It will be a close run race but I’m just leaning towards City at 13/5 now Chelsea have been made 2/1 favourites.

Jose Mourinho went to work shrewdly in the transfer market and has hopefully solved last season’s lack of goals with the acquisition of hit man Diego Costa.

He looks the type to thrive in the Premier League but the signing of Didier Drogba as back-up doesn’t convince.

Drogba terrorised defences at his peak but looked a shadow of his former self at the World Cup.

Cesc Fabregas will strengthen the midfield but it’s at the back where Chelsea could wobble.

Age could finally catch-up with John Terry while Felipe Luis will need to bed in at left back and no-one seems sure who the first choice keeper will be.

City have been tighter with the cheque book but have the best spine of any side in the league.

Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero are an awesome quartet. When they play together City are very tough to beat.

Kolarov and Zabaleta are two of the best attacking full backs in the business while Samir Nasri should shine after his World Cup snub and Fernando will further strengthen the midfield.

City’s back-up strikers – Dzeko, Negredo and Jovetic – all have goals in them which should give them the edge come title-time next May.

Arsenal look to be on the up and can secure third spot while Manchester United and Liverpool will battle it out for fourth.

Down at the bottom the bookies have written off Burnley but I can see them surviving with Aston Villa, West Brom and QPR all decent prices for the drop.

Palace are also trying their best to implode with the shock departure of Tony Pulis.

And what of West Ham? It’s the same old story I’m afraid.

Andy Carroll is injured again and we are scrabbling around for back-up with Carlton Cole set to dust his boots down for the umpteenth time.

The fans don’t like the manager, the owners seem to be at odds with him and our main summer signing is not fit enough to play from the start of the season.

Apart from that it looks a happy ship at Upton Park so, even though it pains me to type this, Spurs look a sound bet at 11/10 to beat us on Saturday.

That price is a bit skinny for a season-opener so let’s link it with Hull to win at QPR in a double which pays 5/1.

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