Mark Hughes

QPR v Milton Keynes Dons FA Cup betting sees the Premier League side get a second crack of the whip against the League Two side. QPR, who were rescued in the first match up after Heidar Helguson popped up with a late equaliser at the Stadium MK, have not won an FA Cup match for eleven years now. So there is that burden upon their shoulders as well, on top of the recent sacking of boss Neil Warnock following the encounter at Stadium MK. Karl Robinson’s MK Dons have been credited with playing some very attractive football, and they are running well for a promotion challenge. The MK Dons got a rest on the weekend, as their league match against Carlisle was postponed so they will head to Loftus Road full of gusto and they are determined to attack and have a go at the Premier League strugglers. QPR fell further into trouble near the foot of the Premier League table, losing 1-0 at Newcastle on the weekend, and the London side have fallen into the relegation zone, just two points off the bottom. There hasn’t been a win in the Premier League for QPR for nine league matches now, and it prompted a change at the top. The new man in the QPR hot seat is former Fulham and Man City boss Mark Hughes, who should add a bit of extra steel to the side. He needs some time to work with the squad though and has admitted that they need to buy some goals or else they are going to struggle. The ambition of Mark Hughes and the club are apparently on the same page, but Hughes’ arrival has been hit with a transfer request having been handed in by defender Chris Samba, who will be a tempting transfer target for other Premier League sides. QPR are hanging on to Joey Barton apparently, and they are still trying to get Alex from Chelsea apparently. So QPR v Milton Keynes Dons FA Cup betting is evenly poised one would think. QPR are struggling at the moment, and they will come under attack from the brave and committed League Two side. Expect some fireworks at Loftus Road.

QPR v Milton Keynes Dons FA Cup betting odds
QPR to win: 5/6 at Bet365
Draw: 11/4 at Stan James
Milton Keynes Dons: 7/2 at Blue Square

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Time to look at Next QPR Manager betting now, after Neil Warnock got the book from Loftus Road. After just about salvaging their FA Cup hopes with a late equaliser against the MK Dons from League One, the QPR board have had enough, and now there is a vacancy at the club. After what looked to be a fairly reasonable start to life in the Premier League, QPR have taken a nose dive. There has just been one win in the last eleven league matches for Rangers now, with just one win and two draws the only points having been picked up by them. A home defeat against Norwich and the FA Cup scrape through on the weekend has prompted some drastic action from the QPR board. QPR have racked up just one win at home in the league this season, and while they have picked up three away wins in the Premier League, it clearly isn’t enough as the relegation zone is sucking them in. Rangers are just one point away from the drop zone now and need an upswing in form to climb back up. They have been overshadowed on their return by both Norwich and Swansea, who are eight and six points ahead of them respectively in the league standings. Now Warnock, who took over at Loftus Road in March of 2010, has to step aside after nearly two years in charge.

The question now as to who will be the next QPR Manager is all about who is available to be in line to succeed him. The most likely candidate lined up at the moment is Mark Hughes, who apparently the club are lining up to get. Hughes of course has a proven track record and history in the Premier League, and has a reputation of producing teams which are hard to beat, and QPR need a bit of steel. Other names in the running are ex Chelsea star Gianfranco Zola, who could make a return to the Premier League but is priced back at 7/1 with Paddy Power and looking unlikely. Rafa Benitez has also been touted as being in the running, but like Zola doesn’t make too much of an interesting prospect. Sven Goran Eriksson however, priced at 12/1 with William Hill wouldn’t make too bad of an outside shot, but of course the recently fired Steve Bruce, back at 18/1 with Paddy Power could certainly bring a lot of experience to the hot seat at the club. The onus now is on QPR Chairman Tony Fernandez to get someone in to the position quickly in order to have time to try and steer QPR clear of the relegation zone.

