Man City tops Premier League table based on bookmakers’ odds

Manchester United should be looking for a flying start to the season while Everton are likely to find the early going tough.

Press Association Sport has ranked every team in the Premier League based on leading bookmakers’ odds to derive a predicted league table topped by Manchester City.

City are followed by Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham – and Everton face all four in their first five matches of the season, adding extra importance to their opening clash with West Brom.

By contrast, Everton are the highest-rated team United will play until October, although they then meet Liverpool, Spurs and Chelsea virtually back to back.

Mauricio Pellegrino should be able to ease himself into life as Southampton boss, with Swansea, Huddersfield, Watford and Crystal Palace – all predicted to finish in the bottom six – among their first five opponents.

Leicester have a tough start, with Arsenal, United, Chelsea and Liverpool among their first six opponents, while promoted Brighton and Huddersfield have more reason to fear the end of the season.

Both teams, who are playing in the Premier League for the first time, meet three of the top six in their final four games.

Brighton face Tottenham, United and Liverpool while Huddersfield play Chelsea, City and Arsenal.

Arsenal have often finished Premier League seasons strongly and will have high hopes of doing so again with all but one of their matches against other top six sides coming before March.

Liverpool are in a similar situation, with seven of their last 10 games coming against teams predicted to be in the bottom half of the table.