Club guide: Newcastle, Stoke, Sunderland and Tottenham

Manager Chris Hughton (Republic of Ireland) Last season Promoted as champions An away trip to Manchester United kicks-off their season. With expensive signings a thing of the past at St James' Park, manager Hughton has been forced to scour the summer market for free agent bargains. Newcastle need a home fortress to survive and the ability of the Toon's notoriously animated following will be key to motivating the Championship winners. Key man Andy Carroll - The giant homegrown striker is in the mould of club legend Alan Shearer. Key transfers In: Sol Campbell (Centre-half, 35, Arsenal, free), Dan Gosling (Midfielder, 20, Everton, free), James Perch (Defender, 24, Nottingham Forest, undisclosed). If they were a movie ... Raging Bull - Black and white, and issues rich. An apparently once great prize-fighter liable to self-destruct. Demise is always grisly yet gripping. Prediction 17th

Manager Tony Pulis (England) Last season 11th After two consecutive mid-table finishes, Stoke will be confident of avoiding a relegation scrap for the third year on the trot. Facing Pulis's solid, if unspectacular, side in the Britannia Stadium cauldron has proven a daunting prospect for top-flight teams, but Stoke are no strangers to claiming scalps on the road - 20 of their 47 points came away from home last season. As Pulis endures continued transfer frustrations, a repeat effort should guarantee his troops' survival. Key man Matthew Etherington - English winger is a major supplier and scorer of goals. Key transfers In: Carlo Nash (Goalkeeper, 36, Everton, free). Out: Andy Griffin (Full-back, 31, Reading, undisclosed). If they were a movie ... Fight Club - The producer is always in the market for a couple of bruisers, and the odd backstage tear-up does not seem to do them any harm. Prediction 15th

Manager Steve Bruce (England) Last season 13th A mid-season wobble put the dampeners on Bruce's impressive debut season at the Stadium of Light. While much rests on the Darren Bent-Kenwyne Jones strike force, Bruce, has addressed defensive shortcomings in the transfer market and a mid-table finish for Sunderland is a minimum requirement. Key man Darren Bent - Striker rejuvenated his career with 24 league goals last term Key transfers In: Cristian Riveros (Midfielder, 27, Cruz Azul, Undisclosed), Titus Bramble (Centre-half, 28, Wigan, £1m (Dh5.85m), Marcos Angeleri (Right-back, 27, Estudiantes, Undisclosed). Out: Lorik Cana (Midfielder, 27, Galatasaray, £5m), Daryl Murphy (Forward, 27, Celtic, £1.5m). If they were a movie ... The Goonies - A crooked nose and squishy face does not mean you can't be part of their gang. A fun adventure in store, but will not affect the big fish. Prediction 10th

Manager Harry Redknapp (England) Last season 4th Options at centre-half remain fragile and Spurs' season could well be determined by Redknapp's ability to juggle domestic duties with the north Londoners' first Champions League campaign. With a talented team capable of beating the league's best one week, but losing to relegation-threatened sides next time out, Tottenham's success hinges on wheeler-dealer Redknapp improving his squad's inconsistent form of last year, in particular against title rivals. Last-minute transfer activity could be decisive. Key man Luka Modric - The Croatian playmaker is coveted by most of Spurs's title rivals. Key transfers In: Sandro (Midfielder, 21, Internacional, £8.5m). If they were a movie .... RocknRolla - Cockney patriarch struggles to keep his young charges out of trouble. Always the nagging doubt the last laugh will be on him. Prediction 7th

* The National