Premier League Sack Race Odds: Pressure cools on Mikel Arteta, heat on Steve Bruce

The pressure has cooled a little on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta following back-to-back wins over Norwich and Burnley.

The big-spending Spaniard had been tentatively wobbly on the managerial tightrope after suffering three straight defeats to Brentford, Chelsea, and Man City which left the pointless Gunners rock-bottom of the Premier League table, and Areta odds-on for the chop.

A failure to beat Norwich or Burnley could well have sent the troubled Arteta hurtling towards the sack, however he’s since orchestrated consecutive wins-to-nil, which have moved his side up to 13th in the table, while his own Sack Race odds have drifted to 5/2. 

However, the Premier League’s youngest boss (39) is still well worth keeping an eye on for the moment considering that the North London derby awaits on Sunday.

Speaking of which, a third consecutive league defeat could leave Nuno Santo under-fire, with the Spurs boss cut to 25/1 with a couple of bookmakers in the aftermath of the 3-0 loss at home to Chelsea.

There are still five Premier League managers still searching for their first win of the season.

“Bruce Out” boomed around St James’ Park on Friday night during Newcastle’s draw against Leeds. The excellence of Allan Saint-Maximin shone through again, yet Steve Bruce is feeling the heat following a return of two points from five matches coupled with an early cup exit.

“I can’t sit here and say it’s not difficult,” Bruce told The Northern Echo. “I understand their frustrations, I really do. What can I say about the chants? I can only say that I will continue to do the best I possibly can.”

Bruce’s odds have subsequently been chopped to 10/3 ahead of a couple of crunch games against Watford and Wolves, although he can still be backed at a best-priced 9/2 with William Hill.

Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom tweeted that Eddie Howe had been cut from 6/1 to 2/1 in the next Newcastle United manager odds - the former Bournemouth boss is now 6/4 - ahead of Toon assistant Graeme Jones (5/2), Chris Wilder (4/1), and Roberto Martinez (10/1), while Frank Lampard is a 12/1 shot.

Ralph Hasenhuttl (16/1) has only won four of his last 26 Premier League matches, although the Saints manager has carved out a number of impressive draws so far this term. Two of those came against the Manchester clubs including Saturday’s goalless scoreline at the Etihad which the Saints could even have won. 

Sean Dyche (33/1) is also yet to get off the mark this term, but there’s simply no chance of the league’s longest-serving manager departing his beloved Burnley anytime soon after he penned a new four-year contract last week. Dyche works wonders season-in-season-out and while his Clarets have stuttered out of the blocks we fully expect them to kick-on soon.

Winless Marcelo Bielsa is out at 33/1 for a reason, he’s simply going nowhere. There’s absolutely no need to panic at this stage but if Leeds’ winless run stretches through to the international break it will be interesting to see if Bielsa opts to switch things up.

Rock-bottom of the table is Daniel Farke who is the only manager yet to register a point this season. Norwich have had an extremely tough start against the likes of Liverpool, Man City, Leicester, and Arsenal, although there would have been a degree of disappointment at losing 3-1 at home to Watford over the weekend.

Farke, who has been cut to 15/2 with Paddy Power, will be keen to cement points on the board over the club’s next cluster of games against Everton, Burnley, and Brighton.

You never know what’s going to happen at Watford, who are not exactly shy in making a quick-fire sacking, with the last 10 Hornets managers averaging just 25.4 games each, although their incumbent Xisco Munoz (6/1) can be relatively pleased with his start to life in the Premier League having scooped two wins to date.

Elsewhere, Bruno Lage has dipped to 15/2 with Paddy Power after losing for the fourth time in five matches, so there could be value to be had at 14/1 (William Hill) on the Wolves boss being the first to leave.

Full odds below. Please gamble responsibly.