There are many ways to look ahead to a new Premier League season. But the best has to be with people who know what it takes to survive and thrive at that level.

So tonight in Galway, former Bolton manager Owen Coyle, and fellow ex-Ireland internationals Kevin Kilbane and Kenny Cunningham were on hand to preview the new season.

Cunningham tipped Chelsea to do well based on their signings and thinks Nemanja Matic who was purchased in January is actually a more important addition than Cesc Fabregas, although Kilbane believes the former Arsenal and Barcelona will be a "perfect foil" for new striker Diego Costa.

Cunningham and Coyle predicted Costa to do well, although the latter said that you can make a case for five teams.

The former Burnley manager, who also opened up about his controversial departure from the club in 2010, also praised Arsene Wenger's work in the transfer market this summer, with the lads musing how Alexis Sanchez will be used by the Gunners.

Kilbane has some doubts about Sanchez' consistency and feels Liverpool's additions are promising, contrasting Brendan Rodgers' recruits with those made by Tottenham after Gareth Bale left for Real Madrid.

Kilbane also gave his take on Shane Long's transfer to Southampton and the large fee involved, while Coyle spoke about selling Ireland midfielder and "outstanding young man" James McCarthy to Everton during his time managing Wigan.

Cunningham also spoke about his relationship with Eamon Dunphy, with the Irish public having seen the tension between the pair during the World Cup coverage on RTE.

And he was pretty diplomatic:

"As I said, you have an opinion, you throw it out there, someone disagrees with it and you wrestle around a bit - not physically obviously, although it would be good viewing!"