Can anyone stop Chelsea romping to the title?

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The 2015-16 Premier League season is set to kick off Saturday, Aug. 8 (AEST), following a tumultuous summer transfer period.

Chelsea reigned supreme last season with dazzling passing and great defense. It has the same starting XI this season, but doubts linger as Jose Mourinho's side struggled in the preseason.

The Blues' top competitors, as always, will be Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and a revamped Liverpool side. Arsenal beat Chelsea in Sunday's Community Shield and appears ready to challenge the top of the table after finishing last season strong.

A look at all 20 Premier League squads:

Arsenal

Arsene Wenger got his man this summer in long-time Chelsea keeper Petr Cech. Cech was made second choice at Chelsea after Thibaut Courtois returned from his loan to Atletico Madrid. Cech is Wenger's clear first choice and should be the elite keeper the Gunners have lacked. Arsenal gained confidence when it beat Chelsea in the Community Shield.

Projected XI:

Keeper: Petr Cech

Defence: Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Kieran Gibbs

Midfield: Francis Coquelin, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Jack Wilshere

Forward: Olivier Giroud

Key reserves: Theo Walcott, M; Danny Welbeck, F; Santi Cazorla, M; Nacho Monreal, D; Mathieu Debuchy D

Projected finish: First

Aston Villa

Villa has been the busiest team during the summer transfer window, with numerous players arriving and leaving. The biggest hit came when Liverpool snatched talented young striker Christian Benteke. Villa struggled to score goals last season and will need to find new ways to create chances with a revamped squad.

Projected XI:

Keeper:  Brad Guzan

Defence: Micah Richards, Aly Cissokho, Alan Hutton, Jordan Amavi

Midfield:  Scott Sinclair, Carlos Sanchez, Charles N'Zogbia, Ashley Westwood, Idrissa Gueye

Forward: Jordan Ayew 

Key reserves:  Ciaran Clark, D; Jack Grealish, M; Kieran Richardson D 

Projected finish: 15th

Chelsea

Last season's champs look poised to contend for a second straight title after signing manager Jose Mourinho to a long-term contract and keeping the foundation of its team intact. Even though the Blues have been relatively quiet in the transfer window, Mourinho believes he can return Radamel Falcao back to his goal-scoring self, and wingers Bertrand Traore and Kenedy are ones for the future. But there is cause for concern, as the champs struggled down the stretch last season and Diego Costa's hamstring woes could linger all year.

Projected XI:

Keeper: Thibaut Courtois

Defence: Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill, John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic

Midfield: Cesc Fabregas, Nemanja Matic, Willian, Oscar, Eden Hazard

Forward: Diego Costa

Key reserves: Radamel Falcao, F; Kurt Zouma, D; Baba Rahman, D; Loïc Remy, F; Victor Moses, M 

Projected finish: Second

Crystal Palace

The addition of Yohan Cabaye arguably places this team in the hunt for European football compeitions. With an exciting mixture of pacy wingers, a rising forward and Cabaye's eye for the key pass, Palace should become even more formidable against England's powerhouses.

Projected XI:

Keeper: Julian Speroni

Defence: Damien Delaney, Scott Dann, Joel Ward, Paddy McCarthy

Midfield: Mile Jedinak, Joe Ledley, Yohan Cabaye, Jason Puncheon, Wilfried Zaha

Forward: Yannick Bolasie

Key reserves: Wayne Hennessey, K; Martin Kelly, D; Patrick Bamford, F; Connor Wickham, F

Projected finish: Ninth

Everton

Everton remains in a battle to keep 21-year-old center back John Stones. He's a fine player, but Everton's valuation of 30 million-plus euros is a little steep for a defender just getting his feet wet in Premier League competition. A bigger area of concern for Roberto Martinez and his squad should be a glaring lack of options up top behind Romelu Lukaku.

Projected XI:

Keeper: Tim Howard

Defence: Seamus Coleman, John Stones, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines

Midfield: Ross Barkley, Gareth Barry, Kevin Mirallas, Steven Naismith

Forwards: Gerard Deulofeu, Romelu Lukaku

Key reserves: Tom Cleverley, M; James McCarthy, M; Bryan Oviedo, D; Arouna Kone, F

Projected finish: 11th

Leicester City

Leicester survived relegation last season with some inspired play down the stretch. It will be interesting to see if it can produce the same type of success with a new manager. The signings of Shinji Okazaki and Christian Fuchs will add quality on both ends of the pitch.

