Today's Papers / Top Dog / 06 December 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:

Early editions - and some of the later ones - all focus on how Steven Taylor's late goal has given Sam Allardyce a lifeline to keep his Newcastle job. The big picture is that Arsenal dropped two points and are now only four in front of Manchester United and six ahead of Chelsea [5.8] on level games. If unbeaten Liverpool [7.2] win their game in hand they would be on the same points as United who are [2.7] favourites.

Cruft's:

The Sun - KO for Kaboul - New Spurs boss Juande Ramos has finally woken up to what the rest of the country have known for ages, his team can't defend and £8million Frenchman Younes Kaboul is part of the problem. Kaboul's been left at home from the UEFA Cup trip to Anderlecht. Spurs are [3.45] to keep a clean sheet with midfielder Didier Zokora replacing Kaboul in defence, yet remarkably are [2.4] favourites to win the game. Could be worth laying.

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Star - Macca snubs Korea move - Wolves manager Mick McCarthy was on a short list of two to become South Korea's new boss, but has now followed the other contender Gerrard Houllier by ruling himself out. Good news for Wolves who are an inviting [2.86] for promotion, especially as Midlands man Dave Armitage reveals one of the reasons he's staying is the promise of cash in the January transfer window.

Daily Star -- Fergie's new ace is Scho brilliant - Ask any Manchester United player from the last 15 years and they'll tell you Paul Scholes is the best they've played with. So when Sir Alex Ferguson says Anderson's form has meant they haven't missed the veteran midfield man it's high praise. Scholes will be fit again in the New Year - another reason why United are still [2.7] favourites for the title

Daily Star - Carson's game for a laugh - Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor reveals the other players have helped Scott Carson get over his Wembley muck-up by taking the mickey out of him in training. He faces Nico Kranjcar again on Saturday when Villa play Portsmouth. Carson is [2.88] to keep his third clean sheet in four games since England went out.

Daily Mirror - Speed: Let's get in their faces - Bolton veteran Gary Speed hits back at Sir Alex Ferguson's accusation that his team are 'over physical' but admits they have gone back to the style that worked under Sam Allardyce. Muscling out Red Star Belgrade tonight might not be so simple, the Trotters are [3.7] to win away.

Daily Mirror - Olof off! - Martin O'Neill's angry at Sven Goran Eriksson for recommending his Swedish defender Olof Mellberg to Juventus. The 30-year-old is out of contract in the summer and talks to agree a new deal haven't been helped by interest from the Italian giants.

The Sun - I need to blow £15million - Steve Bruce has warned Wigan owner Dave Whelan he plans to copy Harry Redknapp's formula and buy his way out of trouble in the January window. Could make Wigan worth laying at [1.95] for relegation

Dog' s dinner:

The Sun - Ron: Tell me if I'm off to Chelsea - Ronaldinho is said to be demanding to know if Barcelona are going to sell him to Chelsea in January, but there's no quotes to back Antony Kastrinakis's story up.

Daily Mail - Secret of Portsmouth's bionic shirts - Top Dog likes a good afternoon nap in his kennel, but thinks it must have lasted longer than expected and he slept through to April Fool's Day. Why else would the Mail carry a story suggesting Portsmouth's success is because they are wearing shirts made with an 'ionising fabric'?

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Sam lifeline - Tiger Tim - Speed ready for hate mob - Stop messing about and get Mourinho Chelsea stars tell FA - O'Neill raps Sven for Olof tip-off - Happy Tever after

Daily Express - Taylor sews up Toon's revival - Becks is face of 2018 - Voronin goes on the attack for Liverpool - special on Bernie Ecclestone and QPR - McCarthy's pledge to Wolves - Blunders catch up with Kaboul - Bolton on fan alert

Daily Star - Tayl's up Sam - Tim on spot for Everton - No Kab fare for Younes - Bolton put on Red alert - Mark probes Benni walk-out - Lawrie has a Ful budget

Daily Mirror - Bully for you Sam - KO Cahill in for kill - Kaboul's chopped - Mick's smart Korea move - Bruce to do a Harry

Daily Mail - Sam lifeline - Bolton's welcome to hell - Kaboul is ditched as Ramos goes on the attack - Everton on their way with Cahill late show - feature on Team Bath

Tags: Gary Speed, Juande Ramos, Newcastle betting, Sam Allardyce