Today's Papers / Top Dog / 26 December 2007 / Leave a comment Free £25 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:

Top Dog was snoring in his kennel last night after far too much to eat and drink. But today its tail is wagging and it's out in the fresh air for Boxing Day football. Marcus Hahnemann might be moaning in his Daily Mail column about having to work on Christmas Day but who feels sorry for him? Certainly not the journalists, printers and van drivers who went in yesterday to make sure today's papers reached the shops. Best effort is the Daily Star with 13 pages of football previews.

Cruft's:

Daily Mail -- Deal with it - Sir Alex Ferguson, that outstandingly good sport and a man who never seeks to blame referees or anybody else on the rare occasions his team get beaten, warns Roy Keane he must learn to cope with losing. United are [1.41] to collect three points from the Stadium of Light today.

Pedigree Chum:

The Sun - I'm still Keane to take penalties - Robbie Keane says he will still step forward to take the penalties if Spurs get one at Fulham today, despite his derby miss. Keane is [2.34] to score.

Daily Star - Coker looks to fizz - Martin O'Neill says Nigel Reo-Coker is Claude Makelele with legs. And the midfield man himself reckons Chelsea's unbeaten run at home has to end sometime and it could be when Villa go there today. Get on at a healthy [10] if you think he's right

Daily Mirror - My next goal will be the special one - If you're less convinced by Reo-Coker's claims then Frank Lampard is talking in the Mirror about his wait for his century of goals for Chelsea. He's [3.1] to get it today.

Daily Star - Sib to wind up pal Joey - Wigan's Antoine Sibierski says of old Manchester City team mate Joey Barton: "His strength is also his weakness because if you are a little bit clever you can provoke him and he is going to go mad and see red very quickly." It's [4.3] there's a red card in the Wigan v Newcastle game.

Daily Mail - Home comfort as Lewington gives Fulham festive break - The Mail went big on John Collins as next Craven Cottage boss the day Lawrie Sanchez got the sack but now say Fulham's board want to wait until the New Year. They still make Collins favourite but say the club are looking at other options. Collins is now [3.0] to get the job, Martin Jol [8.0], Terry Venables [8.4] and Glenn Hoddle [12.0] the other contenders.

Dog' s dinner:

The Sun - Fergie cancels all parties - Neil Custis hears the gossip that Sir Alex has banned all further parties at Old Trafford and the rule will stand even if United win their tenth Premier League title. Bet they won't reprint this cutting in May alongside pictures of United players with champagne!

Daily Star- Rio fits for Cap - David Woods claims Fabio Capello is considering a shock move to make Rio Ferdinand the new England skipper. Sounds like a recipe for a £4,000 a head whip round for the next night out with the WAGS!

Daily Mirror - McLeish is going Balde - The Mirror thinks Celtic's Bobo Balde could be a target for Birmingham who need a centre half now Johan Djourou is off back to Arsenal. But Balde, 32, doesn't tick the boxes - and is off to the African Nations Cup with Guinea as well!

Daily Express - I'm all yours Fabio - Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia says he would consider playing for England when he qualifies through residence in a year's time. Italian manager, Spanish goalkeeper, where will it all end?

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Cech New Year hope - Jens fury over sick Nazi jibe - Terry Venables half term report - Roy Keane on United memories - Video the louts says Wenger - We won't Blue it again says Lampard.

Daily Express - Losing not in my DNA says Keane - O'Neill will be missing Jose - Robbie Keane stays spot-on - McLeish can spend at Blues - Two page Championship focus.

Daily Star - Blues get big Cech boost - 13 pages of Premier League previews - It's time I brought Black Cats some luck says Keane - Lamps: We need to rev up title bid - Almunia's passport to glory - Gerro can't let go of dreams - Robbie's on the spot - Viduka: I'll get back to my best - Shorey's return ticket - Sheff to turn up heat - Deano: I'll silence Fat Boy taunts.

Daily Mirror - Sir Alex: Learn to lose, Roy - Wenger on how to deal with abusive fans - Keane on United memories - Owen will be back soon says Sam.

Daily Mail - I'm motivated by defeat says Keane - Thierry's exit gave us a chance to shine says Cesc - Rafa's still haunted by Royal rout - Graham Poll on grass roots refereeing.