Football fans have barely had time to take a break. Since the end of the last English Premier League season, the European Championship and the Olympic football competition have kept the beautiful game on our screens. And now, the big show is back. Hayden Meikle offers an A to Z of the new season.
A is for Aguerrrroooooooo.
The lasting (aural) memory of the 2011-12 season is of commentator Martin Tyler's near-explosion as Sergio Aguero scored a last-gasp goal against QPR to secure an unlikely title for Manchester City.
B is for Bobby Mancini.
Manchester City's smooth Italian manager has laughably tried to claim underdog status for his all-star squad ahead of this season. Don't listen to him.
C is for Carroll, of the Big Andy variety.
The 35 million striker wants to stay at Liverpool but it seems he will be sold for a massive loss.
D is for Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse.
The Senegalese striking pair will be back in the Newcastle front line to terrorise defenders around the league.
E is for Economics.
There is still a sickening amount of money going in and out of the Premier League, but the big clubs are all wary of the Financial Fair Play regulations. From next year, supposedly, they'll have to prove they can break even on the balance sheets.
F is for Ferguson, Lord Baron Sir Alex.
Still here, still grumpy, still a stirrer.
G is for Gaffers.
Plenty of movement, as usual. Brendan Rodgers follows King Kenny at Liverpool, Andre Villas-Boas tries to redeem himself with Tottenham, Paul Lambert heads to Aston Villa and is replaced at Norwich by Chris Hughton, Michael Laudrup takes over at Swansea, Steve Clarke joins West Brom, and Chelsea... wait, Chelsea hasn't changed managers yet?
H is for Hulk.
Great name, great player. Hopefully we'll see the big Brazilian in the Premiership before long.
I is for Intellectuals.
They follow Arsenal, apparently. And make semi-convincing arguments that winning trophies is not important.
J is for Jack Wilshere.
The Arsenal youngster with the sublime touch is still battling back from injury. Club and country need him.
K is for Kiwis.
Ryan Nelsen is still in the Premier League but is on to his third club, QPR. Winston Reid is back in the top flight with West Ham. Chris Wood appears set to leave West Brom. Tim Payne drops down to the Championship with Blackburn.
L is for Long-Running Transfer Sagas.
See: Robin van Persie and Luka Modric.
M is for Moyesy.
David Moyes has been Everton manager for 10 years now and has won ... er ...nothing.
N is for Nutters.
Joey Barton is serving a 12-match ban for his disgraceful behaviour at the end of last season. And "Super Mario" Balotelli will bring his special brand of brilliance and buffoonery back to Manchester City.
O is for Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Junior.
The 20-year-old Brazilian attacking midfielder arriving at Chelsea.
P is for Promotion.
Reading, Southampton and good old West Ham are back in the Premier League, replacing Bolton, Blackburn and Wolves.
Q is for Quick.
If Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon get going on the flanks for Spurs, watch out.
R is for Retirement.
Brad Friedel (41), Ryan Giggs (38), Paul Scholes (37), Rory Delap (36), Frank Lampard (34) and Jamie Carragher (34) are still going strong.
S is for Santi Cazorla.
Watch out for the tricky Spanish playmaker in the Arsenal team this season.
T is for Toon, or Newcastle United.
Other great nicknames in the Premier League include the Baggies (West Brom), the Black Cats (Sunderland), the Canaries (Norwich), the Cottagers (Fulham) and the Gunners (Arsenal).
U is for Uefa Champions League.
Somehow, improbably, Chelsea won the trophy formerly known as the European Cup last season. Manchester City and Arsenal next? Liverpool already has five.
V is for Vlaar, first name Ron.
And for Villa, where the Dutch central defender is heading.
W is for Winner.
The winner of the Premier League this season will again be Manchester City. Followed by: Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Newcastle, Everton, Stoke, Fulham, Sunderland, Aston Villa, QPR, Swansea, West Ham, West Brom, Wigan, Southampton, Reading, Norwich.
X is for X factor.
Provided by the likes of Chelsea recruit Eden Hazard, Manchester United and Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa, Manchester City rebel Carlos Tevez, Liverpool's magnificent Luis Suarez, Swansea signing Michu, and a bloke called Rickie Lambert, who scored four hat tricks to lead Southampton to promotion last season.
Y is for Yohan Cabaye.
The classy and inexpensive French midfielder at Newcastle.
Z is for Zenit St Petersburg.
The Russian club doesn't play in the English Premier League but does, handily, start with Z.
