Last season: 11th

Brighton's season rather fizzled out in the final days of the charismatic Roberto de Zerbi and, in keeping with the club's approach, he has been replaced by the intriguing appointment of the Premier League's youngest-ever permanent manager in 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler, fresh from leading St Pauli into the Bundesliga.

Hurzeler takes over a talented squad, with the return of exciting Japan star Kaoru Mitoma a huge lift. He will also hope young striker Evan Ferguson can fulfill his rich potential in an attack also boasting Joao Pedro and Simon Adingra.

Yankuba Minteh and Ibrahim Osman add threat, although the loss of cult hero Pascal Gross will be felt.

Hurzeler will also hope Brighton can fend off overtures from Napoli for Billy Gilmour so he can figure in midfield along with new £25m signing Mats Wieffer from Feyenoord.

This may not be the top-six season of a couple of years back but Brighton is always so watchable and will be again. A trip to Amex Stadium is never a wasted one.

Brighton fan writer Scott McCarthy on BBC Sport's Brighton page:

"We'll finish 10th. Playing it safe by going slap bang in the middle as it is impossible to know whether Fabian Hurzeler will succeed in English football or appointing a 31-year-old is a gamble too far. I suspect it will be fun finding out, either way."

Last season: 13th

Fulham finished in a comfortable position last season despite losing key striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. This time manager Marco Silva must do the same after losing outstanding midfielder man Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich and key defensive duo Tosin Adarabioyo to Chelsea and Tim Ream to Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC.

Silva, however, has proved himself adept at dealing with such matters and the acquisition of Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal could be a masterstroke, a talented player loved by Gunners fans who simply could not force his way into regular contention.

Ryan Sessegnon has made a popular return from Tottenham and if defender Diego Carlos can arrive from Aston Villa then Silva can be satisfied with a decent summer.

Calvin Bassey was a growing force in defence last season while striker Rodrigo Muniz developed rapidly. Silva will count on him.

Much will depend on Silva himself but think Fulham will have a relatively untroubled season.

Fulham fan writer Drew Heatley on BBC Sport's Fulham page

"I'm saying 10th. We’ve lowered the average age of a squad that was the oldest in the league. And in what could be Marco Silva's last campaign at the Cottage, I'm hoping he cements his legacy - perhaps even with a domestic cup?"

Last season: 12th

The loss of Dominic Solanke, who provided 19 Premier League goals last season, was a bitter blow to the Cherries but under the guidance of manager Andoni Iraola, there will still be optimism on the south coast.

Iraola provided a measured, calm response to a dreadful start last season by sticking to his pressing principles and Bournemouth improved.

Solanke's departure will increase responsibility on Antoine Semenyo and more consistency will be expected from Luis Sinisterra now he has made a permanent £20m move from Leeds United after a loan spell.

Could be anxious times ahead but expect the Cherries, under Iraola, to survive.

Bournemouth fan writer Tom Jordan on BBC Sport's Bournemouth page.

"Tenth. We can finish in mid-table this season, so I'm going for a 10th-place finish. In our first season back in the top flight, we finished 15th under Gary O’Neil, last season it was 12th under Iraola. Another step forward feels doable."

Last season: 14th

Gary O'Neil did a first-class job after taking over at Molineux in turbulent circumstances just before the start of last season following the departure of Julen Lopetegui. The same again would be more than good enough after a quiet summer of incomings at Wolves so far.

Max Kilman and Pedro Neto are big losses, although the latter was often missing because of injury, so Wolves will rely heavily on O'Neil, who has just been rewarded for his work with a new four-year contract.

Tommy Doyle has made his move from Manchester City permanent after a good season on loan but Wolves will need to reinvest some of the money raked in for Kilman and Neto to keep O'Neil's side away from trouble and make sure this forecast comes to fruition.

This prediction leans heavily on more new signings and O’Neil’s ability, but I think Wolves can avoid danger - and surely they will get a better deal from VAR this season.

Wolves fan writer Dazzling Dave on BBC Sport's Wolves page:

"Ninth. Gary has Wolves purring nicely and we look like a team that can push on. On the whole, the friendlies have unveiled a new side of Wolves, with a higher pressing game and plenty of energy. With recruits and returning players, the squad now looks much stronger. I am predicting a top-10 finish and a push for a European spot."

Last season: 17th

Nuno Espirito Santo's presence as Nottingham Forest manager in succession to Steve Cooper was hardly inspirational but the priority of survival was achieved, especially after being deducted four points for breaching financial regulations.

