1. Chelsea someway off title challenge

Chelsea have regained their tag as the Premier League’s big spenders this summer following the arrivals of Eden Hazard, Marko Marin and Oscar. As such the Blues have been branded as potential dark horse for a title challenge, with Roberto Di Matteo tipped to repeat his trick of leading the team to glory after success in the Champions League and FA Cup.

However, based on Sunday’s Community Shield, Di Matteo has a big job on if he is to secure Chelsea a third Premier League crown. Manchester City looked a class above the Blues and a lack of strength in depth across the backline is an issue Di Matteo needs to address quickly if they are to avoid another sixth-placed finish. For now it looks as though it will be a transitional season for the 9/2 shots for the title and City, at 5/4, look to be the team to beat this season.

2. No time for KP antics for England

Is any one man bigger than the team? If you are asking Kevin Pietersen he would probably say yes. The talented batsman seems to have well and truly got on the ECB’s bad side for his antics during the last Test against South Africa and has been made to pay. His exclusion from the squad for the last Test is a real statement from the selectors that they aren’t prepared to put up with a player who isn’t a team player.

With the series and their status as number one Test team on the line in the last match at Lord’s, the decision to drop Pietersen is a big one. South Africa look to have the bit between their teeth and England could find themselves up against it, especially if Jonny Bairstow’s poor form in the Test arena continues. England are 9/10 to win the last Test, with the Proteas 3/4.

3. McIlroy finding form at right time

It might seem strange to say Rory McIlroy is hitting form at the right time given there are no more majors left to play for. However, if you are hoping Europe do the business at the Ryder Cup again then Sunday’s fantastic US PGA Championship success was a welcome boost. The Europeans are 5/4 to win the Ryder Cup at the Medinah Country Club and will need McIlroy to be on top of his game if they are to repeat the success of Celtic Manor.

The Northern Irishman suffered an alarming slump in form earlier this year but showed how good he could be by lifting the US PGA Championship, his second Major title. With the Americans having enjoyed a good comeback year on the major front, McIlroy will be key to Jose Maria Olazabal’s team.

4. Djokovic rediscovers winning formula

After a difficult couple of months for Novak Djokovic he got a much needed win under his belt at the Toronto Masters. The world number two might not have an Olympic medal to show for his efforts at London 2012 but if he can retain his US Open title at the end of the month the tennis fraternity won’t care.

The Serb destroyed the field in Canada and at 15/8 looks a good bet to win the Western & Southern Open this week, even with Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro in the field.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Premier League

Following on from last season it is widely expected champions Manchester City and local rivals Manchester United will again dominate the battle for the title, but what of those below them? Will it be the usual suspects of Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool in the frame for the top four or, like Newcastle last term, will there be a surprise package?

Assuming both Manchester clubs will take up two of the top four places, the race for the remaining two spots looks very competive with plenty of clubs hoping to stake realistic claims.

Arsenal

After a shocking start last season, the Gunners rallied and then, thanks somewhat to the goals of Robin van Persie, they managed to secure third place.

It was some achievement considering they were in the bottom half of the table early on and testament to boss Arsene Wenger’s determination to stick to his plan and ability to get results even when he was facing heavy criticism.

He looks like losing van Persie this summer, though, and fans will again be wondering if a top-quality replacement is not found then a title challenge looks as far away as it’s ever been over the past five years.

Wenger’s men are 4/9 to again make the top four, however, and there is an argument that is too short given the goings-on elsewhere, but it reflects the fact Arsenal remain very much experienced Champions League qualifiers.

Chelsea

Like Liverpool in 2005, Chelsea’s failure to make the top four last season mattered little in the end as they pulled off a big shock by going on to win the Champions League overall.

Their victories over Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the latter stages of the European Cup proved they can match – and beat – the very best in one-off games but there remain plenty of question marks over the Blues’ ability to mix it with the Manchester duo over the course of the campaign.

Roberto Di Matteo was rewarded with a permanent contract after he guided them to glory and the club have landed the highly-rated Eden Hazard, with several others set to follow him to Stamford Bridge.

Their hero in Munich, Didier Drogba, has gone so there is plenty of expectation on Fernando Torres’ shoulders to lead Chelsea back into the top four.

At 1/4 they are odds-on to make it and, provided they strengthen further, it should be achievable.

Spurs

It’s been a summer of change so far at White Hart Lane, with Harry Redknapp being ushered out and former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas replacing him.

The Portuguese’s appointment has been met with a mixed reaction from the club’s fans, some of whom believe his failure at Chelsea proves he cannot handle big players in a bigger league and is too inexperienced to threaten Sir Alex Ferguson, Roberto Mancini and Wenger.

