Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets

WHICH chief executive could get the flick first in 2010? Or what company is most likely to be taken over first? Bookie Paddy Power has priced up some intriguing possibilities for the year ahead.

Who will be the first Irish CEO to go in 2010?

7/4 Willie Walsh

4/1 Myles Lee

5/1 Colin Gordon

6/1 John O'Loughlin

8/1 Christoph Mueller

10/1 Richie Boucher

18/1 Paul Walsh

20/1 Michael O'Leary

What will be the first company to receive an official bid in 2010?

2/5 Aer Lingus

5/1 AIB

6/1 BOI

7/1 Elan

8/1 Glanbia

10/1 C&C

12/1 CRH

20/1 Ryanair

The Aer Lingus position on December 31, 2010 11/8 Merge/strike a partnership with another airline (not including Ryanair)

7/4 No change/continue as they are

7/2 Be taken over by Ryanair

6/1 Be taken over by another airline (not including Ryanair)

14/1 Bust

Oil Price at end of 2010

10/1 Less than $35

5/1 $35 - $50

5/1 $51 - $65

3/1 $66 - $80

3/1 $81 - $95

5/1 $96 - $110

5/1 $111 - $125

8/1 Greater than $125

ISEQ level at end of 2010

5/1 Above 3800

7/2 3301 - 3800

9/4 2801 - 3300

5/2 2301 - 2800

7/2 1880.36 - 2300

10/1 Under 1880.36

2010 house prices

6/1 Any increase

12/1 0.01%-3% decline

6/1 3.01%-6% decline

5/2 6.01%-9% decline

7/4 9.01%-12% decline

3/1 12%-15% decline

5/1 Over 15% decline

Number of new cars in 2010

14/1 Under 50,000

9/1 50,000 - 60,000

3/1 60,001 - 70,000

2/1 70,001 - 80,000

10/3 80,001 - 90,000

9/2 90,001 - 100,000

5/2 Over 100,000