This race was first held in 1951 and was won by Supreme Court. The 1975 renewal featured Grundy and Bustino. These two top-class thoroughbreds fought out such a titanic finish that the race is regarded by many as one of the best in the history of the sport.

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The race is run over a distance of one and a half miles at Ascot in late July. Three year-olds carry eight stones and nine pounds, while older horses are allotted nine stones and seven pounds. Fillies and mares receive a three pound allowance, while four pounds is deducted from any four year-old runner who ventures here from the southern hemisphere.

Some incredibly famous horses have won this contest over the years, including Galileo, Montjeu, King’s Theatre, Opera House, Generous, Nashwan and Reference Point. Brigadier Gerard is perhaps the most well know champion of all.

Here are some trends and statistics based on the last ten runnings of the race. Ten runners go to post this year in a hotly contested renewal.

Age (wins-placed-runners)

3-y-o: 2-4-13

4-y-o: 8-6-43

5-y-o: 0-4-11

6-y-o+: 0-1-8

Eight of the last ten winners were aged four which is good news for backers of: Idaho, Ulysses and Sixties Song.

Being five or six-years-old could prove to be a negative for Desert Encounter, Highland Reel, Jack Hobbs, Maverick Wave and My Dream Boat.

Since the year 2000 there have been just three three-year old winners which is a trend Enable and Benbatl will be trying to buck.

Form

Nine of the last ten winners finished in the first three places last time out. That is a bad sign for Jack Hobbs, Maverick Wave and My Dream Boat.

Ten out of ten winners had run two to four races that season.

Seven out of ten winners had won at least one race that season.

Trainers

Michael Stoute (2-6-15) has trained the winner three times since the turn of the millennium.

John Gosden (2-3-12) has had two winners to his name in recent times.

Aidan O’Brien (3-2-15) also has a formidable record in this race having won most recently with Highland Reel in 2016.

Starting Price

Nothing over 9/1 has won for the last ten years. It is highly probable this trend will continue on Saturday.

Runner-by-runner guide

Desert Encounter

Trainer David Simcock believes that if the conditions come up as being testing on Saturday his five-year-old gelding may have a chance of causing an upset in the race.

Desert Encounter produced a career-best performance to finish third in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown at the start of July.

Highland Reel

Defending champion Highland Reel is in line to become only the third horse to win back-to-back King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Aidan O'Brien's five-year-old has won six times at the highest level overall and goes to post on the back of a determined success in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting last month.

Highland Reel relishes quick ground so connections will be anxious that the recent rain has not changed the going conditions considerably.

Idaho

Idaho bounced right back to his best when scoring in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out.

Idaho, who is a full brother to Highland Reel, has not won a Group One race yet while Highland Reel has won six and has raced in several countries and on three different continents. His brother will be a hard act to follow but apparently he is getting onto his heels at home.

Jack Hobbs

Jack Hobbs trailed home a disappointing eighth behind Highland Reel in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot last month but his trainer John Gosden has put that whole episode down to the heat and the lightening fast track.

The runaway Irish Derby winner of 2015 should certainly run much better on Saturday with conditions back in his favour.

Maverick Wave

Maverick Wave is expected to employ pace-making duties again in this race and is duly priced up at 100/1 to cause any sort of shock result.

My Dream Boat

Clive Cox’s five-year-old is one of six Group One winners in the line-up – his finest hour being when winning the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot last season, beating the subsequent Arc winner Found into second place.

He ran his best race of this season when finishing fourth behind Zarak in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on his latest start which was within two lengths of the winner.

Ulysses

Sir Michael Stoute's charge came out on top in the Coral Eclipse Stakes at the start of the month, seeing off the excellent three-year-old Barney Roy, the winner of the St James's Palace Stakes, by a nose.

Stoute, who has won five King Georges, is confident the step up in trip will pose no problems for his exciting four-year-old who will be partnered again by Jim Crowley.

Sixties Song

Four-year-old Sixties Song, who arrived in Newmarket last Sunday, will break new ground in this Group One by becoming the first South American-trained runner to compete in Britain.

Connections of the Argentinean horse believe that the colt should not be underestimated as he is already established as the best middle-distance horse in South America.

Benbatl

Saeed bin Suroor's Benbatl, who was fifth in the Derby before going on to win the Hampton Court Stakes could easily outrun his large odds.

