Costa odds-on to lead the way on Blues goalschart
DIEGO COSTA couldn’t find the net for Spain in the World Cup but the forward is expected to make an impact at Chelsea after scoring twice in Tuesday’s friendly against Real Sociedad.
Bet365 make Costa 10-11 to be Chelsea’s top goalscorer in the Premier League – Eden Hazard is next in the betting at 3-1 with the returning Didier Drogba a 10-1 shot – and he is 5-6 to score 15 or more league goals in his first season in England.
Southampton’s rebuilding process looks set to continue with the signing of Ireland forward Shane Long from Hull. A fee of around £12m has reportedly been agreed between the clubs and Boylesports make Long 7-4 to be the Saints’ top scorer this term.
He is evens with Boyles to outscore former Southampton striker Rickie Lambert, who moved to Liverpool earlier this summer, in the league this season.
Wayne Rooney has been confirmed as Manchester United captain and Ladbrokes make him 4-1 to keep the armband until his retirement. He is 5-1 to be stripped of the captaincy before the end of this season and 2-1 to receive a red card in the league in 2014-15.
The result of Luis Suarez’s appeal against his suspension for biting will be announced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Thursday and Hills offer 1-3 that the punishment is reduced.
Suarez, who was banned by Fifa for four months on June 26, is 6-1 with Hills to start for his new club Barcelona in their first league match of the season, against Elche on August 24.