Battle '4' Fourth

With one of the most eagerly awaited Premier League season's now well and truly underway and the transfer window shut we should have a decent idea of who is in the race for the coveted fourth Champions League spot.

As with the title race this year looks more wide open than in recent years. He's a look at the main contenders and one or two outsiders for that fourth spot (presuming of course, the top 3 favourites City, United and Chelsea finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively)

SPURS

Without doubt the busiest of the 'big' teams this summer adding no less than seven players. Impressively all the new boys are potential first-teamers. Of course Daniel Levy has used money from the sale of talisman Bale but it's hard to argue they are not a much stronger squad now

With the likes of Soldado, Eriksen, Chadli & Paulinho they look to have more than replaced Bale. Anything but top four for Spurs is going to be quite simply viewed as failure. Having been in the mix in recent years and qualifying once under Harry Redknapp it's almost unthinkable Tottenham won't finish at least fourth, possibly higher. If AVB's new look team can gel quickly, they may be looking towards top spot but with so many changes this could be easier said then done.

ARSENAL

Say what you like about Arsene Wenger but he and his Gunners certainly know how to make the top four, having finished in the Champions League spot every year since the birth of Christ (well almost...).

All eyes are going to be on new record signing Mesut Ozil which seems to have appeased Wenger's critics for the time being at least. Ozil is no doubt going to improve the side but arguably Arsenal had other areas which haven't been strengthened which needed to be such as another quality striker. Viviano has also been brought in from Palermo to provide depth in the goalkeeping department.

Arsenal's experience of finishing in the top four for 17 consecutive seasons may give them the edge over some of their rivals but the nagging question remains, do they have the squad depth to hold off the teams who have strengthen so significantly?

LIVERPOOL

Another club that have recruited heavily and wisely, it would seem. Liverpool were not mentioned by too many to be genuine top four contenders but with an impressive set of new signings in all areas of the pitch, Brendan Rodgers' team is looking infinitely stronger than last season and the key could be the huge bonus of managing to keep star player Luis Suarez.

It's hard to see Liverpool having problems going forward with Suarez now seemingly settled and the on-fire Daniel Sturridge being backed up with the likes of Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto. Three wins from three won't do any harm and their chances of grabbing a Champions League spot seem a lot better now.

EVERTON

Outsiders they may be but if Bill Kenwright tells us when unveiling Roberto Martinez as manager that they can make the Champions League then who are we to argue? How much time it will take the toffees to fully adapt to Martinez's style of play only time will tell but they do have a decent squad boosted considerably by keeping Leighton Baines and bringing in McCarthy, Barry and Lukaku. They now have a quality striker in Romelu Lukaku and this is possibly the key ingredient Everton needed to compete with their rivals.

It's hard to see them grabbing fourth place considering the quality of the teams around them but if they can combine solidity and consistency with their probable attacking, passing style they might not be too far off.

SWANSEA 

The Swans won't be mentioned by many as Champions League contenders but looking at their squad, if they can avoid injuries/suspensions they could surprise a few. Having held on to captain Ashley Williams and last season's star forward Michu they now have depth which was previously lacking given Michael Laudrup's new recruits including the highly rated goal scorer Wilfried Bony. Up front is where they have strengthened in particular and if they can kick on from last season they should improve their league position.

Swansea is a club on the crest of a wave with a highly thought of young manager, an attractive style of play and fresh from winning the League Cup last season. The fact they are playing in this season's Europe League may count against them when it comes to getting towards the top four or five but they are worth mentioning as a challenger to the coveted fourth and final spot to qualify for football's biggest club competition.

By @chrish5244