JUVENTUS

Tevez is a perfect fit for Conte's hard running football provided of course he stays motivated. What Llorente will offer having effectively been ostracised for a season remains to be seen. Vidal is the glue that holds everything together, giving protection to Buffon and Pirlo, who have both seen better days and he has become increasingly important at the other end. Juve lack strength in depth in key midfield positions but in light of serious challengers are heavy favourites to seal a third successive scudetto for the first time in their history.

Prospects : Champions/Runners-Up
Key Players : Vidal, Pirlo, Tevez


NAPOLI

Napoli made the cardinal sin of entrusting the idiot Benitez with what was effectively an open cheque book as he irresponsibly spent the substantial funds the club received from the Cavani transfer. Hamsik, and not the largely average players the club have signed, is the teams standout player but he cannot possibly score every week in what will probably be his last season at the San Paolo. Benitez's safety first approach may reap rewards in Europe but he will need to be more proactive to win the most tactically demanding of European leagues.

Prospects : Runners-Up/Champions League
Key Players : Hamsik, Inler, Higuain


MILAN

Having identified Honda and Ljajic as their primary targets, two players who would have provided some much needed flair, Galliani's incompetence and penny pinching meant Milan missed out on both. The forced euphoria following the repatriation of a shot Kaka' has been nothing short of embarrassing. Although defensively a shambles Milan have more depth in attack than any other team in Serie A which should be enough for a Champions League place. Long-term Kaka's arrival may prove damaging to the development of El Shaarawy and Saponara. Allegri, furious his requests in the transfer market have been ignored, will almost certainly leave at the end of the season and make way for Inzaghi.

Prospects : Champions League/Europa League
Key Players : Mexes, De Jong, Balotelli


ROMA

Roma's American dream has turned into a nightmare as after two years of heavy investment and careless coaching appointments they pulled the plug and sold off three key players (Lamela, Osvaldo and Marquinhos) albeit for a massive profit. Ljajic will prove a worthy replacement for Lamela and the Argentinean's sale will also give more playing time to the immensely talented Pjanic. Although Benatia is a big upgrade on Marquinhos, Roma will miss the physical presence of Osvaldo. De Rossi and Bradley have potential to be best central midfield partnership in the league but the American has yet to come out of his shell and command the Roma midfield with authority. As always a lot rests on Totti's creaking shoulders.

Prospects : Champions League/Europa League
Key Players : Benatia, De Rossi, Totti


FIORENTINA

Fiorentina put the money from the sale of Jovetic to good use, beating a host of clubs to the signature of Mario Gomez who will be given plenty of ammunition from one of the most stylish midfields in the league - Valero was especially outstanding last term. Fiorentina are a fearsome prospect going forward but Ambrosini is not the solution to the defensive midfield problem - he doesn't have the legs to play well consistently and the defence, a major weak link, needs all the protection it can get. Montella has proven to be an excellent coach and his teams play an exciting brand of football but probably aren't solid enough defensively to seal a Champions League place.

Prospects : Champions League/Europa League
Key Players : Valero, Rossi, Gomez


INTER

After four years at Napoli Mazzarri arrives to re-establish Inter among the nations elite. Inter have continued to invest in youth, joining the likes of Kuzmanovic (who has done little) this season are two of the most exciting young forwards in Europe - Belfodil and Icardi. Centre back remains a problem position and Cambiasso continues to be a weak link in midfield. Alvarez has started the season well and Palacio has become a key player following the injury to Milito. Inter are at least a year away from a top three finish but after going through five coaches in three years Mazzarri is the right man to steady the ship and lay the foundations for the future.

Prospects : Europa League
Key Players : Handanovic, Alvarez, Palacio


LAZIO

Petkovic did an excellent job in his first season, leading the team to cup glory and a strong showing in Europe but could do nothing to prevent their trademark post Christmas slump. Less predictable was investment in the squad after years of penny pinching but Anderson and Biglia do nothing to address the clubs total over-reliance on Klose in attack. Unless Lazio's youth team has a few surprises in store, and it hasn't since Nesta emerged over 20 years ago, Lazio are likely to miss out on European competition all together.

Prospects : Upper Mid-Table
Key Players : Hernanes, Candreva, Klose