Next QPR Manager Betting
Mark Hughes: 1/2 at Paddy Power
Gianfranco Zola: 8/1 at Paddy Power
Rafa Benitez: 12/1 at SkyBet
Sven Goran Eriksson: 12/1 at William Hill
Steve Bruce: 18/1 at Paddy Power

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It all seemed to go south for Sunderland after Darren Bent was shipped off to Aston Villa, and now that cause has had the effect of getting Steve Bruce the sack from the Black Cats. It has been a surprisingly lack lustre season for Sunderland, especially after Bruce was quite busy in the summer transfer market boosting his squad. Many are pointing figures at the fact that he clearly forgot to figure out how to replace Bent though, but truthfully their goal tally has not been all that bad, considering the amount of goals that teams around and even above them have managed. It has just been a poor run of form, in which Sunderland have simply failed to turn one point in to three on too many occasions, and that has been their biggest failing. They have managed just one win in their last eight and clearly not good enough for the Sunderland board. The nail in the coffin really was last weekend’s home defeat against Wigan, who are one of the few teams beneath the Black Cats in the league standings. The form just hasn’t been there in the last eight matches for Sunderland, winning one, drawing three and losing four. Only Bolton, Wolves, Wigan and Blackburn have worse form than that, but it all narrow margins and the line was too thin for the Sunderland board and so this gives us a chance to look at who will be the next Sunderland manager betting.

Interestingly, the man who is the front runner in Next Sunderland Manager betting at the moment is Martin O’Neill, who has been on a managerial hiatus since walking out on Aston Villa just over a year ago. He has been linked with just about every job opening that has arisen in the Premier League, and even for some which haven’t, from Chelsea down to Blackburn. O’Neill hasn’t been attracted back to work but he is the outright favourite in Next Sunderland manager betting, and there are reports that he has spoken to the club. O’Neill has a good reputation of making teams hard to beat and you do get the feeling that there is a good enough core at Sunderland for him to work with. Why wait until a team like Sunderland has arisen to get back into the managerial hot seat? Well, it could all be about the challenge really. There is a proud history at Sunderland, and O’Neill would probably take on this project, even though there is going to be no money to spend, looking at it as a personal challenge of rejuvenation of what could be deemed as a sleeping giant. So, while Martin O’Neill in Next Sunderland boss betting is the front runner, there are just as many reports around about former Fulham boss Mark Hughes.

According to some reports, Mark Hughes is actually Sunderland’s top target, and therefore has to be considered in your Next Sunderland Manager betting. It is obviously going to take some work to turn around just two wins in thirteen matches from a team which is sitting just two points outside of the relegation zone. Hughes is highly respected for his coaching and would very much fit the mould of Sunderland manager. The former Man City, Blackburn and Fulham boss feels that his ambition was held back at Craven Cottage, but you have to look at the amount of drawn matches which he guided Man City and Fulham too when he was in charge there. It is hard to see much difference between O’Neill and Hughes in terms of coaching ability and just how Sunderland may turn out under either of them. You don’t see a really expansive modern side emerging from under either of them, so it is more about consolidation in Next Sunderland manager betting. Sunderland are going to have to scrap for points until they get on their feet and who can do that the best, and the quickest? It looks as if those two are going to remain the front runners for Next Permanent Sunderland manager betting, with O’Neill favourite. There are some outsiders in the running, like Rafa Benitez, who may be a big coup for them, although his managerial reputation has pretty much taken a dive over the past couple of years after leaving Liverpool and Inter Milan in messes. Former United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also in the mix, but this isn’t going to be a matter of experimentation for Sunderland.

