Even by Chelsea’s standards it’s been an extraordinary week.
Roberto Di Matteo has been replaced by Red Rafa, and the former Liverpool manager has quickly transformed an exciting, vibrant attacking side into one that has failed to score in their last two matches.
We have opened a market on which club former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola will manage next and make Chelsea our 6/4 favourites with Manchester United 3s, City 4s and Arsenal 5s.
Given Guardiola has suggested he will finish his self-imposed footballing exile this summer, there seems little doubt that he will be back in work for the start of the 2013/14 season.
But what happens if Roman Abramovich can’t persuade him that his future lies at Stamford Bridge?
Chelsea are out to 7s for the title behind United 10/11 and City 11/8 but I have largely given up on their chances following the appointment of Benitez.
He has been out of work for 18 months and pulled up no trees at Inter Milan or in his last couple of years at Anfield. Funny old game? You bet.
The Blues travel to Upton Park on Saturday to meet a West Ham side who have made a satisfactory start to their return to the top flight.
Their home form is likely to be the key to their chances and they are 16/5 to beat Chelsea, who are 19/20 with the draw at 13/5.
We bet 11/1 that the game finishes in another 0-0 draw and that would be some Benitez hat-trick!
QPR, rather less surprisingly than Chelsea, decided to change their manager and the appointment of Harry ‘Houdini’ Redknapp has gone down well.
Aston Villa are the visitors to Loftus Road on Saturday and the Hoops must start winning games or the odds of 8/13 to be relegated and 9/4 to finish bottom of the table will look very generous.
They were 5/2 to finish in the top half of the Premier League at the start of the season – they are now 6/5 to stay up. I’m afraid that speaks volumes for the start to the season they have made.
But Rangers are 21/20 to gain that elusive first win of the season with Villa 29/10 and the draw at 5/2.
Djibril Cisse remains even-money favourite to score most league goals for the club this term – despite what some people are suggesting on Twitter!
We have updated our markets on the number of points and goals the R’s will get this term and it doesn’t make for pleasant reading for their fans.
How many points will QPR get this season (5)?
Under 32: 5/4
32-34: 11/4
Over 34: 6/4
How many league goals will QPR score this season?
Under 33: 7/4
33-36: 2/1
Over 36:6/4
Aren’t Fulham boring – a well run professional club who haven’t changed their manager since Mark Hughes resigned last June.
They had their opportunities for a famous win at the Bridge in midweek but Martin Jol would have taken a point at kick-off.
Spurs are the visitors in a cracking looking game on Saturday with Dimitar Berbatov meeting one of his former clubs.
Spurs are 29/20 favourites with Fulham 2s and the draw at 5/2.
The Bulgarian is 13/2 to score the opener and 7/4 to net at any time.
The returning Clint Dempsey is 15/2 to score first with Moussa Dembele 13/1 – and the pair are 2/1 and 7/2 respectively to score at any time.
For all your weekend odds check out betvictor.com
Be lucky.
Charlie
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This post was last modified on 01/12/2012