Slater's EPL team-by-team guide

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Robbie Slater is tipping Man City to reach the summit of English football this season. Source: Paul Ellis / AFP

FORMER Socceroo Robbie Slater looks at every team ahead of the start of the 2013/14 English Premier League season:

ARSENAL
A lot of money, a lot of talk and no signings. Welcome to the Arsenal Gonners – they're always gonna do something. I see plenty of goals with Cazorla, Walcott and Podolski. Suarez would also add goalscoring bite if he signs on. But defence – isn't that what you sit on?
Prediction: A lot of goals

ASTON VILLA
Brett Holman took the soft option by leaving the Villans after one difficult year in the Premier League. He should have stuck it out and I'm disappointed because I really rate him. Manager Paul Lambert is already under pressure. Christian Benteke is a rising star.
Prediction: Survival fight

CARDIFF CITY
Can't wait for the Welsh derby against Swansea. Talk about passion, this will be off the charts. Craig Bellamy is their big name and new man Andreas Cornelius was a proven goalscorer in Denmark. First shot at the Premier League and they should enjoy it while it lasts.
Prediction: A short stay

CHELSEA

The Special One is loved by everyone – even himself. Having Jose Mourinho back in London spices things up. Expect big things from Eden Hazard. There is the Aussie factor in Mark Schwarzer. At the very least, our keeper will face some great strikers at training.
Prediction: Title challenge

CRYSTAL PALACE
Ian Holloway has been trying to sign Mark Milligan to partner another Aussie, Mile Jedinak, in the midfield. London's new Kangaroo Court, perhaps. Their Selhurst Park ground is a step back in time to the quaint history of London football.
Prediction: Aussies rule

EVERTON

A dour Scotsman in David Moyes has been replaced by the more adventurous Roberto Martinez, who likes to build his teams from a back three. Marouane Fellaini has big hair and a big game and they have to keep him.
Prediction: More entertainment, less results

FULHAM
With Schwarzer moving on, it places huge pressure on Maarten Stekelenburg, but the Dutchman is a class keeper and has played under Martin Jol before. A scrappy team living in the shadow of London's big three – Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham. Mid-table at best.
Prediction: Jol to feel the heat

HULL
Steve Bruce is back in the top flight as manager and it's great to see. Yannick Sagbo arrives from Evian with high expectations. Bruce hopes he can emulate the instant success Benteke had with Aston Villa. It's a big ask, but the goals have to come from somewhere and he's the man.
Prediction: Relegation battle

LIVERPOOL
Brendan Rodgers will be expected to return them to the Champions League. Iago Aspas looks great. Kolo Toure brings experience. But then we get to Luis Suarez: with him they can be top four, without him it's another tough season.
Prediction: Suarez walks . . . alone

MANCHESTER CITY
I can't see anyone stopping them. The challenge for Manuel Pellegrini is fitting all the egos in the same dressing shed. Four major signings – Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo, Stevan Jovetic – at more than 90 million quid builds on a powerful squad.
Prediction: Moneyball

MANCHESTER UNITED
The David Moyes era is likely to start by being second best in his own town. Following Sir Alex Ferguson will be tough. The Wayne Rooney stand-off has been disconcerting and there have been no new signings of note. If Robin van Persie is injured, look out.
Prediction: A blue year

NEWCASTLE
The big club that never seems to win anything. I'd have Alan Pardew equal favourite with Paul Lambert as the first manager to get fired. The talent is there, just not sure about the character.

Prediction: Underachievers

NORWICH

The Canaries have bought well. Gary Hooper from Celtic is a really good player and they have added Ricky van Wolfswinkel from Sporting Lisbon and Leroy Fer from FC Twente.
Prediction: Mid-table

SOUTHAMPTON
A good, stable team. Have signed Victor Wanyama from Celtic for a record 12 million quid. He will be the first Kenyan to play in the Premier League. A nice touch.
Prediction: Mid-table

STOKE
Long balls are out with Mark Hughes replacing Tony Pulis as manager. Rory Delap is gone, too, so no more long throws for Peter Crouch. Hughes will introduce more intricacy and fluidity in a year that could define his managerial career.
Prediction: Solid season

Sunderland
They have some class in Stephane Sessegnon and James McLean, but this club has over-promised and under-delivered in recent years. Manager Paolo Di Canio is eccentric (some might say odd-ball), but he has been busy in the marketplace.
Prediction: A wild ride

SWANSEA
The Welsh club will be good again. They haven't missed a beat since Michael Laudrup replaced Brendan Rodgers as manager. Wilfred Bony arrives with the reputation as the next Drogba, his idol. If he's half as good, look out.
Prediction: Europa League  hope

TOTTENHAM
The off-season has been all about Gareth Bale, but Spurs are no one-man band. Roberto Soldado is a brilliant get from Valencia, where he scored 59 goals in 101 games. Paulinho is also a big star. Have the chance to add more big names.
Prediction: Soldado to shine

WEST BROM
My gut feeling is the Baggies will do all right this season. Why? I have no idea. West Brom always punch above their weight. Romelu Lukaku's 17 goals will be hard to cover as he returns to Chelsea.
Prediction: Top half

WEST HAM UNITED
Will the Hammers get the Newcastle version of Andy Carroll or the Liverpool version? They have broken the bank to sign the striker and he will have to score 15-20 goals to make it a decent investment. Sam Allardyce could be another big story. He has never been a fan favourite.
Prediction: Firing squad is taking aim

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