Next Sunderland Manager Betting Odds
Martin O’Neill: 1/8 at SkyBet
Mark Hughes: 5/1 at SkyBet
Rafa Benitez: 20/1 at BetFair
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: 20/1 at SkyBet

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So now it is confirmed that Mark Hughes has walked away from Fulham, so that leaves the question of who will be Fulham’s next manager. Betting is exploding on the next manager markets, with West Ham just picking up their new man Sam Allardyce, Chelsea still waiting to get a new boss into Stamford Bridge, Gerard Houllier’s stepping down at Aston Villa because of ill health, and now Fulham are out of a boss as well. The hype and speculation flooding the back pages has been about Mark Hughes going to Aston Villa. There was a get out clause in his contract, which allowed Hughes to walk away with little compensation involved. However, he flat out resigned, leaving Fulham in limbo, despite the club offering him a new 2 year deal after they had finished eighth in the Premier League and landed a spot in the Europa League, thanks to their top record on the Fair Play table. So there were positives for Hughes at Fulham, and while he is adamant that no external influences made him quit Craven Cottage, it is all looking suspicious as he has been linked so strongly with Aston Villa. Hughes cannot be approached, nor can he take a new job until after June 30th because of rules and regulations. Will Villa wait that long? Is he even really the man that they want? Wherever Hughes ends up, it has left Fulham in spot which they didn’t expect to be during the off season, looking for a new manager. It is a disruption they didn’t need really, as they had a good solid thing going at Craven Cottage this year. But maybe this will be the chance for someone to come in take them a step further forward. Here we take a look at the front runners now being named by online bookmakers in Next Fulham manager betting.

Martin O’Neill – 5/2 at SkyBet

There will be an ironic twist in the world of Premier League management if Fulham decide to take Martin O’Neill. After possibly losing Mark Hughes to Fulham, getting former Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill (who walked away from them) would add some spice to next year’s fixtures. O’Neill does fit the bill at Craven Cottage, he is the sort of man whose style would solidify and build upon the work that Hughes achieved this year. Fulham don’t have a lot of spending money, and with Martin O’Neill shrewd track record in management, he would make a good return here. His name has been linked with other jobs, but this would feel like a good fit. Could do a good job, although it is hard to see Fulham going too far forward, O’Neill would at least make his stamp on the club.

Martin Jol – 4/1 at Victor Chandler

Looking at what the bookies are trading in the markets for next Fulham boss betting, Jol is also in the running for the Villa job. Would keep up the neat football that Fulham play, and it would be a bold choice in that Jol would probably make them more of an attacking side. Fulham are a bit neutral, and they may need someone to change things up a little bit. This feels like a risky move squeezing Jol into Craven Cottage, a bit of a square peg in a round hole, but one that could pay off it they are patient with him. He will want to drag them forward, but the funds aren’t there.

Steve McLaren: 6/1 at SkyBet

Lost his job at Wolfsburg, so is looking for work. The former England boss would probably be a better fit at Fulham than he would as Aston Villa, but can see him working at both. McLaren did at least try to play some expansive football in his club management, but there is an air of cautious sensibility about him, which kind of makes him very Fulham-ish. The question is, will his England management reputation haunt him though? Would be a solid fit, but not an adventurous one.

Carlo Ancelotti: 10/1 at SkyBet

The former Chelsea boss is also linked to the Villa position. Let’s weigh this up, it would mean that Ancelotti stays in London, and close to his last job at Stamford Bridge. Villa would have more promise for him though, as they would have more spending money than Fulham. Ancelotti could do a great steady job at Fulham, and may be able to lure experienced free signings to the club, given his extensive links in the game. It would be a more expansive side he would take over at Villa Park, but Fulham play neat, conservative football, almost Italian style.

Alan Curbishley: 10/1 at SkyBet

Can totally see this happening if Curbishley was going to get back into the game. A man much respected and feel like he would do a great job at Fulham. He does a lot of things very well, man manages well, uses limited resources well. He would definitely get the best out of the Fulham squad that is there and would at least keep them around where they are now. Definitely worth an outside look in your Fulham next boss betting. Really could answer the question of who will be the next Fulham boss.

Alex McLeish: 10/1 at SkyBet

This is another man who would fit the bill. This would be an immediate step back into the Premier League for him, after getting relegated with Birmingham. Would he desert the Blues and take over at Craven Cottage? There is a decent chance of him doing so really, as it would be an escape from the Championship and another chance to prove himself. He did win the Carling Cup with Birmingham, and Fulham could do a lot worse. Another decent shout in your next Fulham boss betting odds.

