Avram just keeping the Chelsea Hot Seat warm

/ Top Dog / 26 September 2007 / Leave a comment

Betfair's Top Dog sniffs for the truth behind the latest tabloid tales.

Cruft's champion - Top stories that can dominate the news agenda
Pedigree chum - Insights that tell you something you don't know
Dog's dinner - Speculation, guesswork, or ideas that just don't come off.

Top Dog says:

Roman Abramovich has taken ten seats in Hull's directors' box tonight for himself and his minders. His club continues to dominate the sports news agenda - and Avram Grant is down to 3.7 - a shorter price than second from bottom Sammy Lee - to be the next Premier boss out of work.

Cruft's:

The Sun - Rom offers Van Basten the job - Antony Kastrinakis gets his second back page lead in two days working for The Sun and this one might need to be taken seriously. He quotes former Real Madrid chief Fabio Capello letting slip the piece of gossip that Chelsea technical director Frank Arnesen wants Marco Van Basten to be the club's next coach. Will Holland coach Van Basten turn his back on his country for Roman's millions? The Dutch are top of Group G and a safe bet at 1.42 to stay there unless Van Basten walks out.

Daily Mail - Glazers test fans loyalty - Ian Ladyman highlights the truth behind the sell-out signs for United's Carling Cup tie tonight. A 75,000 crowd to see the kids sounds like fantastic support, but all 56,000 season ticket holders were forced to pay by credit card for all the Cup tickets this season or give up their priceless seat at Old Trafford for the whole year. Ladyman wonders how many will turn up?


Pedigree Chum:

Daily Star - Defoe can have a go - Jermain Defoe is back in Tottenham's starting team tonight after twiddling his thumbs at home at the weekend. The depth of Spurs striker options - while Middlesbrough have an injury crisis up front - makes Martin Jol's side 1.58 to go through in 90 minutes.

Daily Star - Al won't Curb his stars - The Star tag their football pages with the motto "seriously football" and justify that with seven pages today - giving them space to confirm West Ham will play a strong side against Plymouth. Could that rebound against a fresh Arsenal team on Saturday in the Premier League? The Gunners are a generous 1.9 to keep their winning run going at Upton Park.

Daily Mirror - My 'son' Tevez will be a United legend - John Cross gets a great long distance interview with Argentina legend Maradona on his hopes for Carlos Tevez. A great read - although Tevez will be nowhere near the pitch at Old Trafford for tonight's Carling Cup tie with Coventry. United's virtual youth team are still 1.32 to beat a strong Sky Blues side.

Daily Mail - On your bike - more gossip coming out of Stamford Bridge. Neil Ashton says Chelsea's players voted against Avram Grant's suggestion that they change their travel plans for tonight's match at Hull. Doesn't sound like a serious rebellion though if Chelsea's problems in front of goal don't change a price of 4.9 for a Chelsea win after drawing at half time looks fair value.

Dog's dinner:

Daily Mirror/Daily Star - Owen out - It's two days late for the Mirror and Star as both confirm the Sun's Monday morning story (repeated in yesterday's Daily Mail) that Michael Owen will miss England's Euro 2008 qualifiers. Won't help Newcastle's chances of a top six finish either - they are 3.2 to lay.

Today's other stories:

The Sun - We've only played one good game this season claims Grant - Owen hernia op - Carling Cup match reports - Barcelona battle to keep Ronaldinho -

Daily Express - I can be extra special says Grant - Torres treble - more Carling Cup reports - Wayne wants to do it all -

Daily Star - We were right to fire Jose says Grant - Carling Cup match action - O'Neill backs Megson - Rooney wants to be United skipper - Van Der Meyde last chance at Everton

Daily Mirror - Carling Cup match reports - Avram Grant on Mourinho - Oliver Holt column

Daily Mail - Hull of a job - Wenger rich in reserves - more Carling Cup reports