Chelsea
Chelsea are not the only team near the top of the table, but there is a feeling that the Blues have stood still this summer, depsite the additions of Brazilian midfielder Ramires and Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool.
Benayoun will be no more than a squad player and Ramires may take time to adapt to English football.
Furthermore, the departures of Joe Cole and Ricardo Carvalho, nevermind the continued unhappiness of Ashley Cole, can only harm the champions.
A susceptibility at the back was offset by a flurry of goals last season but if John Terry and Petr Cech continue their decline do not expect an ageing squad to perform such heroics again.
Prediction: 2nd
Everton
Desite a slow start, including a 6-1 home defeat to Arsenal, Everton narrowly missed out on a European place last season.
In fact, aside from Chelsea and Manchester United, they were the top points scorers in the second half of the season.
Furthermore, the retention of Steven Pienaar and, in particular, Mikel Arteta can only strenghen David Moyes' hand.
Without the cloud of Joleon Lescott that hung over the Toffees at the beginning of last season and if they can steer clear of the debilitating injuries that disrupted them last term then expect Everton to fly and push for a Champions League place.
Prediction: 6th
Fulham
Despite what was widely recognised as a successful season last term, mainly due to their Europa League exploits, Fulham finished the domestic season limply, ending up 12th after being in the top half for most of the campaign.
The loss of manager Roy Hodgson, who was described by owner Mohammed Al Fayed as a "Bugger", cannot be underestimated.
Nevertheless, incoming head coach Mark Hughes should be able to steady the ship. Whether that will be enough to convince goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer that he should stay at Craven Cottage is another question entirely.
Prediction: 12th
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