Premier League Betting Odds: Mourinho still sack race favourite ahead of Chelsea clash

A last-gasp win over Newcastle United before the international break was a much-needed fillip for Jose Mourinho. Two weeks without playing a game can often be prime time for clubs to make managerial changes.

The pressure is set to crank up another notch this weekend though, as Manchester United head to one of the 55-year-old's former clubs.

William Hill go just 4/6 (1.67) that Mourinho is the first Premier League manager to leave his position with United sitting in 8th place ahead of the trip to Chelsea, who are flying high so far this term.

The Blues are unbeaten this season, winning six of their eight league games and the same firm go 8/11 (1.73) that they pick up three points in Saturday's early kick-off.

United are 15/4 (4.75) underdogs to win the match while William Hill are 11/4 (3.75) on the draw.

The tension around Old Trafford has been palpable at times. Mourinho has insisted that he isn't going anywhere and that any potential pay-off would be extremely expensive. That said, the prospect of more faltering results while the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool duel for top spot has got to be a huge concern for the United hierarchy.

They are now seven points behind the league leaders after just eight games, having tasted defeat against Brighton, Tottenham and West Ham.

Spearheaded by the in-form Eden Hazard, it's easy to see why the bookmakers expect United to lose for a fourth time in nine top-flight games at Stamford Bridge.

Goal

Southampton boss Mark Hughes is 11/2 (6.50) in the market known as the sack race, ahead of Neil Warnock (6/1) whose Cardiff City side are bottom of the table.

Rafael Benitez comes next at 9/1 (10.0), followed by Slavisa Jokanovic at 10/1 (11.0). Every other runner is 16/1 (17.0) or bigger at the time of writing.

There is the sense that it’s merely question of when, rather than if, Jose Mourinho leaves his position at Manchester United and Saturday’s game against Chelsea looks set to be another huge test for the Portuguese.

William Hill