Benbatl appears to be taking a chance in this race rather than being entered up at York for the Juddmonte International next month.

Enable

John Gosden's filly was an impressive winner of the Epsom Oaks and then followed up by winning the Irish equivalent at the Curragh a fortnight ago.

Enable was only given the green light on Wednesday morning after consultation between John Gosden and owner Khalid Abdullah.

Although she could be lining up against the strongest King George field for many years it is possible she could be sent off as the odds-on favourite on Saturday.

Summary

Understandably Enable is at the head of the market as she gets a big weight allowance for being a filly. Frankie Dettori has been going all out with his diet this week to meet 8st 7lb which is his bare minimum and there is every chance he will be rewarded for his stellar efforts and commitment once again.

News of the drying ground at Ascot from the Clerk of the Course must have been music to the ears of Aidan O’Brien as the weekend approaches. O’Brien’s Highland Reel will overtake Cirrus Des Aigles as the record-earning horse in Europe if he wins this top class midsummer mile-and-a-half championship event.

888sport predicts 1. Highland Reel 2. Enable

Click here for our current odds

The Super Sprint Trophy is a flat horse race held at Newbury for two-year-old thoroughbreds and was first run in 1991.

• Bet on Weatherbys Super Sprint

The race is currently restricted to horses sold as yearlings at Weatherbys sales for 37,000 guineas or less before July 1st, or 40,000 guineas or less after June 30th. The weights carried are determined by the sale price of the horses, with one pound deducted for each 2,500 guineas below 40,000.

The Weatherbys Super Sprint quite often produces a fairytale story and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top at Newbury on Saturday. Mrs Danvers attracted not one sales bid at a reserve of £1,000 as an unraced juvenile but went on to amass upwards of £120,000 in prize money last year. She went on to win twice more for the Jonathan Portman stable, including at Group Three level, so it’s a “never-say-never” race for many of the contenders this weekend.

A maximum field of 25 juveniles go to post on Saturday afternoon and here is a look at some of the leading contenders:

Mother Of Dragons

Joe Tuite is excited by the prospects of Mother Of Dragons (8st). The Qatar Racing-owned filly, who cost just €2,000 at Tattersalls Ireland in 2016, was narrowly denied on her first two starts at Windsor and Goodwood before finishing mid-division in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Tuite said: “I am very happy with Mother Of Dragons. The filly is in good shape and we are looking forward to Saturday.

“I thought she ran well at Ascot. We were not disappointed and ever since then we have been aiming at the Weatherbys Super Sprint.

“We get in the race off a very raceable weight that’s for sure, and there doesn’t appear to be a Tiggy Wiggy or the likes turning up this time. It doesn’t look that way at the moment anyway!

“I am very happy with mine and, off eight stone with Jimmy Quinn on board, I wouldn’t swap her.”

Tuite previously saddled Field Of Vision to take third place in this in 2015.

Maggies Angel

Maggies Angel (8st 6lb) arguably brings the best form into the Weatherbys Super Sprint. 

The two-year-old Dark Angel filly finished second to stablemate Dance Diva over a furlong further in Newmarket's Listed Empress Fillies' Stakes on July 1st. Yorkshire trainer Richard Fahey is chasing a third victory in five years in this contest.

One For June

William Haggas, who lifted this prize with Superstar Leo in 2000 and Jargelle in 2008, goes in this time with One For June (8st 5lb). The daughter of Arcano got off the mark earlier this month.

"She won at Lingfield last week. It was six furlongs. I think she's got enough speed for five and she's in good form, so we're going to have a go," Maureen Haggas, the trainer's wife and assistant, told At The Races earlier in the week.

Snazzy Jazzy

A Goodwood maiden winner who missed a possible Royal Ascot run for this race. Clive Cox chose to swerve that meeting with the colt and he could reap the rewards here instead.

The Goodwood win was nothing special, but given how Cox's juveniles are performing this season, further improvement would be no surprise for Snazzy Jazzy (9st 1lb).

Time Trail

The unbeaten filly Time Trail will race off 8st 8lbs on Saturday.

The daughter of Swiss Spirit scored by a short-head first time up at Beverley in May and doubled up three weeks later in a five-furlong novice event restricted to fillies at Catterick, defeating Lady Anjorica (8st 4lb) by a head.

