Today's Papers / Top Dog / 14 November 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:

Paul Jewell's drop out from the Wigan management race has left confusion all round. The Express says Chris Coleman [15] is now the front runner, The Mirror names Paul Ince [6], while Joe Royle [3.6] is the Sun's favourite. They could all be ruled out if today's Manchester Evening News is right - they go for a bid to prise Steve Bruce [3.7] away from Birmingham. Top Dog loves chasing his tail for some exercise - seems like Dave Whelan's doing the same thing!

Cruft's:

The Sun - Carvalho 8wk KO - Ian McGarry with a big exclusive that will damage Chelsea's chances of getting back into the title race. Ricardo Carvalho is out eight weeks after breaking a small bone in his back when he fell awkwardly during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Everton. No coincidence that Chelsea's run of seven wins on the spin started when Carvalho was fit again. Good news is that John Terry hopes to be fit for England next week and then Chelsea by the weekend. The Blues now [6.4] to win the title.

Pedigree Chum:

The Sun - Israel coach: I want Russia to win - Israel's leading sports website is carrying an interview with their goalkeeping coach admitting he wants Russia to qualify. The good news is he says they will have to do it on merit. The bad news is that Israel are planning to pick some untried younger players. Russia [1.55] to win on Saturday night.

The Sun - Shorey: I was gutted - Reading's Nicky Shorey admits he was gutted to be left out of Steve McClaren's side in Russia last month. Not as gutted as England fans were watching Joleon Lescott play like a rabbit caught in headlights.

The Sun - Moody Blues - Avram Grant, back home in Israel for a break, reveals two Chelsea stars have been to see him for a moan about life at The Bridge - and neither of them were Didier Drogba.

Daily Mail - Bring on the Scots - Matt Lawton reveals the FA's plan to still be involved in a major tournament next summer by staging a one-off Home International contest. Even that could be mucked up if the Scots beat Italy to qualify! The Scots are [4.3] for the win they need.

Daily Express - Richards issues injury warning - Micah Richards is youthful enough to tell the truth when he's interviewed rather than listen to the FA spin doctors, and conceded England's big concern on Friday night in Austria will be not to pick up injuries. Might make it worth laying England at [1.7]

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Mail - Why FA won't back Mac - Matt Lawton's piece on why Steve McClaren can't keep his job if England don't qualify goes over so much old ground he must have written it in welly boots!

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Wes Brown's new United contract - I still believe we'll qualify says Micah Richards - Arsenal the best team on the planet says Dave Kitson - I've done Mour for England than Wenger - Whelan set to wheel in Royle

Daily Express - You deserve to go out says Hiddink - Russia on red alert - James aims to return as number one - Platini will not favour cup bid - Gabbidon pays for Welsh flops - Royal show a KO for Kitson

Daily Star - England stars bid to save Mac - Manu taunts United - Evra to sign new United contract - Nev: we've all got red faces - Carson plans Shilts route to glory - Top Guns are out of this world - Webbsfleet - Saha's United hopes

Daily Mirror - Blame us not Mac says Gerrard - Ince in Wigan frame - Arsenal 'best on planet' - Bentley's vow to take the heat - Hiddink: we must not chuck it away - Elano's the Blue Ronaldinho says

Daily Mail - Planet Arsenal - The club with 20,000 managers - Why I turned down £2m to go back to Wigan by Paul Jewell - Steve Sidwell interview

Tags: Betfair's Top Dog, football betting, Next Wigan manager market, Paul Jewell