Premier League Betting - West Ham's Gianfranco Zola Could be in Trouble Soon

Paddy Power reports a surprise rival to Rafa Benitez in the latest Sack Race betting with rumours abound that Gianfranco Zola's future at West Ham United is hanging on which interested party wins the race to buy the stricken East London club.

It would appear the anticipated success of former Birmingham owners David Sullivan and David Gold in buying The Hammers has thrown Zola's future into doubt and in the space of an hour on Monday morning the little Italian was backed in from betting odds of 16/1 to just 3/1 second favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave his job with Mark Hughes waiting in the wings.

However Liverpool's draw against Stoke City has done little to rescue Rafa Benitez, the 11/8 Sack Race betting favourite, whose future at Anfield must surely rest on the result against Tottenham Hotpur on Wednesday.

Meanwhile in the Carling Cup Manchester United are betting favourites to see off their noisy neighbours City over the two legs of the Carling Cup semi-finals. United are at odds of 8/11 to make it to Wembley with City Evens but with all eyes on Carlos Tevez.

As well as being 17/10 to score, Tevez is at odds of 40/1 to score a hat-trick and 9/1 to score and kiss his Manchester City badge. Loyal Red Devil Gary Neville is the 7/2 joint-favourite with Patrice Evra to be the first United player to foul their former team mate.