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The Premier League season for 2015/2016 kicks off in less than a month and with most clubs being busy throughout the transfer window, we're all set for another pulsating year of exciting football.
With new players, managers and personnel, we'll take a look and predict who will finish in the top four this year. Let us know if you agree!
Editor’s Note: be sure to check out all of our articles, and read more about English Premier League (EPL, BPL) fantasy analysis and European football news.
Champions (#1) - Manchester City
As it stands, it's looking increasingly likely for a Premier League crowning for Manchester City. They finished eight points behind Chelsea last year (though the Blues already had the title secured so dropped off a bit) but they really could have challenged them all the way if they weren't inconsistent.
After all, they showed their quality by being level on points with Jose Mourinho's men at the start of 2015 despite initially being miles behind.
With rejuvenating additions like Raheem Sterling (who should bring a new dimension to their attack), Fabian Delph and potentially even more game changing signings like Paul Pogba or Kevin de Bruyne, there's no reason why Manuel Pellegrini can't win a second league title in three seasons.
Another reason City fans should be hopeful is the fact that Yaya Toure is remaining at the Etihad Stadium. The Ivorian might be 32-years-old but is still a key player and one of the best midfielders in the league and his staying at the club could be absolutely crucial.
Runner Up (#2) - Chelsea
So who would finish runners up? Chelsea. They impressed everyone last season by storming to the league title but it was pretty much because everyone else were poor. Arsenal started the season too late, United were in transition while City were just inconsistent.
The fact is, Chelsea shouldn't have had it so easy and they will struggle to get a clear path to retaining their title next season. As of now, no huge signings have been brought in and if it remains this way, Chelsea really don't have much hope of a second consecutive title if all their rivals continue to strengthen.
However, that could all change if the recent reports linking the Blues to the likes of Barcelona’s Pedro and Everton’s John Stones grow stronger.
Arsenal, Manchester United (#3, 4)
As for third and fourth, Arsenal and Manchester United should occupy them respectively. Arsenal finished the 2013/2014 season strong and with the addition of Petr Cech, should be even stronger defensively.
However, they need a striker and a defensive midfielder to really mount any title challenge and if Arsene Wenger doesn't reinforce in these areas, it looks like it'll be another season of a top four finish.
It would certainly be a shame if he didn't as this season is possibly his best chance of ending the Gunners' league drought where they've failed to win the title since their last triumph in 2004.
Now Manchester United finishing fourth may be controversial - they've made a flurry of signings including Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Matteo Darmian and Memphis Depay. However, Robin van Persie has departed the club while it looks increasingly likely that David de Gea will as well.
As huge as those signings are, United will also be losing important players and it'll end up being another season of transition - after all, they bought many impressive players last summer as well while most of their current incomings are from outside England so will need time to adapt.
This will of course, put pressure on Louis van Gaal, considering how much he's spent since joining the club last summer but he really does require at least one more season following the upcoming one to truly bear the fruits of his labor.
So our prediction of the top four is the same as the one in 2014/2015, with Chelsea and Manchester City swapping places. Do you agree? Let us know in the comments!
Note: Predictions made based on the current signings at the time of writing.
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