The ’silly season’ of transfer activity is starting to get going and we will be taking a look at whether anyone can stop Manchester City dominating the season to make it back-to-back successes in the Premier League.

It was a real roller-coaster of a season for Roberto Mancini’s men last term – they had won the league by Christmas, lost it by April, back in front going into the climax but then only claimed their first title since 1968 with two goals in injury-time against 10-man QPR.

However, the Citizens did have to deal with the pressures of expectation, given the vast outlay of the owners, but now they have got the monkey off their back, can they justify 5/4 favouritism to land another success.

A lot may depend on the transfer market, like for most clubs, but the simple answer is yes they can – they have the squad and they may well improve it over the next few weeks.

The Champions League could be a distraction of course but Mancini has assembled a strong squad that should at least be able to cope with the demands and they look the team to beat.

There are sure to be some comings and goings at the Etihad Stadium but it will not be to the detriment of the champions, although it could impact on their rivals’ fortunes – if reported moves for the likes of Robin van Persie come to fruition for example.

So the onus is very much on the chasing pack with Manchester United currently the second favourites at 9/4 to regain the trophy after they were denied on goal difference last season.

However, United have struggled to hit the heights of previous campaigns recently and although they were successful two years ago, many experts suggested it was with an ‘ordinary’ side.

Sir Alex Ferguson has no peers in the English game and seems to get the absolute best out of his squad time after time, and will be doubly determined to get back to the top after losing out to his ‘noisy neighbours’.

Two deals have already been completed by the United boss and it will be interesting to see how the highly-rated Shinji Kagawa handles the move to England, while Nick Powell’s acquisition is more of a move for the future rather than the upcoming season.

Nemanja Vidic will almost be like a new signing after missing the majority of last season, while Leighton Baines has been linked with a move, but if Ferguson does not address central midfield issues and continues to rely on veterans Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, it is difficult to see United reversing the form.

Of course, there is sure to be one or two moves in the transfer market but, at the prices, they look too short to even finish second (City/United 13/10 Dual Forecast Market).

It may be foolish to back against Ferguson but Chelsea (9/2 Premier League Outright) could well be the one to side with and put up the biggest challenge to City in lifting the trophy.

Yes, the club is in a period of transition with Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Jose Bosingwa already departed and others perhaps to follow suit, but they have bought astutely with young and attacking play-makers Eden Hazard and Marko Marin joining the ranks.

Whether Hazard justifies the outlay, around £32m, remains to be seen but money is not the issue for Roman Abramovich, and he is sure to bring in more new faces – one being a striker to replace Drogba.

Last season’s success in the Champions League may not have been pretty or ‘deserved’ but it can only bring confidence to the players and has already acted as the attraction for new blood following Hazard’s arrival.

Roberto di Matteo turned the season around last term and can be more relaxed over his future this time around, although that in itself will bring pressure.

There is no doubt that they have a big enough squad to challenge but they need to sort out a new striker as the jury is still out on Fernando Torres.

Of the others, it is difficult to see Arsenal making the Premier League title the one to end the barren trophy drought, despite the marvellous work Arsene Wenger keeps doing for the club.

Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski have been brought in but their hopes are going to hinge on van Persie, who almost single-handedly got the Gunners into the top four last term, and whether they can keep hold of him.

Andre Villas-Boas makes a quick return to the Premier League but Spurs have a similar problem to their north London rivals in the sense that Luka Modric is arguably their best player – and he looks set to leave.

So, ultimately, City look the side to plump with this term and it is a question of who will finish best of the rest with City/Chelsea on offer at 6/1 in the straight forecast market.

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