Man United, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal and the Rest: Ranking the EPL Contenders

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With preseason training underway, it is time to look towards the 2011-12 English Premier League campaign.

Reigning champions Manchester United will be facing stiff competition from a number of top-flight clubs. With Manchester City ending the "Big Four" dominance, there are now six clubs with a serious chance to win the title.

United and City will be joined by Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham, as they all battle it out atop the EPL standings.

Here are the rankings for the top six EPL contenders.

Note: Although there will most likely be major signings and departures this summer, the current rosters must be used for the rankings.

6. Tottenham

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After progressing into the group stages of the Champions League last season, Tottenham slipped to fifth place and out of contention for Europe's premier club competition.

Manager Harry Redknapp has brought great success to the club since his arrival in 2008. Spurs have now become serious contenders for a top-four place in the table.

Although the club has a few world-class players, such as Rafael van der Vaart, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale, Redknapp does not have the talent to compete with the other top sides this year.

Spurs have recently signed Ivorian starlet Souleymane Coulibaly, but they have not brought in a star striker and proven goal-scorer to lead the line. Redknapp will be looking to make a few key additions this summer to bolster the current squad.

At the moment, Spurs do not have the depth or world-class talent to climb above the other major English clubs.

5. Liverpool

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Following Liverpool's change in ownership, they have become one of the most active clubs in the transfer market.

In January, the new owners sold Fernando Torres and used the transfer fee to finance the deals for Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

Liverpool have been active in the summer transfer window as well. Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Doni have all joined the Reds, with Alberto Aquilani returning to the club from a loan spell with Juventus.

With the significant influx of talent at Anfield, Liverpool will be a major force in England's top flight this year. Led by stalwarts Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina, the club has assembled a squad full of youth, experience and talent.

Manager Kenny Dalglish has been instrumental towards Liverpool's recent revival under new ownership. He may have the depth to contend and finish among the Champions League places, but the amount of changes and new faces will make it difficult to find the right first-team chemistry.

The players will have to adapt to each other's tendencies and style of play. Although they are a talented side, it will take a couple months or possibly a year to build that understanding and connection.

4. Chelsea

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After a second place league finish and trophy-less campaign, Chelsea will be looking to return to its title-winning ways in the 2011-12 season.

With the arrival of star Portuguese manager Andre Villas-Boas, owner Roman Abramovich has brought one of the premier coaching talents in world football to Stamford Bridge. Villas-Boas, formerly of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea regime, has yet to make any key additions to an already experienced and talented squad.

The Blues will expect a much-improved Fernando Torres and a fully fit Frank Lampard heading into the new campaign. However, Chelsea will struggle to replace Michael Essien in midfield, as the enforcer will miss six months with a recurrent knee injury. The loss is a huge blow for the club, as the Ghanaian is an integral part of the side and a driving force from midfield.

Although he already has a star-studded squad full of world-class players, Villas-Boas will most likely dip into the transfer market this summer. Chelsea still lack a creative, attacking midfielder to complement the abundance of talent upfront and at the back.

In addition, Villas-Boas must find the right player on the market or tactical formation to get the best out of Torres, Didier Drogba and Nicola Anelka. Last year, they struggled playing together, which once again could keep them from climbing the table next season.

The Blues will have to adapt to Villas-Boas and his coaching methods as well. Although the club has experienced veterans that are comfortable with regime changes and different tactics, the entire squad will still have to get accustomed to Villas-Boas' style of training and management.

Chelsea will undoubtedly challenge the major English teams and contend for a first place finish. However, with the current squad, they are still a few pieces away from a title-winning team.

3. Arsenal

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Although Arsenal slipped down to fourth-place in last season's EPL standings, they are still viable contenders to dethrone reigning champions Manchester United.

With captain Cesc Fabregas and star Frenchman Samir Nasri still members of the squad, the Gunners will be expecting better domestic and European results this year. The return of first-choice centre-back Thomas Vermaelen will bring much-needed solidity and class to an unstable defense.

Manager Arsene Wenger has already started his summer spending, with the acquisition of Lille forward Gervinho. While the Ivorian may not be a marquee signing, he could play a significant role for Arsenal this season.

Although the Gunners have been criticized for their lack of experience and defensive fortitude, the current squad has the talent to contend for the EPL title.

With a fully fit Fabregas, Vermaelen and Robin van Persie, Arsenal will hopefully be able to count on three world-class players for the entire 2011-12 campaign. PFA Team of the Year members Bacary Sagna and Jack Wilshere will be looking to build on their success from last year as well.

Last season, with Vermaelen out with a long-term injury and Fabregas struggling to stay fit, the Gunners were still able to finish in the top four. Wenger will be looking for a higher finish this season with a fully fit first team squad.

While other big clubs, such as Chelsea, have more experienced players and proven winners, the Gunners have shown that they can beat the elite teams without a number of their star players.

With Wenger's current squad, Arsenal will be a serious contender in domestic and European competition.

2. Manchester City

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FA Cup champions Manchester City will be looking to improve on last season's success, and challenge for Champions League and EPL glory this year.

Manager Roberto Mancini is entering his second full season in charge at Eastlands but has yet to make any major moves in the summer transfer window. However, City have already addressed their weaknesses at left back and central defense with the signings of Gael Clichy and Stefan Savic.

Although the Carlos Tevez transfer saga has ruled the media, Mancini still has an abundance of attacking talent. Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko have the ability to contribute 15 goals each with regular first team appearances. While Tevez looks set for a move out of Manchester, at the moment, City still have their talismanic captain and EPL joint top-scorer.

With world-class players such as Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, Nigel de Jong and David Silva, Mancini has built a team that can dethrone rivals Manchester United.

City have the stars and role players to endure the long domestic and European campaign. With the amount of first team talent in every third of the pitch, the club will be a serious challenger in every competition.

City have become one of the best defensive sides in England, led by Hart and Kompany at the back. Although Mancini's pragmatic approach was key to City's FA Cup success, the club will have to be a more potent attacking threat this season.

The current City squad, including club captain and top goal scorer Tevez, will be serious contenders for the 2011-12 EPL title.

1. Manchester United

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Reigning EPL champions Manchester United are still the club to beat next season. After winning a record 19th English league title, the Red Devils look set to lift the trophy once again in 2012.

Although United were criticized for not being a great champion as in previous years, manager Sir Alex Ferguson still steered the club to another first-place finish.

Following the retirements of Edwin van der Sar and Paul Scholes, the club has been forced to usher in a new generation at Old Trafford. Ferguson has been active in the transfer market this summer, signing goalkeeper David de Gea, centre back Phil Jones and winger Ashley Young.

While the Red Devils are still searching for the natural replacement for Paul Scholes in midfield, the club still has an unbelievably talented squad. With strikers Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov, and wingers Nani, Young and Antonio Valencia, the reigning champions arguably have the most attacking depth in all of Europe.

Although United have one of the most experienced sides in England, Ferguson has brought in young talent to balance the squads advancing age. The new signings will bring new life to a squad with a number of veteran players, such as Rio Ferdinand, Michael Owen and Ryan Giggs.

The Red Devils have been a dominant force in England over the past few years. With the star players returning to Old Trafford this season and the new acquisitions, Ferguson's men have to be considered as the No. 1 contender for the EPL title.