Michael Dods paid £38,000 for Time Trail at Goffs in September said about his filly: "Time Trail is in good form and there is a good chance she will run in the Super Sprint provided the ground doesn't get too quick.

"She has won her two starts narrowly so far. She did well on debut at Beverley and then struggled a little bit under the penalty at Catterick.

"I think the handicapper has probably got her where she should be at the moment. She has to step up if she is going to be competitive, but we feel it is worth having a go."

Bengali Boys

Another contender for Richard Fahey who runs a total of five horses in this race. This colt has done well in novices after a debut win, finishing runner-up twice.

He certainly makes plenty of each-way appeal after running three gutsy races thus far.

Corinthia Knight

Archie Watson, who is enjoying a highly successful first full season as a trainer, is hoping dual winner Corinthia Knight can provide him with his most valuable success so far in his fledgling career.

Watson said earlier in the week: "He's in very good order and has only 8st 7lb to carry. His overall form is very good. He won two races impressively on the all-weather and the form of his second to Frozen Angel at Ascot in May – where he possibly ran a bit flat – has worked out well. He finished a long way in front of Tangled, who is now rated 88 after winning a Newmarket nursery."

Falabell

Kevin Ryan’s maiden was beaten a short-head on debut and was then demoted to third place.

Not many maidens win this race but Kevin Ryan’s stable is flying again after an interrupted season and this runner will easily be missed on the betting radar by many.

Verdict

25 two-year-olds sprinting over the minimum distance does not look the obvious place to be finding winners but there is some value lurking in there somewhere.

Richard Fahey’s runners all deserve a second look given his recent record in the race but the selection goes to the lightly weighted, Qatar Racing owned, Mother Of Dragons.

The Qataris won’t just be at Newbury for a fun day out on Saturday and Joe Tuite is likely to have this runner in tip top condition.

888sport selection: Mother Of Dragons (each-way).

The Eclipse Stakes is a Group One flat race for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs and 7 yards at Sandown Park.

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The race took place in 1886 and is named after the great 18th century racehorse Eclipse. The race has been sponsored by Coral’s since 1976 and is the longest sponsorship in English horse racing.

The Eclipse is traditionally the race when the top horses from the classic generation (three-year-olds) meet older horses for the first time. It is a high quality race, often attracting both Newmarket and Epsom classic winners.

Unfortunately there are no classic winners among the nine declared runners on Saturday, however several of them were on the premises in the aforementioned races earlier in the season.

Here is a guide to the chances of the nine protagonists:

Decorated Knight (R.Charlton/O.Peslier)

Decorated Knight, a son of Galileo, has been going from strength-to-strength with each of his runs with his official rating rising from 85 to 119 in a two season period. He split Highland Reel and Ulysses in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot on his latest start after having previously won the Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.

Decorated Knight has to concede 10lb to his younger rivals however and that may just thwart his chances in this contest.

Desert Encounter (D.Simcock/S.Levey)

Desert Encounter has won five out of his eleven starts, and takes a step down in distance in this. He is clearly in good form, but it is hard to see him having the necessary turn of foot to trouble the market leaders.

Lightning Spear (D.Simcock/O.Murphy)

The oldest horse in the field at the age of six. He has been a great miler and really deserves a Group One win after such battling placed efforts in the Lockinge and the QEII.  He put in a moderate run in last month’s Queen Anne and his stamina is far from being guaranteed.

Ulysses (Sir M.Stoute/J.Crowley)

Sir Michael Stoute has won the Eclipse on five occasions, and his four-year-old could easily give him victory number six. His win in the Gordon Richards at Sandown Park was really impressive, and it is reported that he is going well on the gallops back at home.

He ran a good race at Royal Ascot last time out to be a close third to Highland Reel in the Prince of Wales's Stakes and ranks as a serious contender on Saturday afternoon.

Barney Roy (R.Hannon/J.Doyle)

Richard Hannon three-year-old tackles ten furlongs for the first time. Having run second in the 2000 Guineas, and winning the St. James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, on both of those occasions he has been staying on strongly to the line.

Trainer Hannon admitted he had been tempted to run in the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly on Sunday, but he too is looking forward to seeing what Barney Roy might be capable of over the longer trip.

He said: "We debated it thoroughly with Godolphin and weighed up all the angles but agreed the Eclipse is a more prestigious race to have on a colt's CV when he goes to stud, and we get a significant weight pull from the older horses."

We will see if the decision was an astute one come 3.40pm on Saturday.

Cliffs Of Moher (A.O’Brien/R.Moore)

Looked all over the 2017 Derby winner a couple of furlongs from home only to be nabbed on the line by stablemate and outsider, Wings Of Eagles. The drop back to this distance ought to suit him and he is the type to be constantly improving for the Aidan O’Brien stable. O’Brien himself has also won the Eclipse on five previous occasions.

"Everything has gone very well with Cliffs Of Moher since Epsom and we've been very happy," O'Brien said on Tuesday. "He went to Chester for the Dee Stakes over a mile and a quarter and we weren't entirely sure whether he'd get the trip or not. As it turned out, he got it well and he enjoyed it”.

It is very easy to see why this one is the bookmakers’ favourite.

Eminent (M.Meade/S.De Sousa)

Martyn Meade believes the son of Frankel is overdue some good fortune after not getting the rub of things at either Newmarket, where he finished sixth to Churchill, or at Epsom, when beaten a length and three quarters into fourth behind Wings Of Eagles.

It was reported that Eminent clocked 40mph on the gallops recently which will give his supporters plenty of encouragement.

Meade has been delighted with Eminent since Epsom. “Another horse might have sulked or not sparkled for a couple of weeks but he was perfect from the moment he arrived back in the stable”.

Eminent has every chance of doing his esteemed father proud in this renewal.

Salouen (S.Kirk/W.Buick)

Registered several Group One placings as a two-year-old and ran respectfully in the King Edward VII Stakes. Looks up against it here though and a win will come as a major surprise.

Taj Mahal (A.O’Brien/P.Beggy)

Aidan O’Brien’s second-string has already run five times this season and more often as not has been set up in those races as a pacemaker for another O’Brien hotpot.

Hard to see another Wings Of Eagles scenario happening here as this one is almost 100% certain to blast out in front.

Conclusion

A fascinating contest in which you can only rule out three of the nine runners with some degree of confidence.

Eminent marginally gets the nod on this occasion due to his recent work on the gallops and the fact that he is due a change of luck.

888sport suggests Eminent (win).

Speaking in an exclusive interview with 888sport, the talented forward, whose own career was tragically cut short at 26 due to a long-term ankle problem, acknowledges injury remains a concern for the Manchester United striker but, should he be declared fit, his experience will be key.

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“Kane has to start. I’d like to say I was a similar player to Kane and that’s probably why I like him so much, someone with an all-round performance who can be strong and hold the ball up and link the play but is deadly and greedy in front of goal,” said Ashton.

“I would have Rooney behind him if he’s totally fit. He absolutely deserves to start, Wayne Rooney, with his track record for England. Yes, he might have slipped down slightly at Manchester United, but his England performances have always been very good. And we need some experience because if we go with all the inexperienced players we might get found out. So you need experience in there and then you’ve got the pace of Vardy and Sturridge off the bench.”

It may be an opinion that goes against the present grain but that is typical from the straight-talking but highly likeable 32-year-old, who is now carving out a successful career in the media following his enforced retirement in 2009. His views on another forward, however, are much less contentious and will presumably only be met with widespread agreement.

West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet has rightfully been lavished with praise this season following a sensational introduction to the Premier League and, as his team prepare for a crucial hosting of Arsenal this weekend, Ashton has enthusiastically joined the French winger’s long line of admirers. By insisting he is now up there with Upton Park’s revered idol Paulo Di Canio in the fans’ affections, it might even be the biggest compliment yet.

“I would say he is. Already he has done things that have put him into cult status. That’s what West Ham fans love, things that shock you and you’re in awe of and he has done maybe five or six special moments like that this season. That’s why West Ham should build their team around him. He has that affinity with the fans already and loves the pressure of being the big player at West Ham which is something Di Canio had as well.”

Aside from terrorising defences with his blistering pace, those special moments have primarily come from set-pieces, with Payet’s ability with a dead ball defying the laws of physics on occasion. His free-kick expertise has even brought favourable comparisons with another such specialist, though here Ashton draws a line in vanishing spray.

“I trained with David Beckham and stood and watched him practise his free-kicks and it was pretty incredible. Payet has done it recently but Beckham did it so consistently over the years so it would take something special to take over that mantle. But then look at the goal he scored at the weekend. No keeper would have saved that with the dip he got.”

