Leeds United are the unsurprising favourites and are as short as 3/1 in places, while fellow giants Leicester City are next at 5/1.

The bookies think Milton Keynes Dons will be a force to be reckoned with and are third favourites at 10/1, but punters would be better to wait and see where the future of boss Paul Ince lies before piling on.

Ince has been a massive success at both Macclesfield and the Dons and it's vital he stays if the Cobblers' new local rivals are to mount a serious challenge.

In the Blue Square Conference, bookies make Rushden & Diamonds third favourites (11/1), while Kettering Town are expected to make a decent fist of it at 33/1.

Chelsea cut with big Phil in charge
FOOTBALL: Bet365 have been forced to cut their best price of 5/2 on Chelsea winning the Premier League next season after the announcement that Luiz Felipe Scolari will be their new manager.

Reaction to the appointment from punters was swift and bet365 have cut the Blues into 2/1.

The firm have also pushed out Manchester United from 11/10 to 5/4 to defend their crown.

Paddy Power offer 8/1 about Scolari not lasting a full season at Stamford Bridge.

Allardyce the favourite
FOOTBALL: The price on Alan Shearer becoming the next Blackburn manager has plummeted since the BBC pundit distanced himself from the job.

Shearer can be backed as long as 33/1 with bet 365, who make Sam Allardyce the odds-on favourite at 4/6 to take up the Ewood Park office.

Paul Ince is 7/2 (VC Bet), with Slaven Bilic an interesting 33/1.