The 2005/06 Premiership season gets underway on August 13th, and if bookmakers are to be believed, title will once again be contested by three teams.

Two of those – Chelsea and Arsenal – meet on 7th August in traditional curtain-raiser to new season, Community Shield. As if any further spice was needed – on-going Ashley Cole tapping-up saga looks set to ensure that meetings between these two London rivals are tense and feisty affairs.

A look at each of three sides can point us in direction of best bets available prior to start of new campaign.

Where better to start than with champions Chelsea. Their first title in 50 years was delivered with games to spare last season, and although bitterly disappointed by their European exit at hands of eventual winners Liverpool (more about them later), season must be viewed as a huge success for Jose Mourinho’s side. One loss, 15 goals conceded and a winning margin of 12 points separating them from second-placed Arsenal says it all.

Add to that growing defensive rock comprised primarily of captain John Terry and keeper Peter Cech, dazzling attacking play of Robben and Duff, plus of course spending power of Roman Abromavitch, and on face of it Chelsea look like being incredibly hard to displace as champions.

Their price of evens is not an unfair price given their dominance last season as well as their ability to go out and buy established and expensive top-class players, however things will surely be tougher for them this time around.

The new season is fast approaching, but there remains plenty of time for transfer movement over coming weeks and that will be a key factor in betting for Championship.

The three teams that were relegated from Premiership head market, where they are joined by Wolves (13/2), who had an outstanding run over second half of last season.

Southampton (6/1) and Crystal Palace (13/2) should each be expected to make a strong bid for title but I believe Norwich, who are a touch longer than other market leaders at 7/1, are best equipped to bounce straight back to top flight as champions.

Relegated teams do not always adjust straight away to Championship, particularly if they are forced to sell key players and that is likely to happen to both Saints and Palace and, like West Ham before them, I can see them scrapping for play-off places.

Southampton have already lost Kevin Phillips and Jamie Redknapp, while Peter Crouch is subject of strong interest from several Premiership clubs. Similarly, it will be a surprise if Palace keep hold of Andy Johnson.

Norwich, on other hand, look set to retain key men who will make a significant difference to their prospects.

Dean Ashton scored 20 goals in 24 league games last season for Crewe at this level and then prospered in his five months in Premiership with Canaries.

He should guarantee them 20 goals, while Darren Huckerby will once again be a real menace, as he was when he inspired City to title two years ago.