Last Season - Finished 5th in the Premier League - 65pts
Manager:  David Moyes
Odds of Winning Title - 150-to-1

INS:
None as of August 11th

OUTS:
ST Andrew Johnson - 21m US
DMF Lee Carsley
GK Stefan Wessels
DF Darren Dennehy
GK Jamie Jones

Possibles:
ST Vagner Love - CSKA Moscow
MF Joao Moutinho - Sporting Lisbon
RW Aaron Lennon - Tottenham
MF Dejan Stankovic - Inter Milan
FW Alan Smith - Newcastle
MF Michael Johnson - Manchester City
GK Guillermo Ochoa - Club America
MF Stephane M'bia - Rennes

What's Left in the Kitty - 61m US (incl. Money from Johnson sale)

What Lies Ahead:
Aug 16    Blackburn (H)
Aug 23    West Brom (A)
Aug 30    Portsmouth (H)
Sep 13    Stoke City (A)
Sep 20    Hull City (A)
Sep 27    Liverpool (H)
Oct 4        Newcastle (H)

Possible Starting XI:
GK Tim Howard
RB Phil Neville/Tony Hibbert
CB Joseph Yobo
CB Phil Jagielka
LB Joleon Lescott
RMF Mikel Arteta
CMF Phil Neville
CMF Leon Osman
LMF Steven Pienaar/Leon Osman
FW Aiyegbeni Yakubu/Victor Anichebe
FW Tim Cahill

How They'll Stack Up:
Going into the summer, Everton fans had plenty of reason for optimism - they'd finished 5th, secured a UEFA Cup spot, had their first 20-goal scorer since 1992 and they looked set to make further gains in David Moyes' mission to bust-up the top four.  Fast-forward a couple months and now there is a sense of urgency around the team having made NO moves in the transfer market, it's being rumored Moyes could walk away and the new stadium project is in tatters.  Losing to the Chicago Fire on their US tour gave Everton fans a sense of how bad the situation is.  Moyes wants to bring in 5-6 new players but has so far been able to convince the men holding the money bags to let him use some of it - perhaps the fact he has yet to sign a new contract has something to do with that?  Whatever the case, time is running short and with one of the thinnest squads in the Premier League, they need to start adding some bodies fast - but decent bodies that can help keep this club on the upswing.  They have one of the best back-fours in the top-flight and if Yakubu and Cahill can stay healthy, the side will score goals.  Trouble is, they have a soft center of MF.  Check that - they have NO center of midfield.  This is where a player like Joao Moutinho would be perfect and they are in a fight with Aston Villa over Michael Johnson.  There is talk of a loan deal for Vagner Love and it is expected that Alan Smith and Stephane M'Bia will arrive before the window closes.  Moyes (and Toffee fans) better hope so - otherwise this side will be out of the top-5 come season's end and could even fall to midtable.

Coming Up Tuesday - Liverpool

Well folks, we've hit the halfway point of the previews and I just wanted to thank those of you who've posted comments and taken the time to go over things.  As you can tell, it is not an exact science - especially when you try to postulate a Starting XI for teams.  But I appreciate the help with corrections/omissions.  Keep'em coming!!

Last Season:  Finished 11th in the Premier League - 46pts.
Manager - Juande Ramos

INS:     
AMF Giovanni Dos Santos - 9.4m US 
MF Luka Modric - 32m US  
AMF John Bostock
GK Heurelho Gomes - 15.6m US
FW Paul-Jose Mpoku
RW David Bentley - 30m US

OUTS:
GK Radek Czerny
MF Joe Martin
CB Anthony Gardner
AMF Steed Malbranque
DF Pascal Chimbonda
GK Paul Robinson
MF Teemu Tainio
ST Simon Dawkins
GK Tommy Forecast
FW Robbie Keane

Possibles:
FW David Villa - Valencia
MF Andrei Arshavin - Zenit St.Petersburg
ST Nicolas Anelka - Chelsea
FW Oscar Cardozo - Benfica
GK Gomes - PSV
FW David Bentley - Blackburn
FW Diego Milito - Real Zaragoza

What`s Left in the Kitty - 17.5m US (not including money that has come in from sales)

What Lies Ahead:
Aug 16 Middlesbrough (A)
Aug 23 Sunderland (H)
Aug 30 Chelsea (A)
Sep 13 Aston Villa (H)
Sep 20 Wigan (H)
Sep 27 Portsmouth (A)
Oct 4 Hull (H)

Possible Starting XI:
GK Heurelho Gomes
RB Alan Hutton
CB Ledley King
CB Jonathon Woodgate
LB Benoit Assou-Ekotto/Gilberto
RMF Luka Modric
CMF Didier Zokora
LMF Jermaine Jenas
RF Aaron Lennon/Darren Bent
CF Dimitar Berbatov
LF Giovanni Dos Santos

