Expert Jury: Everton should stand by proven talent Benitez

We asked our top team of writers and a leading odds-compiler for their thoughts on this week's big talking points and this is how they answered...

What is your best football bet this weekend?

Racing Post's Aaron Ashley: Nottingham Forest are a strong fancy to overcome a relegation-threatened Peterborough, who have sought a sports psychologist in a bid to banish their away-day blues.

Posh have lost nine of their ten Championship clashes on the road and could be set for more misery at Forest, who have been rejuvenated since the appointment of Steve Cooper, losing only once in 12 attempts.

Racing Post's Joe Casey: Brighton to beat Southampton. The Seagulls showed their fighting spirit to come back from a goal down and draw at the London Stadium in midweek and can go one better on their trip to St Marys.

Graham Potter’s side have lost just once in seven games on the road this season and can end their wait for a win against a Southampton side who have dropped the most points from winning positions of any Premier League team since Ralph Hasenhuttl's appointment.

Racing Post's Ian Wilkerson: Hull can win at Reading. The Royals have been handed a six-point penalty and have taken just one point from their last four games at the Madejski Stadium, so they are pretty vulnerable.

The Tigers have snapped out of a five-game losing run by winning four on the bounce and this looks a good opportunity for them.

BoyleSports' Stephen McDonnell: Southampton got lucky in midweek to get a draw with Leicester missing a number of good chances, so I think Brighton at around 2-1 look huge. After a great start to the season the Seagulls haven’t won in nine league games but I think it will come this weekend.

Who are the most vulnerable favourites?

Aaron Ashley: There could be an FA Cup upset on the cards at League Two Salford, who welcome National League leaders Chesterfield to the Peninsula Stadium.

The Ammies recorded a narrow 1-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge in the opening round but lost the shots-on-target count nine to two. The Daggers are ten points off the pace being set in the National League by The Spireites, who are unbeaten in ten matches.

Joe Casey: I'm not overly keen on Leeds at odds-on. They secured a big win against Crystal Palace in midweek but their performance wasn’t good enough to justify their price here. Brentford lost just one of their opening six Premier League away games.

Ian Wilkerson: Sunderland have taken seven points from their last three League One games but they have had the odd wobble and it is not so long ago that they lost at home to Charlton, who were struggling at the time, and to League Two Mansfield in the FA Cup.

Oxford have lost one of their last ten games and they are capable of getting something from the Stadium Of Light.

BoyleSports' Stephen McDonnell: Chelsea at odds-on away to West Ham. Since their home win against Liverpool the Hammers have hit a bit of a bump in the road with no wins from three but I expect them to get a positive result in today's early kick-off.

Who wins the Premier League?

Aaron Ashley: Manchester City. The Citizens have highlighted their strength in depth as they keep winning despite battling with many injuries to key personnel. Once those influential figures return, they are going to be even more formidable.

Liverpool are scoring freely but the Africa Cup of Nations is on the horizon and they were outplayed by City in a 2-2 draw at Anfield, while also failing to make the most of an extra man at home to Chelsea. The Blues were also outclassed by City at Stamford Bridge and have looked more vulnerable in recent weeks.

Joe Casey: I think it will come down to Liverpool and Manchester City with a slight preference for the latter. Chelsea have overperformed their underlying metrics more than the other two and I think the Blues could fall away, particularly if Edouard Mendy’s performance drops off from their very high standard.

City’s squad depth may give them the edge over Liverpool.

Ian Wilkerson: I’ve been really impressed with Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea and fancied them from the outset, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore Liverpool.

Scoring 43 goals in their opening 14 games of the season is an amazing statistic and I’m just getting the feeling that they could blast their way to the title. The top three are plainly light years ahead of everyone else.

BoyleSports' Stephen McDonnell: At the prices I think Liverpool look the bet. Their injuries are clearing up and they are scoring for fun. If they can negotiate a tricky January with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations then they will have every chance of lifting the title come May.

Should Everton sack Rafa Benitez?

Aaron Ashley: No, not yet. It was always going to be difficult for Liverpool legend Rafa Benitez to win over the Everton faithful but the board has to take some of the blame.

Rafa has been extremely unlucky with injuries to key players and has not been given the spending power of the Everton bosses before him. Benitez has proved he is a top-class operator in the past and can deliver that long-term vision, but only if given the time and funds to do so.

Joe Casey: Rafa Benitez has been dealt a terrible hand with both the squad he inherited and the injuries they have sustained this year.

I think he can turn it around but it is a huge task, particularly given the run of games they have between now and Christmas. It would be a shame but I wouldn’t be surprised if he is gone by then.

Ian Wilkerson: Benitez needed to get off to a great start for him to get a decent shot at Goodison and it is just not happening.

The Toffees would be hard pushed to find someone of a similar level, but he’s plainly not going to be taken to the fans’ hearts and that should have been taken into account more before he got the job.

I’m getting big George-Graham-at-Tottenham vibes and maybe they should cut their losses and give it to Duncan Ferguson.

BoyleSports' Stephen McDonnell: Absolutely not. I have never agreed with clubs sacking managers after a few months. Rafa will need time to get this team playing the way he wants but he needs Dominic Calvert-Lewin back as soon as possible to help him stay in a job as the fans appear to be losing patience.

Give us a winner on the midweek coupon?

Aaron Ashley: Mansfield appear to have turned a corner under Nigel Clough and can make the most of home advantage against Carlisle on Tuesday.

The Stags have won four of their last five League Two fixtures to ease their relegation fears and are now seven points and places above Carlisle, who have collected only two points from their last eight road trips.

Joe Casey: Four or more goals in Atalanta v Villarreal. This decider for who gets the last spot in the knockout stages could be a wild one.

With both teams desperate for a result the game could open up and Atalanta are never usually a dull watch.

Ian Wilkerson: League Two leaders Forest Green have opened a six-point gap at the top of the table and they can press that advantage home at Harrogate on Tuesday.

Rovers have not lost in nine away games this season and one defeat in their last 13 suggests they aren’t easing up, while their Yorkshire hosts have won just one of their last seven games on their own patch.

BoyleSports' Stephen McDonnell: Leipzig look big at home to Manchester City. They may need a positive result to get into the Europa League and with City having plenty of injuries and already having topped their group, I can see Pep Guardiola playing a few of his younger players.

Not got a Paddy Power account? Sign up and get up to £50 in free sports bets

Place a single £10 Sportsbook bet and get money back as a free bet if it loses. There are x5 Free Bets available. Max refund per qualifying bet is £10. Only deposits made via Credit/Debit Card will be eligible for the promotion. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport