The Premier League is all set for kick-off and I’m going for Manchester City to win back the title.
They are joint favourites with Chelsea at 9/4, Manchester United being next in the betting at 5/2, but I always believed City had the strongest squad of players last year with the weakest manager.
Their performance in the FA Cup final, which was woeful, suggested the players had long given up on Roberto Mancini and, of course, they eventually got their wish and got themselves a new man at the helm.
Speak to any Spanish reporter or pundit and they are overflowing with praise for Manuel Pellegrini and what he has done. Indeed, for his whole stature as a coach.
The fact he has added four players already to an under- performing squad – Jesus Navas created more chances than any other player in La Liga last season – gives City so many pluses and I just don’t see much of a downside.
As for United, I will never forget Gary Neville saying having Sir Alex Ferguson as manager was like a 10-point bonus for them.
If you take that at face value, then they haven’t got a lot of leeway to play with and I think it’s going to be difficult for David Moyes taking over.
They haven’t bought anyone as yet, the Wayne Rooney situation rumbles on and, for any team, the hardest thing is to retain the title.
Getting back that hunger seems tough, and I think it will be hard for Moyes to generate that energy, enthusiasm and quality.
Also, United took 29 points last season from losing positions and that’s a big negative for me. They shouldn’t be going behind so often.
With Chelsea, I think everyone has got slightly carried away with Jose Mourinho’s return.
I think it could take him a year to sort out the squad and get them playing how he wants to once again.
When they won the title under him it was by one goal or two in every match and they were defensively disciplined – exactly the opposite of how they play now – so I think it will take a year to fix.
If anyone fancies a couple of bets then Crystal Palace are 5/2 to finish bottom, which looks the likelihood to me.
And Swansea could win you some money as they are 10/1 to finish top without the top six.
That means 10/1 to be seventh, and I reckon they need only to do better than Everton for that.
Finally, can I say thank you to Town for saving we bookies an absolute fortune last weekend with their draw against QPR.
Just about every other favourite in the lower leagues won, so Town did us a massive favour!
