Premier League Predictions 2013: Sides That Will Surprise with Strong Campaigns

With just over two weeks of the transfer window left, Premier League clubs up and down England—and Wales too—are continuing to strengthen their squads.

According to Sky Sports, £371,710,000 has been spent by top-flight clubs so far, and there's still the deadline-day splurge to come on September 2.

While some managers have opted for wholesale changes ahead of the new campaign, others have added just a single new face to their ranks so far.

But whose transfer business will propel them to new heights in the table next season? Here's a look at three clubs destined to improve during 2013/14.

Norwich City

Despite finishing 11th last term, Norwich only narrowly avoided a return to the Championship after winning their last two games against West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City.

Before those victories, they managed just two wins in 19 games, a run of form that left them dangerously close to relegation.

Manager Chris Hughton has reacted to their failings last term by investing in over £20 million of new talent so far this summer.

Strikers Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Gary Hooper look set to form an exciting new attacking partnership, while Leroy Fer and Nathan Redmond will add physicality and pace to the Canaries' midfield.

Although they may not finish higher than last season, expect Norwich to secure a comfortable mid-table position with some big-name scalps at Carrow Road along the way.

Southampton

After the controversial arrival of Mauricio Pochettino as manager in January, Southampton have showed plenty of signs that they're a club on the up.

The Argentine got the Saints playing an eye-catching, attacking brand of football in the latter half of last season, and he'll be keen to continue that when they kick off at West Brom on Saturday.

Although the south-coast club have only made two signings thus far—Dejan Lovren from Lyon and Celtic's Victor Wanyama—both will help address the defensive problems that plagued them during the last campaign.

With Adam Lallana and Gaston Ramirez providing the ammunition for Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez, Southampton will be capable of causing any team problems, particularly at St Mary's.

Expect them to be challenging for a top-half position after finishing 14th in 2012/13.

Sunderland

Sunderland finished 17th last season, just one place and three points above the drop zone.

Manager Paolo Di Canio came in to replace the faltering Martin O'Neill toward the end of the campaign and gathered enough points to keep the Black Cats safe.

The Italian has since engineered a huge overhaul of his squad, allowing eight players to leave and signing nine new ones.

Although the loss of star goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was a blow, Di Canio has strengthened a number of areas, most noticeably up front and out wide with the additions of striker Jozy Altidore and Italian international Emanuele Giaccherini.

Although their new signings may take a while to gel into a cohesive unit, Sunderland should achieve a much more respectable finish under the passionate Di Canio.