Bookies believe Premier League title will stay in Manchester

The bookmakers are finding it hard to look beyond the teams that finished in the top two places last season for the 2012/13 Premier League winners.

The last-minute recruitment of Robin Van Persie hasn't shaken their conviction that Manchester City start as favourites to defend their title - despite the views of Roberto Mancini, who has described United as the likely pacesetters. After his antics last season no-one really takes these pronouncements seriously.

United's late coup in the market has ensured that they are close behind City in the odds with a distinct gap to Chelsea in third. The Stamford Bridge club have been very active to refresh their squad in the summer but much depends on Fernando Torres firing on all cylinders. They may be a year away from a serious tilt at the top spot.

Outside of these three, the bookies are cool about anyone else offering a sustained challenge for the title. If the firms are right Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool will duke it out for the last Champions League berth - all of which will make a lot of Newcastle fans indignant after their rousing season.

Most firms have the Gunners in fourth but there is a divergence about the chances of Spurs and Liverpool. Some have them equal and others place one or other ahead.

Newcastle come in at a staggering 150-1 for the big prize and after the Geordies its 250-1 bar the field.

Manchester City                5/4

Manchester United            2/1

Chelsea                            5/1

Arsenal                            14/1

Liverpool                          25/1

Tottenham                       33/1

Newcastle                        150/1

250-1 Bar

Prices from Bet 365