Chairmen may not like it. Managers may hate it. Some fans may dread it - but nobody can deny that the transfer window staying open for the first three weeks of the Premier League season makes things all the more compelling.

Over the next week, top sides will try to strengthen; there will be loan deals galore and sides who've made a bad start might well press the panic button.

It's going to be a fascinating few days and you'll be able to see it all unfold with the brilliant team on Sky Sports News, where the phones will be red hot.

Modric: is he Chelsea-bound?

They will also be busy in the Sky Bet trading room, as you can currently bet on all the potential big moves throughout the inevitable drama on 'Deadline Day'.

For example, Luka Modric is currently 1/5 to sign for Chelsea, while Wesley Sneijder is 4/9 to go to Old Trafford.

Sky Bet's Premier League odds: 6/5 Man Utd; 5/2 Man City; 3/1 Chelsea; 12/1 Liverpool; 16/1 Arsenal; 80/1 Tottenham; 400/1 bar

Week two in the Premier League was an informative and brilliant one for Manchester, but a bad one for North London. United have shortened again to 6/5 to retain their title, while City impressed once more, resulting in their price being clipped another half point to 5/2.

In contrast, Arsenal are having a domestic nightmare and are already out to 16/1 with Sky Bet to win the league. Wednesday's result in Udinese was superb for the club and will have given the players a big lift, and the supporters hope.

They now face a daunting trip to Old Trafford on Super Sunday. I'll be there from 3.30pm on Sky Sports HD1 and Sky 3D with Gary Neville and Paul Merson, which should be lively and good fun.

Both sides will be full of young players but what a contrast in their current mood and fortunes in the Premier League.

As Gary explained to me on Monday Night Football, Arsenal's performance against Liverpool had none of the confidence or rhythm that were hallmarks of the sides he played against so many times, and without a 'plan b' they struggled.

In contrast, United's new generation have been given their head and are thriving. Danny Wellbeck was superb on Monday night, Tom Cleverley is flourishing in midfield, Chris Smalling is such a good athlete at right-back, while Gary Neville describes Phil Jones as pure 'gold'.

It's a long time since Arsenal have been 11/2 to win a league match and they actually don't have a bad recent record against Manchester United (1/2).

Honours are even in the last 10 Premier League meetings with four wins each and two draws, although United are unbeaten in the last seven meetings at Old Trafford in all competitions (won six) and have lost just one of the last 12.

Blue moon rising

I said at the start of the season that I thought Manchester City would be United's nearest challengers and they are starting to look like the real deal.

Roberto Mancini let the handbrake off at Bolton on Super Sunday and they were awesome at times. With Samir Nasri arriving and Carlos Tevez back in the mix, they have so many options; but how on earth is Mancini going to keep everyone happy?

He also seems keen to stop conceding "silly goals" so may put the handbrake back on, especially if Nigel de Jong is fit to return.

Their last three meetings with Tottenham have produced just two goals so under 2.5 goals might be of interest at evens, but I hope Mancini continues to let his midfield push forward and allows the sensational David Silva to work his magic.

Tottenham (7/4) actually have an excellent record against City (6/4) in recent years, winning 12 of the last 15 meetings in all competitions. Tottenham had won six consecutive Premier League meetings at home before the goalless draw last season but I think they'll find it hard on Sunday with Man City in their current mood.

The mood at Liverpool is also buoyant after their impressive finish at the Emirates. Liverpool (2/5) have an excellent recent record against Bolton (7/1), winning each of the last nine meetings, scoring 23 in the process.

Liverpool have taken more Premier League points off Bolton than any other side with 55. Furthermore, Liverpool have won 11 of the 12 Premier League meetings at Anfield, including each of the last nine.

Bolton's last League win at Anfield came 57 years ago - 2-1 in an old Division One game in January 1954. That same month, Marilyn Monroe married baseball player Joe DiMaggio.

It was annoying to start with a losing 'bet of the week'. I plan to make amends with Everton, who were very unlucky not to beat QPR on their opening fixture, and are being written off far too early.

Everton (13/10) have won three of the last four meetings with Blackburn (21/10) and going further back, Everton have lost just two of the last 12 Premier League meetings, winning six.

Everton at 13/10 look a decent bet.

Test cricket

Despite the bad weather, there were few worries about collecting on England winning the fourth Test. I still can't believe they were readily available at odds against.

Can the world champions bounce back in the one-day series? Or will England's winning momentum continue? The series begins next Wednesday, live on Sky Sports.

Sky Bet can't split them - England 10/11, India 10/11 - but the tourists look ready for home to me, and I think England will come out on top again.

Completely FREE £10 bet

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