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ARSENAL (4th last season)
Arsene Wenger's side ended a nine-year trophy drought by winning the FA Cup in May. Wenger hopes his squad, bolstered by the summer addition of Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona and with record-signing Mesut Ozil settled, can now last the distance in the Premier League title race. The Gunners, who haven't won the championship since 2004, spent much of last season on top only to finish fourth.
Key player: Forward Alexis Sanchez.
ASTON VILLA (15th)
Manager Paul Lambert was hamstrung by lack of investment from an owner, Randy Lerner, who is trying to sell up, and troubled by backroom issues last season. But Lambert has the nucleus of a promising side.
Key player: Striker Christian Benteke.
 
BURNLEY (promoted)
After returning to the Premier League after five years in the second tier, Burnley's season will hinge on whether strikers Danny Ings and Sam Vokes can cut it in the top flight. Expect Sean Dyche's well-drilled side to trouble visiting sides at the least.
Key player: Striker Danny Ings.

CHELSEA (3rd)
Despite playing down Chelsea's credentials last season, Jose Mourinho would have won the league last season if not for slip-ups against teams the Blues should have beaten when it mattered. The striker issue has been addressed with the purchase of Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid, while former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas will bring some dynamism to midfield.
Key player: Striker Diego Costa.
CRYSTAL PALACE (11th)
Tony Pulis was named manager of the year for keeping Palace in the Premier League. But he has left on the eve of the season after a dispute with the owner, leaving the club in turmoil ahead of day one.
Key player: Midfielder Mile Jedinak.

EVERTON (5th)
Former Wigan manager Roberto Martinez showed he could make the step up when succeeding David Moyes last year, although he was unable to take Everton back into the top four. A fifth-place finish, though, was a good starting point. Turning Romelu Lukaku's loan from Chelsea into a permanent, club-record £28 million (HK$362 million) transfer was an early summer statement of intent, while Ross Barkley is quickly developing.
Key player: Striker Romelu Lukaku.
HULL (16th)
Despite off-field disputes over the club's name, Hull maintained their top-flight status and reached the FA Cup final, falling short against Arsenal. New challenges lie ahead in the Europa League and the squad will have to dig deep to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.
Key player: Midfielder Tom Huddlestone.
LEICESTER (promoted)
Leicester dominated the Championship to win the title, but it will prove a different challenge back in the Premier League after a decade away. Much will depend on whether David Nugent can keep scoring goals.
Key player: Striker David Nugent.
LIVERPOOL (2nd)
Despite the big hole left by the departure of striker Luis Suarez to Barcelona, Liverpool were quick to bolster a squad who fell just short in the title race last season. A trio of Southampton players was signed: defender Dejan Lovren, midfielder Adam Lallana and striker Rickie Lambert. But with a Champions League campaign to cope with this season, another sustained title challenge may just be beyond Brendan Rodgers' side. There should be less controversy, though, without Suarez.
Key player: Striker Daniel Sturridge
MANCHESTER CITY (1st)
After winning a second Premier League title in three years, City has reinforced the squad in a low-key manner. With Yaya Toure in midfield and Sergio Aguero up front, Manuel Pellegrini may be celebrating a second successive league title in May. Advancing further in the Champions League is also a priority.
Key player: Midfielder Yaya Toure.

MANCHESTER UNITED (7th)
After a dismal season under David Moyes, Louis van Gaal will have to be an instant success, fresh from leading the Netherlands to third place at the World Cup. The minimum target is returning United to the Champions League. A season out of Europe should help the team focus on domestic priorities. A few new signings, including defender Luke Shaw and midfielder Ander Herrera, should provide a boost.
Key player: Striker Wayne Rooney.
NEWCASTLE (10th)
Alan Pardew will be hoping to stay out of the limelight this season after his ban for head-butting a rival team's player. If the new recruits, including midfielder Remy Cabella, settle quickly a top-half finish should be the minimum expected.
Key player: Winger Hatem Ben Arfa.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS (promoted)
Harry Redknapp returned QPR to the top flight at the first opportunity to safeguard the club's financial predicament, but only via the play-offs. QPR owner Tony Fernandes again sanctioned the signing of a veteran player from a leading team - defender Rio Ferdinand from Manchester United.
Key player: Centre-back Rio Ferdinand.
SOUTHAMPTON (8th)
After the high of an eighth-place finish came the exodus of players and manager Mauricio Pochettino. Ronald Koeman's reign could quickly turn into a relegation battle if midfielder Dusan Tadic and striker Graziano Pelle don't quickly adapt to England.
Key player: Striker Jay Rodriguez.
STOKE (9th)
Many expected Stoke to struggle last season following the departure of Tony Pulis, but Mark Hughes' new-look side secured a top-half finish. With some promising additions, including forward Bojan Krkic, Stoke should again stay out of trouble.
Key player: Forward Peter Odemwingie.
SUNDERLAND (14th)
After coming so close to relegation last season, Sunderland will hope to avoid such drama again. Much will depend on whether Connor Wickham can find his scoring touch again. Manager Gus Poyet will be determined to get more consistency to move up the table.
Key player: Striker Connor Wickham.
SWANSEA (12th)
Garry Monk's mid-season appointment to succeed Michael Laudrup was vindicated as Swansea pulled out of danger. Despite a few decent additions, including goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski from Arsenal, the new season could be severely testing.
Key player: Defender Ashley Williams.
TOTTENHAM(6th)
After going through two managers last season, Tottenham turned to Mauricio Pochettino, hoping he can bring the brand of attacking football he instilled at Southampton. The target is Champions League qualification, but the squad could be stretched again by the demands of the Europa League.
Key player: Midfielder Christian Eriksen.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION (17th)
After just avoiding relegation under Pepe Mel, West Brom's next appointment took everyone by surprise. Alan Irvine, who was running Everton's academy, has been given his first top flight management role. Will the gamble pay off?
Key player: Attacker Stephane Sessegnon.
WEST HAM (13th)
To stay in charge, Sam Allardyce will have to ensure last season's inconsistencies aren't repeated and the football is more exciting. Former England striker Teddy Sheringham was hired as a coach to turn disappointing home draws into wins. Fans weren't satisfied with the mid-table finish. The signing of Ecuador World Cup star Enner Valencia came just as forward Andy Carroll was ruled out again through injury.
Key player: Forward Enner Valencia.


How the Premier League teams shape up

Manchester City players celebrate winning last season's English Premier League title. Will they accomplish the feat a third time in four seasons? Photo: Reuters

Yaya Toure will be crucial to City's Premier League hopes. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Football

The contenders ... Manchester City are eyeing a third title in four years but Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal are also out for honours.


How the Premier League teams shape up

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The contenders ... Manchester City are eyeing a third title in four years but Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal are also out for honours.

The contenders ... Manchester City are eyeing a third title in four years but Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal are also out for honours.