Projected XI:

Keeper: Kasper Schmeichel

Defence: Robert Huth, Wes Morgan, Christian Fuchs, Ritchie de Laet

Midfield: Marc Albrighton, Andy King, Jeffrey Schlupp

Forwards: Jamie Vardy, Leonardo Ulloa, David Nugent

Key reserves: Andrej Kramaric, F; Shinji Okazaki, F 

Projected finish: 16th

Liverpool

The Reds have had another busy offseason. They added two new strikers, continuing what has become a revolving door up top since Luis Suarez left for Barcelona. Liverpool also lost longtime captain Steven Gerrard to semi-retirement in MLS. Jordan Henderson will don the captain's band this season, but Liverpool fans will never let Gerrard walk alone. Watch out for a breakout year from Philippe Coutinho after he flashed brillance at times last season.

Projected XI:

Keeper: Simon Mignolet

Defence: Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho, Nathaniel Clyne, Emre Can

Midfield: Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino 

Forwards: Christian Benteke, Daniel Sturridge

Key reserves: Danny Ings, F; Alberto Moreno, D; Dejan Lovren, D; Jordon Ibe, M; Adam Lallana, M

Projected finish: Fourth

Manchester City

Manchester City won the Raheem Sterling sweepstakes by signing the pacy winger for $75 million. We'll find out if he's elite or was just the best player on a mediocre team. This is a make-or-break season for manager Manuel Pellegrini, as City officials will want to see some improvement in the Champions League. Sergio Aguero's fitness is worrisome.

Projected XI:

Keeper: Joe Hart

Defence: Aleksandar Kolarov, Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala, Pablo Zabaleta

Midfield: Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Jesus Navas, Raheem Sterling

Forward: Sergio Aguero

Key reserves: Wilfried Bony, F; Fabian Delph, M; Samir Nasri, M; Bacary Sagna, D; Martin Demichelis, D

Projected finish: Fifth

Manchester United

Louis van Gaal's side has been losing and gaining high-profile players this summer. David De Gea remains with the Red Devils despite reports he may be on his way to Real Madrid. United is also close to wrapping up a deal for Barcelona winger Pedro to replace Angel Di Maria, who left for PSG. 

Projected XI:

Keeper: David De Gea

Defence: Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Matteo Darmian

Midfield: Daley Blind, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Juan Mata, Pedro, Memphis Depay

Forward: Wayne Rooney

Key reserves: Morgan Schneiderlin, M; Ander Herrera, M; Antonio Valencia, D; Marouane Fellaini, M; Ashley Young, M

Projected finish: Third

Newcastle United

The addition of Georginio Wijnaldum will help shore up a midfield that had way too many holes last season. Not only will the Dutch International help out on defense, he also can bring a bit of class to Newcastle's build-up play. The Magpies had to rally to avoid relegation last season, but look like a much stronger team this year.

Projected XI:

Keeper: Tim Krul

Defence: Steven Taylor, Daryl Janmaat, Fabricio Coloccini

Midfield: Georginio Wijnaldum, Remy Cabella, Yoan Gouffran, Moussa Sissoko, Cheick Tiote

Forwards: Papiss Demba Cisse, Ayoze Perez

Key reserves: Aleksandar Mitrovic, F; Haris Vuckic, M; Jamaal Lascelles, D

Projected finish: 13th

Southampton

Southampton will get a taste of European football in the Europa League this season, but the added distraction could hurt its Premier League stature. The loss of Morgan Schneiderlin was lessened by the arrival of energenic midlfielder Jordy Clasie, but the Saints will still miss their talented holding midfielder. The arrival of Juanmi and the renewed health of Jay Rodriguez should help Graziano Pelle stay fresh.

Projected XI:

Keeper: Fraser Forster

Defence: Ryan Bertrand, Jose Fonte, Maya Yoshida, Cedric

Midfield: Victor Wanyama, Dusan Tadic, Jordy Clasie, Sadio Mane

Forwards: Juanmi, Graziano Pelle

Key reserves: Jay Rodriguez, F; James Ward-Prowse, M; Shane Long, M; Steven Davis, M; Maarten Stekelenburg, G

Projected finish: Seventh

Stoke City

Missing out on Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri was a big blow, but Stoke is an annual middle-of-the-table team because it is so tough at home. Glen Johnson has lost some of the pace that made him a stalwart at Liverpool, but he should bring leadership and quality to Stoke's back four.

