VALDAS NO.1 BOSS FEELING HEAT

VALDAS IVANAUSKAS' neck could be on the chopping block with Hearts facing their second Euro exit of the season.

His team failed to perform against Sparta Prague on Thursday and bookies have reacted by making him 4-9 to be the first SPL boss to be out of a job.

Bet365 offered 8-1 on Ivanauskas winning the SPL sack race at the start of the season and my tip's looking good unless Motherwell boss Maurice Malpas beats him to the punch.

Rookie Malpas is second favourite at 4s with Dundee United's Craig Brewster 12s and Jim Leishman 14s.

Meanwhile, Bet365 reckon Roy Keane will be a huge hit at Sunderland after his flying start in charge.

Following successive aways wins at Derby and Leeds, they quote 1-5 from 4-7 on the Irishman lasting the season at the Stadium of Light. He is 10-3 to be away by the end of term.

Bet365 have also reacted by cutting Sunderland from 8-11 to 8-13 to beat Leicester at home today although totesport go a biggest 4-5. Championship rival Kevin Blackwell of Leeds is now 4-9 favourite with Bet365 to win his division's sack race. West Brom's Bryan Robson is 10-1 and Sheffield Wednesday's Paul Sturrock 14-1.

Blackwell is as big as 7-2 to survive the season and 1-6 to be off.

At 7-4, Leeds are rated the club most likely to be bossed next by former Charlton boss Alan Curbishley.

Newcastle is 3-1, Hearts 6-1 West Brom 13-2, Man City 13-2 and Fulham 9-1.

Taken from the Daily Record