Guardian writers' predicted position: 19th (NB: this is not necessarily Paul Doyle's prediction, but the average of our writers' tips)

Last season's position: promoted

Odds to win the league: 5000-1

Swansea and Norwich showed last season that promoted teams can stay up if they have a shrewd manager; QPR showed promoted teams can stay up if they have lots of money. Following the purchase of the club in May by the Russian tycoon Anton Zingarevich, Reading may have both. But they still have a huge battle on their hands to avoid relegation.

It will certainly not be easy to beat Reading but they may struggle to eke out enough victories. Brian McDermott has drilled his team superbly, producing a prime example of a side in which every player knows his job and does it with gusto. Defensively they offer up little, and Kaspars Gorkss is a delightfully formidable centre-back, though unproven in the Premier League, while Adam Federici, though also inexperienced at this level, looks like a goalkeeper who definitely belongs in the top flight.

Reading kept clean sheets in almost half of their league games last season and McDermott has sought to bolster his defensive depth even further by signing the right-back Chris Gunter from Nottingham Forest and the Watford centre-back Adrian Mariappa. And Reading do have rich Premier League experience at left-back thanks to Ian Harte, who enjoyed a fine season last term. Harte, however, has never been quick and, as he is about to turn 35, Premier League forwards will surely see his lack of pace as a flaw to be exploited – it is hard to see how the return of Nicky Shorey will address that. McDermott doubtless has other options in mind, though possibly at the cost of detracting from one of Reading's main threats going forward, since it will be tough to find anyone with as deadly a set-piece delivery as Harte.

Reading do not currently boast glittering quality in midfield. Jimmy Kebe can occasionally sparkle out wide but may struggle to make the step up in class, likewise Jobi McAnuff and Hal Robson-Kanu. In the centre Mikele Leigterwood and Jem Karacan will also need to raise their performances to a level they have seldom achieved before. The same could even be said of their new signing Danny Guthrie.

Zingarevich has access to vast wealth but McDermott has warned fans to be aware that the new owner is no Roman Abramovich – however, the manager must be hopeful of attracting midfield upgrades before the transfer window closes: his current crop work assiduously but a tad more ingenuity would surely be welcome.

The influence of Zingarevich's wealth has been most apparent so far in the capture of the Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, who turned down Fulham – where he spent a successful loan period last season – among others, in order to get on Reading's payroll. Jason Roberts's power and nous made a decisive contribution to Reading last season after the striker arrived from Blackburn in January and Pogrebnyak will be expected to make a similar impact, with added mobility and explosiveness.

Noel Hunt or Adam Le Fondre could flit around the main striker to decent effect but there will be a hefty onus on the Russian to provide goals consistently. His spell at Craven Cottage last season was spectacular in parts but did not provide conclusive evidence that he can do that on a regular basis.

McDermott can be relied upon to get the most out of his players. He will likely also have to get more out of his club's owner if Reading are to remain in the top flight.