BURNLEY

Burnley were relegation favourites before a ball had even been kicked – and it was easy to see why. Sean Dyche’s men had failed to invest heavily and key personalities, such as Joey Barton, had opted to jump ship instead of tackling the difficult task of keeping the Clarets in the top flight.

• Premier League Betting

However, Burnley have been solid so far. Whilst they suffered a heavy defeat to Chelsea in their last encounter, the Clarets earned a 2-0 victory over Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool; a result that sent shockwaves across the Premier League.

If star striker Andre Gray can hit the ground running, Burnley stand a chance of avoiding the drop. Unfortunately, it is going to be very tough and it might be a step too far...

Relegation odds: 4/5

CRYSTAL PALACE

Alan Pardew’s men were woeful at the back end of last season and the Eagles look like they are going to struggle again this time around. Palace have picked up just one point in their opening three fixtures – and even that came in the dying embers of their clash with Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth.

Christian Benteke will look to lead Palace up the Premier League table; and the Eagles will be relying on his performances as they look to avoid the drop. The Belgium international couldn’t cut it at Liverpool but Selhurst Park might be more suited to his skillset.

Pardew isn’t a genius but he can get Palace playing again. It has been a busy summer at the club and their late flurry of transfer activity could pay dividends in the coming months.

Relegation odds: 3/1

STOKE CITY

It might be a bit naïve to label Stoke City as a relegation candidate but they haven’t been at all convincing in the opening few weeks of the campaign. Mark Hughes needs to take some form of immediate action to steady the ship or the Potters will find themselves in serious trouble.

Stoke have enough quality to finish in the top half of the table but confidence and building momentum will be crucial to their chances of glory. Injuries hindered their chances of glory last season and Hughes will be hoping for better luck on that front this time around.

Right now, the Potters are looking low and they need a positive result to turn their fortunes around. But with a difficult run of fixtures ahead, Stoke fans won’t be too positive about their chances of a top-half finish...

Relegation odds: 6/1

SUNDERLAND

With David Moyes at the helm, Sunderland should be looking up – but they aren’t. The former Everton and Manchester United boss has already raided the Old Trafford ‘B’ string to bring a fresh perspective to the squad at the Stadium of Light; and Moyes will be hoping his transfer activity pays off.

Talented youngster Adnan Januzaj will give the Black Cats a new lease of life on the wing – and he performed exceptionally well for United during Moyes’ brief stint. He has already shown his talent in a Sunderland shirt and should link up well with Jermain Defoe.

However, Sunderland’s leaky defence remains a major concern. They have already conceded five goals in just three games and are yet to record a clean sheet. Moyes faces a difficult task to keep the Black Cats in the Premier League...

Relegation odds: 17/10

WATFORD

Watford earned a decent point away at Southampton on the opening day of the season to give Walter Mazzarri a positive start to life at Vicarage Road but it has all gone downhill in recent weeks.

The Hornets played well for the majority of their clash with Chelsea but fell short as Diego Costa snatched a late winner for Antonio Conte’s side – and it would get worse for Watford in their most recent fixture against Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger’s men netted three goals in the first half to pile the misery on Watford; and critical fans have already slated the club for parting ways with Quique Sanches Flores at the end of last season. It could be a long year ahead for Watford supporters...

Relegation odds: 11/5

Manchester City are 17/20 to win without conceding as Joe Hart hopes to get the chance to show Pep Guardiola – and potential new clubs – what he can do against Steaua Bucharest tonight.

• Champions League Betting

The England number one's future at the Etihad Stadium is uncertain after losing his place in the City side and with the club apparently closing in on Barcelona's Claudio Bravo. 
The pair were seen in deep conversation as City trained in front of media ahead of the Champions League play-off second leg, with City already 5-0 up from the away leg and almost certain to qualify for the group stage.

Hart looks set to leave the club before the end of the month but Guardiola insists he has not ruled out the possibility of Hart featuring against Steaua, and City are 8/11 to keep a clean sheet.

"He has a chance to play tomorrow," said Guardiola at yesterday’s press conference. "I have said many times, he is a player of us." 

Tonight’s second leg is little more than a formality but Guardiola is not looking at the game that way and is demanding maximum commitment from his players. 

He said: "I will make some rotations. I don't know how many, they all deserve to play and I am so confident about all the players.  But I have a lot of respect for the opponent and I know what happens in football. Everybody knows it's not done until it's done. 

"I have seen many times in the Champions League - at half-time an experienced team like AC Milan were 3-0 ahead and the final was done, but Liverpool won the Champions League final. I don't like to play the game when people say it's easy and it's finished. No, a lot can happen." 

City are 33/25 to win by at least three goals and 31/10 to win by four or more, with Steaua coach Laurentiu Reghecampf intending to make a number of changes to his side.

