Same old Gunners going for fourth
Prediction: 4th
Key Player: Olivier Giroud
Player To Watch: Yaya Sanogo
After scraping their place in this seasons Champions League by pipping Tottenham to fourth place on the final day of last season, Arsene Wenger will be wanting his side to press on and battle the likes of Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs for at least a place in the top 3. Although with the funds that they apparently have this summer, they have only been able to sign striker Yaya Sanogo on a free transfer. Linked now with Bayern Munich's Luiz Gustavo in a £17.2 million deal, Wenger will be needing to add more new faces in order to achieve the goal of a top four finish due to their closest rivals strengthening. Frenchman Olivier Giroud's form will be vital to their premier league aspirations if the Gunners fail to bring Liverpool's Luis Suarez to the club. New signing Sanogo will be one to look out for if he can break into the first team.
Mid-Table finish for Villa?
Prediction: 15th
Key Player: Christian Benteke
Player to Watch: Jores Okore
Surviving relegation last season was a huge positive for Paul Lambert's side and this season they will obviously be looking to build on that and try to climb up the league. Belgian striker Christian Benteke was one of the only highlights of last season for them and keeping hold of him and getting him to sign a new contract with the club is a major boost. They will need the Belgian to replicate his form from last season which saw him net 19 goals in order for them to stand any chance of climbing the league table. Lambert has made several new signings over the course of the summer including young defender Jores Okore, the 21 year old signed from Danish outfit FC Nordsjaelland will be a big player for them in the coming season as Lambert will be wanting to patch up the Villa defence which sometimes was ripped apart during the course of last season.
New boys Cardiff eye Premier League safety
Prediction: 16th
Key Player: Steven Caulker
Player to Watch: Gary Medel
Last season Cardiff City finished top of the championship and if the stats are anything to go by, then that means that they are one of the favourites to go straight back down. With the likes of Wolves and Reading in previous seasons going straight back down after finishing top. Manager Malky Mackay has broke the clubs transfer record signing three times this summer and these three players will be key to their survival. England U21 international Steven Caulker made a surprise switch to them for £8million and Danish striker Andreas Cornelius was brought in previously for £7.5million, these two players will be crucial in goals scored and the amount of goals conceded. Recently though, Mackay splashed out the cash again to capture Chilean international Gary Medel in a reported £11million deal. The industrious although controversial midfielder will be one to watch this season with not only his on the pitch duties but his off the pitch antics as well.
Mourinho eyes Premier League glory
Prediction: 2nd
Key Player: Eden Hazard
Player to watch: Kevin De Bruyne
With Jose Mourinho back at the helm, Chelsea are most pundits pick for the league title and that is what the blues will certainly be aiming for. Missing out on Falcao though was a big blow as now they only have Demba Ba and Fernando Torres in the striking department, but what they may lack in strike force, the certainly make up for in midfield with the trio of Oscar, Mata and Hazard proving to be a hit last season, with the latter possibly being their most important asset this coming year. Fellow Belgian Kevin De Bruyne will be hoping to cement his place in the side after spending a successful loan spell last season at German outfit Werder Bremen.
Beating the drop the only goal for Palace
Prediction: 18th
Key Player: Marouane Chamakh
Player to watch: Yannick Bolasie
Ian Holloway's men will be taking every game like its a cup final as the eagles set their sights on premier league survival. Former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh will need to find the form he lacked in his spell at the Gunners with Palace hoping he can deliver as they will need all the goals they can this coming year. Hotshot Wilfried Zaha will be a big miss as not only his fabulous technical ability but also the presence he had on the pitch was one of the reasons why the eagles propelled themselves up through the table and into play off glory last season. Fellow winger Yannick Bolasie though will be hoping to thrive off of the England U21 internationals big move to Manchester United as he will want to make a big impression in the top flight.
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