Free-spending Manchester City start their title chase with a home win against Championship play-off winners Swansea, looking to open the season with a comfortable victory.

Having shown a lot of promise last term to finish the Premiership campaign in 3rd place, the Citizens are hoping to mount a serious title challenge this term and they are now 5.00 (4/1) with William Hill to win the Premier League title.

Roberto Mancini’s side have already suffered a major disappointment as they squandered a two-goal lead to lose the Community Shield final to bitter rivals United, meaning that this would be a perfect opportunity to make amends for the poor showing at Wembley.

Despite the arrivals of Kun Aguero, Stefan Savic and Gael Clichy, and the fact that Carlos Tevez remained at the club, Mancini is adamant that he needs few more big name signings, so we can expect the Citizens to be very active in the closing stages of the transfer window.

Wantaway striker Carlos Tevez is unlikely to feature, while Kun Aguero should start on the bench as he lacks match fitness. Kolo Toure is still suspended.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Hart – Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy – Y. Toure, De Jong, Barry – Balotelli, Dzeko, Silva.

Having played their football in League Two just six years ago, Swansea have clearly produced a major coup by winning the Championship play-off to gain promotion to the Premiership.

The Swans are now considered one of the main candidates for the drop, and the game at Eastlands will be a good opportunity for them to prove the doubters wrong.

The club management did well to keep hold of talented boss Brendan Rodgers and most of the key players, although they were powerless to stop Darren Pratley and Dorus de Vries from leaving the club.

In came Danny Graham, Wayne Routledge and Michael Vorm, among others, adding some much needed quality to the side.

The Swans did pretty well in pre-season, beating the likes of Real Betis and Celtic, and I honestly believe they will be able to survive this season. Swansea are 2.25 (5/4) with Paddy Power to stay up.

Captain Garry Monk is a doubt with a foot problem, while Vorm, Graham, Lita, Routledge and Caulker are all in line for debuts.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3):Vorm – Rangel, Williams, Taylor, Tate – Britton, Allen, Dobbie – Sinclair, Graham, Routledge.