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NOTTINGHAM FOREST boss Nuno Espirito Santo and West Ham’s Graham Potter are joint-favourites to be the first Premier League managerial casualties of the 2025/26 season.

That’s according to bookmaker talkSPORT BET, who’ve updated their betting markets after more twists and turns in the Premier League sack race.

Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles here

Next Premier League Manager To Leave

talkSPORT BET odds

• Nuno Espirito Santo – 11/8
• Graham Potter – 11/8
• Keith Andrews – 12/1
• Ruben Amorim – 12/1
• Daniel Farke – 16/1

Here, SunSport takes a closer look at the leading contenders – and who’s most likely to get the boot first.

Nuno Espirito Santo – 11/8

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo remains firmly in the frame to be the first Premier League manager axed this season, amid ongoing uncertainty at the City Ground.

The 51-year-old lit the fuse last week by admitting his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis has “changed” – and that they’re “not as close” as they once were.

Tensions are understood to stem from the club’s summer transfer dealings, now overseen by Edu, with Nuno reportedly frustrated at being sidelined from key recruitment decisions.

Forest have splashed more than £150million on seven new signings – including Omari Hutchinson, Dan Ndoye, Arnaud Kalimuendo and James McAtee – but Nuno still wants more, including a new goalkeeper and two full-backs.

Despite the growing pressure, Nuno has insisted he won’t walk away – but notably refused to guarantee he’ll still be in charge by the end of the transfer window on September 1.

He had been as short as 1/2 to be the first top-flight boss shown the door, but has drifted to 11/8 following a crisis emerging at West Ham.

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Graham Potter – 11/8

West Ham’s Graham Potter is now level with Nuno at 11/8, having shortened from 3/1 earlier in the week after a horror run of results.

His miserable week hit a new low on Tuesday when the Hammers were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Wolves, conceding twice in the final eight minutes in a 3-2 defeat – with Jorgen Strand Larsen bagging a brace.

The full-time whistle saw tempers boil over, with captain Jarrod Bowen confronting a furious supporter during heated post-match scenes.

That came on the back of a 5-1 thrashing by Chelsea at the London Stadium and an opening-day defeat to newly-promoted Sunderland.

Potter’s numbers make grim reading – just five wins in 22 matches since replacing Julen Lopetegui in January, with 12 defeats and a return of 0.95 points per game – the worst record of any manager in West Ham’s history.

The Hammers must now pick themselves up ahead of a weekend trip to face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, before clashes against Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Everton and Arsenal.

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What happened last season?

A total of eight Premier League managers were shown the door last season, with Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag the first to go in October.

Steve Cooper’s short-lived stint at Leicester came to a sudden end in November, before Wolves and Southampton parted ways with Gary O’Neil and Russell Martin on the same December afternoon.

Julen Lopetegui and Sean Dyche followed in January, their departures announced less than 24 hours apart. In April, Ivan Juric became the second Southampton manager to be sacked during the 2024–25 campaign.

Despite ending Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought, Ange Postecoglou was the final manager to leave his post, dismissed in June after overseeing the club’s worst-ever Premier League finish – 17th.

About the author

James Anderson

James Anderson is a Betting & Gaming Writer at The Sun. He is an expert in sports betting and online casinos, and joined the company in November 2020 to work closely with leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to curate content in all areas of sports betting. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter and Head of Live Blogs/Events at the Daily Express and Daily Star, covering football, cricket, snooker, F1 and horse racing.

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SUNSPORT’S Weekend Wager is back to give you the best set of betting tips for this weekend’s Premier League action.

The title race may be over, but the Champions League race is only hotting up as some blockbuster fixtures hit the calendar.

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First of all we have the best two teams in the country facing off at Anfield as Arsenal look to restore some pride and end their season on a high on their visit to champions Liverpool.

Elsewhere, Newcastle face Chelsea in what could be a pivotal match for the top five.

And Bournemouth host Aston Villa as Unai Emery‘s team look to claw their way into the Champions League spots.

We have all that and more on this weekends edition as host, Will Pugh, is joined by football journalist, Kweku Afari, and Betfair betting expert, James Mackie.

Liverpool vs Arsenal – Sunday, 4:30pm

Kweku: Mohamed Salah to score anytime. 7/5

“When I was looking at this, I could not believe the odds.

“They’re aiming for my bet. Mo Salah to score anytime, 7-5.

“Let’s remember Salah is the top goal scorer in the Premier League, has scored 28 league goals this season, and also leads the league in assists.

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“He is by far the best player in the league and the man for the big occasion as well.

“The stats back it up, Salah has scored 11 Premier League goals against Arsenal, only netting more against Manchester United, 13 goals, and Tottenham, 12 goals.

“So, you know Salah, when it’s a big occasion, especially off the back of last week where it was a bit disappointing, you know it’s going to turn up for Liverpool.

Will: Draw. 15/8

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“I was racking my brains about this game, and it’s so hard to call with not loads riding on it. Obviously a little bit of pride. Arsenal will be sort of mentally deflated.

“So if I had to pick, I’d say maybe Liverpool, you know, big party atmosphere, as there will be at Anfield. But I just couldn’t pick a winner. So I’ve gone draw 15-8. I know it’s not very adventurous, but I just couldn’t see anything anywhere else result-wise.

“Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 14 home games against Arsenal in all competitions, won seven and drawn seven since a 2-0 defeat in the Premier League in September 2012.

“So that tells me Arsenal probably aren’t going to win. Arsenal, though, are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games against Liverpool with two wins and three draws, which is their longest run without defeat against Liverpool since a run of eight between October 2007 and April 2011.

“This is also the third time Arsenal are facing the Prem champions in a season once the title has already been confirmed.

“And the last two was a 1-0 draw with Man Utd in 2012-13 and actually beat Liverpool in 2019-20.”

James: 2+ shots for Virgil van Dijk. 12/5

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“I’ve looked down at the, what a seriously special player, Virgil van Dijk. And he scored two in his last four. So when you look at stuff like that, you’ve got to think, right, can he keep going?

“He’s just an absolute menace off corners. And another stat to back up this bet is it’s Virgil van Dijk to have two plus shots in the game at 12-5. It was 4-9 for just one, 12-5 for two.

“He scored two in his last four, but he’s had two plus shots in three of those four games. So the stats are there. He’s been doing it already.

“Another thing I was looking at here as well is that Arsenal conceded 39 per cent of their goals in the Premier League this season from set-piece situations. That’s the most from any side in the Premier League.

“But yeah, look, the stats back it up. You’re getting 12-5 about Van Dijk. He’s going to go for every corner.

“Also, it’s the main man’s 300th Premier League game on Sunday. So look, what better way than going, give me the 12-5, two plus shots.
Speaker 2: So that’s the hidden value for me there.”

Bournemouth vs Aston Villa – Saturday 5:30pm

Kweku: Emiliano Martinez 5+ saves. 11/4

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“The stats back this up as well. Bournemouth have had more shots following a high turnover than any other side in the Premier League this season, with 65.

“Their 65 shots and eight goals from high turnovers this season are the most of any of their top five campaigns, which is eight, which suggests the high press from [Andoni] Iraola, the fact that Bournemouth are up and at them, converts into chances.

“And I think that Martinez, like I say, will be a very busy man.

“And only Salah with 121 and Cole Palmer with 120 shots have had more shots than Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, who’s had 118 this season.

“So it suggests that Bournemouth do create chances. They don’t always take them.

“But the fact that there’s a world-class shotstopper in Martinez in goal for Aston Villa and Bournemouth all have a lot of shots, I think Martinez, five or more saves, 11/4. I like it.

Will: Draw HT, Bournemouth win FT. 11/2

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“Bournemouth have scored more goals in second-half stoppage time than any other team in the Premier League this season, while only Southampton, on ten, have conceded more than Aston Villa have in that time.

“Villa have conceded eight in second-half stoppage time. Bournemouth have scored eight in second-half stoppage time. So they’ve got the stamina. They can go deep into games.

“Bournemouth lost 1-0 at home to Aston Villa in their first ever Premier League match in August 2015. But since then, the Cherries are unbeaten in three at home to Villa, scoring exactly two goals in each of those games.

“That’s two victories and one draw. So they’ve got a good record against them, they’ve got used to playing them. And Bournemouth have won seven of their 13 Premier League games against teams starting the day above them in the table this season.

“They’ve drawn three and lost three of the other ones that they didn’t win, which is the highest win rate of any side to play more than one such game this term.

“So more than half of their games, they’ve played against teams above them in the league at time of kick-off. They have come out victorious. So I did really like that. I do give Bournemouth a chance. I think they’re getting a bit underrated this season.”

James: Ollie Watkins to score or assist. 11/10

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“I think this is the bet of the weekend.

“When you’re getting odds against about top strikers in the Premier League, either scoring or assisting, you’ve got to have a look and take advantage. And Ollie Watkins is the man that I’m looking at here.

“Watkins has been directly involved in five goals in his four Premier League starts against Bournemouth.

“One goal, four assists. He’s four assists against the Cherries, the most against any opponent he’s got.

“Absolutely superb.

“And like I said, when you’re looking, not even just to score, to assist as well, and you get an 11-10 about their talisman up top, who’s bagged all season, I think it’s a brilliant bet.

Ascot, Victoria Cup – Saturday, 2:40pm

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James: Qirat 5/1, Roi de France 6/1, Gleneagle Bay 7/1, No Retreat 7/1, Myal 8/1

“It’s Qirat at the top of the market of 5-1. This horse for Rafe Beckett, Ross O’Ryan’s one of the best jockeys I think around at the moment. He’s doing the steering.

“This horse has got some proven form already at Ascot in an 18-runner handicap. But what I like from this horse is I think we’ve got a group horse in a handicap here.

“So you see horses that are running against lesser horses. They’ve got a bit bigger weight. They’re going to go on to deeper waters later on in the season.

