Premier League results at the weekend have dictated that Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is off the hook – and replaced by his counterpart at Manchester City, Roberto Mancini (City now 10/1 – Premier League Outright).

England have flown off on their quest to retain the Ashes with Australia fast bowler Doug Bollinger keeping up the war of words, this time at the expense of Kevin Pietersen (Pietersen 7/2 to be top Eng run-scorer in Ashes).

Miroslav Klose has been added to Bayern Munich’s growing injury list, leaving Louis van Gaal with fewer options going into Friday’s must-win Bundesliga clash at home to Freiburg (Bayern 2/7 to win in 90 Minutes).

England captain Andrew Strauss believes Australia will be worried about the prospect of facing in-form off-spinner Graeme Swann in the upcoming Ashes series (England 9/4 to win 1st Test).

Kevin Pietersen (7/2 – England’s Top Batsman) has come out fighting over recent comments about him from former Australia coach John Buchanan and labelled his detractor as “a nobody”.

New Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray says he remains confident he can turn around the club’s terrible start to the season and get the Teessiders (10/1 to be promoted) up through the Championship play-offs.

England team director Andy Flower is confident that James Anderson will be fit for the first Ashes Test against Australia and has defended the controversial training camp in Germany (England 9/4 to win first Ashes Test).

Birmingham midfielder Alexander Hleb is in a race against time to be fit for Sunday’s derby with Aston Villa (14/1 – Premier League Top-4 Finish) after suffering a knee injury in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Blackpool.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Wayne Rooney (12/1 Premier League top goalscorer) has signed a new five-year contract to put to an end a week of intense speculation surrounding his future.

England midfielder Ashley Young appears to be keeping his options open after shelving new contract talks at Aston Villa until the summer (Villa 12/1 – Top Four Finish).