Roberto Mancini Favourite For The Sack

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is the new favourite for the sack after his side slipped a whopping 12 points behind league leaders and fierce rivals Manchester United. City's error strewn 3-1 defeat to lowly Southampton means their faint hopes of retaining their Premier League title are now effectively over, which will no doubt infuriate the club's success seeking owners, especially considering that we're not even half-way through February.

Mancini, whose odds had already been slashed in the Premier League Sack Race prior to the defeat at St Mary's, can currently be backed at 5/4 with Stan James to become the fourth top flight manager to lose his job this season. Chelsea's under-fire interim manager Rafa Benitez remains in murky waters, while Aston Villa's Paul Lambert has drifted slightly following his side's valuable win at home to West Ham.

Mancini has stated that Saturday's match was the worst game in the last two or three years. He was heavily critical of his under-performing players, who in truth were unable to match the superb flair and tenacity of the Saints. Man Utd are now the 1/33 favourites with most bookmakers to win the title, while City can be backed at 16/1 with Stan James. Their main concern may now be holding off the challenge of Chelsea and Tottenham who will be targeting a top two finish.

Follow the link for the latest odds and information on the Next Man City Manager.