I DON'T know who was more shocked last week when Diego Costa was benched v Schalke – me or the Chelsea hitman.
Costa's face wore a bemused grin for 75 minutes as he watched Didier Drogba struggle against the Germans in the Champions League opener.
And I wasn't best pleased having tipped him to score. In fact the only person happy with the situation was Blues boss Jose Mourinho whose selection policy made it clear he's making the Premier League his priority this season.
And Mourinho – and Costa – will be all smiles tomorrow if Chelsea beat their closest title rivals Man City. The Portuguese says his star man isn't 100 per cent fit but after seven goals in his first four Premier League games he will start.
Last season Jose did a number on his rival Manuel Pellegrini with a 1-0 win at Etihad but City had the last laugh as they overhauled a slow-finishing London side.
Chelsea, with the likes of Costa, Cesc Fabregas, Nemanja Matic and Loic Remy, look stronger this season and are hot title favourites ahead of the Blues.
Having tipped Chelsea – and Costa to top score – at the start of the season and victory will give them a bit of daylight even at this early stage.
The worst I can see is a draw for the Stamford Bridge men and they are 3-5 at bet365 not to lose. However, I'm taking a chance on the away win at 2-1 with Betfred and Ladbrokes.
If you disagree you can have City at a best 6-4 with William Hill and Paddy Power.
Costa is 9-2 at bet365 score first and 13-8 with Ladbrokes at anytime.
Ladbrokes will give money back as a free bet on all losing first player to score, correct score and scorecast bets if Man City beat Chelsea in shops, on phones and online up to a maximum of £25.
There are three other Premier League games on Sunday and on the face of it all look wins for the favourites.
Everton take on Crystal Palace, Spurs tackle West Brom and Man Utd travel to Leicester.
Let's start with Man Utd who look back on the road to the top four. They were super in last week's 4-0 trouncing of QPR and now have the firepower to go to places like Leicester and be confident of winning.
Leicester have netted in 17 consecutive home matches and with the jury still out on United's defence a good bet is both to score at 31-40 with BetVictor.
However, I'll be firmly on the United side and they look decent enough value at 4-6 with most firms.
Spurs left most of their main men at home when they visited Partizan Belgrade for their Europa League clash so there should be no worries about fitness when they entertain struggling West Brom.
Take the White Hart Lane men at 8-15 with William Hill and Ladbrokes and consider in-form Erik Lamela at 12-5 with Skybet to score.
Everton were also in Euro action last Thursday but they were at home and picked up a confidence-boosting 4-1 win against Wolfsburg.
Roberto Martinez's men won't take Crystal Palace lightly but should win and are 4-9 at Ladbrokes. For a first scorer I like Romelu Lukaka at 4-1 with Paddy Power and others.
Daily Double
Man Utd (1.30pm)
Everton (4pm)
(6-4, Ladbrokes, McBookie)
Recommended Bets
Chelsea (4pm)
(2-1, Betfred)
Costa to score first
(9-2, bet365)
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.
Really like the look of both United and Spurs. Think I’ll take them as a double and also as a -1 double.
Mr F, will your thoughts on the Dundee Derby be in your main tips? The head to head record suggests over 2.5 goals but Dundee’s games so far have been, on the whole, pretty low scoring. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts.
Never mind, just seen your Scottish preview post.
1 games i have in mind today is ajax to win @ Feyenoord…
Feyenoord having play 3 games @ home this season lost 2 and drew 1 scoring 3 goals and conceding 5 and playing with a ajax team who went all out with PSG in there midweek champion leagues game..I see dem taking dat spirit to de Kuip ground today a getting all 3point there
You’re braver than me Mr F, but it’s good to see some faith.
I said a few weeks ago we wouldn’t lose this game. But I’ve been so unimpressed with us in the sense much of the fan base hate the amount of goals we’re conceding. I hope if we put out that kind of arrogant performance (like vs Schalke) again we get beaten by 3 or 4.
However these big games are Mourinho’s gem and we should see whether he’s going to keep it tight simply on the team sheet. I’m hoping (sadly) he drops Terry but it won’t happen.
Anyway, I hope you don’t mind me saying this but I’ve gone Hazard FGS @ 10/1, simply I must back something Chelsea and for me, world class players deliver in the biggest games. He hasn’t done this enough so far and knows it.
jack, I know it’s a brave call and if thinks it’s not on they should go with City or draw. Hazard’s not a bad shout as he has been playing better. Anyway, it’s goodnight from me. Early start with the lad’s footie and I’ll check in about lunchtime.
I just think Hazard has to step his game up, and as I know he’s so wanting to do it he’s my pick. (various interviews) I don’t think he’s doing well enough lately.
Can’t call a result and know Jose likes to keep it tight so goals is a no go for me.
Thinking cards? (Zabaleta, Costa, Yaya) maybe? We shall see!
Here’s to hoping you’re right!
I’m hoping it’s not the same old Spurs tomorrow, we need to win to keep up with the top sides and in recent seasons we’ve bottled it when needed to win, i’m on the West Brom DNB myself also maybe a small bet on Fazio to score anytime if he starts
I’m on Inter Milan to Win at Palermo evens @bet365
KR Reykjavik
Lille
Monaco
Red bull Salzburg
Rio ave
Fenerbahce…….perm all and u smile with me u might just play safe by playing lille double chance but i see them winning today and going top of d table
Hey everyone.
Thoughts on this mr F and folks, if you could do without the dosh.
Chelsea premier league champs €3000 @ 4/6 = € 5000
Man city premier league champs €1000@ 4/1 = €5000
99% of pundits believe it will be Chelsea/man city title
€1000 euro profit
Some probably had a similar idea in 95 and Blackburn won