Premier League sack race: Rafa Benitez favourite to be next boss axed

Parting ways with managers has become a key part of life in the professional game as clubs lean towards a 'grass is greener' approach to on-field matters.

Watford were the first team to jump this season and got rid of Xisco Munoz at the start of October.

Steve Bruce was then sacked quickly after the takeover that saw Newcastle become the talk of the town and Eddie Howe has been drafted in.

Nuno Espirito Santo was shown the door by Tottenham recently and was replaced by Antonio Conte.

And three more clubs have since been forced into action asNorwich sacked Daniel Farke, Dean Smith left Aston Villa and of course, Manchester United sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

That has seen fresh faces as Eddie Howe, Steven Gerrard and Smith were reintroduced as managers and already kicked off their first games in the league with a flourish.

Managers across the league will be looking over their shoulders as we approach the hectic festive period with one man under more pressure than most.

According to the latest odds from Sky Bet, the manager who is most at risk is Rafa Benitez.

The Everton boss has endured a torrid run of results and unless they can address the slide soon he may be the next boss out the door.

Ralph Hasenhuttl at Southampton is also under pressure, as is Claudio Ranieri who could be a victim of Watford's hire-and-fire approach.

Leicester City have fallen short this term which means that Brendan Rodgers' position could be under scrutiny, as could Marcelo Bielsa's role with Leeds United looking like a shadow of the side who took the Premier League by storm last term.

At the other end of the list are Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, Chelsea's Thomas Tuchel and City gaffer Pep Guardiola who are near-certainties to keep hold of their prestigious roles.

David Moyes' heroics at West Ham have also seen his job become secure.