Today's Papers / Top Dog / 12 October 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:

A rare day when every tabloid agrees on the same back page - Wayne Rooney's interview admitting he's long overdue for an England goal. With Roon and Owen both out to prove points - and doubts over Estonia's goalkeeping situation - a price of 2.14 for more than 3.5 goals at Wembley could be worth taking.

Cruft's:

Daily Mail - Terry facing new op - The Mail's top football man Matt Lawton is on the ball for the second day running with news that John Terry's fight to keep playing despite assorted injuries is finally catching up with him. Lawton, whose FA contacts are excellent, says Terry could need a ligament operation although he might yet battle
through one last game in Russia. Bad news for England, bad news for Chelsea who are now 3.35 to finish in the top two.

The Sun - Sven wants Owen - Take notice of this one. If Sam Allardyce can't heal his differences with Michael Owen then his old England boss Sven Goran Eriksson is ready to step in. Shaun Custis says he's trying to persuade his bosses that £15million and £110,000 a week wages will be money well spent. It's the sort of signing that would help Manchester City stay in the top four - they are 7.2 to finish in the Champions League places.

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Express - Kenny Miller on Scotland - The Express is the only paper to give significant space to the Scots - even though they are top of Group B after beating France twice and back to back wins over Ukraine and in Georgia would take them to the finals. They are still a healthy 4.2 to win Group B, 2.78 to qualify, and better than evens at 2.14 to win on Saturday.

Daily Star - Sammy job on line - All the papers report the troubles at Bolton where veteran Gary Speed has stepped down as coach. The Star's headline sums it up best. With games against Arsenal and Villa coming, and unrest behind the scenes, it's no
wonder Lee is now 1.9 and falling in the betting on next Premier League manager to go.

The Sun - You'll never take my shirt - Manchester man Neil Custis has a good interview with Micah Richards who is determined to keep his England place even when Gary Neville is fit again. And he's also on the ball with a story that Neville is still weeks from playing after pulling out of a reserve team comeback.

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Express - Finnan backs Staunton to stay -Steve Staunton's reign as Republic manager has always been controversial. Now when one of his players starts coming out talking about how the manager must stay it's a sure sign he's closer to getting sacked. He's currently 2.8 NOT to be in charge on the day of the final qualifying match in November.

Daily Mirror - Del boy deal for QPR - John Cross says that when QPR confirm Italian Francesco Guidolin as their new boss he'll have a £20million transfer fund - and his first target is Alessandro Del Piero. You can hear the glamour boy of Italian football now rehearsing his speech at how he was always a hoops fan as a boy, and isn't here for the money. Don't expect Del Piero to arrive, but it does mean Rangers will have big resources for other players in January - lay them at 4 for relegation while you can.

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Roon time to deliver - Bolton bust-up - Blues seal Cate deal - Warnock's wit and wisdom - Stu backs Owen in Sam row

Daily Express - Rooney ready to roar - Poom backs Robinson - Joe Cole interview - Scotland preview - Bolton troubles - Joey Barton on course for Newcastle debut - Warnock joins Palace

Daily Star - Roo to settle score - Terry Russia fear - Stuart Pearce on patriots - 'm not G-Owen to say sorry - Gareth will put Lamps in shade - Lassana Diarra interview

Daily Mirror - Roo: I owe you - Terry injury fear - don't expect me to change says Warnock - Reebok storms

Daily Mail - Rooney interview - Joe Cole interview - Graham Poll on Neil Warnock - Dida two match ban - Lehmann says he'll be number one again - Bolton Speed trap - McCarthy hits at Toshack

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