Projected XI:

Keeper: Jack Butland

Defence: Glen Johnson, Ryan Shawcross, Philipp Wollscheid, Erik Pieters

Midfield: Charlie Adam, Ibrahim Afellay, Glenn Whelan, Marco Van Ginkel

Forwards: Mame Diouf, Bojan Krkic

Key reserves: Jonathan Walters, F; Stephen Ireland, M; Peter Crouch, F; Phil Bardsley, D

Projected finish: 12th

Sunderland

Jeremain Lens was a good signing; he could yet become a solid player in the Premier League. He's a pacy, athletic forward who can hold up the ball nicely and has shown class in front of goal. Adam Johnson had a career resurgence last season and will team up with Jack Rodwell to spur the attack once again.

Projected XI:

Keeper: Vito Mannone

Defence: Younes Kaboul, John O'Shea, Patrick van Aanholt, Wes Brown

Midfield: Adam Johnson, Jack Rodwell, Sebastian Larsson, Yann M’Vila, Leroy Fer

Forward: Jeremain Lens

Key reserves:  Billy Jones, D; Jordi Gomez, M, Sebastian Coates, D; Jermain Defoe, F

Projected finish: 14th

Swansea City

Swansea City, like Crystal Palace, looks like a team that could sneak into the top six this season. The addition of Andre Ayew was a coup, and Gylfi Sigurdsson is a wizard with the ball at his feet. The defence is solid, and keeper Lukasz Fabianski has rejuvanated his career after being run out of Arsenal's squad.

Projected XI:

Keeper: Lukasz Fabianski

Defence: Fede Fernandez, Angel Rangel, Neil Taylor, Ashley Williams

Midfield: Gylfi Sigurdsson, Nathan Dyer, Sung-Yueng Ki, Andre Ayew, Jonjo Shelvey 

Forward: Bafetimbi Gomis

Key reserves: Jack Cork, M; Eder, F; Wayne Routledge, M; Kyle Naughton, D; Jefferson Montero, M/F

Projected finish: Eighth

Tottenham Hotspur

The Spurs are once again the third-best team in London behind Chelsea and Arsenal. Harry Kane burst onto the scene last season, but it's hard to imagine him having the same level of success this year. Christian Eriksen is one of the most underrated players in the Premier League. He can score, dribble and pick out a decisive pass. If only the rest of the team were as consistent as him.

Projected XI:

Keeper: Hugo Lloris

Defence: Toby Alderweireld, Kyle Walker, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose

Midfield: Christian Eriksen, Nacer Chadli, Ryan Mason, Mousa Dembele, Nabil Bentaleb

Forward: Harry Kane

Key reserves: Eric Dier, D; Kieran Trippier, D; Erik Lamela, M; Roberto Soldado, F

Projected finish: Sixth

West Bromwich Albion

West Brom absolutely needs to keep Saido Berahino if the team is going to stay afloat. Tottenham and Arsenal have shown interest in the pacy striker, so he may be lured out of town. If that happens, West Brom may have to turn to some unattractive, defensive football in order to stave off relegation.

Projected XI:

Keeper: Ben Foster

Defence: Joleon Lescott, Sebastien Pocognoli, James Chester, Gareth McAuley

Midfield: Darren Fletcher, Stéphane Sessegnon, Claudio Yacob, James McClean

Forward: Saido Berahino, Brown Ideye

Key reserves: Victor Anichebe, F; Cristian Gamboa, D; Chris Brunt, M

Projected finish: Relegation

West Ham United

The Hammers should put up some impressive goal totals this year with two quality forwards returning and the addition of Dimitri Payet set to add a bit of flair. West Ham is usually safe from relegation, but it could push for a top-six finish if the back line can stay intact. If Alex Song joins on a long-term deal from Barcelona after spending last season with the team on loan, West Ham will have another solid midfielder to feed the goal scorers.

Projected XI:

Keeper: Adrian

Defence: Aaron Cresswell, Angelo Ogbonna, Cheikhou Kouyate, James Collins

Midfield: Dimitri Payet, Kevin Nolan, Mark Noble, Morgan Amalfitano

Forwards: Enner Valencia, Diafra Sakho

Key reserves: Joey O'Brien, D; Nene, M; James Tomkins, D; Andy Carroll, F

Projected finish: 10th

Promoted clubs

Bournemouth — Projected relegation

Norwich — 17th

Watford — Relegation

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