Beckham to return to England? Milner in Villa stalemate while Hughes to take charge at Fulham

Will David Beckham end up in the Premier League? He is wanted by London side West Ham, and the MLS LA Galaxy star is promising to give the club a decision soon according to reports, although conflicting reports say that he has not even been contacted by them. Beckham, who missed out on England’s 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign through an Achilles injury is expected to be back in training in late August with the galaxy. But there are rumours that Beckham would like to finish his career back in the UK. If he was to put pen to paper at Upton Park, then a move wouldn’t be secured until January. Beckham would finish the season with the MLS side, and then look to move abroad at the start of the year, as he has done on loan with AC Milan the past couple of season. West Ham boss Avram Grant is also supposedly targeting Michael Owen and Marseille’s Laurent Bonnart as well in order to boost their chances of not getting drawn into a relegation battle.  West Ham co-owner David Gold seems to be the one throwing fuel on this rumour, while a spokesman for Becks pretty much says its pie in the sky. For a club perceived as struggling, West Ham are certainly embroiled in plenty of rumours. They have rejected a large offer from Europe-bound Tottenham for midfielder Scott Parker, but there are hints that Spurs will be back with an improved offer. Tottenham are 5/6 at SkyBet to land Parker, while Liverpool are priced just behind them at 9/4 at SkyBet to snap him up. Tottenham also want Craig Bellamy from big spenders Manchester City. Something of a surprising favourite odds price is for Tottenham to be 9th or lower for 3/1 at SkyBet come Christmas. After a good season last year by finishing fourth, perhaps there are doubts of whether they can back it up.

Manchester City, who are being linked with just about every name which comes on the transfer market, looks set to have to won the battle for young Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli. There have been an array of conflicting stories about the promising youngster and where his future may lie, but it looks as if City may just have gotten their man to add to their summer spending. Mark Hughes looks set to become Roy Hodgson’s successor at Fulham. After failing to land Martin Jol from Ajax, they have had to seek alternatives. That means that he would probably enter the race to sign Craig Bellamy, after managing him at Manchester City last year. Tottenham are still favourite to get him at a price of 4/9 at SkyBet, with Fulham to be his new club is priced 2/1 at SkyBet. Mark Hughes looks set to take the helm at Craven Cottage, but the same was said about Martin Jol recently. It’s unlikely that there will be any hiccups in this deal though as Hughes is currently unemployed, and it is expected that he will bring in his own backroom staff as well. What that means for coach and stand-in boss at the moment Ray Lewington, as he could find himself out of work. You may be able to grab a price on Hughes at BetFair, or one of the main rivals for the managerial position, but this looks to be a done deal. Meanwhile Bobby Zamora can be taken at a decent price of 11/10 at SkyBet to be Fulham’s top Goalscorer next season.

Both Chelsea and Manchester United have been told that they can have some money to spend in order to boost their squad. In the case of United, there are enough funds in the kitty to finance the move of one world class name apparently. For Chelsea, they are keen on finalising a deal for Benfica midfielder Ramires, and they could be in a three way battle with United and Arsenal for the services of impressive Ghana midfielder Anthony Annan. Chelsea’s Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho reportedly wants away from Stamford Bridge, but only to join up with former boss Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.  As for Arsenal, who never really make big splashes and transfer headlines, they will be without the services of Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner for the start of the season, as the striker is still struggling with a groin injury. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is still refusing to budge over the transfer sage surrounding Spain’s Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas is wanted by Barcelona, but Arsenal won’t even sit down at the negotiation table to discuss a deal. Barcelona are priced at 6/4 at SkyBet to land him, compared to around 10/21 at BetFair for him to stay a Gunner. Former Arsenal star Sol Campbell has signed for Premier League returnee’s Newcastle.

