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Chelsea have a moan as Liverpool prepare to send out the reserves

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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:

Chelsea moaned about having to play Everton last night, but after winning 1-0 the flip side is they now have the weekend free to get ready for going to Anfield in the Champions League. The win keeps the gap between fourth and fifth place to five points, which also makes it easier for Rafa Benitez to put the reserves out at Fulham which is why Roy Hodgson's side are as short as [3.8] to follow last week's win at Reading with another three points. Liverpool could well be worth laying at [2.28] at Craven Cottage as their problems behind the scenes continue. There's huge coverage of the latest public row between owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

Cruft's:

The Sun - Ferguson and on and on - United legend Bryan Robson talks about Sir Alex as another title heads towards Old Trafford. 'He's as focused and driven as when he walked through the door in 1986'. Interesting stuff, suggesting United won't slip up at Blackburn where they are [1.56] for the away win.

Daily Mail - Hargreaves shock - Manchester man Ian Ladyman reports that Owen Hargreaves has developed a hamstring problem and could miss next Wednesday's trip to Barcelona. He'd be a key part of United's plans for the away leg and his absence makes Barca a better bet at [2.62]

Daily Mail - Play-offs chaos threatened as Leeds case looks set to drag on - Top Dog is surprised that only the Mail gives significant space to this story. The three-man panel ruling on Leeds' appeal to get their 15 points back might not report until May 19, three days after the play-off semi-finals are due to be completed. Swansea boss Robert Martinez predicts 'a massive war' if Leeds suddenly leapfrog into the automatic promotion places after the season is completed. Leeds are currently [2.92] for promotion

Pedigree Chum:
Daily Star - Sven: I'm in charge - Sven Goran Eriksson maintains he will still be Manchester City manager at the start of next season. But then he would say that, wouldn't he? If only to protect yet another compensation package! The reality is that pressure from owner Thaksin Shinawatra will keep building. Sven is [12] in the managerial change market

Daily Star - We're sorry Keano - If Keith Hackett spent as much time getting his referees to give good decisions as he does ringing managers to apologise for the bad ones then the Premier League might be a better place. Roy Keane reveals that Hackett rang him to say sorry for the penalty Manchester City were awarded last week. Will the rub of the green go Keane's way this week? Sunderland are [4.6] to win at Newcastle.

Daily Star - Strictly Brum dancing - Villa striker John Carew reveals he's been learning some dance moves from former Mystique star Alesha Dixon. He's hoping to try out some goal celebrations against Birmingham on Sunday. Villa are [1.85] the home win

Daily Mirror - Battle cry - Philippe Senderos' dad reveals his boy broke down in tears after messing up in the Champions League exit at Liverpool. Gunners are [1.36] to beat Reading tomorrow, but now seven points behind Chelsea who are [1.13] to secure a top two finish

The Sun - £90 million: United splash out to keep their stars - Manchester United have finally agreed a new contract with Wes Brown, and are also settling mega deals for Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick. Good for morale before the Champions League clash with Barcelona. United are [1.62] to reach the final

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Express - Berba's new bid to leave - Dimitar Berbatov's agent is stirring the pot at Tottenham again. 'It is time he was transferred to a club that plays in the Champions League,' he says. The same noises happened in January and Berba stayed at White Hart Lane. Expect the same to happen again

Today's other headlines:

The Sun - Ess Oh Ess - Kop boss war - Grant my wish - Kop war goes on

Daily Express - Essien keeps race alive - Essien leads from the front - A £10m compromise keeps Brown at United - At least Anfield players are still friends - We'll bury Blues says Carew - Cool Southgate loses his rag

Daily Star - Still Av a chance - Essien keeps Blues in race - Parry: You won't force me out - Fears grow for Ledley King future - Wes in £10m big deal

Daily Mirror - Another fine Ess - Blues still Av a shout - Chelsea eye £50m Kaka bid - I'll buy out Gillett to save Rafa's skin - Roy Keane on his respect for Kevin Keegan

Daily Mail - We'll fight on say Chelsea - Gillett's Europe warning to Hicks - Essien stirs title pot - All change but Avram again fails to play Mr Motivator - Hicks held to no-score drawl in latest PR blitz