All set for another great adventure : We look at comings and goings and predict how our clubs will get on this season

Eyes down for another tilt at glory

The World Cup has barely ended but for most of football fans, the attention now turns to the real business - the return of the domestic programme.

Saturday sees the start of the campaign with the Carabao Cup taking up the mantle as season curtain-raiser a week ahead of a full EFL programme in the Championship and Leagues One and two.

The Premier League's stars gets a extra week on the beach before they get going the following weekend (August 14/15/16).

Opening fixtures: Saturday League Cup First Round: QPR v Millwall (2pm); AFC Wimbledon v Newport; Bromley v Reading Leyton Orient v Oxford United; Watford v Crawley; West Ham v Portsmouth (all 3pm)

Here we assess how our teams in the capital are likely to do in the coming months.

AFC WIMBLEDON: Winger James Tilley is back at Plough Lane after a spell Wycombe. The 27-year-old has signed a three-year deal to begin a third spell at the club. He was part of the promotion-winning side in 2024-25. The Dons have also signed striker Jayden Stockley from Port Vale promising Chelsea midfielder Ollie Harrison on a season-long loan. The 18-year-old "is an exciting player with huge potential," according to boss Johnnie Jackson, who wants to see his team establish a firmer footing in League One after a disappointing campaign last time around. Much may depend again on the good form of Marcus Browne. Prediction: Another struggle

ARSENAL: The champions waved goodbye to Besiktas-bound Leandro Trossard and will start the season without an injured William Saliba as they bid to build on last season's superb campaign which saw them also reach a second Champions League final. Activity in the transfer market has been modest, but the signing on Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle for £80m would be a huge statement if it goes ahead. Striker Christos Tzolis was signed for £34m from Club Brugge last month. The 24-year-old scored 43 goals and provided 45 assists in 108 games for the Belgians. It will be tough to maintain the levels but the hope must be that continuity can trump the managerial changes in Manchester, Liverpool and west London. Prediction: They must be in the mix for top spot again

BARNET: The Bees had an excellent first season back in the EFL, falling just shy of the play-offs. Once again they will have to make do with one of the smallest budgets in the league and have lost Ryan Glover - as expected - and Callum Stead. They have secured the services of midfielder Oisin Gallagher on a season-long loan from Lincoln City. The 21-year-old Ireland international - who scored on his debut against Kazakhstan - joins Dean Brennan's outfit after turning out for National League Boston during a loan spell last season. They are now the sole London representatives in League Two but will carry the honour proudly. Prediction: Mid-table

BRENTFORD: A new club record signing in Mali midfielder Mamadou Sangare - who played a part in Lens coming second in Ligue 1 last term. The 24-year-old has agreed a five year deal. The undisclosed fee is reported to be more than the £42.5m paid to Bournemouth last season for Dango Ouatarra. Callum Wilson has made the switch to the Gtech from West Ham's London Stadium, with another relegated striker, Jaidon Anthony, being snapped up. He was part of the Burnley side which also dropped out of the Prem. Keith Andrews did superbly in his first season in charge but the nagging suspicion is that last season's fine run to almost qualify for Europe may not be so easily matched this time around. Prediction: 15th

BROMLEY: The Ravens have looked pretty good in pre-season - apart from in one game against QPR with a weakened line up - as they gear up for a first ever tilt at League One. They have welcomed back former striker Kamarl Grant. The 23-year-old defender, currently on Blackpool's books, is on loan for a third time at Hayes Lane having made 58 appearances in two previous stints. Bolton defender Richard Taylor, 25, has also been brought in on a season-long loan. Kamil Conteh and JJ McKiernan are two others brought in to strengthen the group. No-nonsense boss Andy Woodman plays the percentages and knows how to organise a tough-to-beat unit with Michael Cheek again leading the line. Don't be surprised if they are riding higher than their modest status and budget suggests: Prediction: Mid-table

CHARLTON: The Addicks badly need an improvement after fading badly last term and nearly getting caught up in the relegation dogfight. They have secured the services of Millwall defender Danny McNamara on a free. The 27-year-old has agreed a two-year contract. He was formerly in the Addicks' youth academy set-up. Also returning is Karlan Grant, a free agent after his spell at West Brom ended last season. The 28-year-old striker left the Valley for Huddersfield in 2017. Nathan Jones' team struggled for goals so that is an obvious area of improvement required. Millenic Alli has arrived from Luton Town in a bid to improve that. Lyndon Dykes, Charlie Kelman and Matty Godden all need better returns if there is to be an upsurge in fortunes. Prediction: More struggles but safety

CHELSEA: Still buying and selling like there's no tomorrow. It will be fascinating to see what Xabi Alonso does to get the ailing Blues back on track. The arrival of Morgan Rogers from Villa (£117m) - Alejandro Garnacho going the other way - as well as the arrival of Maxence Lacroix from Palace (£52m), Real Vallecano defender Pep Chavarria (£16.3m) and Atalanta full-back Marco Palestra (£47m) suggests we could be in for an exciting change of direction. He has also changed the model by securing the experience of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson. Then there is the return after 20 months of Mykhailo Mudryk. The hope is they see Cole Palmer get back to the form of two seasons ago. There will be no Marc Cucurella in the ranks anymore, and Trevoh Chalobah is off to Como, while skipper Enzo Fernandez could well be on his way too after burning so many bridges. But another Argentine wind-up merchant replaces him - Valentin Barco arriving from Strasbourg. Prediction: Fifth