How They`ll Stack Up:
The talk from White Hart Lane all summer has been that this is a side that is ready to break up the top-four.  Well, if they`re going to do it, they certainly have the right manager in Juande Ramos.  His buys this summer have been smart, calculated and goal-driven.  He knows what he wants and he goes out and gets it.  Now the big question is can he (or has he already) find a replacement for Robbie Keane?  So far Darren bent has been the story of the pre-season (11-goals so far as I write this) but can he do it when it counts for points?  David Bentley, Luka Modric and Giovanni Dos Santos are 23-years or younger so this summer Ramos has added youth while letting go of some of his experience.  The six 'big' players he let go are all 27 or older - but has he let go of too much?  A lot of questions posed that will be answered - but I think Tottenham are in a good position to get into the top 4.  My concern is the backline- they let in 80-goals last season.  GK Heurelho Gomes will help reduce that number but he can't do it alone - and Spurs have a history of giving away points.  Starting from scratch this time, I think Ramos will have this team sharper at the start - but at the end I don`t think they`ll break through.  However there is no reason why this team can't be top-5 for sure - especially with the strong possibility of taking 18pts out of the first 21 available.

Coming up Wednesday - West Ham United

Last Season: Finished 2nd in League Championship - automatically promoted.
Manager: Tony Pulis

INS:
ST Dave Kitson - 10m US
MF Seyi Olofinjana - 6m US

OUTS:
DF Dominic Matteo
CB Marlon Broomes
GK Russell Hoult
MF Robert Garrett

Possibles:
GK Martin Fulop - Sunderland
DF Rudolph Austin - Portmore United
CB Anthony Gardner - Tottenham
MF/FW Lee McCulloch - Rangers
DF Danny Gabbidon - West Ham
MF Thomas Gravesen - Celtic
ST Bouchaib El-Moubarki - Morocco

What's Left in the Kitty: $30m US (includes wages for new signings)

What Lies Ahead:
Aug 16 Bolton (A)
Aug 23 Aston Villa (H)
Aug 30 Middlesbrough (A)
Sep 13 Everton (H)
Sep 20 Liverpool (A)
Sep 27 Chelsea (H)
Oct 4 Portsmouth (A)

Possible Starting XI:
GK Steve Simonsen
RB Andy Griffin
CB Ryan Shawcross
CB Andy Wilkinson
LB Carl Dickinson
RMF Liam Lawrence
CMF Rory Delap
LMF Seyi Olofinjana
FW Richard Cresswell
FW Dave Kitson
FW Mamady Sidibe

How They'll Stack Up:
Stoke are finding it very difficult to accomplish anything in terms of bringing in new faces and with time running short, they need to start getting it done. Last season, the team's straight-forward, long-ball style served them well in the LC but they'll need to add some flare to their game if they want to survive in the Premier League - and to do that they need players. Looking at their early schedule, there is the possibility for some points but that three game run in September against three of last season's top five could be ugly. With five of the top-8 in their opening seven games, Stoke may be finished before they have the chance to get started - but again, it all goes back to whether they can get some bodies in. Up to this point, Pulis is a lot like that guy we've all got in our circle of friends - lots of possibles for the dance but plenty of questions whether he can close the deal with any of them. If he can't, look for Stoke to do a Derby.

Coming up Tuesday - West Bromwich Albion

Over the next 20-days leading upto the Premier League season, I'll be posting one team preview each day.  I've tried to keep it brief but still informative.  As always - I welcome your comments.

Last Season:  Finished 3rd in League Championship - won Promotion Playoff
Manager: Phil Brown

INS:
LW Peter Halmosi - 4m US
CMF George Boateng - 2m US
GK Tony Warner - FREE
RB Bernard Mendy - FREE
MF/FW Geovanni - FREE
FW Craig Fagan - 1.5m US

OUTS:
LW Stuart Elliot
MF Jay Jay Okocha
Brewster Frizzell
Frank Belt
FW Henrik Pedersen
FW Frazier Campbell (Loan Return)

Possibles:
DF Ricardo Rocha - Tottenham
ST Emile Mpenza - Man City
MF Delron Buckley - Borussia Dortmund
RW Stelios Giannakopoulos - FA
DF Abdoulaye Meite - Bolton
FW Frazier Campbell - Manchester United
FW Marlon King - Wigan Athletic

What's Left in the Kitty - $20m US (Including wage allocations for new signings)

What Lies Ahead:
Aug 16 Fulham (H)
Aug 23 Blackburn (A)
Aug 30 Wigan (H)
Sep 13 Newcastle (A)
Sep 20 Everton (H)
Sep 27 Arsenal (A)
Oct 4 Tottenham (A)

Possible Starting XI:
GK   Boaz Myhill
RB   Bernard Mendy
CB   Wayne Brown
CB   Michael Turner
LB   Andy Dawson
RMF  Geovanni
CMF  Ian Ashbee
CMF  George Boateng
LMF  Peter Halmosi
FW   Dean Windass
FW   Craig Fagan

