ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: The Favorites, the Yanks

The FAVORITES

CHELSEA. Fueled by the more than $400 million spent on players by Russian owner Roman Abramovich since he took control of the club for about $200 million in 2003, Chelsea won its first league title in 50 years last season. … Lost only once last season, to Man City, scored 72 goals and conceded only 15 in 38 games. … Chelsea's spending since the tycoon arrived has represented 40 percent of what all 20 EPL teams have dished out for players. … This offseason, Manager Jose Mourinho used $38 million to buy striker Shaun Wright-Phillips from Manchester City and is still trying to wrest Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien from Lyon, which balked at the latest offer of $47 million.

LIVERPOOL. European Champions League winner finished fifth last season. … Held on to midfield motor Steven Gerrard despite Chelsea's $56 million offer. … Spent more than $36 million in the offseason. … Coach Rafael Benitez shopped in his native Spain to add Sevilla right-back Antonio Barragan and Villarreal keeper Jose Reina, in addition to Dutch midfielder Boudewijn Zenden from Middlesbrough and towering English striker Peter Crouch from Southampton.

ARSENAL. Finished runner-up, 12 points behind Chelsea last season. … The 2004 champion loses midfielder Patrick Vieira, its midfield engine for nine years, off to Juventus for $30 million, which Manager Arsene Wenger has not hurried to spend. … "We have good young players," he says. … Extended contract of Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas, 18, to 2011. … Acquired Cameroon defender Alexandre Song, 18, on loan from Bastia with option to buy for $5 million. … Forward Thierry Henry replaces Vieira as captain. …

MANCHESTER UNITED. Now owned by the American Glazer family … Has won eight Premier League titles since 1993, but finished third the past two seasons and 18 points behind Chelsea last season. … Main acquisitions are Dutch keeper Edwin van der Sar — bad news for American Tim Howard — and South Korean winger Park Ji-Sung. … Ruud van Nistelrooy scored just six goals last season, compared to his 25 when Man U won 2003 title.

The YANKS

CLAUDIO REYNA (Manchester City, 8th place last season). Enters his fifth English Premier League season, his third with Man City. … Missed four months through injury last season but started final 10 games of season as eight-game unbeaten streak led to eighth-place finish, just shy of a UEFA Cup spot. … Played 17 games, scored twice last season.

JONATHAN SPECTOR (Charlton, 11th). Defender arrives on loan from Manchester United, for which he played in three league, one FA Cup and one League Cup and three Champions League games.

BRIAN McBRIDE (Fulham, 13th). Scored six goals last season to tie Joe-Max Moore's (1999-2000 with Everton) record for goals by an American in a Premier League season.

CARLOS BOCANEGRA (Fulham, 13th). Lost left back starting spot in second half of last season and will vie for a spot in the central defense, his preferred position. Made 28 appearances and scored once in 2004-05.

NOTE: Fulham's opening game, vs. Birmingham, will be televised Saturday at 3 pm ET (tape delay) on Fox Soccer Channel.

BRAD FRIEDEL (Blackburn, 15th). Has played 200 English league games (172 in Premier League, 28 in second tier). … Played every minute of 38 league games and helped EPL's lowest scoring team avoid relegation. Arrival of strikers Craig Bellamy and Shefki Kuqi should boost offense.