What promises to be the most open Premier League season for years, at the posh end at least, is capturing the imagination as the campaign hots up, as the Guardian's Kevin McCarra writes.

City might "only" be lying sixth at the moment, but they are in a great position to take advantage of some vulnerability above them to make the vital break into the top four.

"This season's competition should remain engrossingly entertaining now that the leading teams are no longer good enough to feel safe," he reckons, adding that "few can buy themselves a solution".

But, McCarra points out, "Manchester City are the blazing exception to all of this, yet these early days have not confirmed that the impact is in proportion to the budget.

"Relief for the manager, Mark Hughes, and City's backers must lie in the appreciation that there is nothing formidable about the elite quartet he intends to disrupt. If those four hold their status it will be because challengers are also faltering."

Each weekend's fixtures suddenly bring the promise of unpredictability, and when Kevin says "a Premier League in decline is heading in the right direction", you know what he means.

Meanwhile, over in the Carling Cup department, Sun tipster Andy Totham urges his readers to take advantage of one bookie. Or, as he puts it, "you've gotta love their 3-1 for Man City to be top scorers this week." Scunthorpe leaked three at "modest" Peterborough on Saturday, he reasons.