PaddyPowers football betting bulletin looks at a surprise rival to Rafa Benitez in the latest Sack Race betting with rumours abound that Gianfranco Zola’s future at West Ham is hanging on which interested party wins the race to buy the stricken East London club. It would appear the anticipated success of former Birmingham owners in buying The Hammers has thrown Zola’s future into doubt and in the space of an hour on Monday morning the little Italian was backed in from 16/1 by the bookmaker to just 3/1 second favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave his job.

However Liverpool’s draw against Stoke has done little to rescue Rafa Benitez, the 11/8 Sack Race favourite, who’s future at Anfield must surely rest on the result against Spurs on Wednesday.

Darren Haines, spokesman for PaddyPower, said: “We thought Rafa was turning the Sack Race into a one horse race but punters have shown huge appetite for Zola this morning in the belief that any new owners heading to West Ham are bringing their own man with them.”

Meanwhile in the Carling Cup Manchester United are favourites to see off their noisy neighbours City over the two legs of the Carling Cup semi-finals. United are 8/11 to make it to Wembley with City Evens but, with all eyes on Carlos Tevez, PaddyPower has issued a number of football bets on the former United forward. As well as being 17/10 to score, Tevez is 40/1 to score a hat-trick and 9/1 to score and kiss his City badge. Loyal Red Gary Neville is the 7/2 joint-favourite with Patrice Evra to be the first United player to foul their former team mate.