Sunderland have been in the headlines all week because of their choice of manager and new boss Paulo Di Canio will be relieved to finally get on with some football as he makes his bow at Chelsea.

The fiery Italian, however, isn't expected to enjoy a winning start, Stan James installing Sunderland as 9/1 outsiders ahead of the Stamford Bridge visit, which is 7/20 via William Hill to go the way of the hosts.

BetVictor post 9/2 against a stalemate, Ladbrokes cover that and an away success in the handicaps, where they give the Black Cats a goal start at 12/5 and Skybet post 14/1 against a goalless affair.

Travelling supporters might also fancy backing their team at 9/1 in Coral's draw-no-bet market, although there will be some optimists fancying Di Canio to make an instant impact and BetVictor chalk Sunderland up at 13/1 to nick it by one.

There's also Stan James' offer of 25/1 about a 1-0 Black Cats triumph while the same bookie quote 5/6 for Di Canio's troops just to get on the scoresheet and it's 14/1 via BetVictor for Danny Graham, who has already notched at Stamford Bridge this season, to grab the opener.

Newcastle are just three points above the drop zone having suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats but they have a great opportunity to put some breathing space between themselves and the bottom three as they welcome Fulham to St James' Park.

BetVictor consider the Magpies to be 11/10 favourites for the points while the Cottagers are bet365's 11/4 underdogs and William Hill offer 5/2 for the spoils to be shared, a wager that might prove popular given that the visitors also picked up a point in their last away assignment, at Sunderland.

That finished 2-2, a result Stan James chalk up at 16/1 on this occasion and sceptics wary of an inconclusive affair can also take precautions in bet365's draw-no-bet market, where Alan Pardew's side are 1 / 2

With home advantage however, supporters will be expecting their team to prevail and in a match that's 20/23 (BetVictor) to produce three or more goals, Stan James' 9/1, posted against a 2-1 United success might subsequently attract cash alongside a United triumph following a level first half at 4/1 (Paddy Power) or a Papiss Cisse opener (5/1, Coral).

Middlesbrough only have six games to rescue their season and sneak into the play-offs but their dismal away record means Tony Mowbray's troops are bet365's 17/4 outsiders as they head to promotion-chasing Hull, Coral's 5/6 favourites.

It's 5/2 courtesy of Stan James for Boro to grab a point at the KC Stadium, where BetVictor post 7/1 against a 1-1 scoreline and also offer 19/4 about it being level at the end of each half.

At bet365, Boro are given assistance in the handicaps, kicking off a goal in front at odds of 21/20 but for the bold Stan James' 14/1, marked against a 1-0 away success might appeal and Paddy Power price Mowbray's charges at 11/2 to sneak it by one.

Meanwhile, it's 17/20 (Ladbrokes) for the contest to yield fewer than three goals and Scott McDonald is 17/2 with bet365 to put goal-shy Boro 1-0 up.

Hartlepool could be relegated this weekend so the game with Bury is must-win. William Hill rate John Hughes' side at 8/5 and it's 12/5 (Skybet) to end in stalemate.

Odds supplied by www.betrescue.com

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