Betfair Official Blog

The Tweenies, Barbie, then a do or die Euro battle with Chelsea

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:

Obviously nobody told Rafa Benitez - or Avram Grant - about the campaign to respect the referee. They are both trying to influence Italian Roberto Rosetti before tonight's shoot-out at Stamford Bridge to decide who joins Manchester United at the Champions League final in Moscow. Benitez says Rosetti must be strong to deal with Drogba's diving, Grant says Jamie Carragher should have been booked in the first leg and suspended from the game. Chelsea are [2.3] to win in 90 minutes, it's [3.9] Liverpool and [3.15] the draw.

Cruft's:

Daily Express - Bilic ready to step into Sven's shoes - Manchester man Richard Tanner and Harry Harris, who is close to Sven's agent Pini Zahavi, share the credit for this story that Eriksson's departure was confirmed when he refused to move upstairs as director of football so Slaven Bilic could come in as head coach. Other papers name Jose Mourinho and Felipe Scolari as top City targets. Bilic won't move until after taking Croatia to Euro 2008. The team that knocked out England are [15.5] to win the tournament.

Daily Mirror - The Tweenies, Barbie, then a do or die Euro battle with Chelsea - The Mirror's Mersey man David Maddock writes the best interview of the day, with Steven Gerrard talking about how he stays sane between big games. There's good graphics too on the key tactical battles at The Bridge tonight. Gerrard the driving force of Liverpool is [4.7] to score tonight, while his team are [2.98] to qualify

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Star - Thak's just a nutcase - Manchester City's most famous fan has a 'Wonderbawl' over the imminent departure of Sven Goran Eriksson. He says 'If Shinawatra thinks he can come in and qualify for the Champions League straight away he's tripping'. Top Dog assumes rock and roll wildman Gallagher would know all about that!

The Sun - Mutiny - More unrest at Eastlands as top players warn they won't stay if Sven goes. Richard Dunne, Martin Petrov and Elano are all muttering about moving away. City are a generous [5.8] to 'win it for Sven' against what's likely to be a rotated Liverpool side at Anfield on Saturday. At the very least it's worth laying the Reds at [1.7]

The Sun - Masked Marvel - Petr Cech talks about his bad luck with injuries and his determination to make it to the Champions League final. He's [2.5] to keep a clean sheet tonight

The Sun - Toon's £4m Sho dough - Newcastle will pocket £4million for making Shola Ameobi's move to Stoke permanent if the Potters clinch promotion on Sunday. That's better than having to take him back! Stoke are [1.83] to take the win they need over struggling Leicester to be certain of making it to the Premier League

The Sun - Sam: You've destroyed my Bolton - Sam Allardyce opens up on how Bolton have mucked things up since he left. 'It wasn't broken so I don't know why so many different people have tried to mend it'. Bolton now [2.88] to get away from relegation but with Chelsea to play in their last game will struggle if they don't beat Sunderland on Saturday

Daily Mirror - Milan's mega Flamini offer - John Cross reports that AC Milan have joined Juventus in the battle to take Mathieu Flamini from Arsenal by offering him £60,000 a week after tax. Arsenal's final offer is five years at £55,000 a week before the Inland Revenue take their bite.

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Star - Dimi the bait as Spurs go for Eto'o - Okay, so Tottenham beat everybody to sign Luka Modric, but Paul Brown's story that they might now get Samuel Eto'o is stretching the imagination just too far. He'll want a Champions League club if he leaves Barcelona

Today's other headlines:

The Sun - We're off to Moscho - Grant fury at dive rap - Rafa: Now be legends - It's Paul so great - Russia with luv for rampant Reds - We'll walk all over Chelsea says Rafa - Beautiful Baggies

Daily Express - Serving up a full English - Super Scholes stuns senors - I'd play with all my face covered says Cech - Rafa says he won't look back in anger - Grant takes a swipe at Benitez - Shinawatra facing angry City backlash - Mowbray's promotion blueprint

Daily Star - On way to Mos-Scho - Fergie happy it's Paul over - Solid Gold Trafford - Drog dives? I won't Av it - Wenger all set for new title chase - Don't give us a ref deal begs Rafa - Bolton hit by Sam blast - Kev 'n Gera bag new deals

Daily Mirror - MoSchow here we come - Stunner Scholes can end final torment - Fergie salutes hero Paul - Drogba a pain who can take tantrums to Spain - Mad City - Mowbray's the new Fergie

Daily Mail - Redemption as Scholes ends nine-year wait - Barca scalped by Scholes - Back to being Evra reliable - Grant's home rule - Benitez has referee, not lack of goals, on his mind - Scolari the top target after Sven accepts it is all over