Quite simply London 2012 has been superb and it’s been a struggle at times to keep pumping out news on the Enquirer with so many distractions.

Who knew that sports like show jumping, horse dancing, cat-and-mouse cycling and gymnastics could be so riveting?

Team GB has exceeded all expectations while the 2012 arenas have provided a stunning backdrop and a fitting showcase for the UK construction industry.

But the Games will just be a happy memory next week when the Premier League kicks-off and football reclaims its place as the national obsession.

And Man City can retain their title at the expense of Chelsea who seem best placed to grab the runners-up spot.

City won it by a whisker last time.

But this time I can see them opening a gap on the rest as an expensively-assembled set of stars continues to gel as a team.

Man Utd’s midfield continues to worry me and I can see a fairly average season ahead for the Red Devils who will also be distracted by fans’ protests over their complicated ownership structure.

Chelsea finished the season like a train and can push City hardest as Di Matteo sticks to tried-and-trusted tactics with a few exciting additions to the squad.

Backing City won’t make you rich at 5/4 but with interest rates on the floor it’s worth risking a few quid from your savings.

Unfortunately, as a West Ham fan, I’ll probably be focused on the relegation battle.

Sam Allardyce’s strength is keeping teams up.

And he’ll have his work cut out because the Hammers’ squad looks very light still.

We have a lot of strikers – but none who seem capable of scoring 15+ in a season while our midfield is more dressage trot than Usain Bolt when it comes to speed of movement.

The defence was exposed regularly in the Championship last season and has hardly been strengthened.

But there’s no way I’m tipping the Irons for the drop!

I’m sure our owners will bring in a few new faces at the last minute with the carrot of playing in the Olympic Stadium if we hold on in the top flight for another couple of seasons.

West Brom are my relegation tip at 4/1 with Paddy Power.

Roy Hodgson is a big act to follow and Steve Clarke is untested as a manager and I can see a bad start ringing all sorts of alarm bells round the Hawthorns.

I’ve managed to bag a couple of tickets for the Olympic boxing finals this weekend which could be the last bit of sporting joy I witness in east London for a while.

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Running Total for all 2012 bets to a £10 stake:   +£299.00