And the 2014/15 PSL champions will be... ?

Mamelodi Sundowns know that the PSL title is theirs to lose. They have showed their financial power ahead of the PSL season with a number of big signings.

Although they have been eliminated from the MTN8 by Platinum Stars, the Brazilians are still the team to beat if any other side are serious about lifting the “big fish” at the end of the campaign, as Pitso Mosimane described why they are capable of winning the PSL again.

“The Absa Premiership is a marathon. You have to train for a long time to run the Comrades marathon. Mentally we are ready,” said Mosimane.

“I never said we don't want to play in other cups but we all know that the Absa Premiership is the big fish.”

Sundowns have experience that will prove vital in the long run with Hlompho Kekana, Teko Modise, Surprise Moriri, Alje Schut, Cuthbert Malajila and Katlego Mashego all reaching their peaks in their careers.

Schut proved to be a rock at the back for Sundowns, Kekane has a right-foot that Orlando Pirates fans are still day dreaming about and if Moriri, Malajila and Mashego are firing then Mosimane is one step closer to the title.

The former Bafana Bafana coach knows there are nearly 60 games ahead this season with CAF Champions League, Nedbank Cup, Telkom Cup matches along with league fixtures, Mosimane is already relishing in back-to-back PSL titles for the Chloorkop side.

Kaizer Chiefs WILL overcome the disappointment of last season and be crowned Absa Premiership champions in the 2014/15 season.

Having led the way for the majority of last season, Chiefs ran out of steam towards the latter parts and were pipped for the title by Mamelodi Sundowns.

English coach Stuart Barker is back at the helm and has assured fans they've learnt from last season’s mistakes when losses at key times cost them a fourth PSL crown.

Chiefs will be without last season’s top goal-scorer, Bernard Parker, for the first few months of the competition, but have enough depth in reserve to stay ahead of the pack.

They have a sound defensive structure and with playmakers like Kingston Nkhatha, Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Siphiwe Tshabalala at the helm, Chiefs will keep piling pressure on opposition defences.

The fact that Chiefs will play all their home games at the FNB Stadium in the upcoming season will also help to build it into more of a fortress again.

Last season Chiefs played four home games away from the iconic arena and were forced to travel to Durban and Polokwane to host AmaZulu, Free State Stars, Ajax Cape Town and SuperSport United.

This will come in handy towards the latter part of the season, opposed to last season when excessive travelling caught up with Amakhosi.

GARRIN LAMBLEY on why the Clever Boys will prove too smart this season...

Mirror, mirror on the wall...

Gavin Hunt's Bidvest Wits side will prove the biggest threat to SA's 'Big 3' of Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns in this year's much anticipated Premier Soccer League title race.

Third-placed finishers in last year's campaign, the astute Hunt - touted by many as the best coach in South Africa and unlucky not to have landed the Bafana Bafana role - will have done his homework in the off-season, establishing where The Students need to improve their game.

The Clever Boys boast last season's Player of the Year in captain Sibusiso Vilakazi and have recruited wisely in the transfer market, landing goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez.

The retirement of veteran defender Matthew Booth may have left a void in their defence, but they've moved to fill that gap with the signing of Buhle Mkhwanazi from Tuks.

Wits open their season against Hunt's former club, SuperSport United, before hosting win-able matches against the University of Pretoria and AmaZulu - which should see the Clever Boys off to a flying start.

Wits haven't secured any silverware since winning the 2010 Nedbank Cup - but this WILL be their year as domestic league champions!

WADE PRETORIUS on why the Buccaneers need to be feared this campaign...

Despite ending in a disappointing league position, the Sea Robbers will always be a force to be reckoned with in the PSL and 2014/15 will not be any different. Orlando Pirates were on the brink of a historic season last year as they made the finals in three different competitions including  the CAF Champions League.

Pirates will have learned from their mistakes in the 2013/14 campaign and will come back a stronger team. Keeping hold of key players like Oupa Manyisa, Daine Klate and Happy Jele means the side will be able to rely on continuity unlike some of their major rivals who continue to chop and change their squad.

Coach Vladimir Vermezovic has got the team performing well and with some added attention to the side’s defence, VV is capable of leading the team to PSL glory. The Buccaneers have done some excellent work in the transfer window by bringing in top talent like Thabo Qalinge and Issa Carr to improve the squad’s depth.

Fans can expect Orlando Pirates to get off to a fast start with wins over Moroka Swallows (H), Bloemfontein Celtic (A) and AmaZulu (H).