Liverpool want Stiliyan Petrov from Aston Villa, and this will be a replacement for the departing Javier Mascherano, who wants to join Rafa Benitez at Inter Milan. Mascherano is priced at 1/12 at SkyBet to join Inter Milan at the end of the summer transfer window. Liverpool have also come close to signing Aston Villa’s full back Luke Young, but the player seems to be throwing a spanner in the works by wanting compensation from Villa because he would be on less wages at Anfield. Surprisingly, in football betting, Tottenham are favourites to sign Young at 3/1 with SkyBet, while Liverpool are second favourites at a price of 7/2 at SkyBet, despite looking as if they nearly had his signature. Liverpool, who have began their quest for the Europa League, are priced at 10/1 with Paddy Power to have that European success in the forthcoming year. There have also been whispers that full back Wayne Bridge may be tempted way from Manchester City to join Roy Hodgson at Anfield, and he is priced at 4/6 with SkyBet for that to happen. Man City boss Roberto Mancini has said though that he doesn’t want Bridge to go anywhere.

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill seems to be stuck in a stalemate with England’s James Milner, who is keen to leave the Midlands club in order to head north for Manchester City. The main problem is that City don’t want to pay the sum of what Villa has Milner valued at, but Villa may have to bend if Milner does not want to be at the club any longer. Villa want a staggering £30 million for Milner (more than what Barcelona offered for Cesc Fabregas!), while City won’t budge above £24 million for the midfielder. Likely some compromise will be made, with O’Neill admitting himself that he doesn’t really know if Milner will still be at the club come the start of the season. James Milner is still priced at 1/6 at SkyBet to end up at Manchester City at the start of the new season. That’s compared to 17/12 at BetFair to stay at Villa. The online bookmakers posting football betting odds for the new season, don’t fancy Villa to make much progress from last season, and expect them to be 7th or lower in the league come Christmas at a price of 4/6 at SkyBet. Gaby Agbonlahor represents a decent punt at finishing as top Goalscorer for the club at a price of 6/4 at SkyBet.

Is it just me or does the managerial merry-go-round revolve that quickly nowadays that the game appears to be shed experienced head coaches more quickly than the average Christmas tree drops its needles? Championship side QPR are a prime example. The board may be fronted by multi-millionaires but any business acumen they may have acquired in other fields seems to go out of the window where football is concerned. Paul Hart recently became the R’s ninth manager in two years but, significantly, has only signed a contract until the end of the season. Given Rangers‘ predeliction for change, that may yet prove optimistic. There have been some very bizarre decisions taken in boardrooms this season. Steve Gibson, chariman of Middlesbrough and a man with a reputation for his patience with managers, decided to dispense with Gareth Southgate‘s services with his team just a point off the top of the table. Since Southgate‘s departure, Boro have fallen away dramatically and, at the time of writing, now lie in the bottom half of the Championship a full 20 points off the pace – isn’t hindsight a wonderful thing! Then. of course, there’s the strange case of Manchester City. On the same weekend that Manchester United lost 3-0 to Fulham, Liverpool surrendered tamely at bottom club Portsmouth and Chelsea were held to a draw at struggling West Ham, City were putting four past Sunderland at Eastlands. Mark Hughes‘ reward, his P45! City chief executive Gary Cook has already admitted that Roberto Mancini had been offered Hughes‘ job the day before the Welshman was sacked but denies there has been a players’ rebellion in lieu of the decision. That hasn’t, however, put off Skybet pricing up a market on which high-profile star will be first to leave the City Of Manchester Stadium. Robinho, who has hardly endeared himself to City fans of late, is the 11-4 market leader while the oft-outspoken Craig Bellamy is a 9-2 chance with Paddy Power. The Irish firm also make former Inter boss Mancini 1-2 to still be in charge of City this time next year.

It’s been a high-octane start to the Premier League, with 355 goals scored in the 117 games played to date. This means an average goal-to-game ratio of just over 3, although you can regularly find odds of 1.90 about the Over 2.5 Goals selection with bookmakers. Has there just been an initial flurry of goals at the early stage of the season which will ultimately slow down, or is there a trend emerging where the shrewd punter can capitalise before the bookmakers start to adjust their prices?