However, plenty of others are willing to put his Chelsea spell to one side as a blip and say he is quite rightly regarded as one of the best young coaches around.

Time will tell while finding a replacement for Luka Modric, should he depart, will also be difficult. Expect Spurs to challenge again for the top four (7/4) but fifth might be best they can hope for.

The Others

Liverpool are next in the betting at 5/2 and it would be seen as an achievement if Brendan Rodgers does guide the Reds back into the top four after three seasons out of the big time.

It is do-able but only if the new coach’s methods at Anfield work quickly and at least three top quality signings arrive.

Newcastle (16/1) would have to go some way to repeating last season’s impressive campaign and it would be a major surprise if Alan Pardew gets the Magpies as close in 2012-13.

Everton (18/1) have exceeded expectations in recent years under David Moyes but a top-four return for the Toffees looks unlikely while, of the other outsiders, Sunderland (50/1), under Martin O’Neill or Aston Villa (80/1), under Paul Lambert, would be the two sides most likely to cause a huge shock and somehow muscle in on the top-four party.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

All roads lead to Stadion Narodowy with the Portuguese priced up 8/11 (90 minutes) to turn in the same stellar performance which saw the Dutch end a demoralising stay in Poland and Ukraine on Sunday night in Kharkiv (Czech Republic 4/1 draw 12/5).

Headline-maker Cristiano Ronaldo (4/1 Euro 2012 Top Goalscorer) finally translated his Real Madrid form with a brace but the support cast of team-mates Miguel Veloso and Joao Moutinho should not be underestimated.

The Santiago Bernabeu favourite should be taken up at 3/1 (First and Last Goalscorer) to frank his form against a Czech Republic side which, despite finishing top of Group A, conceded more goals than scored.

Positive noises about the spirit of the squad at the Opalenica training camp were tangible and in stark contrast to Holland, viewed by many as a collection of square pegs in round holes.

Add to this confidence and momentum and suddenly Portugal look like dangerous opponents heading into the business end of the marquee tournament.

The Czechs never turned up against Russia but creditable wins against Greece and Poland is proof enough that Michal Bílek’s men should not be taken lightly, although a clean sheet against the co-hosts stopped a run of five games conceding in all competitions.

The Portuguese are by no means watertight so a high goals projection seems a fair suggestion but the attacking menace of Ronaldo, Nani, et al gives them the edge.

A Deco-inspired Portugal were comfortable 3-1 winners against Czech Republic in Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, a game in which Ronaldo also found the net, and Seleccao fans will be hoping history repeats itself.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Manchester City

With just over a month of the Premier League season remaining, we are no closer to knowing who will secure that lucrative fourth-place finish and a spot in Europe’s top club competition for next term, but here we get our crystal ball out to take a look at both club’s run-ins to see if we can work out who stands the best chance.

City remaining fixtures:

Blackburn (a)
West Ham (h)
Everton (a)
Spurs (h)
Stoke (h)
Bolton (a)

Spurs’ remaining fixtures:

Arsenal (h)
West Brom (h)
Chelsea (a)
Blackpool (h)
Man City (a)
Liverpool (a)
Birmingham (h)

A quick scan of the remaining games for both teams throws up some mouth-watering showdowns but it’s fair to say City, with a game less to play, have the slightly easier run-in.

Spurs’ last seven games begin with one of their biggest of the season when local rivals Arsenal visit White Hart Lane. The Gunners remain – just about – in the title race following their 1-1 draw against Liverpool on Sunday but we can see a Spurs win in this on Wednesday to effectively end Arsenal’s hopes of finishing top of the pile.

Following that don’t expect West Brom to pick up anything when they arrive at the Lane on Saturday but the trip to Chelsea next up could be the day when City gain the upper hand in this particular battle. A home win is the prediction here which means only a win over Blackpool on May 7 will do for Harry Redknapp’s men. But with the Seasiders absolutely desperate for points themselves, Ian Holloway’s side can come away from London with a point to leave Spurs firmly in fifth with just three games to go.

A draw in the showdown with City is the not-so adventurous prediction in the big game between the two on May 10 before a trip to Liverpool is next for Spurs. We can also see this ending all square meaning a win on the final day against Birmingham will be too little, too late.

City’s final league games start with a very winnable trip to struggling Blackburn next Monday.

Roberto Mancini’s side were poor at Liverpool last week but expect them to have enough to see off woefully out-of-form Rovers, who are in freefall and failed to muster a shot on target at Everton on Saturday until injury time!

