1. Manchester City
I really hate putting this team of bastards up here, but they are the defending champions. They've had a really surprisingly quiet summer, aside from the constant will they won't they talk, namely about RvP. The only player they've bought is Jack Rodwell, who for some stupid reason calls this his dream move(I bet if they didn't have the billions of bucks he wouldn't be saying that). Balotelli has apparently spent most of his summer in clubs aside from being Italy's best player at Euro 2012, while Nasri continues to drag his name and reputation through the mud. Honestly nothing has really changed about this club, it's still a bunch of good, yet overpaid, players who let their egos get the best of them. The clubs only significant move came in the form of contract extensions for Roberto Mancini and Vincent Kompany, who happens to be the only City player I respect. The key for this club lies in keeping their ego's in check, namely Balotelli. At one point last season, before their turnaround, they were fighting over who would take a free kick. If the club keeps their mouths shut and focus on playing like what City's rich as hell owners pay them, they can repeat. I doubt that cause in my mind, Balotelli's a ticking time bomb still, I'm still trying to figure out what's going through Tevez's brain(complaining about being treated like a dog 1 minute, and then being all lovey dovey the next), Dzeko has apparently become fed up with being a bench player, and Nasri is still trying to fight with Arsenal fans over justifying his transfer. In reality, I think this club's gonna need another crazy finish to repeat as champions, but they're still the favorites.
2. Arsenal
I know I'm gonna catch a lot of slack for this, but quite frankly this makes sense. Arsenal in my opinion is the most improved team even without RvP in the lineup. Wenger finally spent cash and although he didn't break the bank, he bought quality players. Santi Cazorla is no doubt the biggest signing of Arsenal's offseason, he was arguably one of the top players in Spain and when you look at the difference of Villareal and Malaga's last two seasons (Villareal from 4th to relegated and Malaga from 11th to 4th) he can be very influential. Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud will probably now have to have a baptism by fire with the departure of RvP though Podolski is sounding like he's ready for the challenge. I think the key for Arsenal's season is staying healthy, some of Arsenal's players have had injury concerns and last season at one point Arsenal's defence was stretched tissue paper thin and it showed. If Arsenal can keep it's players healthy and avoid a repeat of the horror start of last season, this finish isn't beyond their reach, and even contending for the title would be plausible.
3. Manchester United
I was really tempted to put Man U #2, but one thing kept me from it, health concerns. Before RvP's transfer I wouldn't have any trouble putting Arsenal #2, but Van Persie does still have that suspect injury record and Vidic is just coming back from his own injury. Man U's defensive issues have been masked by the attcking threat. Man U's only real notable acquisition before Van Persie was Shinji Kagawa, who hasn't been that out there in terms of exposure. That was mainly due to his inclusion on a Borrusia Dortmund team that is extremely well run by Jurgen Klopp, most of the players don't stand out on that squad because they play so well together, like they're 1 team and not 11 individuals. In truth, Man U's key to the season is really the same thing they've been doing, relying on Fergie's leadership. They actually have a better chance of winning the league than Arsenal and appear to be the one to challenge City, but if something goes wrong, such as injuries, 3rd place is definitely a possibilty.
4. Chelsea
While Chelsea did make the biggest transfer in acquiring Eden Hazard. But at the same time, they lost quite possibly their best player in Didier Drogba. Fernando Torres had a good finish to last year and Euro 2012 was probably the best he's been since he signed with Chelsea, but he's still wildly inconsistant. Aside from that, who else could they use as a striker? Another thing is that impatient owner, I think if a manager makes it through a whole year with Chelsea should get an award. More importantly, how long can Roberto Di Matteo rely on that defense that was the main reason for their Champions League title. If their new players adjust quickly and Torres continues his Euro 2012 form, I think they can challenge for the title. But on the flip side, Hazard cannot keep make bonehead moves like the failed backheel and if Torres falls back into his "take open shots into the upper deck" form this might be another failed EPL season.
5. Tottenham Hotspur
No true striker, that's all I'm seeing when I look at Spurs. Last year they had loanees Louis Saha and Emmanuel Adabayor but both have returned to their parent clubs, with Spurs still attempting to secure Adabayor on a permanent move. Couple that with Modric's pending departure and Spurs are sitting in no man's land. The signing of Jan Vertonghen may have improved the defense somewhat, but it will do nothing to help if the offense isn't improved on. Last year I was thinking they were a player or two short of a true title challenge, this year if Modric does leave, and he seems to be getting more frustrated with Levy's stubbornness with the move, they could be 1 or 2 players short of a Top 4 finish at the very least.
6. Newcastle United
The surprise team of last year who I believe has some staying power, namely due to Cisse and Ba. If those two can be in form at the same time they could be in major contention for Top 4 and maybe even a title challenge(that all depends on if they make any more moves).
7. Liverpool
They haven't really done much. Really, all Liverpool's done this offseason is be linked with numerous players. Joe Allen and Fabio Borini are the only done deals and that in my mind is only good enough to push them past Merseyside rivals Everton. If they get more deals done they could push further up the ladder.
Relegation
18. West Bromwich Albion
This is a really close one, I was stuck between West Brom, Villa, QPR and Southampton, but I think the departure of Roy Hodgson will be too tough to handle for them.
19. Norwich City
Unfortunately the second season syndrome hits Norwich the hardest. Sadly this club is fairly exciting.
20. Wigan
This club will run out of rabbits to pull out of their hat. This club should have been relegated last year but somehow survived, but luck doesn't last forever.
FA Cup - Arsenal
Capital One Cup - Newcastle United
Top Transfer- Santi Cazorla (Was a shining star in the other 18 teams of La Liga)
Golden Boot- Sergio Aguero (The only player who truely deserves what he's paid on City)
Biggest Team Improvement- Arsenal
Biggest Team Drop- West Brom (10th to 18th, just one more spot than Norwich)
First Manager Sacked- Roberto Di Matteo (When was the last time a Chelsea manager made it through a full season?)
I waited to see when and if the RvP deal would be completed before I finished this. RvP to Man United got my brain thinking about the predictions I was contemplating and it became extremely tough to put Arsenal ahead of Man U, but I couldn't bring myself not to do it. Van Persie's suspect injury record was the main selling point to keep Man U 3rd. If he stays healthy for the majority of the season, then they'd definitely could finish above Arsenal, hell I'd even say they'd be in prime contention to win the league. The fact of the matter is that Man U struggled at points last season when they normally wouldn't. As for Chelsea, it could have been really easy to put them Top 3, but they bought players they wanted, not players they needed. Spurs, it's about the deals they haven't done. Newcastle, can they keep up. Liverpool, it's practically been all talk from them this summer they've been a part of more rumors than facts.