Reading Manager Brian McDermott Favourite For The Chop

Five consecutive defeats has put the spotlight on Reading boss Brian McDermott who now faces two daunting matches against Arsenal and Man City. The Royals have registered just one Premier League win this season, with Tuesday's heavy 3-0 defeat to Sunderland leaving them struggling down in 19th place - six points adrift of safety. It doesn’t take a mathematician to work out that nine points from 15 matches is not a good return, meaning the solution is simple: Reading must simply start winning games in order to avoid losing ground on their relegation rivals.

The comprehensive loss to fellow strugglers Sunderland means McDermott has replaced Black Cats boss Martin O'Neill as the favourite for the exit door in the Premier League Sack Race. McDermott can now be found with odds of just 13/8 (Stan James), while O'Neill is next in the running at 5/1, followed by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger at 6/1.

Monday's match at home to Arsenal pits together two under-fire managers in McDermott and Wenger. The teams met at the Madejski Stadium in a memorable League Cup encounter back in October, with the Gunners somehow coming from 4-0 down to record a sensational 7-5 win. Paddy Power have installed the visitors as the 4/6 favourites to again finish victorious, while Reading can be backed at 4/1 to claim only their second victory in what has been a torrid campaign so far.