Tevez ready to lead Man City's title defense

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez says he is in the best condition ever ahead of the new season and is ready to help Manchester City defend its Premier League title.

Tevez said on Friday that "for the first time in four or five years I have had a full month of preseason training" because of national team duties with Argentina and so "I am feeling in very good shape."

City begins its season Sunday against newly promoted Southampton. In Saturday's games, Arsenal hosts Sunderland and North London rival Tottenham is away to Newcastle.

Brendan Rodgers' first league match as Liverpool manager is at West Bromwich Albion, which plays its first league game under Steve Clarke, an assistant to Rodgers' predecessor, Kenny Dalglish.

Manchester United's season starts Monday at Everton.