FANCY an early afternoon Costa? I'll need a caffeine lift after a busy Friday is followed by a hectic Saturday – even if the latter just involves watching football.
But after my morning energy booster I'll be looking for Diego Costa to strike a blow for Jose Mourinho as he looks for his first win at St James' Park as manager in the lunchtime kick-off.
The Blues are back in the north-east where they drew 0-0 at Sunderland but after seeing off Spurs 3-0 in midweek I expect them to nick a win. Chelsea, however, don't tempt at a best 8-15 at William Hill so I'm on Costa at 7-2 with Paddy Power to score first.
Mourinho has confirmed his star man will start and after seeing understudies Didier Drogba and Loic Remy both hit the target against Spurs he'lll want to make his mark.
Man City – and Sergio Aguero – have found their shooting boots and should beat Everton at home in the 5.30pm live encounter. Back Aguero to score first at 10-3 with bet365.
It's a tough top-flight card but I expect QPR to edge out Burnley with Charlie Austin scoring (6-4, William Hill) and Spurs should edge out Crystal Palace.
Arsenal have won one in eight at Stoke but should beat a side who have lost three at home this season. The Gunners are 1-1 at William Hill.
And while Liverpool are short at 8-15 at home to Sunderland they are likely to make it three wins in a week.
In the Championship I'm on Cardiff to beat a Rotherham side who have catapulted down the table after a run of three points in six games and just three goals.
Rotherham are the divisions's second lowest scorers on the road and it couldn't be tougher for them today as they visit the side with the most wins at home.
Cardiff have triumphed seven times from nine outings and Russell Slade's men also won 1-0 at Watford last week to collect their first points on the road.
The Welsh side are netted an average of two goals a game in front of their fans and look a great bet at 20-23 with boylesports.
Two aways I like are Middlesbrough at Millwall and Bolton at Reading. Millwall have won just one of their last 14 outings while Middlesbrough have lost one in 15.
The Lions have 10 conceded in their last five matches while Aitor Karanka's men have won six on the road and bidding to end a run of three draws.
Reading's only wins in nine were against lowly duo Blackpool and Rotherham and they face another defeat against Neil Lennon's improving Bolton.
The ex-Celtic boss has guided his men to five wins in eight and out of the drop zone. The next target is the play-off places and Bolton are big at 11-4 at bet365 so consider them at 3-4 not to lose.
Recommended Bets
Costa to score first (12.45pm)
(7-2, Paddy Power)
Aguero to score first (5.30pm)
(10-3, bet365)
Austin to score
(6-4, William Hill)
Bolton not to lose
(3-4, bet365)
In December 2020 we sadly 
