Premier League Betting – Mark Hughes Among Coaches to Get Sacked First

Bookies have taken more bets on Manchester City winning the Premier League than any other club this summer. But their manager is one of the favourites to lose his job in the dreaded sack race, according to Ladbrokes.

City were 33/1 to take the title at the end of last season and have been backed in to 14/1 ahead of today’s opening matches. Yet as the expectation mounts so does the pressure on Mark Hughes, who is just 6/1 third favourite to be the first boss out on his ear.

Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison said: “If City hit the ground running their price will collapse under the weight of money from their supporters. But if they stutter Sparky could collapse under the weight of expectations as the club’s owners will want a return on their investment.”

Paul Hart is 3/1 favourite in the sack race, with Hull’s Phil Brown and Alex McLeish both 4/1.

Ladbrokes are just 4/7 that a player is sent off on the opening weekend of the season and 7/1 that all of the Big Four win their matches. They are 11/2 that none of the promoted teams register a point and make Chelsea 6/4 to be top of the league tonight.

First Premier League manager to leave his job

3/1 Paul Hart, 4/1: Phil Brown, Alex McLeish, Mark Hughes, 8/1 Roberto Martinez, 14/1: Carlo Ancelotti, David Moyes, 16/1: Sam Allardyce, Gary Megson, 14/1 Gianfranco Zola, 20/1 Rafa Benitez, Steve Bruce, Harry Redknapp, Martin O’Neill, Mick McCarthy