The race for this season’s title is set to be one of the tightest in recent history with new managers at each of the division’s top three favoured clubs – Manchester United (3.8), Manchester City (3.3) and Chelsea (3.35) – followed closely by the team with the longest serving manager in Arsenal (12) as well as the ever-improving Tottenham Hotspur (36) and Liverpool (36) not far behind.
The summer thus far has been one of frustration for Manchester United's new man David Moyes - a failure to sign a much-needed central midfielder in either Cesc Fabregas or Marouane Fellaini has left a big hole in their first XI.
The ongoing transfer saga from wantaway star man Wayne Rooney will continue to cast doubts over their transition from Ferguson's dynasty in what could yet prove to be a tumultuous period in the club's glittered history.
While they have the league’s top marksman in Robin Van Persie, and a more settled Shinji Kagawa, this looks to be a rebuilding season for the club. With Moyes coming to terms of juggling a large squad full of star players as well as the demands of Champions League competition - the first run of bad form is likely to call into question the Scotsman’s suitability for the role and therefore the Red Devils are well worth avoiding.
The return of ‘the Special One’ at Stamford Bridge has brought renewed vigour to Chelsea and in Jose Mourinho they have the only manager of the top three who has experience of winning the Premier League title.
The additions of Andre Schurrle and Marco van Ginkel look to be good investments for the future but the current squad looks un-Mourinho-esque in its make-up – the likes of Mata, Hazard and Oscar the polar opposite of the Portuguese’s previous spine of Lampard, Drogba and Essien.
It also remains to be seen who will lead Chelsea’s line this season, will Mourinho get the best out of Torres, will Ba improve on his first 6 months at the club or will the young Romelu Lukaku fulfil all that promise he showed when on-loan at West Brom last season?
That question mark leaves the biggest shadow over Chelsea’s chances this season and for that reason are also worth avoiding.
Of the top three, the most complete squad this season is Manchester City’s. So dazzling in their maiden Premier League triumph in 2012, they struggled last year with stodgy tactics from the outgoing Roberto Mancini as well as a run of poor form and injuries to their star players.
This summer’s purchases, building upon the solid defensive system they had in place under Mancini, have added much-needed flair and attacking nous – the likes of Jesus Navas, Fernandinho, Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic look to be astute signings from new manager Manuel Pellegrini and all in all there is no weak area in the City squad this season.
Pellegrini’s one major issue will be managing such a big squad full of huge egos, a task made slightly easier by the departures of the troublesome duo Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli, but nonetheless still an area of concern given the Chilean’s failure at Real Madrid in 2009/10 with a similarly star-studded team.
City will be the hardest to break down this season and can expect an envious home record at the Etihad, if their new attacking signings can match that at the other end of the field then they should be the team to beat for the title.
Of the others, I can only see Arsenal - without any major signings yet again - Tottenham - even if they manage to hold on to star man Gareth Bale - and Liverpool - even if they manage to hold on to star man Luis Suarez - being also-rans this season. Their squads lack the depth and star-quality of the top three and any of them will do well to break the triumvirate at the top of the table. Although we can expect the race for fourth-spot to be as exciting as ever.
Summary - Back Manchester City to win the title at 3.3 (2 points).
Premier League betting preview - Part Two - Scrap for Survival: http://goo.gl/eex6Jq
Premier League betting preview – Part Three – Top half security: http://goo.gl/mahBWC
You can follow Evan on twitter @ev_bartlett
NB - Odds correct as of 8th August