Frank Lampard sacked and Thomas Tuchel set to be next Chelsea manager

Bookmakers have given the thumbs-up to Chelsea's decision to sack manager Frank Lampard with a number of firms cutting the Blues to finish this season in the Premier League's top four.

Betfair, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power were among those to trim Chelsea's odds with German Thomas Tuchel seen as the overwhelming favourite to replace Lampard at Stamford Bridge.

Betway are offering 5-2 that Chelsea can finish in a Champions League qualifying spot, an achievement which would have been considered the bare minimum when the club outspent every team in Europe as Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy arrived in the summer.

Chelsea started with one defeat in 11 Premier League fixtures, but a run of five losses in eight games turned the screw on novice boss Lamps and the lights were switched off on Monday morning. The London outfit issued a damning statement, saying the club was left "without any clear path to sustained improvement."

Central to Chelsea's problem was the way they were consistently outplayed in bigger matches.

The Blues have claimed only two points from five matches against the traditional big six this season, scoring just two consolation goals, and they were also knocked out of the League Cup by London rivals Tottenham on penalties.

Digging even deeper and Chelsea have averaged 0.78 points per game against top-half opponents, with seven of their eight league wins coming against teams who are currently in the bottom eight.

Tuchel, who led Paris St-Germain to last season's Champions League final and won the German Cup with Borussia Dortmund, is expected to replace club legend Lampard and will be tasked with getting much-needed improvement out of his compatriots Werner and Havertz.

Werner, who missed a penalty in Sunday's 3-1 FA Cup win over Luton, has scored once in his last 16 Chelsea appearances and that was against League Two Morecambe.

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits.

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport