Conte May Be Saying Hello To His P45
Lionel Messi finally scored against Chelsea and that was not good news for Antonio Conte. The Chelsea manager is now a shorter price not to be the boss at Stamford Bridge on the last day of the season than still be in his job. Chelsea are now underdogs to win the overall tie against Barcelona and progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. They are now 40/1 with Ladbrokes to be champions of Europe again.
Chelsea won the Premier League impressively in Conte’s first season but there is unlikely to be any trophies this time. The Chelsea owner does take kindly to not winning anything and the manager usually loses his job. Conte is the second favourite in the next Premier League manager to leave his job market but only because Alan Pardew’s situation at West Brom is more perilous. Conte could go first.
The action on the pitch is in the Europa League this evening. Winning the competition should not be sniffed at because it provides a route into the Champions League and Arsenal should be grateful. They have no chance of qualifying through their league position so Arsene Wenger has to swallow his pride and take the Europa League seriously. Arsenal lead Ostersunds 3-0 ahead of tonight’s home leg in the last 32.
It would go down as one of the biggest shocks in world football if the Swedish outfit turn the tie around and they are 100/1 with Paddy Power to qualify for the next round. Even Arsenal’s third string could get the job done so the second eleven should be alright. Even so there could be some value in backing the DRAW at 5/1 with William Hill on the basis of little incentive for Arsenal to go for a win.
ANTARTICA DE THAIX Preferred To The Favourite
There is a bizarre situation at Huntingdon today whereby six of the races are worth less than £8,000 but the other contest offers over £42,000 in prize money. The mares’ chase at 4.05pm is a Class 1 and Listed event and has attracted a small but select field. On Racing Post Ratings ANTARTICA DE THAIX is just preferred to the favourite and the horse can be backed at 9/2 with bet365.
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