BOOKMAKERS have suspended betting on Leyton Orient to be relegated from League 2 following substantial support today.
Sun Bets and Betfred saw prices lower drastically during the course of today, with most others slashing their odds on the East Londoners to drop into non-league for the first time in their long history.
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It means plenty of money has been staked on the O’s to be relegated across the entire industry today.
The O’s started the day out at 4/1 for the drop, but by 11am, Sun Bets had cut them into 2/1 after seeing a flood of smart money on the market.
The support didn’t stop and by 1pm, the bookmaker were forced to suspended the betting having gone as short as 5/4.
It means plenty of money has been staked on the O’s to be relegated across the entire industry today.
Sun Bet’s Tim Reynolds said: “From the amount of money wagered and how quickly it came, it does look like something may be going on at the Matchroom Stadium
“It is not really the norm to see the money we saw staked on a relegation market at this stage of the season – especially on a lower league team.”
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“We went bottom price in the industry, but with the money continuing to come we had no other choice apart from to suspend the betting until the air clears.”
It is not surprising punters are losing faith in Orient’s ability to beat the drop, the club embroiled in crisis as they sit in 20th place, just two points above the dreaded EFL trap door.
Erratic Italian Becchetti, who inherited a club in 2014 who had just lost on penalties to Rotherham in the League 1 playoff final, has made a series of odd decisions, while the club got relegated in 2015.
He has spent a lot of money on big wage players – but also has gone through nine managers in that period and spent time picking the team.
With an injury-hit squad and getting rid of key players such as Dean Cox, boss Andy Edwards is desperate for new signings – but Becchetti has told him that no money will be available, and that he has to work with what he has.
To make matters worse, four first team players, including the number one goalkeeper and the first-choice left-back have been transfer listed in the past few days, with more departures set to follow before the end of the window.
The Italian is rumoured to be looking to sell the club as well - all reasons which could explain the suspension of markets as the historic club falls further into the mire.
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