Former gaffer is the current favourite for the Rovers gig

Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince today became the sixth Premier League manager to leave their post this season, in the process saving what was in danger of being a chronically slow news day (front page of The Sun: Benitez’s kidney stones; back page of The Sun: Capello wants the Wembley grass shorter). Here are the leading contenders to replace the Guv’nor at Ewood Park according to chickendinner:

Graeme Souness (best price: 5/2 with Paddy Power)
Souness took the club back into the Premier League and won the League Cup during his first spell as manager between 2000 and 2004 and starts as the early favourite to regain the position after newspaper reports over the last few days linked him to the post. He walked out of the club four years ago for Newcastle after a winless start which left Rovers in the relegation zone, and at the time it was rumoured that Souness had jumped before he was pushed.

Sam Allardyce (best price: 3/1 general)
In case you haven’t read a newspaper since January, Sam Allardyce is pretty interested in finding himself a job and having previously overachieved without spending much money at Bolton, he is a strong candidate. However, Blackburn opted for Ince over more experienced candidates like Allardyce and Steve McClaren in the summer so Big Sam may bear a grudge.

Alan Curbishley (best price: 10/1 with Paddy Power)
Two years ago Curbishley took charge of a West Ham team

Make money from a busy weekend of football

With the help of our friends at chickendinner, The Spoiler has compiled a list of some good bets to make this weekend. Accompanying each bet are some eye-catching odds, a link to a free bet with that bookmaker and a reason why you should back it:

1) Burnley to win away to Charlton - 15/8 with Ladbrokes
Charlton have lost three of their last four home games and face a Burnley side who did the double over them last season and have one their last five league clashes with the Addicks. Should Charlton lose again, expect to hear this in Alan Pardew’s post-match press conference.

2) Blackburn to beat Middlesbrough - 11/10 with Paddy Power
Paul Ince hasn’t had much luck against his former clubs in his managerial career but that looks like changing against a side who Blackburn are unbeaten in seven against, winning six. Click here for more information.

3) Under 2.5 goals in Chelsea/Liverpool - 1.68 with Betfair
None of the ten meetings between the two sides at Stamford Bridge since Roman Abramovich’s takeover has featured over 2.5 goals in ninety minutes and the average of goals per game has been one. Click here for more information.

Might be worth a pound…
While red cards in the Tyne-Wear derby are surprisingly infrequent, Paddy Power are offering 80/1 on any Sunderland player being sent off for a foul on Joey Barton. Click here to view Paddy Power’s full selection of Barton specials.

1. He is the next manager of permanently-in-crisis Newcastle.

2. His appointment has seen Ladbrokes cut their price on Newcastle going down from 14/1 to 10/1.