Football’s back and it opens with a weekend full of tense action. The opening game is one well worth watching as last season’s big movers come together to get the season started. Spurs surprised most last season and although they faded a little late, earned the healthy respect of most clubs. Manchester City, on the other hand, have been hailed the Millionaire club due to the big money thrown around to secure players. The team of champions started to look like a champion team last season to the point that this season they even have the belief of most online bookmakers.

The two come together today as Tottenham host City in the season opener (12:45 on SkySports 2HD). Spurs at home are naturally the favourites in today’s game with bookmakers quoting them at 7/5. Manchester City are a touch over 2/1 while the draw is popular at 12/5. This will be an interesting game and history shows that this first weekend of action often delivers surprise results. Manchester City may just have the edge and we’ll tip them at 2/1.

Liverpool have struggled just a little in pre-season competition and I don’t think they are right mentally yet. They finished last season in poor shape and look to be a shadow of the previous season where they finished second. Arsenal, on the other hand, are Arsenal. There’s nothing flash about them and they still don’t look like Premier League winners. However, they do enough every year to stay in that top four. Liverpool at home are 6/4 with Arsenal 2/1 and the draw 12/5. We’re tipping the visitors again at 2/1.

On Monday, Manchester United welcome Newcastle United back to the top league. Newcastle are rebuilding following their relegation last season and have bounced back as clearly the best team in the Championship League. I don’t think they are strong enough to undo Manchester United – neither do the bookies with Man U quoted at 1/4, Newcastle 14/1 and even the draw out to 5/1. Manchester United to win but you can expect a good game – Newcastle will want to make their presence felt early.

In other matches this weekend:

• Villa (20/19) should be too strong at home against West Ham (16/5)
• Blackburn (21/10) at home may surprise Everton (6/4)
• Bolton (13/10) play Fulham (5/2) and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the first draw (12/5) of the season here.
• Sunderland (13/10) performed above expectations last season and should be too strong for Birmingham (13/5)
• Wigan (5/6) take on Blackpool (4) - both have had mixed pre-seasons – we’ll tip the home side
• Wolverhampton (7/5) showed early promise then faded and they host a rather difficult Stoke (9/4) – another draw (23/10) especially if Stoke continue their form from last season.
• Chelsea (2/11) have an easy start to the season as they welcome back West Bromwich (20) – the betting says it all.

It’s a great start to the season and we’ll be following every game with selections and the best betting odds we can find on offer through online bookmakers. If you love your football, you’ll love coming back here each week.