Chelsea's Antonio Conte the favourite to become ninth Premier League sacking this season

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  • Chelsea boss Antonio Conte

    Eight down, more to come. The Premier League managerial axe is sharpened and ready to be wielded again, with pressure mounting on bosses for clubs at both ends of the table.

    Watford’s humiliation of Chelsea has ramped up talk of Antonio Conte‘s potential demise, while Everton’s wretched run after their 5-1 defeat to Arsenal has murmurings of Sam Allardyce being replaced at Goodison Park.

    Here, we look at the Premier League sack race and examine who is likely to be next for the axe.

    ANTONIO CONTE

    Chelsea – 4th

    Chances of being axed – 4/5

    Possible replacements – Luis Enrique, Guus Hiddink, Massimiliano Allegri

    Within the next four weeks, Chelsea travel to Manchester United and host Manchester City, while the two legs of their Champions League last-16 tie with Barcelona sandwich this testing month.

    You can view Conte’s situation two ways, either it’s an opportunity for one last stand or the ideal time to move on and bring fresh impetus at a crucial stage of the season.

    Former Barcelona boss Enrique has been officially out of a job since the end pf 2016/17 and is the leading candidate to replace the Italian. Appears a matter of when, not if.

    Antonio Conte

    Antonio Conte

    MAURICIO PELLEGRINO 

    Southampton – 15th

    Chances of being axed – 3/5

    Possible replacements – Marco Silva, Eddie Howe, Brendan Rodgers

    Stale and without style, Pellegrino was supposed to bring zest after the rigidity of Claude Puel. But the air has quickly escaped the balloon and left in its wake a flat mess.

    The recent 3-2 victory over West Brom was their first Premier League win in 14 games and yet despite the dire run of form, there are definitely three teams more likely to be relegated.

    Goals have been hard to come by and the Virgil van Dijk-debacle was an unwanted distraction which can count as mitigating circumstances. Perhaps this season is a reality check.

    Mauricio Pellegrino

    Mauricio Pellegrino

    RAFAEL BENITEZ 

    Newcastle – 16th

    Chances of being axed – 2/5

    Possible replacements – Thomas Tuchel, Slaven Bilic, Martin O’Neil,

    Transfer window deficiencies act as a natural defence for Benitez, but the usually pragmatic boss has been unable to organise protection for his own team.

    Granted, takeover talk has undermined their season but sitting precariously above the bottom three has increased the pressure on the Spanish boss.

    With Man United, Tottenham and Liverpool all to come in their next five league games, the heat is truly on but his popularity at St James’ Park cools any exit talk.

    Rafael Benitez

    Rafael Benitez

    SAM ALLARDYCE 

    Everton – 10th

    Chances of being axed – 4/5

    Possible replacements – Marco Silva, Paulo Fonseca, Eddie Howe

    Outclassed and embarrassed by Arsenal, the Toffees’s recent run has left a sour taste having registered one win in their last eight league games.

    The switch to three at back at Emirates Stadium was a disaster and the buffer from the drop zone is eroding with each game.

    Ultimately, Allardyce was brought in to replace Ronald Koeman to steady the ship but if they start sinking again, free agent Marco Silva is a known target and his availability could spark another switch.

    Sam Allardyce

    Sam Allardyce

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