Six games in charge at West Ham and boss David Moyes has to be feeling the pressure. Although the Scotsman is only out at 12/1 odds in the next Premier League Manager To Go market, there could be extenuating circumstances which could see his second spell at the club cut short* (betting odds taken from Betfair in January 28th, 2020 at 19:25).
That 12/1 price should be put into context, however, because recently he was as long as 40/1 when he took charge again just around a month ago.
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Next Premier League Next Manager To Go Odds*
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 5/2
Eddie Howe 7/2
Dean Smith 7/1
David Moyes 12/1
Daniel Farke 20/1
Roy Hodgson 33/1
Graham Potter 40/1
50/1 bar
* (betting odds taken from Betfair in January 28th, 2020 at 19:25)
Fixture list problems for the Irons
West Ham have a dreadful fixture list coming up in the Premier League. Could that cost Moyes’ his job?
It’s been largely downhill for the Hammer after they secured a 4-0 home win over Bournemouth in Moyes’ first game in charge. A win at Gillingham in the third round of the FA Cup added a nice bit of early optimism. But things have hit the skids.
Tame FA Cup exit
One point from their following three league games and then an exit in the FA Cup fourth round at home against Championship side West Brom, has turned some ugly focus back on the plight of the Irons. West Ham barely laid a glove on the Baggies.
On Thursday they face Liverpool in what is their game in hand over the clubs around them near the drop zone. West Ham will kick-off that game only outside of the bottom three courtesy of a better goal difference over both Bournemouth and Watford.
A heavy loss against Liverpool (by at least 4 goals) could drop them into the bottom three on Thursday.
What lies ahead
The fixture list coming up for West Ham in the league, as they strive for survival points is pretty daunting for them.
Starting with their game in hand on the 29th against Liverpool, seven of their next nine league games against teams currently occupying a spot in the top seven.
If you count the surging Southampton, who are currently sitting ninth, then only one of West Ham’s next nine games come against a team outside of the top half of the table.
That only respite will be against Brighton at home at the start of February.
West Ham’s Stressful Fixture List
29 Jan West Ham Utd v Liverpool
1 Feb West Ham Utd v Brighton
9 Feb Manchester City v West Ham Utd
24 Feb Liverpool v West Ham Utd
29 Feb West Ham Utd V Southampton
7 Mar Arsenal v West Ham Utd
14 Mar West Ham Utd V Wolverhampton
21 Mar Tottenham v West Ham Utd
4 Apr West Ham Utd v Chelsea
The big question then is can Moyes survive that fixture list? If not, how far along do they go before the club look to turn to another man to get them safe?
The Hammers are 7/5 in the Premier League relegation market, behind only odds-on favourites Norwich, Bournemouth and Aston Villa* (betting odds taken from Betfair in January 28th, 2020 at 19:25).
So the struggle, especially with the forthcoming fixture list, is very, very real.
Others ahead of Moyes
There are others ahead of Moyes in the next Premier League manager to go market of course. The 5/2 favourite remains Manchester United’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, while Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe right there at 7/2* (betting odds taken from Betfair in January 28th, 2020 at 19:25).
Premier League Relegation Odds*
Norwich 1/16
Bournemouth 10/11
Aston Villa 10/11
West Ham 7/5
Watford 7/4
Brighton 7/2
Newcastle 7/1
Crystal Palace 11/1
Bar 14/1
* (betting odds taken from Betfair in January 28th, 2020 at 19:25)
Given that Howe’s Cherries are in the relegation zone, then he looks the more likely of the two to get the chop first out of those. But by the same token, he has such a great working relationship with Bournemouth.
Aston Villa’s Dean Smith is there at 7/1 but probably unlikely to be the next one to go. He just guided the Villains through to the EFL Cup Final during midweek and Villa have shown enough scoring power at home to potentially play their way safe. They don’t look as likely to rock the boat.