Next up is a home game with West Ham, who are also fighting for their lives at the bottom. However, again a City win looks on the cards here in front of their own fans for the first time since the Cup semi-final triumph.

One of City’s toughest games in the final month is undoubtedly the trip to Everton on May 7, but with the Toffees safe and without a chance of qualifying for Europe, they may have already switched off by then so a vital away win at Goodison Park should be do-able.

The pivotal clash in the fourth-place battle is obviously the midweek game between the pair on Tuesday May 10 and expect there to be little to choose between the sides at Eastlands with a draw the most likely outcome.

Up next is a repeat of the Cup final against Stoke and a second City triumph over the Potters in as many weeks is envisaged here to leave them on the brink of fourth with just a final test at Bolton to come. We can see Mancini’s men picking up a point on the day at the Reebok Stadium to ensure fourth place is theirs and Champions League football secured.

So, by these predictions we calculate City will finish fourth on 70 points while Spurs will have to settle for fifth – five points behind on 65.

Well that’s how we see it panning out anyway.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

West Ham to beat City (3/1)

West Ham at home to Manchester City appears an away banker this weekend. But in a season in which predicting the predictable has become tougher than trying to get off a motorway in Scotland this week, a victory for the Hammers may just be the result of the weekend.

Avram Grant’s side have suddenly discovered how to play again at Upton Park and followed up the win over Wigan the other week with a richly-deserved 4-0 success over Manchester United in the Carling Cup. A narrow 1-0 loss at Sunderland was another setback last time out but there appears to finally be signs of life in Grant’s side.

Every game for the basement boys appears to be tagged ‘Save our Season’ these days and a win over ambitious City would not only give them real hope relegation can be avoided but also the chance to revel in three successive home wins and an assault on the European places.

You think I’m joking? Check the table – a win for Grant’s men this weekend could potentially leave them about nine points adrift of the top eight. That’s three wins Avram, just three more wins.

Carlos Tevez is bound to be up for it against his former side but his relationship with boss Roberto Mancini is obviously strained following last week’s outburst at being subbed – despite the denials – so there is undoubtedly instability in the Eastlands camp ahead of the trip south.

Hou can save Villa’s slide?

The West Midlands derby between Aston Villa and West Brom at Villa Park is usually a keenly-contested game and a baltic Birmingham afternoon is sure to provide a perfect back-drop for this one.

The home side are slight favourites, but a win for Roberto Di Matteo’s side (3/1) appears on to leave the Claret and Blue army reflecting on what could be an unlikely relegation scrap in the new year.

Villa were abject at Liverpool on Monday to leave their fans openly questioning boss Gerard Houllier, who made possibly unforgivable mistakes in some season ticket-holders’ eyes by appearing to enjoy the win for his old side in the aftermath of his much-hyped return to Anfield.

The Frenchman, who was never first choice among the Villa faithful to take over full-time, has had to explain some of his after-match comments to the club’s website and reiterate he is as committed as ever to helping restore the club’s fortunes. Well, if getting them to the Europa League qualification places are where they want be again, that is.

The Baggies are positively revelling in the top flight once more, meanwhile, after a 4-1 win at Everton and then a 3-1 success over Newcastle. Don’t bet against another Peter Odemwingie-inspired win at the Villa.

Blackpool to sock it to Stoke (4/1)

Blackpool have, without doubt, been one of the stories of the Premier League season so far. Wins at Liverpool, Newcastle, Wigan have been supplemented by draws at Bolton and West Ham in recent weeks and they should be fresh for the trip to the Britannia as their clash with Manchester United last week was frozen off.

It definitely won’t be pretty on Saturday but don’t be too surprised to see Ian Holloway’s side come away with another shock three points as the Seasiders continue to defy the pundits – and the odds – this weekend.

A Real shock?

Real Madrid will know another win at Real Zaragoza is required as they attempt to move on from the El Clasico mauling at Barca. Jose Mourinho’s side left it until the last 15 minutes to beat 10-man Valencia at home last weekend and will not have it all their own way at Zaragoza, despite the fact the home side are bottom and have managed just one win all season.

Mourinho’s famed ego will have taken one heck of a battering following the Barca debacle but anything other than a win this weekend could be potentially even more embarrassing for the Portuguese.

However, his side have often come up short this season when the pressure is really on, so maybe Zaragoza can get something (draw 4/1) off the visitors in what would not only be a huge relegation boost for them, but also a major setback for Real’s fragile title hopes.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Roberto Mancini

The Italian manager saw his side beat Chelsea at Eastlands last weekend to end the west London side’s 100 per cent start to the campaign. City have also drawn with Arsenal and beaten Liverpool so far this season, but it has been the results against the so-called lesser teams that have hampered them.

