Champions Maccabi Haifa seem to have invested wisely in a balanced squad and appear destined to retain their crown, perhaps being pushed only by Hapoel Tel Aviv who have bolstered their side with some fortuitous local acquisitions.
The global economic slowdown took its toll on a number of clubs last season as some investors pulled out - notably Arkady Gaydamak from Beitar Jerusalem, Alex Shnaider from Maccabi Tel Aviv and Daniel Jammer from Maccabi Netanya.
Gaydamak's departure from Beitar almost led to the champions in the two previous seasons going into liquidation before a "white knight", Brazilian tycoon Guma Aguiar, saved the club.
Many of the players at Beitar, which had been Israel's richest outfit until Russian-born Gaydamak withdrew his support, agreed to take major salary cuts, meaning the team is at least a dark horse in the title race.
Netanya are less likely to return to the upper reaches of the top flight following Jammer's withdrawal which also saw former coach Lothar Matthaeus depart earlier last season.
Haifa's Yaakov Shahar, probably the shrewdest and most cautious of Israeli club owners, said he would not increase his outlay even if they make the Champions League group stage.
To increase competitiveness, all teams' points totals will be cut in half at the start of the playoff round.
The expanded format brings clubs from Israel's north and south to the top flight with Hapoel Acre in the north and Hapoel Beersheba in the south plus Ahi Nazareth, a second Arab club.
