Crystal Palace job: Alan Pardew the bookmakers' favourite after surge of bets on Newcastle boss

Alan Pardew has emerged as the surprise favourite to succeed Neil Warnock as manager of Crystal Palace, according to online bookmaker Sky Bet.

Tony Pulis had been the early frontrunner, but has since drifted out to a 14/1 outsider, with Pardew backed in from 20/1 to 4/7 favourite.

The Newcastle manager spent four years as a player for Palace and Sky Bet report a large amount of interest in Pardew’s price on taking the job.

Sky Bet football trader Chris Spicer said: “Palace chairman Steve Parish has hinted in the past that he likes his managers to have a connection with his club, and Pardew fits that description.

“He didn’t actually make our initial list of candidates but we priced him up at 20/1 following requests for odds on social media, and punters soon took up that price.

“The flow of money on Pardew was relentless, particularly late on Saturday night, and by the morning we had no choice but to make him the odds-on favourite.

“That has since stemmed the flow of bets, but we’re keeping an eye on proceedings – we have a feeling somebody knows something we don’t.”