Today's Papers / Top Dog / 11 December 2007 / 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:

So then there was one. All the tabloids claim an exclusive that Fabio Capello is now the FA's first choice to be the next England manager, and they'll meet him in the next 48 hours to do the deal. That means the handful of top writers have been individually briefed by Soho Square on the next move after Jose Mourinho ruled himself out. The 61-year-old Italian had come in to [1.74] this morning and his price could get even shorter as the day goes on. The FA won't even talk to Marcello Lippi [8.2] unless Capello mucks up his interview.

Cruft's:

Daily Express - We should have picked one of our own - Gideon Brooks hears Sir Bobby Robson talk sense about why the England job should have gone to an Englishman. A good read - even if he won't get his wish.

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Star -- Fab is just like Fergie - Danny Fullbrook got it wrong yesterday saying that Jose Mourinho was still a contender, but his background piece on Fabio Capello makes Capelling reading! He's the Italian Sir Alex - hope he's as successful

Daily Star - Gael: We'll weather storm - Arsenal's Gael Clichy insists Sunday's flop at Middlesbrough was a one-off and that the Gunners will get back on track in the Champions League tomorrow - and then more important against Chelsea. Leaders Arsenal have now slid to [1.76] a top two finish, and are [2.58] to win against Chelsea at The Emirates.

Daily Mail - Marseille in the mood to humiliate Rafa - Most papers concentrate on how Liverpool see their make or break Champions League tie in France. The Mail's John Edwards has been to the Marseille camp and hears the determination of danger man Mamadou Niang. The French side are a generous [4.7] to win at home

Daily Express - Fergie BBC feud runs on - Manchester man Richard Tanner gets a clear pointer from Old Trafford that presenting the Beeb's lifetime achievement award to fellow knight Bobby Robson doesn't mean we'll start seeing Sir Alex doing interviews on Match of the Day again.

Daily Express - Bale told to take rest - Spurs' super kid Gareth Bale is facing three months out with a foot injury. That's bad news as he's looked like Tottenham's best player for the last few weeks. On form Portsmouth are an inviting [2.3] to beat Spurs at Fratton Park on Saturday

Daily Mirror - Alex is the grey-test - Nice piece gleaned from the Sports Personality of the Year awards as one knight hails another. Sir Bobby Robson says Sir Alex Ferguson is the greatest boss of all time.

Daily Mirror - Big Sam on collision course - Sam Allardyce might have scrambled a weekend win but his owners are clearly not convinced. Chairman Chris Mort is saying there will be no big January transfer budgets to cover for absent stars in Africa. Allardyce is [2.6] favourite the next manager out of a job (although it's an immature market with [190] to lay)

Dog' s dinner:

The Sun - Don't call him Scarf ace - Manchester City say the huge warmer sticking from under Roland Bianchi's shirt wasn't a scarf but the collar from an old rollneck pullover. Either way Top Dog reckons he should just run around a bit more to keep warm. Chasing sticks is always good!

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Capello in FA talks - Rafa: I won't blow it - Zend of the road - WE can handle knocks say Chelsea - Roma's racists won't beat me says Saha - Ian Wright column

Daily Express - Absolutely Fabio - Torres in plea to keep Benitez - Alan Curbishley column - Grant shows he's a real character - Luton's players told to cash in - focus on Manchester United kid Danny Simpson

Daily Star - We'll grab Fab - Torres: Don't axe Rafa - Bolo taunts old pals - Av does a Jose with his rivals - United kids told: don't blow it

Daily Mirror - The Cap fits - Don't sack Rafa says Torres - Capello the Godfather - Grant: we have title bottled up - Swansea's joy of six

Daily Mail - It's hello to Capello - Capello the wizard of Wembley - I will repay Rafa promises Torres - Grant dig at Arsenal as Sheva steps up - Chris Coleman column - Newcastle pay off Babayaro

Tags: Fabio Capello England job, Jose Mourinho, next England manager