"I don't think there is a question over who will qualify," he said. "We will give a chance to some players who have not played much lately and we will try to finish this play-off in the Champions League with a good performance, because I think the players need that.”

Steaua Bucharest are 6/1 to stun Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League play-off on Tuesday night.

Champions League Betting on 888sport

Bucharest boss Laurentiu Reghecampf believes he can get the better of the world's best coach to secure Champions League qualification.

Reghecampf will pit his wits against Pep Guardiola, a two-time winner of the competition with Barcelona, as the Spaniard brings his new team to the Romanian capital.

Victory in the tie would take Steaua, European Cup winners in 1986, back into the group stage for the first time in three years.

Reghecampf thinks it is a realistic target, despite Guardiola's formidable reputation and City's star-studded squad.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference at the impressive Arena Nationala, the 40-year-old said: "We saw City play Sunderland and have all the information to play football well and achieve a positive result.

"Even if we face a big team, even if we face the best coach in the world with fantastic results, it is a huge chance for us to prove ourselves.

"I am very confident that we will qualify for the group stage again. We have a strong team and the match starts at 0-0."

City are 4/9 to take a lead back to the Etihad Stadium with 18/5 on offer for the draw.

With the City squad containing the likes of Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva, they are 32/25 to score in both halves.

You can also back City at 9/4 for them to win and for both teams to find the back of the net with odds of 21/2 for Bucharest to claim victory with both teams scoring.

Captain Nicolae Stanciu hopes he can inspire a famous victory and insists his mind is fully on the challenge despite being linked with a move to Celta Vigo.

The 23-year-old midfielder said: "We have to be focused only on the match. I am proud to be captain at such a big club. I am happy and privileged. I hope my display will motivate my team-mates."

The Premier League is back! Now painfully referred to as the ‘super league of managers’ the English top flight is set for a fascinating campaign. As a result of the hefty new TV deal, the clubs have had the freedom to spend in a way never seen before. Transfer records have been crashed through with ease and several squads look substantially different to how they did just a few months ago.

• Premier League Betting

The return of top level football is a glorious thing, isn’t it? So, to welcome in the new season, here is a 16/1 accumulator to get your campaign off to a winning start…

Manchester City to beat Sunderland and have over 3.5 goals

Of all the bets on offer this weekend, this one stands out. Even with odds so heavily heaped in City’s favour, Pep Guardiola’s side are absolutely nailed on for victory at the Etihad when they clash on Saturday. Although Guardiola’s unique tactical demands will take some time to properly take effect, they will have far too much for a Sunderland side that have found themselves with a new manager despite avoiding relegation last season.

Whether Manchester City play a variation of Guardiola’s 3-4-3 or a more conventional 4-3-3, the superb Sergio Aguero will terrorise Sunderland’s defence, however well organised they may be. Even if City’s defence leaks goals, which it may well do if last year is anything to go by, it is hard to see anything other than a goal fest for the Citizens.

Turmoil for Sunderland this summer, combined with a rejuvenated and talented City squad, should see an emphatic score line for the home team.

Southampton to beat Watford 4/5

Watford’s new manager, Walter Mazzari, is going to shake things up in the Premier League. Despite Mazzarri’s arrival, Claude Puel’s Southampton side should come out on top at St Mary’s on Saturday.

Nathan Redmond will be the new signing star to look out for in this game, with the former Norwich man signed as a replacement for the inconsistently devastating Sadio Mane. For Watford it will be about the footballer with the name of victory, Isaac Success, a forward who arrived from Granada earlier this summer.

Both teams are somewhat unknown entities, with this fixture being our first glimpse of either side in a competitive match. Southampton, however, possess a squad with greater depth and proven quality than Mazzarri’s Hornets. The road-running pace of Shane Long, combined with a solid defence make the Saints understandable favourites, particularly with home advantage.

Southampton will aim to replicate the consistent performances that saw them become a top half stalwart under Ronald Koeman throughout this season. Their guests this weekend will hope that their summer rest can see their attack return to the sharp goal-scoring machine that fired them to such a successful first half of the 2015/16 campaign.

Everton and Spurs to draw 12/5

Two of the most impressive managers in the league go head-to-head at Goodison this weekend, Ronald Koeman and Mauricio Pochettino.

Everton, boasting new investment, are beginning to flex their financial muscle with the additions of Yannick Bolasie and Ashley Williams, whilst Spurs have stuck to their tried and tested transfer policy in signing Vincent Janssen and Victor Wanyama this summer.

We can expect much of the same from Pochettino’s side, lots of energy, Harry Kane leading the line and a narrower three behind the striker with marauding full-backs. There is a chance that Everton will setup in Koeman’s tried and tested 3-5-2. The Merseyside club are waiting on news of the fitness of wantaway striker, Romelu Lukaku, and we could see Gerard Deulofeu play as the number nine if Lukaku is unavailable.