Many fans would see this as a repeat to last season’s frustrations, they beat Chelsea home and away and also recorded victories over Arsenal but ultimately it was a failure to put away smaller teams that saw them get pipped to the Champions League qualification spot by Spurs (10/1 to finish in the top four this season).

City have experienced defeat at Sunderland and also a home draw with Blackburn in the opening months of the season, however they still sit fourth in the table and only four points off leaders Chelsea.

The club host Newcastle (15/2 to win the game, draw 10/3) to Eastlands on Sunday lunch-time and Mancini will have to do without Pabla Zabaleta, who injured him hamstring in the Europa League game with Juventus earlier in the week, and it is expected the manager will rest Jerome Boateng.

City (2/5 to win the game) are unbeaten on home turf in their five games in all competition so far this season and Mancini has said he wants them to extend that record as a solid home form is essential to match his minimum requirement of a top four finish.

The manager has told the Manchester Evening News however he knows that Newcastle could pose some problems for his side if they try to turn up and ’shut up shop’.

“We must win against teams such as Newcastle. We must not think that we can win only against Chelsea and Liverpool. If we want to go up the table, we must win also against Newcastle,” said Mancini.

“When a team such as Newcastle or Sunderland face City, they will play more defensively than Chelsea or Liverpool.

“This is the problem. Some teams will put a lot of players behind the ball, and it can be difficult to find a solution to this.”

While Mancini sees the top four as his ambition for the season, City defender Dedryk Boyata is looking even higher and has said the target is “to win the title” (City 9/1 to win Premier League).

The teenage defender claims the side need to “stay focused” if they are to reach that level and look to match the standards that has brought them “great results” against the Premier League big guns.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Villa have been on the hunt for a new manager since Martin O’Neill walked out on the club just five days before the start of the new season.

USA boss Bob Bradley was the favourite to become the next manager at Villa Park but Houllier has been given the challenge of getting the Midlands side into the Champions League qualifying positions.

The Frenchman has been given a three-year-deal as he looks to stabilise the club after the surprise exit of O’Neill.

The club and Houllier’s representatives are still finalising terms but the 63-year-old is expected to be in the role after the match against Stoke City on Monday.

The former Liverpool (6/4 to finish in the top four) boss has stated that he is keen to get on with the job as the club looks to move forward.

He said: “I’m pleased, I’m proud, I’m hungry, I’m healthy and I can’t wait to come.

“I had several offers but it looked as if Aston Villa like to do things as a team. I like to work as a team and I can feel that we are going to be in this together.

“It’s a new era, in terms of training, in terms of habits, in terms of everything,” he added.

Houllier has not managed in the Premier League since he left Anfield back in 2004 but the former Lyon boss believes he can still make an impact in one of the toughest competitions in the world.

When asked if Villa could challenge for a top four finish Houllier stated that given time the club can achieve that target.

He said: “The team will probably improve in the long run and if we are spared by injuries and also manage to get one or two players at the right time, then why not?

“But the aim of course is Europe, places of honours and silverware.

“We know where we want to go, we know it will take time, that’s why I was passionate about getting back into management,” he added.

Houllier looks likely to take charge of the side ahead of their Premier League clash against Bolton Wanderers at Villa Park on September 18.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Manchester United

The so-called big four of United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal have dominated proceedings for a long time but that was shattered last season when Tottenham broke into the Champions League places at the expense of Liverpool.

This season will be even more competitive as Manchester City have been spending like it is going out of fashion and anything other than a top four finish will be deemed a failure.

It means everyone is fighting for their lives and even though United are nailed on at 1/20 to finish in the Champions League, it looks like it will be tight and they may find themselves looking over their shoulders now and then.

Ferguson admits it will be tougher than ever following the emergence of City, who are 11/2 to win the title, while Everton and Aston Villa are also clubs who will be pushing all the way.

Gone are the times when a team only lost a maximum of four games when winning the title and Ferguson is well aware that no game is easy these days.

“Things definitely changed last season – it was a different league altogether compared to what we’d seen before,” said Ferguson. “The top four found it difficult and dropped points in games they wouldn’t have expected to.

“That’s an indication of the improvement made by other teams, and I think there’ll be a bit of a dogfight for the top four places this season.

“We all have to be aware of the threats from the likes of Villa, Everton, Tottenham and Manchester City – they’ll all be challenging to get into that top four.”

Chelsea are 13/8 favourites for the title but United showed at the weekend even without the addition of any new players they are the team that will run Carlo Ancelotti’s men all the way.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.