Rafa all the rage for next permanent Blues boss

RAFA BENITEZ is suddenly all the rage in the next permanent Chelsea manager betting market.

Ladbrokes reported on Wednesday afternoon an unprecedented amount of bets for Benitez in the south Manchester area and slashed their odds on the ex-Liverpool gaffer taking over at Stamford Bridge to 3-1 from 8-1.

And this does not seem to be an isolated gamble. Other firms are following suit.

Paddy Power are also 3-1, from 12-1, while Hills are now shortest at 2-1 from a Tuesday 6-1.

Blue Square are 6-1 from 12-1 and bet365 are now biggest at 8-1 about Benitez becoming the next Blues boss.

Interim gaffer Roberto Di Matteo and former Chelsea chief Jose Mourinho generally still head the betting though with Di Matteo now best at 7-2 with Paddy Power and Mourinho biggest at 7-2 with Ladbrokes.

However, their chances hinge on the upcoming results of their respective current teams Chelsea and Real Madrid over the coming week as well as seemingly Manchester City.

Di Matteo had been 5-1 for the post before overseeing Chelsea's rise to Champions League and FA Cup semi-finals from the slump that brought about the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas.

Hills offer 11-1 that the Blues triumph over both Tottenham - on Sunday - and Barcelona, over two legs starting at the Bridge on Wednesday.

Real Madrid are in danger of getting sucked back into a La Liga title battle with Barca and start their Champions League semi-final with Bayern in Munich on Tuesday night.

A poor finish to the Premier League season for Manchester City will also surely see Roberto Mancini's position come under further pressure. 

Paddy Power have also clipped Mourinho to 6-4 favourite in their betting on thenext permanent Citizens manager.