Some Premier League clubs are panicking at this point. With poor form becoming more than a short-term issue for some in the bottom half, relegation is looming. For clubs competing for European football, there are equally grave financial concerns.

Sam Allardyce has notched a brace of wins to take the pressure off, Marco Silva saw his Hull side lose away from home again and Paul Clement led Swansea to another massive win. The managerial changes have gone well thus far, could there be more to come?

Aitor Karanka

Aitor Karanka has featured on this list far more frequently that he would have liked. Another defeat for Middlesbrough away at Stoke City this weekend saw Karanka become favourite to be the next manager sacked. With 888 Sport putting him at odds as short as 33/100, there is evidently pressure on him.

Having slipped into the relegation zone after a weak performance, alarm bells will be ringing at the Riverside. Although talk of a sacking is quiet currently, Boro are yet to win a Premier League match in 2017 and Karanka has done little to shake up the side. Even their previously solid defence now looks fallible, while their midfield trio is industrious but without attacking input.

As sides around them improve, Boro have dropped like a stone into the icy waters of the relegation zone. Change might well be a necessity before the Championship becomes an inevitability for 2017/18.

Walter Mazzarri

Despite a pair of wins over Arsenal and Burnley a few weeks ago, the Hornets have endured a poor 2017. Defeat to Southampton in a seven goal thriller at the weekend leaves Walter Mazzarri’s side only four points above Bournemouth, who have been widely consigned to ‘relegation fighting’ by the football world.

With clean sheets as frequent as sensical Garth Crooks team of the week selections, Watford could easily be dragged into an increasingly difficult relegation contest. The teams around them are only getting stronger, while their side is lacking balance.

Mazzarri may not leave before the end of this season if they remain out of trouble, but his future will be under question if there are no improvements. Out at 10/1 to be the next manager sacked, the Italian is currently a decent option in this market.

David Moyes

We can’t go through a week of sack race discussion without mentioning the rapidly ageing David Moyes. Although Sunderland acquitted themselves well against an in-form Manchester City team on Sunday afternoon, the discontent at the Stadium of Light echoes the wider impression that this is a team doomed to relegation.

The market has no manager being sacked as a more likely outcome than Moyes getting the boot next, despite the Black Cats sitting six points from Premier League safety. Hull face Swansea next weekend with Sunderland’s match postponed, which could push them further into the mire.

Great escapes have been Sunderland’s thing over the past few seasons. It feels a step too far this year, however, and a typical last minute managerial might be their only hope, making 7/1 a good price for Moyes to go next.

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