It gives the Portuguese the chance to push on in an attempt to satisfy the demands of Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Forest’s magnificent support at the City Ground was a crucial factor and will be again, as will the continued presence of Morgan Gibbs-White, a significant contributor to their cause in the past two seasons. Forest must hold on to him.

He will be a central figure along with last season's Player of the Year Murillo, with the outstanding 22-year-old defender linked with Chelsea, Spurs, and Atletico Madrid. Forest are under no pressure to sell and the Brazilian appears happy to stay.

Wales right-back Neco Williams has attracted interest from Atalanta but if Forest keeps this squad together (and they are always looking to add) then I see them staying up.

Nottingham Forest fan writer Pat Riddell on BBC Sport's Nottingham Forest page:

"A hopeful 14th. Ideally we’d like a solid season, without too many changes or too much controversy, and an opportunity to see the team progress and really find their feet this year. It won’t be easy but it’s definitely possible."

Last season: 16th

The shadow of Ivan Toney's potential departure will hang over Brentford for the rest of this transfer window and there is no doubt it would damage the Bees in a big way if he leaves, especially after a cruel twist of fate in pre-season.

Brentford completed the club record £30m signing of Brazilian striker Igor Thiago from Club Bruges, perhaps in readiness for Toney's sale, only for him to be ruled out until near the end of the year, having required knee surgery after being injured in a friendly against AFC Wimbledon.

It makes a deal for Toney even more hazardous to contemplate but it may still happen with the England striker entering the final year of his contract.

Manager Thomas Frank continues to do a fine job but this may be his biggest test, although the £27.5m signing of Liverpool's talented 21-year-old Fabio Carvalho will lift morale.

It makes Bryan Mbeumo's presence even more significant while the return after injury of experienced defender Ben Mee, who has signed a new one-year deal, will also be a boost.

Brentford fan writer Ian Westbrook on BBC Sport's Brentford page:

"Twelfth. The strength of Brentford's forward line - even without Igor Thiago for now and if Ivan Toney leaves - should ensure a comfortable 12th-place finish. My overall hopes are for a largely injury-free campaign and a good cup run."

Last season: N/A

No pleasure in any of these last three placings - all great clubs back in the top flight and no doubt all as determined to make complete fools of naysayers such as this one.

Southampton came up by beating Leeds United in the play-off final after a season of playing in the attractive manner demanded by their progressive young manager Russell Martin.

It may be a high-risk strategy in the Premier League, as Burnley discovered last season, but Martin does not appear to turn. He does it his way - admirable and sure to increase his reputation if he can pull it off.

Flynn Downes has made his loan move from West Ham United permanent, the same applying to Taylor Harwood-Bellis after promotion triggered a £20m switch from Manchester City.

Ben Brereton Diaz will be asked to bring goals after the Chile striker's £7m move from Villarreal while Adam Armstrong, last season's play-off match winner who scored 24 goals in the Championship, will hope to have better fortunes in his latest crack at the Premier League.

Will it be enough? I'm not convinced but the environment at St Mary's will be a tough one for opponents.

Southampton fan writer Ray Hunt on BBC Sport's Southampton page:

"I'm going for 16th. The aim will be survival. Past form is an issue, but improvements have been made and we take the momentum from Wembley. The home opener against Forest will be a good gauge of how far we've come from the 2022-23 drop."

Last season: N/A

A welcome return to the Premier League for a club that sleepwalked into the Championship in 2023 - and it comes following a turbulent summer and the possibility of a points deduction making their task even more difficult.

The club has made a shrewd appointment in Steve Cooper, who knows this course well after keeping Nottingham Forest up, following Enzo Maresca's departure for Chelsea.

Chelsea also took last season's star player Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and there is that looming concern over charges of allegedly breaking financial regulations.

Cooper will look to the vast experience of former England duo Conor Coady and Harry Winks, while evergreen Jamie Vardy is still at King Power Stadium, although at 37 he will be handled with care. Abdul Fatawu, a real fans' favorite on loan from Sporting Lisbon, will add flair and dynamism after signing permanently.

The Foxes are trying to get Wilfried Zaha on loan from Galatasaray and have made a bid for Panathinaikos striker Fotis Ioannidis to increase firepower.

Cooper and Leicester could defy the odds but it may well be a steep uphill struggle.

Leicester City fan writer Chris Forryan on BBC Sport's Leicester page:

"Seventeenth. We have to accept that we are not the Leicester City side that had achieved Premier League stability, we are the new boys. Give me 17th and I'll bite your hand off. That is where I think we'll finish."