Sunderland relegation odds tumble following Keane’s exit

Black Cats fall below Blackburn as third-favourites for the drop

Paddy Power have cut Sunderland’s odds on being relegated this season from 12/5 to 2/1 following Roy Keane’s resignation earlier today.

Their problems could worsen when they travel to Old Trafford at the weekend but after that they face a trio of vital games against West Brom, Hull and Blackburn from which they could all plausibly take points.

That set of fixtures combined with the possibility of new manager syndrome - see Harry Redknapp at Spurs - could turn Sunderland’s fortunes around but it’s difficult to judge until Roy Keane’s successor is announced. Sam Allardyce is the favourite and is now as low as 5/4 with Bet365.

Click here for all the latest odds.

Posted: December 4th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Keane and Ince’s struggles make for intriguing betting

Vulnerable managers drift out in the next manager to go market

Roy Keane is now 4/7 with SkyBet to be the next Premier League manager to leave their post and Paul Ince is not far behind at 9/4 - meaning that some other vulnerable bosses are reaching big prices.

Things are going badly at Sunderland but they have more points than they had at this stage last season and will do even if they lose their next four games. There is a danger of Roy Keane quitting but it seems unlikely that Niall Quinn will make the rash decision to sack his compatriot at this stage because while there is a sense that they are underperforming for the money spent, they were going nowhere before Keane arrived.

Posted: December 3rd, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment