7 Premier League Clubs Facing 'Now or Never' Seasons in 2013-14

As the opening weekend of the 2013-14 campaign draws closer, many Premier League clubs are preparing for what could be a crucial season ahead.

With the financial boost provided by the new television deal, clubs are spending like there's no tomorrow in an effort to come out on top in May 2014.

But for some, the coming campaign is set to be a make or break season. They cannot afford to miss this chance to propel themselves up the table.

Bleacher Report investigates the teams facing the crunch time.

Cardiff/Crystal Palace/Hull

As ever, the promoted teams will face a struggle to survive their first season in the Premier League with the hope of securing a future in England's top flight.

The hopefuls this season are Ian Holloway's Crystal Palace, Malky Mackay's Cardiff and Steve Bruce's Hull.

Cardiff's biggest purchase this summer has been a gamble on young Danish striker Andreas Cornelius from FC Copenhagen, along with swoops for Derby's John Brayford and Brentford's Simon Moore. 

Crystal Palace have also splashed out on Peterborough striker Dwight Gayle as well as Jose Campana from Sevilla.

Holloway has also recruited evergreen striker Kevin Phillips and Jerome Thomas on free transfers.

Hull have been the biggest movers out of the trio, with signings of Maynor Figueroa, George Boyd, Steve Harper, Curtis Davies, Allan McGregor, Ahmed Elmohamady and Yannick Sagbo.

Bruce also raided former club Sunderland for striker Danny Graham on a season-long loan.

But will any of them survive their first season in the Premier League?

Tottenham

Tottenham have made big strides this summer with the additions of Brazilian midfielder and Confederations Cup winner Paulinho and Belgian attacker Nacer Chadli, as well as the seemingly impending transfer of Valencia striker Roberto Soldado, with the BBC reporting negotiations are progressing well.

But supporters' joy at an excellent summer is tempered by news that Gareth Bale could be on his way out.

With reports of a €98.5 million bid apparently rejected according to the BBC (via Football-Espana.net), Tottenham will find it hard to resist Real Madrid's advances and keep hold of the Welsh sensation.

The fans will be fervently hoping that Spurs can hang on to their star player as they prepare to launch a renewed assault on the top four, which looks as vulnerable as ever.

With Arsenal struggling to make a splash in the transfer window, Spurs will feel that fourth place is there for the taking.

Liverpool

It seems every season is "make or break" for the Reds, and this year is no different as they go into their second season under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers.

But there is a sense of disappointment at Anfield after a failed move for Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who elected to sign for Borussia Dortmund.

Despite the setback, the Merseyside giants successfully recruited Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo, Luis Alberto from Sevilla and Simon Mignolet from Sunderland.

Rodgers also secured the signing of experienced Ivorian defender Kolo Toure on a free transfer.

Unfortunately for the Reds, other teams have strengthened further and a place in the Champions League looks as far away as ever, with the Luis Suarez saga set to drag on throughout August.

Liverpool need a route back into Europe, or else they will struggle to recruit the best players next year as they did this summer.

Sunderland

Paolo di Canio has instigated a revolution at the sleepy Wearside club, with no less than nine signings this summer in an effort to bolster the club's ranks.

After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, the Italian was adamant that a repeat should not happen again and opened his contacts book to bring in Italian director of football Roberto De Fanti and scout Valentino Angeloni.

With a overhauled scouting system, the Black Cats went out and bought Modibo Diakite, Cabral, Duncan Whatmore, Valentin Roberge, David Moberg Karlsson, Vito Mannone, Jozy Altidore, El-Hadji Ba and Emanuele Giaccherini.

With a new-look Sunderland squad, Di Canio will be aiming for a more successful season than Sunderland have been used to in the past.

But if the heavy recruitment fails to have the desired effect, the Wearsiders could be facing relegation yet again.

Manchester United

It's an unusual summer for Manchester United as their biggest change has been at managerial level.

With Sir Alex Ferguson bowing out of football, Everton's David Moyes was chosen as his successor, and the Scot has a huge task on his hands to maintain their course.

As rivals Manchester City and Chelsea have strengthened enormously, Moyes is facing an uphill struggle as failed moves for Thiago Alcantara and Cesc Fabregas, both of which were reported by the Daily Mail, have made for a disappointing summer so far.

Keeping Wayne Rooney could also be difficult with the likes of Chelsea sniffing around the striker according to the Daily Mail.

But Moyes' biggest problem will be stepping in the shoes of a United legend, and the pressure will be on the Glaswegian to bring home silverware next season.