Alan Shearer
BBC Sport

With BBC Sport's Chris Bevan asking the questions, 22 out of 30 BBC TV and radio pundits went forChelseaas their predicted Premier League champions this season.     

Here's a little of former England captain Alan Shearer's reasoning:

"Chelsea are still the team to beat because of their experience and I also think they will be better than they were last year when Diego Costa was injured a lot and Cesc Fabregas did not play his best football from February onwards.

"It also would not surprise me if they sign another big hitter before the transfer window shuts..."

What about Liverpool's signing of Christian Benteke - is he the striker they seemed to be missing all of last season? Where does Daniel Sturridge fit in? And what about Mario Balotelli? Actually, just how many strikers do Liverpool actually need?

The Reds don't play until Sunday - they're away to Stoke City in a 16:00 BST start. 

Benteke scored an absolutely stunning volley at Swindon last week, if you haven't seen it yet...

Image source, PA

This morning we're asking you: 

1 Who will be your team's star man? 2 Who will be your team's biggest let down? 3 Where will your team finish?

How is Manchester United Bastian Schweinsteiger feeling this morning? 

And more importantly for United, can he still run? The 31-year-old midfielder seems to be dividing opinion - I've seen him touted as both the best and the worst signing of the summer transfer window. 

It'll be intriguing to see how he gets on this season. Remember, he's never played for any club other than Bayern Munich. 

I thought the move was a sensational one - it's like Paul Scholes going the other way in 2004.

The bad news for United fans is that Schweinsteiger is not likely to feature today as he is not considered fit enough.

Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder, BBC Sport

It's been quite a close season at Bournemouth since their promotion from the Championship, with major works taking place to revamp the ground, install undersoil heating and generally cater for the demands of life in the Premier League.

But one thing that hasn't quite happened in time is getting the new kit into the club shop - a manufacturing delay means fans cannot buy replica kits just yet.

So some fans are planning a retro day - with supporters encouraged to dig out their shirts from years gone by. It should all add to the atmosphere on the south coast when the Cherries host Aston Villa later today...

Image source, Bournemouth.vitalfootball.co.uk

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

"Louis van Gaal's job last season was to put the pieces back together in the wake of David Moyes's dreadful reign and get Manchester United back in the Champions League. Mission accomplished.

"However, United will not be satisfied by such comparatively limited ambition this time around. With expensive outlay on the likes of Memphis Depay,Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin - and every chance of another huge signing to come - Van Gaal needs to be challenging for the title. No excuses.

"But how will they cope if world-class keeper David De Gea leaves? United's defence still fails to give off complete reassurance - and until Van Gaal buys a central defender of real authority the Premier League title may remain out of reach.

"Not convinced they will be near a title unless more stellar signings are made but every chance of a cup success."

Phil's prediction:  4th

You've also got until kick-off to have a go at your predictions for this opening weekend of the Premier League season. 

Think you know your football? Believe you can beat Lawro?

Test your expertise by playing our Premier League prediction game and seeing how many results you can predict correctly.

You'll even have your performance analysed by one of the Match of the Day pundits at the end of the round. What are you waiting for?

Image source, Getty Images

It's also definitely worth checking out BBC Sport's new feature - My Premier League Life. 

Ever wondered how many games your team have played during your lifetime? Goals scored? Trophies won? Managers employed?

All you need to do is choose a team from the 20 in the Premier League this season, input your date of birth and, to discover even more information, your postcode, and My Premier League Life will do the rest.

A timely one for many of you I feel:

In case you missed it earlier this week, last year's Fantasy Premier League winner Simon March has been sharing tips on how to follow in his footsteps. 

There's still time to pick yours this morning, right?

Image source, .

Top picks: Wayne Rooney, Diego Costa, Jordan Henderson, David Silva. 

"Having already delivered season after season, Chelsea's Eden Hazard and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero practically pick themselves, as might Alexis Sanchez after his explosive debut season at Arsenal. 

"However, with doubts over whether the latter two will start the season following their late return from the Copa America in Chile, I think Wayne Rooney offers a great early season captaincy option at Manchester United. Now stationed up front, Rooney has an excellent goalscoring record against each of his first three opponents - Tottenham, Aston Villa and Newcastle."

You can read more, over here.

Image source, .

Not to mention Premier League newcomers Bournemouth.   

Whether you're on the hotel wifi on your holidays or waking up to what feels like the first sunny summer day in the United Kingdom, we'd like to hear from you. 

You've had all summer to think about it - how is your team going to do this year? Optimistic? It'd be rude not to be, surely?

This morning we'd like to know:

1. Who will be your team's star man? 

2. Who will be your biggest let down? 

3. Where in the table will you finish?

You can join the conversation using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, or drop us a line on the BBC Sport Facebook page. 

You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - but please don't forget to include your name and location.

Image source, Getty Images

I reckon I can think of a few desperate souls who would make the case for domestic football running all year round, but where would we be now without the chance to stand back and breathe? 

For some the summer break is a respite from the pain of expectations not reached, for others it's a glorious bask in last year's success. 

But the time off allows everyone a chance to dream - away from the reality of it all. And I bet there are plenty of dreamers out there today.

Are Arsenal serious title contenders? How will Raheem Sterling do at Manchester City? What about the champions Chelsea, and big-spenders Manchester United? 

Liverpool? 

But then it didn't really ever go away now did it?  

Image source, Getty Images

A lot has happened since May - England's brilliant showing at the Women's World Cup has got to top the list - but there's nothing quite like the return of the domestic calendar. 

It all got under way last night in the Football League - Brighton beat Nottingham Forest - but today the top flight makes its entrance too. 

Manchester United host Tottenham in a 12:45 BST kick-off at Old Trafford.

But we've an awful lot to get through before then...