The transfer window is now firmly closed to teams until January, which means the focus is totally on the actual games for now. Last season’s Premier League champs Manchester City look impressive again, although the teams that pushed them close last time – Liverpool and Chelsea – also seem ready to challenge once more. You will get odds of 11/4 from bookmakers on Manuel Pellegrini’s side bringing the title back to the Etihad again, but which are the sides that might stop them in their tracks?

Well, runners-up Liverpool (11/1) look like they might be stronger this season – as the money from the Suarez sale has let Brendan Rodgers reinforce the defence that proved their undoing last time (as well as recruiting Ballotelli). Of course he can be flaky, but many expect Rodgers to handle him better than Roberto Mancini did. Chelsea (4/5) have also rebuilt during the summer, and have the talismanic figure of Jose Mourinho at the helm at Stamford Bridge. Diego Costa has made an electric start and promises the goals the Blues lacked last year – while Cesc Fabregas gives them greater drive and creativity in the centre. You also cannot rule out Manchester United at 12/1, although they are rebuilding under new boss Van Gaal, or the revived Arsenal (11/1).

Indeed with so many potential title bets, why not wait a few weeks and try Soccer Safari at an online casino like GambingClub.com, while we see how the form plays out. This a slot with reel appeal to casino and football fans, thanks to an $8000 jackpot and great football-themed games. The theme is an all-animal World Cup, and the five reels are packed with lions, cheetah, leopards and an elephant commentator (who looks like Gary Lineker!). The scatter icon is the World Cup trophy and getting three on a reel activates the bonus round, which lets you score goals to win payout bonuses. You can play with a deposit of just $0.01 per pay line, so you can hardly lose – not the case even if you bet on the hot favourite in the Premier League race.