Sky Sports - 2012/2013 Preview

[Saint Scott]

 

Banish those post-Olympic blues; the Premier League is back. Sergio Aguero's last gasp heroics at the City of Manchester Stadium will forever be etched in top flight folklore but at the weekend it all counts for nothing as the 2012/13 season gets underway in earnest.

 

The European Championship and a number of high-profile transfers has whetted the appetite over the summer, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal (albeit before losing Robin van Persie) all having made significant captures as they look to close the gap on Roberto Mancini's champions. For Tottenham and Liverpool it's a case of stepping into the unknown as Andre Villas-Boas and Brendan Rodgers usher in new eras at White Hart Lane and Anfield respectively.

 

Aston Villa, Norwich, West Brom and Swansea also welcome new bosses into the dugout, while Newcastle have been able to keep hold of all of their top players as they look to build on a thrilling past campaign.

 

Elsewhere, new boys Reading, Southampton and West Ham will bid to continue a welcome trend of recent seasons that has seen promoted clubs hold their own with the big boys.

 

Everton and Fulham will look to kick-on in that understated and dignified way they have made their own over the past few campaigns, with Sunderland and Stoke City looking to make improvements on less than spectacular past terms despite only modest investment.

 

Our comprehensive club-by-club guides look back at what has transpired over the pre-season and, more importantly, forwards ahead of what should be another thrilling nine months of top class football.

 

 

Arsenal Aston Villa Chelsea Everton Fulham Liverpool Manchester City Manchester United Newcastle United Norwich City Queens Park Rangers Reading Stoke City Southampton Sunderland Swansea City Tottenham Hotspur West Bromwich Albion West Ham United Wigan Athletic