season who will go a long way to ensuring a club of Sunderland’s size set about pushing for Europe.

Out have gone Titus Bramble (probably causing chaos right now in any number of public places with his questionable footwork), Danny Graham, and Matthew Kilgallon, while in their places have come Modibo Diakite, Jozy Altidore, and the electrifying Emanuele Giaccherini. If Di Canio can keep his cool, Sunderland could be red-hot next season.

Key Player: Sebastian Larsson

Predicted position: 10^th

Top Tip: Sunderland to qualify for Europe through league position or winning a trophy – 9/1 with SkyBet

Everton

Manager: Roberto Martinez

First six fixtures:       Sat 17^th Aug: Norwich (A)

Sat 24^th Aug: West Brom (H)

Sat 31^st Aug: Cardiff (A)

Sat 14^th Sep: Chelsea (H)

Sat 21^st Sep: West Ham (A)

Mon 30^th Sep: Newcastle (H)

It’s the beginning of a new era for Everton after David Moyes’ departure following 11 years at the club. Roberto Martinez, who landed the job even after his Wigan team were relegated (easy job this managing lark eh?) is the man tasked with improving on Moyes’ impressive record.

Europe might be one step too far this season, as Martinez comes to Everton with a vastly different style to Moyes, and if rumours are to be believed Everton may struggle to hold on to Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines before the transfer-window shuts. They have added former Wigan players Arouna Kone and Antolin Alcaraz to their ranks, and have signed highly-rated Barcelona centre back Gerard Deulofeu on loan.

Key player: Marouane Fellaini (if he stays)

Predicted position: 9^th

Top tip: Everton to get between 53 and 55 points exactly – 5/1 with Bet365

West Ham

Manager: Sam Allardyce

First six fixtures:       Sat 17^th Aug: Cardiff (H)

Sat 24^th Aug: Newcastle (A)

Sat 31^st Aug: Stoke (H)

Sun 15^th Sep: Southampton (A)

Sat 21^st Sep: Everton (H)

Sat 28^th Sep: Hull (A)

Many of you who follow Sam Allardyce’s career closely will know we’ve been here before: after avoiding relegation with a certain club for a couple of years, he takes them onto bigger and better things, namely eighth place, a cup final, and the following year into Europe.

Yeah alright, it may not have happened at Newcastle or Blackburn after that, but he just wasn’t given enough time like Bolton gave him. West Ham fans, despite the less-than-exciting football at times, are quite happy that Big Sam has got them to look like a Premier League outfit again and bought stability to a famously topsy-turvy team.

Following Andy Carroll’s permanent move to Upton Park, the squad looks capable of challenging for Europe, especially seeing as many of them have two years of Premier League experience together already. If ex-fan favourite Scott Parker returns, West Ham could be a nice surprise in a Big Sam package.

Key player: Kevin Nolan

Predicted position: 8^th

Top Tip: Andy Carroll 15 goals for £15 million: YES – 9/4 with William Hill

Swansea

Manager: Michael Laudrup

First six fixtures:       Sat 17^th Aug: Man United (H)

Sun 25^th Aug: Tottenham (A)

Sat 31^st Aug: West Brom (A)

Mon 16^th Sep: Liverpool (H)

Sat 21^st Sep: Crystal Palace (A)

Sat 28^th Sep: Arsenal (H)

Swansea are a bit of a guilty pleasure. Yes, they probably shouldn’t be in the ENGLISH Premier League, but by God, they know how to win the doubters over. Fast paced, sexy football, and a manager who is coolness personified, we might just let them off for technically being Welsh. They even won a trophy last year! That’s more than Arsenal have managed in eight years!

They’ve been busy in the transfer market during this summer as well, picking up no less than nine players. Jonathan De Guzman has returned on loan from Villareal, while Wilfred Bony and Jonjo Shelvey represent the highest profile names that have joined the Swans for next season. A second adventure into Europe might just be beyond reach (unless they win another trophy), but don’t be surprised if they are sniffing around the borders come May.

Key player: Michu

Predicted position: 7^th

Top Tip: Swansea to finish higher than Everton – 12/5 with Coral

Liverpool

Manager: Brendan Rodgers

First six fixtures:       Sat 17^th Aug: Stoke (H)

Sat 24^th Aug: Aston Villa (A)

Sun 1^st Sep: Man United (H)

Mon 16^th Sep: Swansea (A)

Sat 21^st Sep: Southampton (H)

Sun 29^th Sep: Sunderland (A)

Football is unpredictable. While we’re not ruling out a Liverpool challenge for the Top Four, Brendan Rodgers has been busy buying relatively unknown talent from Spain this summer in Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas. Compared with the other two arrivals, Kolo Toure and Simon Mignolet, these two are unproven Premier League players, and young ones at that.

But the interesting thing about this is that Rodgers has shown that his eye in the transfer market isn’t too shabby. Based on his previous form with signings, Daniel Sturridge and Phillipe Couthinho, these two might just be very worthy additions to a young squad that is showing increasing signs of quality.

However, the Luis Suarez transfer saga is a black cloud over Anfield, and the striker hasn’t shown any loyalty back to a club that have stuck with him through dark times. One of the biggest decisions for Rodgers this season may be the one of whether to stick or twist with regards to the temperamental Uruguayan.

Key player: Phillipe Coutinho

Predicted position: 6^th

Top Tip: Phillipe Coutinho to win the PFA Young Player of the Year Award 13/14 – 4/1 with SkyBet

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