I WAS hot on Chelsea's chances of winning at Leicester until the news broke about Diego Costa.
The Blues top scorer is out of the squad after a fallout over a coach over his fitness and reports a Chinese club has offered him a deal worth £30million a year.
Chelsea's winning streak ended at 13 and while Costa is missing Leicester will be without Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani who have gone to the African Nations.
They're two big players for the Foxes who have flattered to deceive in the Premier League despite doing well in the Champions League and progressing in the FA Cup.
Bookies aren't giving too much away though with Chelsea a best 4-6 at Paddy Power and without Costa I can't have that. A better bet could be Antonio Conte's men to win to nil at 9-5 with McBookie.
Chelsea have won five of seven away by 1-0 or 2-0 so consider those scores at 13-2 and 15-2 with McBookie respectively.
A very different Leicester side won this fixture 2-1 last season in the last days of Jose Mourinho's reign. It will be remembered for Eden Hazard going off injured when it looked like he could play on.
Without Costa the onus will be on Hazard who is 13-8 at Coral to mark his return to the King Power with a goal.
The earlier live game sees Spurs entertain West Brom and while it's difficult to see past a home win it could be tight. Five of the last seven meetings have been draws but Spurs are in great form.
Tony Pulis will shut up shop and try to frustrate in the same way he did at Arsenal and Chelsea recently.
Spurs are short at a best 1-3 with McBookie and others and again win to nil could be worth a look at evens with Paddy Power.
Also it could pay to look at those 1-0 and 2-0 scorelines at 6-1 and 5-1 with bet365. Spurs have netted two or more in their last five matches.
Dele Alli was rested at the weekend but after hitting seven goals in four outings he's worth a look to score at 37-20 with Winner. To net first he is 11-2 – and he's hit the target in two of his last three meetings with the Baggies.
There are some interesting games at the wrong end of the table. Hull launched Marco Silva's reign with victory over Swansea in the FA Cup and a battling defeat to Man Utd in the EFL Cup.
However, the Portuguese is short of players and the semi-final was probably the last thing he needed. His men are up against a refreshed Bournemouth – Eddie Howe made 11 changes for the Cup defeat at Millwall – and I fancy the visitors at 13-10 with William Hill.
Burnley and Sunderland have done their best work at home and will fancy their chances against Southampton and Stoke respectively.
Southampton put a lot into their midweek EFL Cup win against Liverpool and could be jaded for their trip to Turf Moor. Burnley are 5-2 at McBookie while Sunderland are 21-10 at McBookie.
Swansea have started life under Paul Clement with a win at Crystal Palace and cup defeat to Hull. His side will be up against it today and Arsenal are 8-15 at Coral.
West Ham are another side dealing with huffy players. Dmitri Payet wants a move with Lyon at the front of the queue and they could be unsettled for the home meeting against Palace. Sam Allardyce needs a win but could settle for a point and Palace are 13-10 at Marathonbet draw no bet.
The Championship card is tough today and best bets could be Fulham at 13-20 with McBookie to beat Barnsley and both to score at Brentford v Newcastle at 4-5 with 188Bet.
In League Two Colchester should beat Newport if they don't have problems with the Rodney Parade pitch.
Bets to Consider
Hazard to score
Spurs to win to nil
Alli to score
Bournemouth
C Palace draw no bet
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
