After any disappointing campaign, top clubs are invariably described as being set to embark upon a 'mass clearout', followed by a relentless transfer campaign involving five or six major arrivals, usually totalling hundreds of millions of pounds.
With Arsenal trading as short as 2/7 to lift the FA Cup this Saturday with William Hill, few believe Hull City have a realistic chance of recording a famous giant killing.
But last year's victory for Wigan Athletic over Manchester City demonstrated what an underdog can do with a three-man defence, and Arsenal stumbled in their last cup final appearance, against Birmingham in 2010. Here are five ways Steve Bruce's side might be able to surprise the Gunners...
Liverpool haven't yet sealed the league title - but they're already guaranteed Champions League football next year, for the first time since Rafael Benitez's final season in 2009/10.
This means Liverpool can already start planning their summer transfer activities - assured of a bigger budget, and certain to play at least six more top-level matches. This season Brendan Rodgers has boasted an excellent starting XI, but next season he'll need a deeper squad. Here's how Liverpool might look to re-shape...
Goalkeepers:
1 - The run-in
Fulham's primary objective is to overhaul Norwich City, the side they defeated 1-0 last weekend. There is more to it than that, of course - Cardiff are also battling to get out of the relegation zone, and others might become dragged in. But if Fulham get ahead of Norwich, they'll probably survive.
We all know the difficulty of Norwich's run-in, but Fulham's looks perfect. They have a game against an increasingly apathetic Spurs side, before matches against Stoke, Crystal Palace and Hull - currently 10th, 12th and 13th in the table.
This Sunday's match between Liverpool and Manchester City is the most important match of the Premier League so far, and a meeting between the division's two top goalscorers. Here are five battles that might prove crucial in shaping the result.
Steven Gerrard v David Silva
With eight games remaining, Liverpool are unquestionably still in the title race. They might be third-favourites, but there are five good reasons why Brendan Rodgers' side can triumph this season...
1 - The SAS
It's the obvious factor, of course, but Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge are currently sitting first and second in the Premier League goalscoring charts. Never before has one side boasted the two most prolific players in a Premier League season, and should Liverpool lift the title, these two will be the main reason.
Tonight, Jose Mourinho comes face-to-face with Didier Drogba for the second season running, having faced the Galatasaray centre-forward with Real manager last year.
"I'm not going to say that he is my favourite player because I have had a lot of truly special players, but if I had to choose one, I might go for Didier," Mourinho said ahead of that meeting. "As a player he is out of this world."
With the January transfer window now finished, managers are unable to strengthen their side this season, and must instead concentrate upon maximising their existing resources.
Here's the first part of a look at each Premier League club's key player for the remaining 14 games of the campaign...
Arsenal - Olivier Giroud
Aaron Ramsey's return will be crucial, and Mesut Ozil needs to rediscover his early season form, but Arsenal have enough creative midfielders to compensate for their potential absence, or underperformance.
The January transfer window is now open - and while this month frequently proves underwhelming in terms of big-name moves, it could be more exciting this time around.
With such a tight Premier League title race, and the battle for the Champions League places extremely open, one intelligent signing could make a huge difference. Here are ten exciting attackers currently linked with top Premier League clubs...
Ivan Rakitic, Sevilla
