New boys can spring a surprise

You would have got decent odds on all three newly-promoted teams staying up in the Premier League this season, but early indications are that may yet happen.

Having runaway with the Championship last season, much was expected of QPR this term but it couldn't have started much worse. A 4-0 home defeat to Bolton on the opening day seemed to indicate that the R's could expect a relegation tussle.

But the takeover deal, which saw Tony Fernandes take charge at Loftus Road, has made a massive impact and the summer transfer business looks to have move the club to the next level. Those looking to place football bets won't see them as relegation favourites.

Neil Warnock has persuaded established Premier League stars to join the QPR revolution, with Joey Barton, Shaun Wright-Phillips and DJ Campbell already making a big impact.

Even though there are questions to asked about their defence, having already secured away wins at the likes of Everton and Wolves, Rangers are likely to have their sights set on a mid-table finish come may.

Swansea impressed many with their style of football last season and Brendan Rodgers has stuck with the same pass-and-move philosophy in the top flight.

The most impressive factor in the Swans useful start to the season has been their solid defensive form, which has seen the Welsh side already keep clean sheets against the likes of West Brom, Sunderland and Wigan. Fans of Betfair will be keen to see how they get on.

Goals have been harder to come by and that may yet be their downfall, but when teams have attacking pace as Swansea have, they will always pose a threat.

Of the three new boys, Norwich were tipped to be the most likely to return to the Championship after just a season, but they have started the best of the trio.

Paul Lambert took a different route to QPR, choosing to bring in Championship players that had something to prove at the top level – the likes of Bradley Johnson, and Steve Morrison – along with players who hadn't made the break through at other clubs.

Two wins and two draws from their opening six games is a solid start and many teams will struggle at a compact Carrow Road this season, but they will need to make sure they win the games against the teams in and around them in the table.

Real ace sets Euro target

Ricardo Carvalho has targeted Champions League success with Real Madrid this season, but admits they may need a "little luck" in order to lift the trophy.

The former Chelsea defender was part of the Real squad that reached the semi-finals last year, but they came off second best to their major rivals and eventual winners, Barcelona.

It's been nine years since the Bernabeu giants last won Europe's top club competition, with success back in 2002. Surprisingly, they have only reached the semis twice since that victory and more is expected this term.

Carvalho feels Real can live up to the expectation though, and remains confident that they will go one better and reach this season's final in Munich, even if the Champions League betting(Champions League betting)shows they face a tough task.

The Portuguese international told the Real club website: "After the present (group) stage, we'll play two games in each ensuing round and you have to play very well in both.

"You can't afford to do well in one and then so-so or badly in the other. We'll have to give good performances in both and also have a little luck to go through."

Jose Mourinho's record in the tournament is second to none – lifting the trophy with both Porto and Inter Milan, whilst reaching the last four with both Chelsea and Real and anyone looking at the Betfair football odds (Betfair football odds)can't rule him out.

Carvalho says the manager works on "every single detail" to make sure his team is the best and feels he has "grown as a player" after working with him.

The 33-year-old is likely to play a key role in Real's next Champions League clash – at home to Ajax – with fellow countrymen Pepe and Fabio Coentrao out for two weeks through injury.

How will Man City cope in Champions League?

Man City begin their Champions League campaign with a game against Italian side Napoli but can they cope with the demands of Europe's main competition and, perhaps more to the point, can they cope with the demands of competing in the Champions League as well as challenging for the Premiership title.

To me, the answer to the the first question is fairly obvious. Man City have undoubted quality and, on paper have one of the best squads in Europe. With the additions of Samir Nasri, Sergio Aguero and Gael Clichy, all of whom have Champions League experience, they look even more prepared to challenge Europe's elite.

In addition, the style of football often seen in the Champions League seems to suit Man City perfectly. Man City's approach play if often slow and patient, which differs from most Premiership team's but is similar to many European teams who focus more on technical ability. The creativity of people like Samir Nasri and David Silva and the obvious quality that they possess in front of goal should mean they will be able to unlock some of Europe's tightest defences.

One slight concern for them is their poor performance in the europa League last year, a cmpetition many thought they might win. Does this give us an indication of how they will perform in a much harder and more demanding competition? Probably not, but they will have to raisde their game considerably if they are to take on the challenges of the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man Utd and Chelsea.

The bigger question is how well can they compete in both the league and in Europe. Very often this season they will have to face the demands of playing a midweek game followed by a game at the weekend. Can they really sustain a title bid as well as compete in Europe? Of course, they aren't the only side who'll have to deal with this, but Man Utd have the experience and have proven in the past they are more than capable of doing it, having reached 3 of the last 4 Champions League finals and almost always been in the race for the title.

It remains to be seen whether City have enough quality throughout their whole squad and the experience to challenge on all fronts this season.