At this moment in time, I think this:
1. Man. City
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
5. Spurs
6. Man Utd
7. Newcastle
8. Everton
Maybe in Pochettino, Spurs will have finally found a manager who can get more out of Soldado and Lamela, and actually use Holtby more. Supposedly they're doing some major dumping of players, so that could free up money and spots for reinforcements - or at the very least, free up spots for players who should be getting minutes instead of the manager's pets (see: Townsend). This is a club with depth but lacking proper direction, so maybe the change in manager will give them the focus they need - if he isn't sacked by December that is.
I think Van Gaal is in for a shock if he thinks his current CBs are good enough for the 3-5-2 he invented. I used to rate Jones, but everytime I see him now, he just looks mediocre. Maybe Van Gaal will make a better CB out of him - or at the very least, the three CB backline will mask his mediocrity. Smalling looks like an accident waiting to happen everytime I see him, and Evans is their only dependable CB there, though he's no Ferdinand or Vidic (in their prime, as he should be in his now as well). Their forwards will carry the squad again. In midfield and at the back, an injury or two could really hurt them. This is the shallowest Manc team I've seen but with 2 weeks to go in the window, they'll probably throw some cash around to fill up some of the gaps. If they do, then maybe we'll hear about how Van Gaal invented the massive progress in going from 7th to 4th/5th in 12 months.
I think Newcastle have done well in the window, but they have a mad manager so anything could happen - they could have a good start and then collapse into relegation form like last season, or maybe this time round, they won't commit suicide like they did last season in selling Cabaye in the winter transfer window and not getting in any replacements. Everton being in Europe might give them Newcastle the edge in the race between the two clubs.
Martinez has the Europa League to contend with this season, and with a squad that's barely added anyone other than converting Barry and Lukaku to permanent contracts and buying Besic (and now probably adding Atsu on loan from Chelsea). Howard, Distin, Jagielka, Barry, Pienaar are all aging and could be showing signs of wear over the season. I expect them to struggle a bit with they don't add more young legs to the team to juggle the squad.
