Preseason Musings: Arsenal - Crystal Palace

Arsenal

Key Player: Aaron Ramsey - If the Welshman can continue his form from last season over into this, he'll likely be pushing for PFA Player of the Year awards. Far eclipsing his midfield counterpart Jack Wilshire, for whom this season will likely be make or break, Ramsey is a threat going fowards, as well as being a steady head defensively.

The future of Arsenal's defence?

Best Signing: Calum Chambers - Signed from Southampton in July, heads spun at the £16m fee paid for the youngster. However, his preseason performances at centre back for the Gunners have proved that he could well be a reliable backup to Mertesacker and Koscielny, as well as at his more natural right back position behind fellow new boy Mathieu Debuchy. This spot would have gone to Alexis Sanchez, but for the fact that Arsenal are spoilt for choice in attacking midfield.

Season Prediction: I see them getting past Besiktas with relative ease in the Champions League, and having won the Community Shield yesterday against a below-par Manchester City, I can see Arsenal's winning mentality returning. With many hungry young players in the squad, and a spine of players key to their success, Arsenal have all the makings of a very strong team, who could push for the title a long way into the season.

Last Season - 4th

This Season - 3rd

Aston Villla

Key Player: Christian Benteke - Having stormed onto the Premier League scene in 2012/13, the big-bodied Belgian managed only 11 goals in an injury-shortened campaign last year. He will no doubt be looking to bounce back this year and continue his partnership with Austrian Andi Weimann. When those two are on form, Aston Villa look more dangerous than a club that seems almost destined to flirt with relegation.

More of the same, please, Mr. Benteke

Best Signing: Kieran Richardson - Having not made many signings, Villa seem to be relying mostly on the squad they had last season. Richardson, however, is a player with experience who will bring versatility to a relatively young squad. Playing anywhere down the left side, he has a great left foot, and could provide assists from free kicks and corners.

Season Prediction: 15th last season will have disappointed many Villa fans who hoped to kick on from the previous campaign and push for top half finishes. Having not added much to the squad, Villa could again be looking at a scrap with relegation, although I imagine there will be a number of teams worse off than the Villans come the end of the season.

Last Season - 15th

This Season - 15th

Burnley

Key Player: Danny Ings - The Winchester-born frontman has had his fair share of injuries in his short career thus far, but he'll be hoping to put all that behind him as he starts in the top flight alongside Sam Vokes in what was one of the most potent partnerships in the Championship last season. The two strikers both have a well rounded game, and compliment each other very well. Burnley will need goals early and often from these two to have any chance of staying up.

Ings - an all round good egg

Best Signing: Matt Taylor - Having left West Ham after his contract expired at the end of last year, Taylor signed on with Burnley, and looks to be a shrewd piece of business by Eddie Howe and his team. Capable of playing left-back, holding midfield, or in a left wing role, Taylor is always full of running and is never afraid to put a foot in, not to mention the fact that he still has the ability to score from 40+ yards.

Season Prediction: In a similar vein to Blackpool a few years ago, I think Burnley will be the most entertaining team to watch from the promoted sides. Eddie Howe will set them up well, and they'll no doubt be well drilled. That said, they have a fairly young squad with players like Trippier, Ings, Vokes and Heaton who are all capable of playing for bigger clubs, and I fear they may lose one or two of those names in January. Even so, squad depth is an issue, and I can see Burnley just falling short in the last few weeks of the season.

Last Season - 2nd (Champ)

This Season - 19th

Chelsea

Key Player: Eden Hazard - As we all know, Chelsea are stacked full of talent. So much so, that they have over 40 players out on loan at any onetime. This makes it difficult to choose one single player to highlight, however, Eden Hazard showed for large portions of last year why he will be a superstar for years to come. On occasion last season, Hazard would take the game by the scruff of the neck, and not let go until he'd wrung the life out of the opposition with his pace and trickery. Look for more this season from the little Belgian wizard as he continues to shine.

Ooft, take that!

Best Signing: Diego Costa - Ever since Dider Drogba left Chelsea, the Blues have lacked a certain je ne sais quoi up front. They tried with Torres, but bless him, he can't hit a barn door with a banjo. They kind of gave Demba Ba a go, before giving up on him far too early. They never even gave Romelu Lukaku a sniff. Costa could well be the missing link for Mourinho in his search for the Premier League. I have no doubt that his form will far exceed his showing from the World Cup and he will fast become a favourite at the Bridge.

Season Prediction: Costa and Fabregas bring quality and depth to a classy Chelsea team, now devoid of defensive liabilities after cashing in on David Luiz, and Thibaut Courtois will continue to push Manuel Neuer for the title of "World's Greatest Goalkeeper". With the majority of the team staying on from last season, and some quality new players being brought in, Chelsea could well be the real deal this season.

Last Season - 2nd
This Season - Champions

Crystal Palace

Key Player: Mile Jedinak - When looking for the definition of the word "talisman", you need search no further than the Australian captain nestled in South London. Jedinak's work rate and desire saw him often pull the team through tough games on his own last season. His steel will and determination is something that the fans at Selhurst Park admire, and unsurprisingly, he's a firm favourite. A gritty player who would benefit any side outside the Top 6, Jedinak seems to have found his spiritual home.

Jedinak. Enjoying life south of the river.

Best Signing: Brede Hangeland - While much has been made about the signing of Frazier Campbell from Cardiff, teams like Palace must always ensure they are strong at the back. Getting hold of Hangeland on a free is a magnificent piece of business by Tony Pulis. The 6'5" Norse god is only a couple of years removed from being in the conversation as one of the best in the league, and will add much needed depth and quality to a backline which until recently boasted Danny Gabbidon as one of it's members. Hangeland should be able to ensure that Palace legend Julian Speroni is not as busy as last year.

Season Prediction: It's well documented that I am not a fan of Crystal Palace. Nor am I a fan of Tony Pulis. That said, I have to admire the way the two work together, scrapping away and coming out of games with points where points should not be got (Liverpool at home, anyone?). This year, having maintained much the same squad, Palace will be looking to consolidate their position in the league by keeping it tight at the back, and pouncing when given the chance. They may have a touch of second season syndrome, but should still have enough to stay up with room to spare.

Last Season - 11th

This Season - 13th