Pompey 13-8 to avoid drop after Grant gets gig
PORTSMOURTH are 13-8 to stay in the Premier League after Avram Grant was confirmed early on Thursday afternoon as successor to Paul Hart in the Fratton Park hotseat.
Avram Grant has been handed the reins at Portsmouth after Paul Hart
PICTURE: GETTY IMAGESBut Manchester United at home is hardly a warm welcome and matters don't get that much easier for Pompey in the coming weeks either. Tuesday's home Carling Cup quarter-final against Aston Villa could prove a welcome distraction.
After that, Burnley are the visitors to the south coast for what the layers still think is a relegation six-pointer despite the Clarets' current lofty position of 11th.
Then it is away trips to Sunderland and Chelsea and a home clash with Liverpool before a visit to Upton Park on Boxing Day and what looks another massive avoid-the-drop encounter.
Portsmouth are 9-1 to beat the Red Devils (they have on three of the six home meetings since returning to the top flight).
Also of note on Saturday - West Ham and Burnley do battle at the Boleyn and improving Hull go to Man City, last season's near-tipping point.
The Hammers need to notch just a second home win of the campaign not to sink further into the drop zone mire and Gianfranco Zola's man are a general 5-6 to get it.
The Tigers have snaffled seven points from nine since the KC Stadium boadroom shuffle but lost 5-1 at Eastlands last Boxing Day, when manager Phil Brown infamously lectured his charges in the Eastlands semi-circle, and they only won once more afterwards. Hull are 12-1 with Stan James to exorcise those demons.
Sunday is indeed super in terms of derbies, relegation and the title with Wolves versus Birmingham, leading into Everton and Liverpool and Arsenal against Chelsea.
Wolves are 6-4 to prevail with the Blues at 11-5 with Hills and the draw at 23-10 with Boylesports.
Liverpool are 5-4 to triumph at Goodison, ease their woes and pour more oil on the Toffees' troubled water of one win in ten games in all competitions.
The layers can't split Arsenal and Chelsea's chances at the Emirates at 7-4 with the draw at 12-5.
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