CONFIRMATION that Wanderers will have to beat the odds to survive in the Premiership came today when bookmakers Coral released their betting odds for next season.

Although improving slightly on last year's status as rank outsiders - West Brom are quoted at 1500-1 to win the title - Sam Allardyce's survival squad have been bracketed with Birmingham and Charlton at 1,000-1. The bookies, evidently unimpressed by Arsenal's double last season, quote Manchester United as 11-8 favourites with the Gunners 6-4 and Liverpool at 4-1.

In fact Coral appear so obsessed with the Manchester Reds that the news release confirming the prices was headed "Man Utd 11-8 favourites to retain Premiership".