Newcastle’s top-flight woes continue, with yesterday’s 1-0 defeat at newcomers Huddersfield Town putting further pressure on manager Rafa Benitez.

The Spaniard was cut to 11/4 from 9/2 with BetVictor in the betting for the 2017/2018 sack race, and it would be no surprise to see the former Liverpool and Real Madrid gaffer walk away should the Newcastle board fail to provide him with further funds before the close of the summer transfer window.

Premier League Sack Races prices from BetVictor: Frank de Boer 5/2; Rafa Benitez 11/4; Slaven Bilic 4/1; Antonio Conte 10/1; 16/1 Bar

Despite two defeats, BetVictor expect the Magpies to bounce back at the weekend and make them the 6/4 favourites when hosting West Ham at St James’ Park on Saturday; the Hammers 11/4 and the draw 12/5.

In the Championship, Middlesbrough suffered a 1-0 defeat at The City Ground in a forgettable 90 minutes for record signing Britt Assombalonga.

The former Nottingham Forest striker failed to deal with the pressure of the occasion, squandering numerous chances, as the home faithful booed his every touch. Nevertheless, he remains the 8/1 favourite to be the Championship’s leading goalscorer and should bounce back when Boro host Preston at the Riverside; Middleborough the 8/11 favourites, the Lilywhites 4/1 and the draw 3s.

Sunderland struggle for consistency in the Championship, with manager Simon Grayson suffering his first defeat and his side eased to 5/1 with BetVictor to return to the Premier League after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Leeds.

Despite the depleted home crowd, Sunderland still showed enough to suggest they could be challenging for a top-six spot and, providing the boss is allowed to bring a few more faces in, would look over-priced at 25/1 to go up as champions in May.

I expect the Black Cats to return to winning ways at the weekend and punters concur; already backing Sunderland into even money to beat Barnsley at Oakwell; the Tykes 3/1 and the draw 12/5 with BetVictor.

For all the latest odds head to BetVictor.com - be lucky.