2015/16 Preview: Part Four

Manager: Garry Monk 

Stadium: Liberty Stadium (20,827) 

Last Season: 8th 

Top Scorer: Wilfried Bony (9 goals) 

A record points total and highest-ever finish were the headlines for Swansea last season as they continued to improve under manager Garry Monk. 

It wasn’t just their points total that Swansea won credit for, but they way they played the game too – something that stands them out as one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the entire division. 

They did all this despite losing top scorer Wilfried Bony to Manchester City in January, and with a couple of new signings already making their way through the Liberty Stadium doors, they’ll be hoping to go even higher in the league this term. 

Star Man: Wales international Ashley Williams has been with the Swansea since 2008 and has settled brilliantly into life in the Premier League. For four seasons he has been a rock in the Swans’ defence and his presence will be key if they are to push on. 

City Fixtures: 5 December (A), 23 April (H) 

Tottenham Hotspur 

Manager: Maurico Pocettino 

Stadium: White Hart Lane (36,284) 

Last Season: 5th 

Top Scorer: Harry Kane (21 goals) 

Spurs just fell short of Champions League qualification last season with a fifth placed finish but a spot in the top four will most certainly be the target in 2015/16. 

A productive Europa League campaign coupled with some impressive league displays – most notably a 5-3 victory over champions Chelsea – were bolstered by the incredible rise of Harry Kane. 

The former Leicester City loanee striker’s 31 goals in all competitions earned him an England call up and put him second only to Sergio Aguero in the Premier League’s top scorer lists. 

Star Man: It wasn’t until November that Harry Kane scored the first of his 21 league goals last season, and if he can pick up where he left off for the entire campaign, Spurs will be many people’s tip for a top four spot. 

City Fixtures: 22 August (H), 13 January (A)

Watford 

Manager: Quique Sanchez Flores 

Stadium: Vicarage Road (21,577) 

Last Season: 2nd (Championship) 

Top Scorer: Troy Deeney (21 goals) 

Despite having five managers in the space of just 12 months, Watford roared to promotion from the Championship last season with a second placed finish – only missing out on the title to AFC Bournemouth on the final day. 

It was the Vicarage Road side’s firepower that stood them out from the crowd last season, with Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo both breaking the 20-goal barrier in the league. 

Whether the Hornets can translate that to the Premier League will be the real test. They’ve certainly made their intentions clear though, with the additions of defender Sebastian Prodl and a host of other names linked. 

Star Man: While his name may not be a popular one among Leicester City fans for his play-off goal in 2013, Watford powerhouse Troy Deeney certainly has all the attributes to be successful in the Premier League. An impressive 64 goals in his last three Championship seasons underline his potential. 

City Fixtures: 7 November (H), 5 March (A) 

West Bromwich Albion 

Manager: Tony Pulis 

Stadium: The Hawthorns (26,445) 

Last Season: 13th 

Top Scorer: Saido Berahino (14 goals) 

With the team struggling under Alan Irvine at the start of last season, West Brom turned to Tony Pulis to rescue their season and that’s just what he did. 

The Baggies ended the campaign in a highly respectable 13th as a talented and exciting side began to emerge under the new manager. 

Key for the Baggies will be keeping hold of England Under-21s striker Saido Berahino, whose 14 league goals gave them the spark they needed at key moments in the campaign. 

Star Man: While Berahino scored the goals, it was former Manchester United man Darren Fletcher who after joining in February, put in a string of impressive displays in the heart of midfield. If they can get a full season of the Scotland international in that kind of form, they’ll have a great chance of climbing the league. 

City Fixtures: 31 October (A), 1 March (H) 

West Ham United 

Manager: Slaven Bilic 

Stadium: Upton Park (35,345) 

Last Season: 12th 

Top Scorer: Diafra Sakho (10 goals) 

After a blistering start to the 2014/15 season, West Ham’s dropped off towards the end of the campaign, with an eventual 12th place feeling like an underachievement to some. 

This summer has brought with it a new manager for the Hammers in the form of former player Slaven Bilic, who arrived after spells managing Lokomotiv Moscow and Besiktas. 

With a move to the Olympic Stadium edging closer, all eyes will be on West Ham to see who they can bring in this summer to help them realise their ambitions. They are City’s first away opponents of the season as Nigel Pearson’s side travel to Upton Park on Saturday 15 August. 

Star Man: It was a brilliant first season in the top-flight for Senegal striker Diafra Sakho since joining from Metz. His scored in seven of his first eight matches for the Hammers and his combination of pace and power proved to be a perfect match for the Premier League. 

City Fixtures: 15 August (A), 16 April (H)