Sports Betting: First Coach to Exit

Carlo Ancelotti remains in the hot seat this week, with the Chelsea manager's future still uncertain despite assurances from the club that he will not be sacked.

As top of the table Chelsea heads into an important clash at Newcastle United on Sunday, Ancelotti is still second favorite in William Hill betting for next Premier League manager to get the sack, at 11/4. Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant, now in charge of bottom-placed West Ham, is 10/11 to go first.

And with the sharks lining up as the Blues deal with a form slump that has seen it fall to level on points with Manchester United, William Hill Sports has also brought out odds for next permanent Chelsea manager, with Guus Hiddink, 6/4, leading the way ahead of Didier Deschamps, 13/2, Frank Rijkaard, 8/1, another former Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, 10/1, and then a host of other big names.

This week's round of matches could be the most important of the season, with six teams now separated by just six points at the top after 14 games.

In the hardest match of the round to pick, sixth-placed Tottenham, 21/20, hosts eighth-placed Liverpool, 13/5, while Aston Villa, 5/2, hosts third-placed Arsenal, 21/20 on Saturday.

Chelsea, 11/10, still leads the odds to win the Premier League this year, ahead of Manchester United, 9/4, Arsenal, 9/2, and Manchester City, 15/2.