13-8 Newcastle sweating on Tiote fitness

IT'S only three days until the start of the Premier League season and Newcastle are sweating on the fitness of key midfielder Cheick Tiote for their opener against Tottenham.

The Ivory Coast hardman is nursing a calf strain and Magpies manager Alan Pardew also has a concern that Argentinian defender Fabricco Coloccini  may not be able to shake off a knock.

The pair picked up their injuries in Saturday's friendly at Cardiff which strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse both sat out.

The Magpies, who finished fifth in the Premier League last season, are 13-8 to get their campaign off to a winning start in ESPN's live Saturday tea-time offering. Tottenham are available at 15-8 with Paddy Power.

One player who is definitely set to miss the opening weekend is Manchester City defender Micah Richards, who has been ruled out for a month after injuring his ankle while playing for Great Britain at the Olympics.

City start the defence of their title with a visit from newly-promoted Southampton, who are 16-1 to stun the champions at the Etihad.