Saturday 8 August 2015 11:33, UK
The 2015/16 football season kicks off this weekend – and you can warm-up for the new campaign with our comprehensive guide to the Premier League and Football League teams.
Below you’ll find links to Premier League team profiles, complete with all the transfer news, statistics, pundit views and odds on each club.
We also have a in-depth look at which teams and players could be making headlines in the Championship, League One and League Two over the coming months.
Arsene Wenger’s side have been tipped to mount a serious title tilt this season, with new signing Petr Cech adding Premier League-winning experience to the Gunners’ improving squad. Arsenal were the in-form team in the second half of the 2014/15 season – can they maintain that level for an entire campaign?
Aston Villa finished just three points above the relegation zone last season and the sale of star players Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph will have come as a blow to the club’s supporters. However, boss Tim Sherwood will hope that, after a full pre-season working with his squad, he can inspire them to a more successful campaign.
Eddie Howe sensationally led Bournemouth to the Championship title last season. Can the south coast club maintain their attractive – and effective – style of play when they come up against the heavyweights of the Premier League?
Premier League champions Chelsea will start the 2015/16 season as favourites to clinch the title once again. No team has retained the Premier League title since Manchester United in 2008/09 but Jose Mourinho will hope his side can end that streak. A return to form of on-loan Radamel Falcao could be key.
Alan Pardew appears to have the magic touch at the moment. The former Newcastle boss arrived at Selhurst Park mid-season in 2014/15 and not only steered Palace away from the drop zone but led them to their highest-ever Premier League finish. The former Palace player has also been able to snap up Yohan Cabaye and secure the on-loan services of Chelsea’s highly-rated Patrick Bamford this summer. What can Pardew and Palace achieve this term?
Everton endured a frustrating 2014/15 season, when they failed to build on their fifth-place finish from the year before and, after flirting with the relegation zone, ending the campaign in 11th. Roberto Martinez will expect better this time around. Could Tom Cleverley and Gerard Deulofeu provide the creativity they need?
Nigel Pearson’s reward for inspiring Leicester’s stunning escape from the relegation zone last season was a mid-summer dismissal. Claudio Ranieri has taken over the reins but will face a similarly tough task, given Japan striker Shinji Okazaki has been the only major addition to date.
Brendan Rodgers has been busy in the summer transfer window, adding the likes of Christian Benteke, James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Nathaniel Clyne and Danny Ings to his ranks, following a disappointing 2014/15 campaign. The Reds were unable to build on their second-place finish of the previous year and, following the departure of club legend Steven Gerrard, will be looking for new heroes to ignite their bid for a top-four finish.
Manchester City season preview
Manuel Pellegrini came under pressure at the end of last season following Manchester City’s failure to retain their Premier League crown or make any headway in the Champions League, but the Chilean held onto his job and will set out to prove his doubters wrong in 2015/16. The expensive recruitment of Raheem Sterling indicates City are eager to step up their title challenge this time around – but can they return to top spot?
Manchester United season preview
For the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down, Manchester United could be realistic Premier League title contenders again in 2015/16. However, Louis van Gaal will need this season’s summer recruits – including rising Dutch star Memphis Depay, Germany stalwart Bastian Schweinsteiger and talented Frenchman Morgan Schneiderlin – to deliver. With Falcao, Robin van Persie and – seemingly – Angel di Maria out of the exit door, Wayne Rooney will be key.
Newcastle United season preview
It’s all change at Newcastle. After a disastrous second half to last season which nearly saw the team relegated under John Carver, following Alan Pardew’s departure, Steve McClaren has been tasked with rebuilding the squad. Eredivisie title winner Georginio Wijnaldum should bolster the midfield, while Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic arrives after an impressive season for Anderlecht. But can the 2015/16 crop appease the frustrated fanbase?
After one season in the Championship, Norwich are back in the Premier League thanks to a play-off final victory over Middlesbrough. Alex Neil – who had a stunning impact after arriving mid-season last term – may be inexperienced when it comes to managing in England’s top flight but he’s recruited players with Premier League know-how in Graham Dorrans, Youssouf Mulumbu and Robbie Brady, while Andre Wisdom – on-loan from Liverpool – will have a big part to play.
Southampton silenced their doubters last season, finishing seventh after a summer which had seen them lose many of their key players. Ronald Koeman will have to accommodate for the loss of Clyne and Schneiderlin this time around – as well as the addition of Europa League football – but, as they showed last year, Southampton cannot be underestimated.
Mark Hughes is re-branding Stoke as a footballing team and the summer arrivals of Barcelona’s Ibrahim Afellay, one-time Real Madrid striker Joselu and Chelsea’s creative youngster Marco van Ginkel suggest attractive football will be on the menu for the Britannia faithful in 2015/16. Fellow new recruits Glen Johnson and Shay Given add invaluable Premier League experience.
Dick Advocaat was the hero for Sunderland last season, rescuing their Premier League status in the final weeks of the campaign after taking over from Gus Poyet. The Dutchman back-tracked on a decision to walk away from the Stadium of Light in the summer – but could the Black Cats be in for another season of struggles? Star striker Jermain Defoe could be key to their hopes of swerving another relegation dogfight.
After an eighth-place finish last season, hopes will be high in south Wales that Swansea can replicate their impressive 2014/15 campaign, with the prospect of European football no doubt on their radar. Just one win in five pre-season games may not be ideal preparation for Garry Monk’s men but new signing Andre Ayew has found the net and the recruit from Marseille could prove to be an exciting addition.
Tottenham Hotspur season preview
Mauricio Pochettino has bolstered his defence this summer, with the signings of Kevin Wimmer, Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld – but will they be able to give Spurs the platform to push on for a top four place? Given the strength of the four teams which featured above them last time – plus the summer spending at Liverpool – it would seem Spurs have a battle on their hands. No doubt star striker Harry Kane will relish the challenge.
Watford missed out on the Championship title on the final day of last season – but, nonetheless, their opening fixture back in the top flight, against Everton, will be a sweet moment for Hornets supporters. Quique Sanchez Flores has become the club’s sixth manager in two years, despite Slavisa Jokanovic’s efforts last season, and 11 new signings have been made to date. Can this new-look Watford survive among the big boys?
West Bromwich Albion season preview
After steering West Brom to safety last season, Tony Pulis is targeting a long, successful spell in charge at the Hawthorns. Rickie Lambert could prove to be a shrewd signing, following his disappointing time at Liverpool, and a strike pairing of the former Southampton man and Saido Berahino has the potential to be productive. Fellow new additions James McClean and James Chester strengthen the Albion squad.
West Ham United season preview
West Ham and new boss Slaven Bilic have started their season early due to their involvement in the Europa League, and should be match-sharp come the start of the Premier League campaign. Attacking midfielder Dimitri Payet could excite, but the fitness of Andy Carroll – when he returns in October - could be key to whether West Ham struggle or prosper this season.
Play-off final losers Middlesbrough and Derby – under the management of former Real Madrid coach Paul Clement – are among the favourites for the Championship crown. However, QPR, Burnley and Hull will all be seeking an immediate return to the top flight.
Could this be Sheffield United’s year? With Nigel Adkins at the helm, the Blades are tipped to finally end their League One stay and win promotion to the Championship. However, both Wigan and Millwall are among the bookies’ favourites to challenge them for the promotion places.
Portsmouth are hot favourites for the League Two title, as the former Premier League side aim to make their way back up through the divisions. Luton will also be eyeing a strong campaign and targeting League One football. But which teams face a fight against the drop into non-league?