Before the Wolves v Arsenal match last Saturday, I noticed that Stan James were offering 2.75 that there were Over 3.5 Goals. However, a cursory glance at the stats illustrates that 7 of Arsenal’s 10 league games had seen four or more goals scored. While Wolves had generally been involved in lower-scoring matches, it’s worth bearing in mind that the strong favourite to win a match will ultimately have more bearing on how a game is played out. Aside from the Gunners’ 1-0 win at Fulham (a match which could have seen many goals), every other league match involving Arsene Wenger’s team have seen at least three goals scored. As we witnessed at Molineux, the visitors ran out 4-1 winners.

Indeed, there are only six teams in the English top flight who have had more games with Under 2.5 than Over 2.5. As you might expect, this includes Stoke City and Fulham, although Manchester City are something of a surprise inclusion. A closer inspection of City’s stats reveal that four of their five home matches have seen three or more goals scored, while five of their six away games have seen two or less goals scored. This suggests that Mark Hughes’ team go for the jugular at Eastlands, although play in a more conservative fashion away from home. After last Saturday’s 3-3 draw against Burnley, they might have to revise this policy although it’s interesting nonetheless.

Naturally, it helps to be armed with as many tools as possible when it comes to beating the bookie. Firms like bet365 actually provide their customers with a comprehensive stats section and we should be taking advantage of this unusual bookmaker kindness! For example, league leaders Chelsea have scored twenty-nine goals this season, but did you realise that the Blues have only managed eight of these before half-time? Carlo Ancelotti must be reasonable at giving team-talks as his team have managed more goals (9) between the 46th and 60th minute than any other team in the division.

Manchester United are associated with scoring late goals and the stats bear this out, with 8 of their 23 managed between the 76th and 90th minute. However, to say that Arsenal have been fast out of the traps in matches this term is misleading. The Gunners seemingly like to feel their way into matches, with no goals scored before the 15th minute. However, they have the highest amount (9) between 16th and 30th minute, something which is useful for In-Play betting on their matches. On the pre-match markets, bookmakers regularly offer betting on whether the goal will be scored before or after a certain minute, so with a scarcity of goalless draws this information is very useful.

According to MP and prominent member of the All-Party Racing Group Alan Meale, there isn’t currently an alternative to the bookmakers’ levy scheme in the UK. That doesn’t, however, mean the government have stopped looking for a more popular way to fund the sport of kings which, as Meale pointed out to a conference organised by the European Paris-Mutuel Association in Brussels, has a commercial value that has failed to be exploited in the past. The PMU dominates French racing, of course, and its monopoly of on and off-course betting is secure for the foreseeable future. However, sports betting isn’t covered by the same legislation and UK bookmakers will have been encouraged by plans to open up business in this sphere, particularly to internet operators. A ruling will be made in March and that could open the way for a new licensing system by the end of the year.

One firm who are certain to be interested in developments in France is Ladbrokes. Already busy in Spain, Italy and Belgium with growing interests in China, the Harrow-based bookmakers are also exploring possible avenues in Australia. The betting license in the state of Victoria, currently owned by Tabcorp, is up for grabs in 2012 and Ladbrokes have already been making overtures to the state authority. It’s generally acknowledged that the technology used in off-track betting in Australia doesn’t bear comparison to that used in Britain and UK-based bookmakers would certainly have a strong hand if they were to pusue their interest Down Under.

Changing tack, the odds on Mark Hughes becoming the next managerial casualty in the Premier League have shortened considerably after Manchester City failed to persuade one Brazilian, Kaka, to join the club and subsequently lost another, Robinho, while on a mid-season break in Tenerife. Admittedly, Robinho‘s AWOL exploits were only temporary but Hughes is under increasing pressure to justify Sheikh Mansour’s notable investment in the club and the Welshman is as short as 5-4 with skybet to lose his job before the end of the season.