CRYSTAL PALACE: Pierre Sage has a tough act to follow, after the silverware claimed by Oliver Glasner which will inevitably raise expectations at Selhurst. But much depends on whether he can retain the services of key players Adam Wharton, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr. Lacroix has already departed. But former Arsenal right back Takehiro Tomiyasu will be a good addition is he is able to put past injuries behind him. League form could again come under strain because of European commitments and the Europa League should prove even more onerous that the Conference League. The squad depth will be tested to the full but those passionate Eagles fans will rally to the cause. Prediction: Lower mid-table

FULHAM: Like their bitter rivals from across the borough, the Whites begin a new era under new management, with former Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa taking over from Marco Silva. Issa Diop has left for Ipswich, with the beloved Harry Wilson now at Leeds and Raul Jimenez back at Wolves. There is an Hispanic flavour to the coming season with Real Madrid duo Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios joining the boss in a move from the Spanish capital. The combined fee for both is around (£42.3m). Striker Garcia, 22, is worth around £34m. He was the top scorer in the Club World Cup last summer. Palacios, 18, plays in midfield. Will be it enough to get the Whites on the front foot? It will be interesting to find out. Prediction: Mid-table

LEYTON ORIENT: Omani forward Tariq Al Sadi, 20, has a work permit which allows him to play until January. The 20-year-old England youth international defender Somto Boniface is brought in on loan from Ipswich Town. They also took 31-year-old midfielder Isaac Hayden from QPR. Centre back Jospeh Olowu, 26, is recruited from Stockport. But the fans will be said to see Dom Ballard leave for Bristol City as he was prolific last season in helping to keep Orient heads above water. It was an uncomfortable season for Richie Wellens' men last term as they finished just above the relegation slots and they will be hoping to rediscover the form of two years ago when they made the play-offs. Prediction: Much improved

MILLWALL: Alex Neil has recruited the experienced Danny Batth, now 36, on a one year deal after the defender left Derby County at the end of last season. Mark Sykes, a 28-year-old Ireland international has been brought in from Bristol City, with Barry Bannan released and Billy Mitchell heading off too. Coming in is Mathis Servais from Belgian side Mechelen. The 21-year-old is on a long-term deal. director of football Steve Gallen has high hopes too for Indonesia international centre back Elkan Baggott, 23, signed from Ipswich for an undisclosed fee. Kyrell Lisbie should add pace and quality up front - he's been recruited from Peterborough. The hope must be that Femi Azeez can be retained. Prediction: No reason by the Lions can't be pushing for the play-offs once again

QPR: Rangers have been fairly quiet so far in the summer, but the optimism has grown after a decent pre season which included a win over Fiorentina, victory at Wimbledon and a 7-0 thrashing of Bromley after a trip to Austria. Former Chelsea defender Tariq Lamptey, 25, has been brought in on a free from Fiorentina - his spell in Italy blighted by a knee injury. Julien Stephan has also brought in Finland midfielder Glen Kamara on loan from French club Rennes. The 30-year-old has played in Scotland from Dundee and Glasgow Rangers. Northern Ireland keeper Pierce Charles - a loan signing from Man City after a lengthy spell at Sheffield Wednesday - looks to be a shrewd addition. Prediction: Improvement on last season's 15th place

TOTTENHAM: Spurs have pushed the boat out in a show of confidence in Roberto de Zerbi. Marco Senesi looks like a great acquisition from Bournemouth and they have splashed out on a probably overpriced Matheus Fernandes from West Ham and Sandro Tonali - who was sometimes good for previous club Newcastle but hardly a model of consistency. His Italy side failed to qualify for the World Cup and he was in a team overrun 7-2 by Barcelona. But there should be some optimism at start of play, particularly if England star Djed Spence remains. The future of Cristian Romero is still unclear, however. Another unhinged display of aggression in the World Cup for Argentina against England may herald a departure. The first signs of improvement need to come in the shape of vastly improved home league form. They only managed three all season last term in a season that came perilously close to outright disaster. Prediction: Sixth

WEST HAM: Season ticket sales have been encouraging enough to suggest the London Stadium won't be a morgue following relegation but obviously a vital campaign lies ahead in a quest for a quick return to the top flight. The happiest news of the summer - apart from the departure of the hugely unpopular Karen Brady and new investors on board - was Jarrod Bowen's pledge to remain with the Hammers. Star players Matheus Fernandes and Crysensio Summerville have predictably jumped ship, though cult hero Dinos Mavropanos remains for now as do Aaron Wan- Bissaka and Edson Alvarez. Defender Joel Veltman arrives on a free from Brighton. The early months will be crucial if the decision to stick with Nuno Espirito Santos is not to quickly unravel and the unwelcome saga of David Sullivan's tenure as co-owner continues for now. Prediction: Play-offs

WATFORD: Former Bournemouth left back Jordan Zemura arrives on a season long loan from Udinese. The 26-year-old Zimbabwe international was part of the Cherries' promotion-winning side in 2022. The Hornets' Italian connection sees another player arrive from Udinese - Argentinian midfielder Martin Payero, 27, while goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia, 26, switches from Bologna. Spaniard Iker Bravo and Luca Kjermgaard are others to have made their way to Vicarage Road from Italy as latest boss Alessio Dionisi attempts to establish a distinctly Calcio-flavoured identity. Prediction: Anyone's guess

WEST HAM: The loss for Crysensio Summerville and Matheus Fernandes after relegation was to be expected but the really good news for depressed Hammers fans is that talisman Jarrod Bowen has committed to staying. Season ticket sales have been solid so the London Stadium may not be too moribund for this Championship campaign, but the pressure will be on Nuno Espirito Santo to quickly deliver results which offer up the possibility of a promotion campaign and return to the top flight.