Today's Papers / Top Dog / 21 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

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:

If you want to keep your team selection secret there's one simple rule - don't tell the players. Steve McClaren told his squad the line-up for Wembley at 6pm last night and by the time the first editions were going to bed four hours later all the tabloids knew that David Beckham and Paul Robinson were out. It's a simple system. Players tell family and agents, families tell friends, and good newspaper reporters have a discreet network of people who will tip them off as the information spills out. Slaven Bilic needs only to spend 40 pence on a paper to know exactly who he's up against and how they line up! Croatia are [9] to knock England out, England [1.63] to win, and the draw that makes both teams happy is [3.55].

Cruft's:

Daily Mirror - Drogba move is for Real - John Cross follows up yesterday's story about Chelsea's star striker wanting to play in the Olympics with news of a pending £30million bid by Real Madrid. He says that's why Chelsea will step up efforts to sign Nicolas Anelka in January. That won't help Bolton's survival bid - they are [3.35] to be relegated.

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Mail - England are shaking boasts buoyant Bilic - Ian Ladyman writes a superb pen portrait of Croatia's relaxed manager. Great reading, and he reckons Portsmouth's Nico Kranjcar is certaint to score whoever is in goal. IF you think he's right you can back the son of Croatia's last boss at [7.4].

Daily Mail - Hosts must stay cool and beware the dark side - The Mail use columnist Graham Poll very cleverly and his memory of refereeing a nasty game when Croatia played in Belgium is very relevant. He also points out that a red card will carry a ban into the finals so reckons the Croats might lay off the sly stuff tonight. It's [1.18] that both sides finish with 11 men on the pitch, [6.2] that somebody gets sent off.

Daily Express - Owen has something to crow about - Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt's name will never fit in a headline! But the German doctor has been given the task of getting Michael Owen fit and thinks it can be done inside four weeks. Owen's [8.2] to be the top English goalscorer in the Premier League. Wayne Rooney, the [2.34] favourite, is also injured of course.

Daily Mirror - Redknapp ready with big bid for Crouch - The Mirror says Harry Redknapp is trying to raise the cash for a bid to take Peter Crouch back to Portsmouth and this looks like a story to rely on. Redknapp was the manager who first brought the best from the beanpole striker and could keep him at the top of his game for Euro 2008 finals. Pompey are a generous [3.65] a top six finish.

Daily Star - Wise hit by Bulls- The Star keeps a page among all the international coverage for the FA Cup's first round, and it proves an inspired decision as Hereford spring a shock at Elland Road. Going out of the Cup, perversely, could make it easier for Leeds to keep going in League One. They are now [2.22] to win the division's title.

Dog' s dinner:

International previews means there's little room for speculation. One of Fleet Street's better days.

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Last Cro of the dice - Ian Wright's team talk - Goldenballs brought down by old Father Time - Sun poll shows fans back Mac - FA Cup match reportsll stop Mac going down pan - Wigan's £11m Bruce cost - Terry Venables column

Daily Express - Mac the knife - You're shaking in fright says Bilic - Gerrard says it's time to stop the talk - Jim Smith on Steve McClaren - Wales and Northern Ireland previews - Blues fury as Yeung stays silent

Daily Star - Mac's axe - Gerro's plea: Roar us home like Kop - We won't roll over wanrs Nico Kranjcar - Bruce's £2m staying up

Daily Mirror - Get it right or else - Robbo and Becks axed by Gambler McClaren - Owen in the Hans of expert - Spotlight on Scott Carson - Gerrard warns it won't be easy - Lionel flair dumps Leeds.

Daily Mail - Becks axed - Mac finds his ruthless side - Playing in the finals priceless for Healy - Chelsea told not to rush Ballack back - Holloway the new Leicester boss.

Tags: England Croatia