BBC Sport Online weighs up the prospects of the 20 Premiership teams for the new season ahead.
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ARSENAL
Arsene Wenger is determined to make a more concerted title bid and he has made three excellent close-season signings in Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Sol Campbell and the immensely promising Francis Jeffers. Persuading Patrick Vieira to stay at Highbury was arguably his biggest boon of all. But unfortunately for Wenger, United have strengthened as well.
Prediction: Runners-up
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ASTON VILLA
The pressure is on boss John Gregory after Villa's under-achievement of the last two seasons. He has brought in exciting Moroccan pair Mustapha Hadji and Hassan Kachloul in a quest for creativity but has reluctantly sold Gareth Southgate.
Prediction: Mid-table
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BLACKBURN
David Dunn: Prodigiously talented
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Graeme Souness has added highly-rated Italian striker Corrado Grabbi to an exciting forward line. And in midfielder David Dunn he has one of the most prodigiously talented young midfielders in the country. But Blackburn's defence is ageing and could be caught out.
Prediction: Bottom half
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BOLTON
The Division One play-off winners are unlikely to emulate the heady achievements of their predecessors Ipwich. They still have a First Division squad and that's where they will probably end up.
Prediction: Rock bottom
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CHARLTON
The Addicks exceeded all expectations last season. Will aim to challenge for Europe this time and have added promising youngsters Jason Euell and Luke Young to their ranks.
Prediction: Mid-table
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CHELSEA
The Blues have again spent heavily in their quest for success. Boudewijn Zenden, Frank Lampard, William Gallas and Emmanuel Petit will undoubtedly strengthen an already talented squad but Chelsea's downfall has always been losing to the lesser sides.
Prediction: Uefa Cup spot
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DERBY
The Rams will hope that charismatic Italian striker Fabrizio Ravanelli can lift the whole club. Otherwise they seem destined for another season of struggle.
Prediction: Survivors, just
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EVERTON
The Toffees struggled last season and have sold arguably their two best players in Michael Ball and Francis Jeffers. In return, Walter Smith has brought in Alan Stubbs from Celtic and the low-key Anderlecht striker Tomasz Radzinski. Hardly bodes well, does it?
Prediction: Relegation
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FULHAM
Jean Tigana has had a massive impact on the Cottagers and who could bet against him taking the Premiership by storm? He has made a statement of intent by signing £7m Edwin van der Sar but his most important player is likely to be striker Luis Saha.
Prediction: Top eight
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IPSWICH
Last season's surprise package will find it difficult to do as well again, largely because their rivals are unlikely to treat them as lightly. But they are a hard-working, entertaining side and in Marcus Stewart have a proven Premiership goalscorer.
Prediction: Bottom half
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LEEDS
Kewell: Back for Leeds
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David O'Leary goes into the season with the same squad that served him so well in the latter half of last term. He has a tenacious, talented squad and match-winners like Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka.
Prediction: Top three challengers
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LEICESTER
The Foxes endured a disastrous end to last season and Peter Taylor bought experienced midfielder Dennis Wise and Ipswich striker James Scowcroft during the summer to try and rectify matters.
Prediction: Mid-table
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LIVERPOOL
Gerard Houllier has chosen to consolidate after his lavish spending last term. Only promising left-sided midfielder John Arne Riise has joined but Jamie Redknapp returns after missing last season. The Reds should make a more determined push for the title this time around but are still likely to fall short.
Prediction: Third place
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MANCHESTER UNITED
United coasted to the title last season and are an even more formidable outfit this time around. In Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ferguson has acquired the powerful target man he has wanted for years, while Juan Veron is a midfielder of guile and panache. The players will be desperate to provide Ferguson with a fitting send-off in his last season and will do so - if their defence tightens up.
Prediction: Champions again
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MIDDLESBROUGH
Steve McClaren is aiming to prove he can make the transition from coach to manager. Gareth Southgate will add experience and defensive stability, while new boys Jonathan Greening and Mark Wilson will provide youthful promise.
Prediction: Top ten
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NEWCASTLE
Dyer: Vital to Newcastle
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Bobby Robson is desperate to give Newcastle's fans the success they crave. He has signed £9m winger Laurent Robert but his main concern is getting Alan Shearer and Kieron Dyer fit.
Top eight
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SOUTHAMPTON
The Saints went into freefall when Glenn Hoddle was replaced as manager by Stuart Gray at the end of last season. But their move to the new 30,000 St Mary's Stadium could provide them with the inspiration they need to stay up.
Prediction: Survival, just
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SUNDERLAND
The Black Cats are sure to be as difficult to play as ever, but the question is whether they have the class to qualify for Europe. The answer is, Kevin Phillips apart, probably not.
Prediction: Just outside top six
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TOTTENHAM
Set to put the acrimony and disappointment of last season behind them. Hoddle is the manager the fans wanted and in Poyet, Ziege and Sheringham, he has made some excellent signings.
Prediction: Uefa Cup spot
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WEST HAM
Glenn Roeder faces a battle to win the fans, and maybe his players, over. He has struggled to attract the names he wanted to Upton Park and reluctantly sold Frank Lampard and Stuart Pearce.
Prediction: Relegation
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