“It’s his first run of the season. He’s racing off a mark of 99. He’s won off a mark of 92. He’s finished second last twice off marks of 97 and 98.

“Back at Ascot on the straight where he’s already done it, finished second in a really good handicap.

“I think at 5-1 off what, five or six pounds higher. I think he’s going to go on to deeper waters. And I think 5-1, I think he’s got a cracking chance in this handicap, Qirat.

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SUNSPORT’S Weekend Wager uses in-depth stats and razor-sharp analysis to bring you the best value bets from the upcoming bumper weekend of sport.

Joining our very own Will Pugh on this week’s show is football broadcaster Kweku Afari and Betfair betting expert Sam Rosbottom.

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This week the panel gave their thoughts on how punters could make the most of the weekend’s biggest Premier League fixture, Manchester United vs Arsenal, and the bottom of the table scrap between Wolves and Everton.

While they also weighed in on the Six Nations action and the Betfair Imperial Cup at Sandown.

Check out all our best bets for the weekend below, in association with Betfair.

Manchester United vs Arsenal

Kewku Afari: Arsenal to win & over 2.5 goals – 21/10

“If you look at Arsenal team, they’re strange when it comes to results.

“Sometimes they can’t hit a barn door with banjo and sometimes, as we saw a midweek against PSV, they can put multiple goals in against the opposition.

“I’m looking Manchester United here, and in six of their last seven games at Old Trafford the opposition has scored at least two goals.

“And so I’m looking at them defensively. I’m looking at them in terms of Andre Onana the way that he doesn’t fill the fans of confidence.

“They’re a team that do leak goals, especially at home.”

Will Pugh: Mikel Merino to score first – 13/2

“Merino’s got three goals in his last four appearances and notched one of the seven at PSV, didn’t he? and got two off the bench in that sort of striker debut [vs Leicester].

“But as well as the Merino stats, since the weekend of Ruben Amorim‘s first game in charge, only Leicester (13) have conceded the opening goal in more Premier League games than Manchester United, who have gone 1-0 down 12 times.

“While Arsenal have scored in each of their last 10 Premier League away games against Manchester United.

“They have 13 goals in those 10 games, having only managed to score 10 in their first 22 visits to Old Trafford.”

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Sam Rosbottom: Arsenal HT/Draw FT – 12/1

“I don’t think Arsenal are going to win this game. You have to go back to December 1 to find the last time Manchester United won a first half, that was against Everton at Old Trafford.

“But they have won the second half in 8 of their last 11 matches.

“The stats show that Manchester United are turning into a second half team”.

Wolves vs Everton

Kewku Afari: Beto to score anytime – 21/10

“He’s scored five goals in his last five Premier League games. That’s more than his previous 44 games, which is… unbelievable.

“And in the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, he’s been very, very important. So they are relying on Beto.

“Also, in his last five Premier League matches, he’s had two or more shots on target. So I expect him to come to the fore for Everton this weekend.”

Will Pugh: Jorgen Strand Larsen to 2+ shots on target – 11/4

“Jorgen Strand Larsen has been targeted by passes in the box 85 times this season, which is the most of any player in the Premier League.

“While only Dominic Solanke has made more forward runs into the opposition penalty box at 237 than Strand-Larsen has – he’s really a focal point for Wolves.

“I think Strand-Larsen has been doing some good work and he’s a real asset to them”.

Sam Rosbottom: Jack Harrison 1+ shot on target – 6/4

“Jack Harrison has been very unfortunate. He has an unwanted record.

“He’s got the highest expected goals total of any player yet to score in the Premier League this season at 2.9xG – meaning he should have scored three times.

“I’m not actually going to go with him to score though, but I do think there’s value in him to have a shot on target.

“He’s had seven shots in his last six games and we just need one of them to be on target this weekend.”

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England vs Italy – Six Nations

Sam Rosbottom: Italy +16 – 2/1

“England are absolutely massive favourites against Italy, but we laugh about how tight England games have been.

“And Italy, so far this tournament aren’t the whipping boys that they usually are. Wales are the whipping boys, not Italy.

“So I’m looking at the handicap market here and I think there’s an opportunity to get Italy on side at plus 16 which is 2-1.

“So essentially, England can win the game But if they win by a margin smaller than 16 points then we win the bet.”

“I don’t think it’s going to be tight, obviously because England should do the business, but I don’t think it’s going to be as big a gap as everybody’s anticipating here.”

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Betfair Imperial Cup at Sandown

Sam Rosbottom: Go Dante – 11/2, Bo Zenith – 11/2, Lump Sum – 8/1 and Knickerbockerglory e/w – 14/1

“Obviously, lots of movement already in the market following the news that last year’s winner, Go Dante, was 25/1.

“There’s been a big gamble on him, now backed into joint favour at 11/2, now joint favourite along with Bo Zenith.

“Lump Sum, who was the favourite, moving the other way, was 5/1, now 8/1.

“There’s a horse in here that I quite fancy for each way for five places at 14/1 – Knickerbockerglory.

“I think that’s a SWEET each way shout”.

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