Red Rafa will be in charge at the Bridge for Sunday’s Premier League clash with top-of-the-table Manchester City after the midweek sacking of Roberto Di Matteo.
City have their own troubles in the Champions League but Blues supremo Roman Abramovich saw enough against The Old Lady to make a change, albeit on an interim basis.
We at BetVictor can’t decide whether or not Benitez will be in charge of Chelsea on the opening day of the 2013/14 campaign following his appointment until the end of the current season.
He is 5/6 to be in charge and 5/6 not to be at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of 2013/14.
Benitez is a hugely unpopular choice amongst Chelsea supporters but the former Liverpool boss hardly lacks self confidence and he would not have taken the interim role if he thought he was just babysitting for the arrival of Pep Guardiola.
Lest we forget the Blues are not yet out of the Champions League (5/2 to qualify), are in the last eight of the Capital One Cup and we make them 5/6 to win a trophy this season.
But if Guardiola chooses Stamford Bridge, a major trophy is unlikely to be enough to save Benitez next summer.
Will Rafa Benitez still be manager of Chelsea on the opening day of the 2013/14 season?
Yes: 5/6
No: 5/6
Will Chelsea win a major domestic or European trophy this season?
Yes: 5/6
No: 5/6
To qualify for the knock out stages of the Champions League: 5/2
To win the Premier League: 9/2
To win the Capital One Cup: 11/8
To win the Premier League and Capital One Cup: 12/1
There is a full Premier League fixture list in midweek and the small matter of the west London derby between Chelsea (1/2) and Fulham (6/1).
There will be plenty of water under the Bridge before that fixture.
Can Benitez endear himself to the fans? Three points (31/20) against City (9/5) on Sunday would be a good start that’s for sure!
For all your weekend odds check out betvictor.com
Be lucky
Charlie
Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook
This post was last modified on 26/11/2012