But the time is nearly here so Betting Spy can wipe off the sun cream, kick off the flip flops, hang up the Speedos and get on with the serious business of trying to pick a few winners.

Sorry to start the season with the unfortunate image of a sweating pink man crammed into tight swimwear.

So let’s quickly flag up two words that should make us money this year – Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola’s men are title favourites at 7/4.

But that still looks value with doubts over all their main rivals and a midfield and front line which will strike fear into one and all.

City look set to outscore teams in every game with Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus a deadly combination upfront.

Kyle Walker, Danilo and Benjamin Mendy should help shore things up at the back while in the middle of the park Guardiola is playing real life fantasy football as it’s a question of who to leave out.

Defending champions Chelsea have the extra burden of Champions League football and will miss Diego Costa – unlike opposition centre halves.

Man Utd still look a striker short if Lukaku fails to fill the boots of Ibrahimovic and Rooney while Spurs are facing the dreaded Wembley effect of playing home games away while White Hart Lane is redeveloped.

Liverpool don’t look strong enough for a title challenge while Arsenal, are Arsenal.

They will flatter to deceive as usual before being found out with a string of dodgy results as the annual calls for Arsene Wenger’s head start to ring out.

Over at West Ham we are hoping for a top-ten finish and a decent cup run.

A string of solid signings has been a welcome diversion from the annual Andy Carroll summer injury updates.

Our Geordie hero is currently undergoing “fierce”training sessions in a bid to get him match ready at some stage of the season.

I’ll be keeping a keen eye out from my seat in the London Stadium for any sightings of the big man in claret and blue.

No doubt I’ll be regularly returning to events in East London as the season unfolds but let’s sign off with a tip for the opening round of fixtures.

I like the look of Everton to beat Stoke at home and away wins for Spurs at Newcastle and Liverpool at Watford.

The treble pays 7/2 which would get us off to a decent start.

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Running total of all bets to a £10 stake for 2017/18 season: £0.00