TEAMtalk's Sam Nightingale reckons Manchester City will retain their Premier League crown, with Wayne Rooney back on top in the scoring charts.

Premier League top six: Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool

Manchester City have by far the strongest squad in the Premier League and despite a lack of transfer activity this summer, with the exception of Jack Rodwell's arrival from Everton, I cannot see any other team stopping City from retaining their title.

The spine of City's side - Joe Hart, Vicent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero - is immense, while the other teams just cannot compete with that quality.

Manchester United did amazingly well to push City all the way last season, but Sir Alex Ferguson had to bring Paul Scholes out of retirement in January to give United a lift and provide the creative spark in midfield which had been missing. Both Scholes, 37, and Ryan Giggs, 38, are staying on for another season, which is great in one sense, as they can pass on their experience to the younger players, but I am surprised Fergie hasn't spent big on a creative midfielder this summer.

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo restored confidence after taking the reins from Andre Villas-Boas in March, and I feel the Blues will have a better season in the league than last year, when they finished sixth. But Chelsea will be very much a work in progress this season, as they switch from the physical style of play in which Didier Drogba was so successful as the frontman, to a quicker style with Fernando Torres leading the line. With the arrival of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Marko Marin, Chelsea are set to have a much more creative and mobile midfield and attack, but it will take time for the new players to integrate into the side and get used to English football, so I think the Blues will struggle to be title contenders.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has brought in Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, but has lost captain Robin van Persie to Manchester United and midfielder Alex Song also looks to be on his way. Cazorla is the type of player that will suit Arsenal, but Giroud and Podolski may struggle to adapt to the English game.

Tottenham have taken a risk in hiring Andre Villas-Boas after he struggled to impose his authority at Chelsea, but I reckon he could do well at White Hart Lane. AVB has made a couple of shrewd signings in attacking midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson and defender Jan Vertonghen, but a top four spot will be beyond them.

As for Liverpool, this will be a season of transition as Brendan Rodgers aims to establish his passing style of play at Anfield, but I don't think they will challenge for the top four let alone the title.

Premier League bottom three: Southampton, West Brom, Wigan

Nigel Adkins has done a remarkable job at Southampton, guiding the Saints to back-to-back promotions. But I think the Premier League may be a bridge too far for Adkins' men. Wigan had a storming finish to last season but they have lost Hugo Rodallega and Mohamed Diame and Victor Moses looks to be on his way. They'll struggle to beat the trap door this time around. West Brom have lost the likes of Paul Scharner and Keith Andrews and although they have brought in strikers Markus Rosenberg and Romelu Lukaku, I fear for them, especially if they lose Jonas Olsson.

Leading Prem scorer: Wayne Rooney - Manchester United

Rooney banged in 27 league goals last season, three less than top scorer Robin van Persie. But I reckon Rooney will be back on top this year.

First Prem manager to be sacked: Steve Clarke - West Brom

Former Chelsea and Liverpool number two Steve Clarke is the new man in charge of West Brom after the departure of Roy Hodgson. Clarke is an excellent assistant manager but I feel he could struggle in his first managerial job, especially as the role is with a Premier League club, where he can't afford to make mistakes.

Biggest Prem flop: Jack Rodwell - Manchester City

Jack Rodwell is a fantastic talent but Manchester City have paid a hell of a lot of money - £15million - for a player who suffered with recurrent hamstring injuries last season and is unlikely to be a regular starter in the first team.

FA Cup winners: Manchester United

They may not win the title but I think Sir Alex Ferguson will guide United to another FA Cup success this season.

Capital One Cup winners: Chelsea

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo is building a new side and the Blues are my pick for League Cup success.

Champions League winners: Real Madrid

After guiding Real Madrid to the La Liga title last season, Jose Mourinho will be determined to deliver the Champions League trophy to the Bernabeu. Real were unlucky to lose on penalties to Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals last season, but I think they will go one better this year and win their 10th European Cup.

Europa League winners: Inter Milan

Inter have been regulars in the Champions League but are in the Europa League this year after finishing sixth in Serie A last season. I think Inter will give it a real go in this competition and come out on top.

Championship top six: Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Leicester, Cardiff, Leeds, Brighton

Leading Championship scorer: Charlie Austin - Burnley

Austin netted 16 league goals last season and I think he will top that total this year, with Burnley finishing higher up the table and on the fringes of the play-offs.

League One champions: MK Dons

Karl Robinson has done a tremendous job at stadium:mk and guided MK Dons to fifth in League One last season. Robinson has brought in the likes of Ryan Lowe this summer and I reckon they can make a tilt for the title.

League Two champions: Rotherham

Steve Evans arrived at Rotherham from Crawley late last season and after a summer in which he could stamp his mark, I feel the Millers can challenge for the title. Evans was in charge for most of Crawley's promotion-winning season, having led Town to the Conference title the previous year.

SPL top three: Celtic, Motherwell, Dundee United

SPL top-scorer: Gary Hooper - Celtic

Gary Hooper was the SPL's top scorer last season with 24 goals and I can't see anyone else coming close to the Hoops striker.