(Last season position and incumbent manager in brackets)

Leeds (1^st: Howard Wilkinson)
The signing of David Rocastle and the guile of Eric Cantona should ensure another successful season. However, they need to pace themselves – with Europe a possible distraction.

Man Utd (2^nd: Alex Ferguson) 
Having blown the title when it was there for the taking last season, a lot will depend on how they respond. Ryan Giggs and Andre Kanchelskis will give defences plenty to think about. Should be there-or-thereabouts.

Sheff Wed (3^rd: Trevor Francis player/manager) 
The signing of Chris Waddle is an undoubted coup for the Owls, and he could provide David Hirst and the fast emerging talent of Chris Bart-Williams with plenty to feed off.

Arsenal (4^th: George Graham)
Popular favourites – with a strong squad and a relentless goalscorer in Ian Wright. The signing of John Jensen should toughen the midfield.

Man City (5^th: Peter Reid player/manager)
A talented squad, but with an ageing engine room of Peter Reid and Steve McMahon. Shouldn’t struggle but at the same time not the stuff of champions.

Liverpool (6^th: Graeme Souness)
Still going through what seems a turbulent transition. Injuries have played a major part and they start the season missing John Barnes. Unlikely to challenge, though Ian Rush and new signing Paul Stewart may offer plenty up front.

Aston Villa (7^th: Ron Atkinson)
They will certainly entertain – with the likes of Tony Daley and Dwight Yorke. Ray Houghton adds another dimension, but much will depend on Paul McGrath’s knees, and how they hold up.

Nottingham F. (8^th: Brian Clough)
No questioning the talent of midfielders Roy Keane and Scot Gemmill, plus the attacking verve of Nigel Clough and the goalscoring potential of Teddy Sherringham. Des Walker though could be a crucial loss.

Sheff Utd (9^th: Dave Bassett)
A hard working unit with Brian Deane leading the attack. Should survive but consistency may be a sticking point.

Crystal Palace (10^th: Steve Coppell)
Capable of beating anybody on their day, but a relatively small first team squad to chose from. John Salako’s return from a lengthy injury should help.

QPR (11^th: Gerry Francis)
Will be looking to build on the second half of last season where they lost only four times in their last twenty-five games. Ray Wilkins will orchestrate from midfield, and Les Ferdinand will supply the goal power.

Everton (12^th: Howard Kendall) 
Another season of neat football but potential mediocrity beckons with no major new signings. Still a diminutive attack featuring Peter Beardsley, Mo Johnson and Tony Cottee, though Paul Rideout adds a bit of presence.

Wimbledon (13^th: Joe Kinnear)
A Joe Kinnear team will always give anybody a run-for-their-money. The signing of Dean Holdsworth will lend valuable support to goalscorer-in-chief John Fashanu, and a well-drilled defence should keep them in good stead for the season.

Chelsea (14^th: Ian Porterfield)
New signings Robert Fleck and Mick Harford give the attack a robust look, and with Andy Townsend providing the guile in midfield, they will be looking to consolidate. The addition of Don Howe to the coaching staff should also pay dividends in terms of organisation.

Spurs (15^th: Doug Livermore)
The departures of both Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker would take the magic out of any team. Added to that, the loss of Paul Stewart begs the question of where the goals are going to come from. They have signed a ‘provider’ in Darren Anderton, and added a bit of resilience in the shape of Neil Ruddock – but a goalscorer is what they desperately need.

Southampton (16^th: Ian Branfoot)
Even with the likes of Matt Le Tissier in their ranks, the brand of football served-up last season was never really pleasing – even to their own fans. Losing Alan Shearer, Neil Ruddock and Barry Horne could be crucial, despite the arrival of Kerry Dixon and David Speedie.

Oldham (17^th: Joe Royle)
The defence may still be leaky, but only Arsenal found the net more times at home last season, and once again they will be looking to their form at Boundary Park to keep them out of the relegation mire.

Norwich (18^th: Mike Walker)
Having lost seven of their last eight games last season, they will want to be quick out of the blocks this term. Often seen as a selling club, Robert Fleck has been replaced up-front by Mark Robins – and the experienced Gary Megson has arrived to bolster the midfield.

Coventry (19^th: Bobby Gould) 
There is no reason to believe that they wont spend yet another season battling relegation. But the appointment of Bobby Gould should add some extra backs-to-the-wall drama. Kevin Gallacher’s goals and a sturdy defence appear to be their main hope of survival.

Ipswich (Promoted: John Lyall / Mick McGiven)
They won promotion playing the kind of canny football that one would expect from a John Lyall team, and will look to the experience of veterans John Wark and Paul Goddard to help calm the nerves.

Middlesbrough (Promoted: Lennie Lawrence)
The manager is an old hand at top-flight survival – having achieved success with Charlton in the past. He will look to Paul Wilkinson and John Hendrie to provide the firepower.

Blackburn (Promoted: Kenny Dalglish)
They need to gel as a team following Jack Walker’s huge investment in the squad. The signings of Alan Shearer and Stuart Ripley should, theoretically, give them plenty of attacking and goalscoring scope.