Sam Allardyce set for return as Palace sack Pardew

As Alan Pardew became the second Premier League managerial casualty this season all eyes are on former England boss Sam Allardyce.

It looks almost a formality that he will be offered the role at Crystal Palace vacated by Pardew but he is unlikely to be involved before Boxing day. Expect Allardyce to be on hand though to watch the strugglers take on a Watford side that haven't won in the top flight on Boxing day for over 30 years.

Palace have no agreement or contract in place with Allardyce and other options are being considered.

But the 62-year-old is the most likely candidate, with club chairman Steve Parish saying Pardew's "expansive style of football hasn't worked".

"Now we're going to wind the dial back the other way," Parish told BBC Sport.

Palace have taken just 26 points from the 36 Premier League matches they have played in 2016 and are only one point above the relegation zone.

It is hard to see them making a winning start whoever is in charge at Vicarage Rd on Monday.

Watford have to rely on their front men to be on song but should have enough about them to win this one and lay that 30 year hoodoo.

Elsewhere,  Chelsea can add another win to their record run by beating Bournemouth who were poor last weekend. We expect the south coast side to do better than they did against Southampton though when boss Eddie Howe admitted to making a mistake not rotating his players after 3 games in a week.

Bournemouth are worth looking at +1.5 on the Asian H'cap.

David Moyes returns to Manchester United as manager for the first time since he was sacked and improving Sunderland could cause United some threats. Jermaine Defoe likes scoring against the Reds and is a big price at 7s and better to notch first. All the money is for the home strikers.

The other game of interest betting wise is West Ham at Swansea. The Hammers have suddenly - with some luck - discovered their form and Swansea are poor.

JR