2012-13 Premier League Preview

Last year’s Premier League was one of the most exciting in living memory, and the 2012-13 season promises to be even more thrilling. For the latest premiership football betting odds, visit Skybet.comManchester City will be looking to retain their crown, and with arguably the strongest playing squad in the league, they are sure to be among the front-runners this time round.

Local rivals, Manchester United will be looking to atone for last season’s title heartbreak, and have added Dortmund’s Shinji Kagawa to their ranks to bolster their midfield options.

After claiming third spot last season, Arsenal have added Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski to their attacking options, although they may or may not be playing alongside Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott, both of whom are in the final year of their contracts.

Olivier Giroud: RVP replacement?

There have been several managerial changes among the other top clubs, with Swansea’s highly rated young manager, Brendan Rogers taking the reins at Liverpool after a disappointing season under Kop hero Kenny Dalglish, and Chelsea flop, Andre Villas Boas attempting to restore his once-lofty reputation at Spurs.

Chelsea’s unlikely run to the Champions League trophy last season has earned interim coach Roberto di Matteo a permanent contract, and he will have some exciting new players to work with next season, such as Eden Hazard and Marko Marin.

Eden Hazard: Will he live up to the hype?

Alan Pardew will be desperate to prove that Newcastle’s fifth-place finish last time out was no fluke, and his astute transfer dealings have given him a team that look more than capable of taking on the big boys.

David Moyes has won plaudits across the board for his work with Everton over the years, having assembled a formidable team on a limited budget, and a strong showing will be expected again this year.

Can Andre Villas Boas revive his reputuation?

At the other end of the table, Wigan will need to pick up where they left off at the end of last season if they are to avoid another relegation scrap, and new Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert will need star striker, Darren Bent to be fit and in form if he is to build on a successful season with Norwich.

New West Brom manager, Steve Clarke has some big shoes to fill, having replaced England-bound Roy Hodgson, and it remains to be seen whether this highly-rated coach can make a success of his first managerial post.

Both Norwich and Swansea look like prime candidates for second-season syndrome, and will need their new managers to hit the ground running.

Of the newly-promoted clubs, West Ham look to have the best chance of survival, despite only gaining promotion via the play-offs, while Reading and Southampton will be looking to carry some of their Championship momentum into the Premier League.