• Premier League, 2011

Manchester United look the strongest again

Simon Cambers August 11, 2011

I have spent much of the past week mulling over summer transfers and looking in detail at the respective squads of the teams most likely to challenge for the Premier League this season and whichever way I look at it, it comes down to this. Manchester United have what it takes to win it again.

Click here to bet on the Premier League at bet365

Now I know that hardly seems like I am sticking my neck out, not least since bet365 make them 13/8 to win it for a fifth time in six seasons and for a record 20th time overall. But whatever the pretensions of Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham, United have been there and done it and are likely to do it again in May.

That's not to say it won't be a struggle. United are traditionally slow starters to a league season and only really hit full stride around March. Perhaps it's more that it's like a 100 metres race in that they are tiring at a slower rate and look better as a result, but whatever it is, they know how to get the job done and keep their heads when others are losing theirs.

Of course, experience alone is not enough. You need quality, strength in depth and the desire to keep winning. In Sir Alex Ferguson they have a manager for whom winning is not only a habit but a necessity. That rubs off on his players and even the retirements of some key players in Paul Scholes and Edwin van der Sar should not inconvenience them too much.

In Ashley Young and Phil Jones they have bought well over the summer and though it remains to be seen how good David de Gea is, the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper comes highly recommended. With Wayne Rooney due a good season, Nani still superb and excellent wingers in Young and Antonio Valencia, they are going to be as attacking as ever.

The centre of midfield is the only concern for Ferguson and he may well address that before the transfer window closes. I think 13/8 is actually not a bad price but the chances are that they may actually be longer than that at some stage in the first couple of months, particularly if other teams begin well. The advice is to wait until they hit 2/1 and then snap it up.

Others have points to prove

Unlike United, the chasing pack all have things to prove this season. Chelsea have to show they are not too old and get the best out of Fernando Torres before it's too late. With a new and relatively inexperienced manager, their older players need to stay fit and gel with the new brood if they are to contend.

Arsenal have to prove there is life after Cesc Fabregas and re-invest wisely (and quickly), providing the Spaniard does indeed return to Barcelona. They have the best young players in the country in the likes of Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey and if they can fire, with Robin van Persie staying fit, they won't be too far away, even if their defence remains an issue.

Manchester City have matched United in their summer spending and in Sergio Aguero, the Argentina forward, have signed a man who could light up the Premier League this season. They have a squad that on paper is as good as United's - now it's about remaining consistent and winning matches even when they are not playing well.

Liverpool have spent well in the transfer market and with Kenny Dalglish installed on a permanent deal and the owners proving to be as good as their word, there looks to be real stability at the club once more. The arrival of Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam will add strength in depth and if Jose Enrique completes his move, then one of their problem positions - the left-back role - will be solved. With no European football for them this season,I expect them to be in the top four and even money for them to do so is a good price.

As for the rest, I am concerned that Tottenham may not kick on from their efforts of the past two seasons. They have been strangely quiet in the transfer market this summer, though perhaps that is because they spent fortunes in the previous three years and can't sustain that kind of investment without Champions League football.

Newly promoted sides face a battle as always

Unless one of the three sides has a stack of money then the chances are they will be in for an enormous battle to stay in the Premier League longer than 12 months.

Swansea, Norwich and Queens Park Rangers are the three sides to come up from the Championship and bet365 make them the top three, in that order, to go straight back down again.

I am not so sure. There seem to be two philosophies with the promoted sides. You either have a strong defence and make yourself very tough to beat, sacrificing flair and perhaps goals, or you attack throughout and risk leaking at the back. Finding a balance would be the ideal scenario but that needs strength in depth, which requires cash.

Bet365 make Swansea 8/13 and Norwich 4/5, while QPR, by far the richest of the three, 6/4 to go down. The London side is 1/2 to stay up, Norwich are 10/11 and Swansea 6/5.

Outside of those three, someone will get stuck down in a relegation fight and I am going for something a little left of centre, and that means Newcastle United. My big fear for Newcastle is that they have lost their best players, with Kevin Nolan and Jose Enrique going, while Joey Barton seems on his way as well. I struggle to see them scoring enough goals to beat too many sides and at 9/2, they could get dragged down.

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.

Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondent

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.