BOOKMAKERS have cut the odds on Blackburn manager Ray Harford not lasting the season at Ewood Park from 9 to 4 to 7 to 4, after losing money on Bruce Rioch's departure from Arsenal.

William Hill's closed the book on Rioch's departure over the weekend after several punters attempted to bet £1,000 on him leaving Highbury.

And after the Scot's dismissal yesterday, Hill's are wary over Harford's situation with one bet of £400 already having been taken on the club parting company with a manager who last season struggled to build on Rovers' Premiership title success.

Leicester's Martin O'Neill remains the favourite to leave his club during the season at 11/8, with Sheffield Wednesday's David Pleat and Leeds' Howard Wilkinson at 6/4.

Meanwhile, Ladbrokes rate Arsenal as favourites to finish as the top London club in the Premiership at 7-4 in spite of Rioch's departure.