All major European Leagues will kick off this weekend & the draw for the Group stage of the Champions League (and Europa League) has also taken place.
The usual suspects will challenge for the major titles again although many World Cup starts will not be fully fit till mid September Champions League Group stage match day 1.
Once again, the EPL will receive most of the attention in the English speaking media. Manchester City & Chelsea are clear title favourites whilst Liverpool, Arsenal & spurs will be hoping for CL places. Louis Van Gaal will find the task of returning Manchester United back to the top more difficult than anticipated.
IN Spain, both Real Madrid & Barcelona have strengthened their already impressive squads & will once again battle with Atletico Madrid for the Top 3 honours. Although at least on paper, Real Madrid, with the addition of Tony Kroos & James Rodriquiz, and potentially Falcao, must be favourites to win both the La Liga & Champions League.
In Germany, Bayern & Dortmund will once again be title challengers, whilst in Italy Juventus will be chased by Roma, Napoli with Lazio, Inter, Milan & Fiorentina fighting for minor places & possibly a Champions League position.
The Champions League draw has been mostly kind to the top teams. Group E, with Bayern & Manchester City & Roma & the Russian Champions CSKA Moscow can be considered the so called Group of death.
