Why I hope Villa don't get their house in order

Here we are then, it's the first day of the Premier League and I've already got something to moan about. The first two televised games of the season are Manchester United against Swansea and Arsenal versus Crystal Palace – hardly the most competitive betting heats on the coupon.

The TV schedulers obviously don't understand that punters aren't bothered about getting a first look at United's big midfield signing Ander Herrera or Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez. We want to kick off the season with a good honest bet on a good honest game between two unglamorous teams.

So forget the big stars on show at Old Trafford and the Emirates and instead get stuck into Stoke to beat Aston Villa at the Britannia.

I don't want to give the impression that I'm anti-Villa this season but I've backed them to be relegated, to be the lowest-scoring team in the division and Paul Lambert to be the first manager to leave his job.

It's safe to assume that you won't find any claret-and-blue face paint in the Bunter household's bathroom cabinet this season.

Stoke look set for a decent season under Mark Hughes although I'm not entirely convinced that Bojan Krkic is going to be a massive success. His career path – Barcelona, Roma, Milan, Ajax, Stoke – sounds like it could be on the side of Del Boy's Robin Reliant but I doubt any punters backing him for the Golden Boot will be millionaires this time next year.

The Potters are rock-solid on their own patch, though, and I can't see them slipping up against (hopefully) doomed Villa.

I'm eyeing up one more bet in the 3pm kick-offs because I can't see promoted Leicester's Premier League honeymoon lasting long.

I'm not mad about the Foxes' transfer activity this summer and they start off against Everton, who should go well again this term.

They were ruthless away from home against the weaker teams last season, winning seven and drawing five of their games at the bottom 12, and they can teach Leicester a harsh lesson on the opening day.

As for the televised games, it looks like we'll have to wait until Monday for a competitive heat: Burnley against Chelsea.