Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City start their title defence at home to Southampton, a team that returned to the top flight after spending last seven years in the lower divisions.

Having won arguably the most exciting title race in the league history, the Citizens had plenty of reasons to celebrate over the summer, but now it’s time to get back to work and try to establish themselves as the leading force in English football.

The club have been surprisingly inactive in the summer transfer window, signing only Jack Rodwell from Everton, while failing to get rid of fringe players such as Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz.

City, nonetheless, enjoyed a bright start to the season as they beat Chelsea in the Community Shield Match and they are now 2.33 (4/3) favourites with Betfair for the Premier League title.

On the other hand, Roberto Mancini’s side are just 1.20 (1/5) with Ladbrokes to start their campaign with a win, which tells us what we can expect from this game.

Gareth Barry and Micah Richards miss out through injury, whereas Mario Balotelli, Jack Rodwell and Joe Hart are all doubtful.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Pantilimon – Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy – De Jong, Y. Toure – Tevez, Silva, Nasri – Aguero.

After spending 27 successive seasons in England’s top flight, Southampton got relegated in May 2005 and it took them seven years to return to the elite division.

The Saints largely impressed in the Championship last season, finishing the campaign in second place, just one point behind champions Reading.

The team have since been reinforced with Jay Rodriguez, Steven Davis, Nathaniel Clyne and Paulo Gazzaniga, while all key players remained at St Mary’s.

Nigel Adkins’ side had mixed success in pre-season, beating Evian and Wolves, while losing to Ajax and Udinese, but it appears they are fully prepared for what should be a very difficult season.

Online bookmakers see Southampton as one of the main candidates for the drop, with BetVictor paying 2.38 (11/8) if they go down, while Stan James has them at 1.57 (4/7) to stay up.

Midfielder Jack Cork is out with an ankle injury, but new signings Nathaniel Clyne, Steven Davis and Jay Rodriguez should start.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): K. Davis – Clyne, Fonte, Hooiveld, Fox – S. Davis, Schneiderlin, Lallana, Puncheon – Rodriguez, Lambert.