The eagerly anticipated 2013/2014 English Premier League season gets underway Saturday with the usual suspects, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City overwhelming favourites to clinch the title, and the three promoted teams – Hull City, Crystal Palace and Cardiff City – looking like going straight back down to the Championship.

Even before the kickoff, this season has been described as the most interesting Premier League season in history, and it’s hard to argue with that with everything has happened (and is yet to happen) with managerial changes at the Premier League’s biggest clubs and teams spending big to push up the table.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City all begin the season under new managers, although Jose Mourinho has worked at Stamford Bridge before, delivering Premier League titles and plenty of other trophies.

Manuel Pellegrini’s new stars at Manchester City will be eager to prove their worth to City’s loyal fans, who are desperate for more success after finishing in the top-two during the last three seasons. And with David Moyes now at the helm of affairs at Manchester United, the question on everybody’s lips is how well the Red Devils will fare without the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.

But regardless of who is now in charge at Old Trafford, no one can rule out the Red Devils from making a push for the title, even though it looks likely that they will only get their acts together around Christmas after a tough start to the season.

Moyes has perhaps the hardest task on his hands. He has the unenviable task of replacing Sir Alex, who was in charge for 28 trophy-filled years.

On the pitch, with so many world class players on show, it’s hard to single who will be the standout player this time around. But the supreme talent of Robin van Persie, Luis Suarez, Wayne Rooney, Sergio Aguero, Juan Mata and reigning Player of the Year Gareth Bale will light up the league.

There are also a couple of youngsters expected to light up the league during the campaign such as Wilfred Zaha, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Stevan Jovetic and Victor Moses. There is also Sone Aluko, whose performance could well determine whether Hull City remain with the big boys or make a swift return to the Championship.

Manchester United

The Premier League champs probably won’t go out full blast at the start of the season, and are third favourites behind Manchester City and Chelsea to defend the title, but they still have the pedigree to go all the way yet again having retained the core of their victorious squad. No notable new signings yet, but that could change before the end of August.

Player to watch: Wilfried Zaha

Manchester City

Manuel Pellegrini has every reason to be unhappy with his backline after watching his side ship eight goals in their past three pre-season outings, including three against Arsenal, but he will be happy with the potentials in midfield and attack having brought in Fernandinho, Stevan Jovetic , Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo, although it remains to be seen how quickly they bond.

Player to watch: Stevan Jovetic

Chelsea

ose Mourinho returns as Chelsea manager for a new season, and there is pressure on him to sustain a decent challenge in the EPL and in Europe. The Portuguese will be seeking more silverware, a quest that will be boosted if the Blues can persuade Manchester United to sell Wayne Rooney.

Player to watch: Victor Moses

Tottenham Hotspur

With new arrivals Paulinho and Roberto Soldado now at Tottenham, Andre Villas-Boas’ side will harbour ambitions of finishing in the top-four and return to the Champions League next season. But much will depend on whether or not they can resist Real Madrid’s advances for Gareth Bale.

Player to watch: Roberto Soldado

Arsenal

A promised summer of big spending has yet to materialize (and probably never will). There has been interest in Gonzalo Higuain, Wayne Rooney and Luis Suarez, but Arsene Wenger, typical of him, left it late to do his business. Only Yaya Sanogo has arrived so far, and that level of signing does not signal improvement.

Player to watch: Chuba Akpom

Liverpool

Liverpool have an immense amount of flair, but continue to lack consistency. Have brought in Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas, Simon Mignolet and Kolo Toure but like Spurs with Bale, much will depend on whether they can retain the services of Luis Suarez. Should challenge for fourth though if all the pieces fall into place.

Player to watch: Luis Alberto

West Ham United

May not be rated as the prettiest side to watch, but you could never accuse Sam Allardyce of not knowing what he wants. And he now has Andy Carroll on a permanent deal while the arrival of Stewart Downing should also prove helpful. Should finish in the top half of the table.

Player to watch: Ravel Morrison

Everton

Roberto Martinez has a hard act to follow in David Moyes, but there is no reason why the Toffees cannot produce under the Spanish coach. Arouna Kone proved his class with Wigan last season and they still have Victor Anichebe, who will onve again prove a handful for EPL defenders....

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