Newcastle are the bookies’ favourites to win the Championship but relegated clubs have a very poor record of bouncing straight back – Simon Hopper analyses the best ante-post bets ahead of the new season.

Alexander Hleb has threatened to scupper the Zlatan Ibrahimovic-Samuel Eto’o swap deal, insisting he does not want to leave Barcelona.

The Belarus international has been included as a makeweight by Barcelona as they bid to land Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Barca have offered 45m euros and striker Samuel Eto’o for Ibrahimovic. Hleb was also due to join the Nerazzurri on a season-long loan.

But the former Arsenal midfielder sys he is not interested in leaving Barcelona.

”I have a contract with Barcelona and am currently preparing for the new season with the team,” he told Sport Bild. ”My aim is to make the breakthrough here and be successful with this club.”

Hleb’s agent has even denied being contacted about a switch to Inter.

”Nobody has spoken to me or Alex about a possible transfer to Inter Milan,” said Uli Ferber. ”We are all a bit surprised about the recent press reports, which we cannot confirm.”

Newcastle are the bookies’ favourites to win the Championship but relegated clubs have a very poor record of bouncing straight back – Simon Hopper analyses the best ante-post bets ahead of the new season.

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