Strengths: Eight new signings of Championship calibre and a healthy wage bill should mean the Owls compete at the top of the table.
Weaknesses: As ever at Wednesday the biggest problems are off the field of play. With an estimated £26m worth of debt and the constant talk of takeovers, instability will always undermine the team.
Key man: The fans have a huge role to play. The expectation is promotion and they must remember that promotion comes after 46 games and not the first two months of the season.
Strengths: Only champions Norwich City scored more than Saints last season, they have goals in them up front and out wide.
Weaknesses: Finding the right partner for Jose Fonte in the centre of defence will be key if Pardew's side are to keep more clean sheets.
Key Man: Striker Rickie Lambert is the focal point of the Southampton attack and if he gets near the 36 he scored last season then Saints should be promoted.
Strengths: Team work, along with the experience provided by defender Ian Goodison and midfielder Paul McLaren.
Weaknesses: Tranmere had difficulty scoring last season, being too reliant on Ian Thomas-Moore. New signing Enoch Showunmi will take some of the weight off the skipper.
Key man: Rovers will hope Joss Labadie can make a goalscoring contribution from midfield.
Strengths: In claiming their highest league finish since relegation from the Championship in 2004 last season, the Saddlers' largely youthful side, with its smattering of experience, proved they can compete with anyone in the division on their day.
Weaknesses: The lack of a 20-goal a season striker could again be Walsall's Achilles heel in their bid to push for a play-off place.
Key man: Walsall fans are expecting big things of centre-half Clayton McDonald after the 21-year-old enjoyed an impressive first season at the Banks's Stadium following his arrival from Manchester City.
Strengths: Skiverton's loan signings were instrumental in keeping the Glovers in League One last season and he looks to have brought in more quality players over the summer.
Weaknesses: With up to half of Skiverton's first-choice line-up having left since the end of last season, he will have to gel his new side together quickly.
Key man: Defender Stefan Stam had a nightmare with injuries in his first campaign with the club and keeping him fit will be vital in trying to replace the departed Steven Caulker.
Reporting by Steve Marshall, BBC Wiltshire's Ben Moss, BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore, BBC Radio Merseyside's Derek Jones, BBC Radio Bristol's Ed Hadwin and BBC Radio Sheffield's Seth Bennett.
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