It was indeed little short of wondrous and was yet another highlight in an incredible campaign for the Hammers that has seen them sustain a credible challenge for a Champions League berth. Should that be attained, Ashton is excited about what might lie ahead for a side rejuvenated beyond recognition under Slaven Bilic.

“Any team that makes the Champions League suddenly has doors opened and the chance to attract big names, and the attraction of playing in a new stadium as well would pull players in. I’m pretty sure every West Ham fan would love to see Ibrahimovic come to the Olympic Stadium. I know there have been rumours, and what a signing he would be. He brings experience and flair, and he’s the type of player West Ham fans love who can produce something from nothing. He would be incredible.

“Of course money is a factor with his age but it’s not as if you buy Ibrahimovic and he’s going to flop. He’s just not that type of player. He has already shown he doesn’t need lightning pace, he can just drop back and lead the play and he still scores so many goals.”

Such is the Swede’s stature, we can assume several of the Premier League’s leading clubs will be clamouring for his coveted signature this summer, including West Ham’s opponents this Saturday lunchtime Arsenal. The Gunners need for a 20-goal-a-season hitman has been a long-running saga that has exasperated observers for many a year. Ashton believes it has cost the north Londoners dear.

“We’ve all been saying it for years now but Arsene Wenger is determined to do it his way and he’s not going to answer to anyone. He’s got himself into that position due to his track record at Arsenal but without a doubt they would be better off with a top class striker. If you put Aguero into that team you can’t see how they wouldn’t have won the Premier League this year. Ozil said similar and to be honest it does ring true. They’ve missed their chance. I don’t think they will catch Leicester now with the form they’re in and in any other season if City or Chelsea were up there Wenger would have got away with it. But if Leicester win the league the spotlight will be on Arsene.”

So does he expect the stubborn professor to rectify his team’s shortcomings in the next window?

“I’d say yes but you literally don’t know with Arsenal and Arsene Wenger. He could be linked with all these names again and nothing will happen, then he’ll say he’s keeping Welbeck, Giroud and with Iwobi coming through now he’ll say that’s enough. I personally think they do need to go out and get a Higuain or a Cavani type of player who can really take them on to the next level.”

A Dean Ashton in his prime and free from injury would improve the Gunners no end too, though you feel his allegiance to his beloved Hammers would have prevented such a move occurring anyway.  Last week during a testimonial for Mark Noble we were reminded of what English football was cruelly deprived of when he scored an acrobatic ‘worldie’ at the packed and celebratory surroundings of the Boleyn Ground. It was a goal that put a big smile across social media from fans of every club.

“It was great to be asked to honour Mark Noble’s career, but the side thing for me was to be able to produce something like that at West Ham in front of a full house and my kids, who have never seen me play. That was special. My eight-year-old absolutely loves football and I constantly tell him that I used to be a decent player but he never believes me. Finally he gets it, that I wasn’t a bad player. “

Dean Ashton’s quickfire questions

1. Who will win the Premier league?
    Leicester will go on and win it.
2. Who will finish top four?
    Leicester, Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City. With Aguero in your team if can’t finish top four there are serious problems.
3. Who will win the Golden Boot?
    Harry Kane. He’s on a roll.
4. Who will win the Champions League?
    Barcelona. How can you stop them three?
5. Who will win Euro 2016?
    England of course. 

As soon as Van Gaal walks out of the door there is only one man who should have the job – Giggsy.”

The former Trinidad and Tobago striker’s choice goes far deeper than loyalty to an ex-team mate who he shared many an unforgettable moment with during a glorious era for the club that saw them dominate English football and conquer Europe. Management, he insists, is becoming a young man’s game with even the self-appointed ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho given short shrift in Yorke’s reckoning.

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“Look at how football is changing. In Spain’s top three all the managers are young ex players. You have Pep who is coming over, a young manager at 45. There’s Pochettino at Spurs and Conte in Italy and Gary Neville is being given a chance. You’ll find now in the next five years there will be more ex players managing football teams because there is a new generation of managers coming through. The old ones are fizzling out. The likes of Sam Allardyce may hang on in there for another year or two but the new generation are coming.”

“For Manchester United now there is no candidate out there. You have to accept that Jose Mourinho has been a great manager but if there is a change of manager at Manchester United and Van Gaal goes then it will be Ryan Giggs. If they don’t either this season or next season then Giggs won’t be around anymore because he has served his time. If he can’t make the step up after three years, after seeing all he has seen, then when? After ten? There is only one candidate. There is no question in my mind who should get the job.”

The three times league winner was speaking exclusively to 888sport ahead of a defining week for United as they attempt to over-turn a two goal deficit to their archest of rivals Liverpool in the Europa League this Thursday, before taking the short trip to the Etihad this weekend for the mother of all Manchester derbies. Even in the age of endless hyperbole it is a pivotal period for all concerned with the club.

“This week is going to make or break United’s season. They have taken all the stick in the world but this little spell of games can either elevate things to another level and give everyone confidence or have serious consequences.”

The consequences Yorke alludes to go beyond the possible departure of an under-fire boss.

“The season is pretty much done then isn’t it. We’ve seen that with Chelsea. I mean they’re sixth in the league as we speak and before you know it your season is done with nine games to go. It’s not the United way and they’re not used to being in that position. It is hard to swallow. The players know, the manager knows and the situation is written in front of them. Are these players big enough and brave enough to turn this around? I’m sure we will soon find out.”

The 44-year-old excelled in one of the most thrilling and trophy-laden sides ever witnessed on British shores, but while his disappointment in the sterile fare being served up by Van Gaal is clear – “the type of football is just not acceptable” – he refrains from joining old comrades Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes in directly criticising the beleaguered Dutchman. Instead his ire is aimed at the players who have repeatedly under-performed in 2015/16.

“It isn’t good enough what is happening at the football club and we can point the finger at the manager most of the time but the reality is that the players aren’t performing or doing anything significant. They are huffing and puffing and too many players are having too many average games. It is just not Manchester United. Bar the young players such as Martial I think the so-called stars, the senior players, really haven’t performed. I cannot look at any of them and think they have been outstanding. Normally there is at least one. In Fergie’s days they would all be told they’re leaving the club.”

When someone as famously affable as Dwight Yorke unleashes such strong words towards his own then you really know how dire the situation is for the 13 times Premier League champions, and mention of the man who guided them to such an abundance of silverware leads to a discussion on last Thursday’s meek surrender at Anfield. Would Sir Alex have tolerated such an apathetic display in a fixture that has made those scared of blood divert their gaze down the years? Wouldn’t he have fired his players up to boiling point and sent them roaring onto the pitch?

“He wouldn’t have needed to because all the players would have been cranked up anyway. They would have known this is Liverpool and these are the big occasions where you want to show the watching world. When these two sides come together everyone is glued to the television, everyone wants to see the game.”

“To put in a really lame performance to that level…. did these players understand what it’s all about with Manchester United and Liverpool?”

The question hangs heavy in the air. The answer – or at least part of the answer – will be discovered this Thursday evening.

Dwight Yorke Quick-fire questions:

Who will win the Premier League?

I want to say Leicester but I just feel City have enough in their locker to put a run together.

Bet on Premier League winner

Who will win the Premier League Golden Boot?

Aguero

Bet on Golden Boot winner

Who will win the Champions League?

Barcelona

Bet on England Euro 2016

Who will win the Euro 16?

Germany

Bet on Euros 16 winner

Will United make top four?

No

Tick tock goes the clock. The sands of time are running out for Ronald Koeman. Everton fans were optimistic ahead of this campaign after spending well over £100 million in the summer transfer window but it just hasn’t gone to plan as of yet.

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Yes, the Toffees have had a difficult start to the season but seven points from a possible 21 just isn’t good enough, no matter how much of a positive spin you try and put on it.

Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Burnley was the icing on the cake for the Goodison Park faithful; a large section of the Toffees support are now in the ‘Koeman Out’ camp.

A saving grace for the Dutchman is that Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s major investor, has given his full backing to Koeman for the time being. However, he needs wins and he needs them quickly.

Super Slav To Turn Things Around At West Ham?

Next up in 888sport's Premier League betting markets we have Slaven Bilic at 9/2. With just one defeat in their last four Premier League games, the Hammers are showing signs of improvement – which can only be positive for Bilic’s future at the London Stadium.

The Hammers face Burnley, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace in October and three wins in those fixtures should see Bilic’s side climb into the top half of the table.

Bilic isn’t out of the woods just yet though. Dropped points in October could be detrimental to his short term future, especially if Koeman manages to turn things around. A gruelling run of games in November could signal the end of his regime if things don’t go to plan in the next few weeks.

At 16/1, Eddie Howe Carries A Certain Brand Of Appeal

Bournemouth would have to be crazy to party ways with Howe in my opinion but football is a results driven business these days and the Cherries may have to consider an alternative at some point in the future.

Sitting 19^th in the table, Bournemouth have won just once so far this season – their current position is precarious at best.

Despite their woes, Howe’s spot as head coach seems relatively stable at the present time; hence his 16/1 price. With fixtures against Tottenham and Chelsea to come later this month, it is absolutely vital for Bournemouth to get back to winning ways against Stoke City.

If you are looking for a value bet, Howe is the one to back.

Jurgen Klopp: Dark Horse In The Sack Race?

Again, this sounds ridiculous but Klopp is also worth a second glance at 25/1. After failing to address Liverpool’s defensive issues in the transfer window, some fans have started to turn on the German.

The Reds won’t be challenging for the Premier League title on current form and missing out on a top four berth is out of the question; Liverpool NEED to be competing in the Champions League.

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With managerial veteran Carlo Ancelotti now available, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see one of the big clubs move at some point in the coming months.

Liverpool have struggled to inspire confidence in recent weeks, winning just one of their last seven games – securing an important victory over arch rivals Manchester United after the international break could be the catalyst for a successful campaign.

Premier League teams have not played their sixth league matches yet, and we already have a managerial casualty.

• Next manager to leave Betting odds

Frank de Boer was shown the door at Crystal Palace ludicrously early, but it still looks probable there will be another sacking before long.

The boards at these clubs too frequently make misjudgements in their appointments, and often leave it to the point of crisis before pulling the trigger. Yes, it’s a natural process in sport, and ‘results-based business’ will be regurgitated with painful regularity whenever anyone loses their job, but the lack of direction from many clubs in this multi-billion pound industry is puzzling.

The leader in 888sport’s sack race market is Slaven Bilic. The West Ham boss has been under almost constant pressure for the last 12 months. His price of 15/8 reflects the uncertainty of managerial futures, but the fact he continues to be on the brink says plenty about the Hammers.

He could have gone in the summer, he could have gone a couple of weeks ago, and he definitely could have gone last season. For a variety of reasons he has kept his job. Any replacement would be left with a costly, ageing squad built for Bilic. There’s a feeling of inevitability about Bilic’s departure, but it’s still tough to predict when exactly it will be.

The Hammers currently sit just outside the relegation zone and have failed to score in three of their opening five. Bilic will be hoping for a positive turn of events in the coming months...

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Following Bilic, we have Ronald Koeman. Everton, like the Irons, looked to have had a decent summer window. They are below Bilic’s side on goal difference, and have lost their last three league matches without finding the net.

Koeman is at 5/2 to go next. Fixtures ease up for the Toffees after their challenging start, and the Dutchman will likely be given time to work with a squad that has had a severe overhaul in the last 18 months.

The problems for Everton to date have been fundamental, however. Their previously positive window looks disappointing and Koeman’s hands are loosely tied when it comes to his forward line. Their two marquee additions – Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney – struggle to operate together without a more mobile companion in the final third, for instance.

Everton’s patience with Koeman could well be tested if results do not improve soon. He belongs at longer odds than Bilic, but that may change quickly. The Dutchamn continues to remain positive though...

The next few managers are longshot hopes.

Even after a poor start, it’s hard to see Bournemouth parting company with club icon Eddie Howe any time soon. His price of 10/1 is even tougher to support after back-to-back wins.

Rafael Benitez at 14/1 is similarly unappetising. If he was going to leave Newcastle because of difficulties with Mike Ashley, it would have happened by now. And, surely, even Newcastle wouldn’t sack Benitez. Benitez may leave the Magpies if another Premier League post opens up, but that obviously won’t be enough for that 14/1 to come in.

The only other manager worth considering is Mauricio Pellegrino at 12/1. The Saints have only lost one of their five so far, however, and it would be distinctly un-Southampton to sack Pellegrino this soon into his tenure.

Keep an eye on Jurgen Klopp at 66/1, mind...