How They'll Stack Up:
Manager Phil Brown has done a good job wheeling and dealing this summer to prepare his team for their first-ever Premier League campaign.  Looking at the early schedule, it's key they get at least a few points before hitting a tough spell in late September with Everton, Arsenal & Tottenham a possible barren run.  There is quality in this team with the likes of Dean Windass, California-born GK Boaz Myhill along with skipper Ian Ashbee, & DF Andy Dawson.  The latter three players have been with this team through four divisions and will provide the veteran backbone they need.  Geovanni is certainly one of the key acquisitions though and with a couple goals in the pre-season already, fans will have high expectations that he can fill the void left by the departure of Frazier Campbell back to Manchester United.  Campbell popped in 15-goals last season and Brown was hoping to have him back on loan or even a permanent deal but has been unable to convince United to do either. 
Being the final team to get promoted, they'll be in the shadow of Derby County's run last season - but I think this team is better...and should do better.  However, they will likely face a relegation fight most of the term - one I think they can survive. 

Coming up Monday: Stoke City

Here at 'Fox Soccer Report', we've been gearing up for Euro 2008 for a few weeks now.  Reading, researching - perhaps a little too much because it's getting to the point where EVERY team looks like it could win the tournament.  Ok, not quite.....Austria and Switzerland have NO chance no matter how much I read!  With that, here's a little Euro Preview to get you prepped - complete with predictions!!  (I need to give Luis someone to mock for a few weeks.)

The groups are presented in the order I think they'll finish with their FIFA World Ranking in brackets and an explanation.

Group A
Portugal (11th)
Czech Republic (6th)
Turkey (20th)
Switzerland (44th)

This is Portugal's group to lose.  With a healthy Cristiano Ronaldo (World Player of the Year - you read it here first) and his 42-goals (plus 8-goals in 13-qualifying) they will win this group with ease.  Luiz Felipe's Scolari 4-2-3-1 system doesn't have a set striker up top but with the options he has to chose from, it shouldn't matter who's there.  The Czech Republic will provide strong opposition but with no Tomas Rosicky, they lack a creative spark.  Turkey will be competitive but they don't have the experience and the Swiss just don't have the talent.

Group B
Germany (5th)
Croatia (15th)
Poland (28th)
Austria (92nd)

Just as Group A is Portugal's to lose, Germany simply CANNOT lose Group B.  If they didn't make it out of here, I'd call it one of the biggest upsets in football history.  This team is so stacked, I think coach Jaochim Loew could be able to rotate his squad for the 3rd game (vs. Austria).  Michael Ballack is in great form coming in and they are solid from back to front.  Croatia are one of the tournament 'dark horses' but I don't think Ivan Klasnic and Mladen Petric can pick up the slack for the loss of Eduardo da Silva (10 goals in qualifying - more than a third of Croatia's goals!).  They'll get out of the group but lose in the quarters.  Austria could end up doing what fans hoped they wouldn't - embarrassing the host nation.

Group C
Netherlands (10th)
Italy (3rd)
France (7th)
Romania (12th)

I've gotten a few stares from people who saw my Euro Pool picks because I picked Holland to finish so high.  But when you look at it, I may not be THAT out to lunch!  Holland are healthy, they have the best attacking midfield in world football (Van Persie, Van Der Vaart & Sneijder) and they have dumped the players that are usually at the center of their big-tournament implosions (Seedorf, Van Bommel).  Yes, Italy are the world champions but losing Cannavaro is HUGE - people don't realize just HOW huge.  Luca Toni will lead them out of the group but that's it.  And France - well, watching them in the lead-up has been anything but impressive.  Perhaps it is a ruse but I think not.  This is an old team with a weak defense and they will not get out of the 'Group of Death'.  I will say Romania could sneak out of this group - if results go their way.  If they were any other group, I'd put them through, but not this time.

Group D
Spain (4th)
Russia (24th)
Greece (8th)
Sweden (30th)

Spain could quite possibly have the most talented team at this tournament.  Names like Fabregas, Torres, Casillas, Xavi, Iniesta, Villa & Guiza have many a pundit picking Spain to go all the way.  Not me.  This is a team that - while talented - is psychologically weak and coach Luis Aragones is not the man to rid them of that.  Spain are used to painful defeats and Euro 2008 will provide another one - in the last four.  Russia are coached by Guus Hiddink and on that basis alone I pick them to get out of the group stage.  Hiddink has some kind of jedi-mind-trick thing he uses on all his teams and they ALWAYS manage to get to the knockout stage.  That's not to say Russia believe they are better than they are - this is a good team and while they play a safe 4-5-1, they will be far from boring.  Russia could be this tournament's Greece.  Speaking of the reigning champs - they just don't have the horses and their opposition will be prepared this time.  Sweden are healthy - but like France they are old.  Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a scoring machine at Inter.  He needs to finally do it for country if they have any chance.

In the Quarters:
Portugal beats Croatia
Germany beats Czech Republic
Holland beats Russia
Spain eliminates Italy

In the semis:
Germany just beats Portugal
Holland beats Spain 8-7

In the Final:
Germany beats Holland

Enjoy the tournament folks!