latest odds: Betfair SUSPEND betting with Rafa Benitez backed to replace David Moyes

RAFA BENITEZ is expected to replace David Moyes at the London Stadium.

That's according to bookmakers Betfair, who've suspended betting on West Ham's next manager market after a flurry of bets on Benitez taking the reins.

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Benitez was offered at 10/3 on Monday, along with joint-favourite Nuno Espirito Santo.

But betting is now longer available with punters heavily backing the 62-year-old veteran manager to succeed Moyes.

Betfair briefly suspended odds on Moyes to be the next Premier League manager to be relieved of his duties.

That market has since reopened with the Scotsman now favourite ahead of Frank Lampard as the 4/7 odds-on favourite.

Reports suggest Benitez is viewed as a good short-term option to steer the club away from the relegation zone.

But he's not managed since being sacked by Everton in January 2022 following a run of nine defeats in 13 matches.

Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: "Betfair has suspended betting on David Moyes to be the next Premier League manager to lose their job after a flurry of bets with 18th-placed West Ham currently 4/1 to be relegated this season.

"Former Liverpool and Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez was heavily backed by punters to replace Moyes on Monday afternoon, before we suspended the next West Ham manager market."

Moyes guided West Ham to a record Premier League points total in 2020-21, and achieved Europa League qualification.

He followed that up with a seventh-placed finish and guided the club to a European semi-final, their first since 1976.

But things have taken a downward turn for the 59-year-old, who is contracted until June 2024.

West Ham sit 18th in the division, level on points with rock-bottom Southampton and Everton inside the relegation zone.

The Hammers have registered just four wins from 19 matches at the halfway stage (12) with only Southampton and Leicester having lost the same number.

Moyes was backed with significant investment last summer.

They spent around £160million on the likes of Lucas Paqueta, Gianluca Scamacca and Nayef Aguerd, while Maxwel Cornet, Emerson and Thilo Kehrer also arrived.

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