Today's Papers / Top Dog / 07 April 2008 / Leave a comment " class="free-bet-btn" rel="external" onclick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/G4/inline-freebet');" target="_blank">Free Bet

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

Top Dog

Betfair's top dog sniffs around 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:

Spurs fans could be forgiven for thinking they are back for another Cup final when they see this morning's papers. Sadly for them it's Cardiff's Joe Ledley who is the king referred to in all the headlines! Top Dog recommended backing Portsmouth to beat West Brom at [1.88] on Saturday, and can't see beyond Harry's lot winning it outright when the final comes round at [1.37]. He's too long in the tooth, and his team are too experienced, not to be set up right when the big game comes round. Cardiff might be worth laying now because they will surely be a longer price than [3.65] by the time May 17 arrives.

Cruft's:
Daily Star - Rio KO blow - Serious news for Manchester United, not just dropping two points at Middlesbrough but also getting Rio Ferdinand on the injured list. He limped away from The Riverside with a cast on his left foot and that leaves United probably pairing Gerard Pique and Wes Brown in the centre of defence against first Roma then Arsenal. It shouldn't affect United's ability to qualify in the Champions League - they are [2.98] favourites to win the trophy. But it must help Chelsea's chances of catching them in the Premier League. The Blues are now as short as [3.85] for the title.

Daily Mail - Ronaldinho brother in City talks - Manchester man Ian Ladyman reveals that Ronaldinho's agent and brother Roberto de Assis was at Eastlands on Saturday being entertained by Thai members of City's board. Owner Thaksin Shinawatra is determined to get his man. An intriguing situation which will be worth watching,

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Mirror - Southgate needs more of the same - David McDonnell picks up on the stat that Middlesbrough have taken 30 points off the Premier League's Big Four over four seasons, more than any other top flight club. Why are they then so awful against the others?

The Sun - Cash 'n Burn - Fenerbahce's Deivid starts winding up the Champions League action by warning Chelsea that it takes more than just money to win the Champions League. And the man whose winning goal in Turkey put Blues on the back foot reveals he'd been told by Mateja Kezman to try his luck against dodgy goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini. Petr Cech is still struggling for fitness, yet Chelsea are [1.35] to qualify

The sun - Peter-ing out - Peter Crouch admits he's likely to have to leave Liverpool this summer in search of a club where he'll play regularly. He already knows Fernando Torres will start tomorrow against Arsenal. Liverpool are [2.46] to win the tie in 90 minutes, and [1.65] to qualify

Daily Mail - Leon makes amends for Yaku-boob - Everton's win over whipping boys Derby might have been hard work, but it did mean David Moyes' side cut the gap on Liverpool to just three points again. Toffees are worth a punt at [9.2] a top four finish because if Liverpool stay in the Champions League they will inevitably rotate the team a lot more in Premier games and could come unstuck.

Daily Express - Cup dream becomes a nightmare - Not the most original headline, but Matthew Dunn's piece perfectly captures the fate of Kayode Odejayi. Heads, an FA Cup goalscoring hero against Chelsea. Tails, a striker with just two goals in 40 games who missed the big chance to haul Barnsley back in the game at Wembley. Tykes are now [3.35] favourites to join Colchester and Scunthorpe [1.05]getting relegated to League One.

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Mirror - Mania pull-out - Presumably it was a Norwich fan who was in charge of the re-design of the Mirror's football pull-out - why else make green and yellow the dominant colours? The result is horrible, glaring and ugly, leaves less room for the words, and is harder to read rather than easier.

Daily Express - Laraine's precious cup memories - Nice idea for John Wragg to talk to Albion legend Jeff Astle's widow about her trip to Wembley on Saturday. But once Albion lost it didn't really work.

Today's other headlines:

The Sun - You're next Harry - Rio KO threat - Ledley King II - We'll still win in Europe claims Wenger - 28 page Super Goals pullout - Wizard of Os - We'll chase you all the way Fergie says Grant - Happy as Harry

Daily Express - Ledley's king - Ferdinand injury woe for Fergie - Tykes Kayode by Smokin Joe - Pompey hero Baros holds up his hand - Taylor on the mend - Lucketti a shiner for Saints

Daily Star - Led-glee - Rio KO blow - Joe hits the jackpot - Alves does Chelsea a favour - I knew it would be my day says Kanu - 20 page Seriously Football pull-out - Mikel's title warning for Fergie - Kev's way a work of art

Daily Mirror - Princes of Wales - Fergie injury crisis as Rio is crocked - Ledley King - Harry does the Kan Kan - 20 page football mania pull out - Stan Collymore column

Daily Mail - Mind the gap as Rio is crocked and United lead cut - Ledley is king of Wembley - Boro snow block - Bruce's big win sees off the nightmares - Just stay cool says Boothroyd

Tags: Cardiff City FA Cup final, Peter Crouch contract, Rio Ferdinand injury