Allardyce 8-1 to be first Premier League boss exit

WEST HAM boss Sam Allardyce has been installed as an early 8-1 favourite in Hills' betting on the first manager to leave his position in the upcoming Premier League season.

Allardyce guided the Hammers back up to the top flight via the Championship play-offs in May and will need a fast start in terms of points, from what looks a kind early set of fixtures, if he is to keep the Upton Park faithful and board happy.

Three new gaffers are next in Hills' list at 9-1 - Norwich's Chris Hughton, Swansea's Michael Laudrup and West Brom's Steve Clarke.

And then it is former Canaries chief Paul Lambert, who has taken over in the Aston Villa hotseat, at 10-1.

Five men are chalked up at 11-1 - QPR's Mark Hughes, Wigan's Roberto Martinez, Southampton's Nigel Adkins, Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers and Chelsea's Roberto Di Matteo.

Rodgers, of course, was lured to Anfield from Swansea in the summer after the Reds sacked Kenny Dalglish while May's FA Cup and Champions League successes for the Blues won't stop Roman Abrahamovic sacking Di Matteo if they make a slow start.

Of the others, new Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas probably catches the eye at 20-1 after his short-lived stint at Stamford Bridge.