Another week goes by and there's still no resolution to the summer's three big transfer sagas.
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This time last year I had my fingers burned in this column backing Aston Villa to finish in the top half of the Premier League table. As it turned out they were in the thick of the relegation scrap all season. However, I'm tempted to go in again at 15/8 this time around as I can see Paul Lambert and his side having a much more successful campaign.
The two key factors this summer have been the retaining of Christian Benteke and the capture of Jores Okore. Benteke should guarantee goals, while Okore can help stiffen a defence that was shambolic at times last season.
Nordsjelland had a tough baptism in the Champions League last season but Okore stood out a mile at the back and is a tower of strength. He caught the eye of many a big European club so Villa have pulled off quite a coup by signing him.
Another side that can surprise people is Southampton, who are 6/4 to finish in the top ten and also tempting at even money in a season match bet with Newcastle.
Saints were even worse than Villa at the back at times, especially in the first ten games of the season but put things right under Mauricio Pochettino and have signed Dejan Lovren in their troublesome position of centre half.
Luke Shaw and Nathaniel Clyne should both thrive at full-back with a Premier League season under their belt. In front of them Jack Cork and Morgan Schneiderlin were outstanding last season.
I was honoured to award Schneiderlin the club's player of the year award at the end of the season and at the time thought Southampton would do well to hold on to him. Not only did they do that but they've signed him up on long-term deal, as they have all the other key players in the squad.
Executive Chairman Nicola Cortese is a canny operator. He also made a major show of intent by signing Victor Wanyama from Celtic for £12.5m and he will add power alongside the energy of Cork and guile of Schneiderlin.
Saints also have plenty of attacking threat with Adam Lallana, Jason Puncheon and Gaston Ramires, who has taken time to find his feet but can improve massively in his second season.
Rickie Lambert guarantees goals while the rapidly improving Jay Rodriguez could be a decent bet to one day join Lambert in an England squad. These are exciting times on the South coast.
Enjoy the opening Premier League weekend. Hope to see you at the Bridge on Sunday.
