After a long, wet summer mindlessly watching cricket, tennis and golf the moment everyone has been waiting for has arrived: the start of the football season. This is the time of year that even the most pessimistic of fans are dreaming of a European place or a long cup run over the coming months. After last years thrilling season expectations have never been higher for what could be a terrific year of football. Here at rE-View we are going to analyze each team and predict how the season will pan out.

Arsenal. The loss of Thierry Henry may be a major blow to Arsenals hopes of challenging for the title but with the talent at Arsene Wenger's disposal they will still comfortable qualify for the Champions League. Eduardo da Silva has been given the job of replacing Henry and he will have to adapt quickly as Arsenal cannot afford to lose too much ground too quickly to the top three. A new batch of youngsters is ready to challenge for a place in the first team in the form of Nicklas Bendtner, Jay Simpson and Francisco Merida. Another transitional season beckons for the Gunners but they are not far away from mounting a serious title challenge.

Key Player: Cesc Fabregas Prediction: 4th

Aston Villa - It has been a quiet summer for Aston Villa in the transfer market. Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood are solid but unspectacular signings. With the loss of six first team players over the summer they might not have the strength in depth to qualify for Europe but they have the ability to up there at the end of the season.

Key Player: Gareth Barry Prediction: 8th

Birmingham City - Birmingham will look to re-instate themselves as a competitive Premiership side once again after a year's absence. Anyone who saw Birmingham's dismantling of Newcastle at St. James's Park in the F.A. Cup last year will know of the talent Birmingham have. Players like Carlos Jerome and Gary McSheffrey have looked quality players in the Championship and will both now be looking to make the step up to top flight football. Birmingham could be as successful as Reading were last season if injuries go their way, but they are more likely to avoid the drop with games to spare.

Key Player: Gary McSheffrey Prediction: 16th

Blackburn Rovers - Another who have been quiet in the transfer market but they have kept the team that finished 10th last year. On their day they are a match for any team in the league but inconsistency has dented hopes or Europe in recent years. This could well be the year they take that final step but they must keep hold of Benni McCarthy for the season. Expect them to come close but narrowly miss out again.

Key Player: Benni McCarthy Prediction: 9th

Bolton Wanderers - The loss of Sam Allardyce is a major factor for Bolton. He had the expertise to spot weaknesses in the opposition and then devised plans to expose these. Whether or not Sammy Lee and his backroom staff can continue this method remains to be seen. Also, Allardyce got the best out of Nicolas Anelka and El-Hadji Diouf which Lee will need to repeat if Bolton are going to challenge for Europe again.. The loss of Tal Ben Haim leaves a gap in the defence that will need to be dealt with. Will still be difficult at the Reebok but will not break into Europe this year.

Key Player: Kevin Nolan Prediction: 10th

Chelsea - Compared to the other Abramovich funded summers, it has been a quiet time for Chelsea in the transfer market. However, those they have signed are magnificent additions to the squad. Florent Malouda will give them the width they lacked at times last season whilst Steve Sidwell, Tal Ben Haim and Claudio Pizzaro adds more depth to a squad that came unstuck by injuries last season. I they can keep injury free they may have too much for the rest of the division and Abramovich will demand success in all competitions.

Key Player: John Terry Prediction: 1st

Derby County - Derby produced wonders to get to the premiership and have boosted their chances of getting a second year at the top level with the signings of Robert Earnshaw and Tyrone Mears. Both have experience at this level but will need to raise their performances this time around if Derby are to survive. Midfielder David Jones looks a bright prospect in the centre of midfield and will relish finally being able to broadcast his talents at this stage. Winger Giles Barnes is tipped as an international star if the future and will look to unsettle as many Premiership defenders as possible. Derby have the team spirit to stay up, but they lack the quality to survive.

Key Player: David Jones Prediction: 19th

Everton - David Moyes has found transfer funds hard to come by this summer but he has managed to sign utility man Phil Jagielka. Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta, Manuel Fernandes and Lee Carsley looks a formidable midfield which will need to be on fire to propel Everton into the European places once more.,p>

Key Player: Tim Cahill Prediction: 7th

Fulham - Lawrie Sanchez has signed no less than four former Northern Ireland colleagues as he attempts to keep Fulham in the Premiership again. Sanchez has been the only manager who has managed to produce dazzling performances from David Healy and he will look to do this again at club level. Sanchez knows he needs quick results if he is going to keep Chairman Al-Fayed satisfied. The quality of Sanchez's signings is not good enough to save them this year. A season of struggle lies ahead.

Key Pleyer: Jimmy Bullard Prediction 18th

Liverpool - A busy summer both on and off the field for Liverpool has bought new owners who have backed Rafa Benitez in the transfer market. Fernando Torres, Andriy Voronin, Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babbel look impressive signings on paper, whether they can gel quickly or not remains to be seen. If the Reds can get a good start under their belt they finally get the title challenge their fans have craved for years.

