Betfair Official Blog

Scolari and Mourinho in contention for Man City job

Click here to view market

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:

Little doubt that Sven Goran Eriksson is out at Manchester City, but who will be in? The Daily Express are sticking to yesterday's story that Thaksin Shinawatra has made a move for Jose Mourinho, who has so far not said 'yes' or no. John Cross in the Mirror says Luiz Felipe Scolari has already agreed to take the job when he quits as Portugal boss after Euro 2008. According to Cross, Scolari was at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night where super agent Pini Zahavi finished the deal. Top Dog is inclined to believe the Mirror's version. Scolari is [8.8] to win Euro 2008 with Portugal before he goes.

Cruft's:

Daily Mirror/Daily Mail - Grant rages at Fergie 'Love-in' - Avram Grant took media advice from former News of the World editor Phil Hall a few weeks back and picked out a couple of influential reporters to get close to. The result is that the Mirror's Martin Lipton and the Mail's Matt Lawton have both been tipped off that Grant will today launch a wider attack on West Ham boss Alan Curbishley. Curbishley, whose team play at Old Trafford tomorrow, has said he'd like to see Sir Alex Ferguson win the League and Grant wants to stoke the pressure up on Hammers to make sure they don't just let United roll over them. United are [1.2] to win, West Ham an incredible [20] to take three points from them.

The Sun - AnelKO - Shaun Custis reveals that Nicolas Anelka's move to Chelsea was completed as a loan deal at first to beat the January transfer window deadline, and that means he can't play against Bolton on the final day of the season. Good story, although it shouldn't affect Chelsea's chances of winning that game. They are [3.9] to pinch the Premier League title.

The Sun - Emerse: Coppell is stupid - Charlie Wyett broke yesterday the story that Steve Coppell had banned Emerse Fae and Ibrahamia Sonko, and now shares the follow-up that Fae says Reading's manager is 'stupid'. Reading are [2.38] to beat Spurs tomorrow, which given their behind the scenes problems looks worth laying.

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Star - Fergie eyes Ash splash - Duncan Wright has been close to the behind the scenes story as Dean Ashton has never quite known how highly he's rated by West Ham boss Alan Curbishley. Now he says Manchester United are considering an £8million summer bid. Could be right - or could be the agent talking his wages up before contract talks!

Daily Star - Hleb's a Gunners goner - The Star's David Woods is good on behind the scenes gossip at the Emirates, and his sources claim Alexander Hleb has been telling people he's off to Inter Milan when the season ends. Arsenal, once traded as short as [1.13] to finish in the top two, are now [16.0] to make up four points on either United or Chelsea.

Daily Mirror - Mac the knife - Alex McLeish puts the boot into Steve Bruce by claiming he's done a better job at Birmingham. 'Goals for and against, points per game, goal difference, they've all improved,' he says. Will it help Blues, with just two points from their last ten away games, stay up? They are [3.55] to win at Fulham tomorrow

Daily Mirror - Pearson lined up for Lowe blow - Rupert Lowe is likely to axe Nigel Pearson when he returns to power at Southampton with Glenn Hoddle and Peter Taylor among his targets. In form Sheffield United look value at [2.9] to win at St Mary's tomorrow and push Saints into League One. The Express, incidentally report that Kevin Blackwell will sign a two year contract before the game to stay as Blades boss.

The Sun - Fergie's £15.8m Bos bid - Ian McGarry's sources in Portugal say Manchester United have bid £15.8million for Portugal right back Jose Bosingwa, seen as Gary Neville's long term replacement.

Daily Mail - Can Bond plot another escape? - Good interview with Bournemouth boss Kevin Bond on his chances of pulling off a great escape. His team must win at Carlisle, then hope other results go their way, to escape the drop despite the burden of a ten-point penalty for being in administration. They are [3.9] to do it, while Carlisle, who could still go up automatically, are [1.88] the home win.

Daily Express - Stars' strike plan to back Eriksson - Manchester man Richard Tanner says Manchester City's players threatened to go on strike in support of Sven Goran Eriksson. They planned to boycott the club's end of season tour to Thailand. City are now [5.7] to win at Anfield on Sunday.

Dog' s dinner:

The Sun - Inside the mind of Chelsea's brave spot star - Ian McGarry ghosted Frank Lampard's book two years ago, so maybe you can't blame him for rehashing a passage that compares walking up to take a penalty with the emotions on a funeral march. But this week it's in extremely poor taste

Today's other headlines:

The Sun - Av a heart Rom - Inside the mind of Chelsea's brave spot star - Russian Roolettee as Rooney and co limp to final - If Fergie wins two more titles he'll retire - Bates the big loser as appeal fails - Bank on us to KO Chelsea says Kev - Rafa ready for Kop clearout

Daily Express - City go for Jose - Sacking Grant would be madness - Leeds told 15-point penalty must stay - Now for Chelsea's final charge - World salutes brave Frank - Nicky's Toon can Butt in - So near yet so far for Rafa - Emerse slams stupid Coppell - Even Fergie would be in a sweat says McLeish

Daily Star - You'll Av to wait - Leeds miss points - This is the start of something big says Terry - Euro agony will drive us on says Mascherano - Sven given silent treatment - I'm no big wreck says Alex McLeish - Alex tip sparked Hammers hoodoo

Daily Mirror - Phil gets City job - Respect to the ordinary one - Frank made me so proud says Harry - No hiding place for Rafa now - Mascherano on Euro agony - Ronaldo on why he loves United (even though it rains) - League chiefs must resign in disgrace says Ken Bates

Daily Mail - Hammered - Reading rebel blasts 'stupid' Coppell - It's not life and death says Grant - How Benitez survived his Final warning - Manager deserves respect says Terry - Andy Townsend's Champions League team of the tournament - Edelman axed by Arsenal in boardroom shake-up - Furious Fae insists he will never play for Reading again - No points for Leeds and Bates wants a scapegoat