Key Player: Jamie Carragher Prediction: 3rd

Manchester City - A summer of turmoil has ended for City and now expectations are rising with the financial backing of new owner Shinawatra. New manager Sven Goran Eriksson has been busy with new signings and attempting to fill the void left by City's one quality player from last season; Joey Barton. Eriksson needs to keep the team focused on playing football and not let the continued speculation about the new owner affect team performances. Should be sparred a relagation scrap but they are not quite ready for a push for Europe.

Key Player: Richard Dunne Prediction: 15th Manchester United - Manchester United wasted no time in improving their title winning squad with the signings of Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson. Hargreaves will add steel to a really impressive midfield whilst Nani and Anderson are viewed as long term replacements for Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs. Carlos Tevez is also expected to sign before the transfer window closes but even if the complicated deal gets called off, United have enough attacking quality to challenge on all fronts. United got ahead early and stayed their last year and will need to do the same again if they are going to retain their title.,p>

Key Player: Cristiano Ronaldo Prediction: 2nd

Middlesbrough - The news of the permanent signing of Jonathan Woodgate was superb news for Boro. He held together a mediocre back four last season and is key to keeping Boro in the premiership. New signing Sanli Tuncay is an exciting prospect who can play in attack or on the left of midfield and Luke Young is one f the best right backs in the country. However, the loss of key player Mark Viduka is a huge loss, especially as replacement Jeremie Aliadiere will not be able to hold up the ball as Viduka did so well. Boro lack depth to their first team squad and could struggle if too many injuries are picked up. It could be a long, hard season for them.

Key Player: Jonathan Woodgate Prediction: 17th

Newcastle United - With the takeover from businessman Mike Ashley , Sam Allardyce has been forced to be patient in the transfer market. The signings of Mark Viduka, David Rozenhal, Geremi and Joey Barton are solid but unspectacular compared to some of the names Newcastle have been linked with. The Magpies will take time getting used to Allardyce's style of play so this season will be one of transition for them.

Key Player: Michael Owen Prediction: 13th

Portsmouth - These are exciting times adown on the south coast as Harry Redknapp continues to build a quality team. England striker Dave Nugent adds firepower to a team who struggled to score at times last year Sulley Muntari adds variation to a competitive midfield whilst Sylvain Distin and Herman Hreidarsson offer competition for places in one of the toughest back fours in the country. Just missed out on a UEFA cup place last year but should just about make it this year.

Key Player: Matthew Taylor Prediction: 6th

Reading - Last years surprise package are ready to go for their second season in the big time. However, they must be wary of the dreaded second-season syndrome'. They have not been very active in the transfer market and could fail to cope with the loss of Steve Sidwell. Manager Steve Coppell will need to keep the team spirit at the heights it was last season through the rough times over the coming season. Will struggle to reach last seasons heights but will comfortable avoid being dragged into the basement battle.

Key Player: Kevin Doyle Prediction: 11th,p>

Sunderland - Big things are expected from the Irish Revolution on Wearside. The management of Roy Keane combined with the backing of chairman Niall Quinn has led people to believe that Sunderland will not be embarrassed this time in the Premiership. However, big name signings that were promised have not been made as Kieran Richardson and Michael Chopra have been the most high profile signings made. The squad that won the Championship has been kept together and should take the Black Cats away from the trap door but they are a season or two away from challenging for Europe.

Key Player: Carlos Edwards Prediction: 14th

Tottenham Hotspur - With the addition of Darren Bent, Spurs have a very impressive strike force that can score plenty of goals. Bent will battle Robbie Keane and Jermaine Defoe to start alongside Bulgarian international Dimitar Berbatov. Spurs also have a creative midfield, a solid defence and a talented goalkeeper in their armory and will have the top four looking nervously over their shoulders. May, once again, just miss out on that elusive Champions League place, but will comfortable secure 5th place.

Key Player: Dimitar Berbatov Prediction: 5th

West Ham United - Sheffield United's fight to get re-instated into the Premiership and the Carlos Tevez transfer saga has disrupted the Hammers' pre-season. Of the signings they have managed to make Julien Faubert has broke his leg, Richard Wright has not showed the form that persuaded Arsenal to sign him a few years ago and there are always questions about Craig Bellamy's temperament. However, the signing of Scott Parker is shrewd business from Alan Curbishley and he will more than just replace Nigel Reo-Coker and Freddie Ljungberg will replace the void left by Yossi Benayoun. If Tevez's move to man United materializes then West Ham will need Dean Ashton to find his form of two seasons ago. They should have too much quality to stay up but are not good enough to challenge for Europe.

Key Player: Dean Ashton Prediction: 12th

Wigan Athletic - Manager Chris Hutchings will have to learn fast if he is going to raise the spirits at the JJB stadium. Wigan were extremely fortunate to avoid the drop last season and will need to improve dramatically if they are going to stay up again. Wigan have struggled ever since the loss of Jimmy Bullard in midfield and Wigan fans will be hoping new signing Jason Koumas will recreate Bullard's talents in the Wigan midfield. The signing of Newcastle misfit Titus Bramble is a risk whilst Antoine Sibierski and Mario Melchiot are getting on in their careers. Wigan might find this year too tough to escape again.

Key Player: Leighton Baines Prediction: 20th,