Today's Papers / Top Dog / 09 May 2008 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

Betfair's newshound 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:

It's D-day for Kevin Keegan and Newcastle. All the papers follow yesterday's exclusives in the Mail and Sun that he's been summoned to London for talks with owner Mike Ashley. Keegan says he's not quitting, Ashley's people have leaked that he's only in line for a dressing down rather than the sack. But there's still a clear danger of an explosion when the meeting happens. The Managerial change market still makes no change at [1.49] the clear favourite.

Crufts:

Daily Mail - Pay up or let me go - Arsene Wenger is facing a summer exodus after losing Mathieu Flamini. Neil Ashton has clearly spoken to Emmanuel Adebayor's agent to know that he wants £80,000 a week to stay, while Alexander Hleb's agent gives direct quotes that his man will be off this summer. Serious problems for the Gunners who are [1.91] to lay at Sunderland

Daily Mirror - Three go out . . how many will come back? - The Mirror uses picture power to illustrate the same story. They've got a snap of Flamini, Hleb and Cesc Fabregas going out on the town together. Wonder what they were all talking about?

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Mail - Bruce in frame to replace Sir Alex - Wigan chairman Dave Whelan reckons his boss is one of the candidates to take over at Old Trafford when Fergie eventually goes. Bruce can prove the point to the United board by stopping them winning at the JJB tomorrow. You can lay United at [1.27].

Daily Mail - Sam in frame to replace De Canio - Iain Dowie and Paul Ince are named as favourites to be new Queens Park Rangers boss, but Simon Cass in the Mail says Sam Allardyce has been seen at recent games and fancies the chance of using Bernie Ecclestone's cash to put the Hoops in the Premier League.

The Sun - Crouch fury at £15m price tag - Rafa Benitez put a price tag of £15million on Peter Crouch in his press conference yesterday. The Sun's Mersey man Phil Thomas says that hasn't gone down well with the England striker and his advisers who think it will price him out of a move

The Sun - This is how we'll stop Chelsea - Kevin Davies reveals that Bolton plan to park the bus in front of goal at Stamford Bridge. They could be relegated if they find themselves on the wrong end of a hiding while Reading thrash basement club Derby and won't be taking any chances. Bolton are [15.0] to keep a clean sheet. More realistic could be [2.54] for less than 2.5 goals in the game

The Sun - I won a title in 93rd minute of final game of season - Owen Hargreaves recounts his experience at Munich to promise there'll be no United nerves at Wigan, however long it takes them to get the winning goal that will guarantee the title.

Daily Mirror - Stranglers and the knight - Okay, it's a contrived headline, but the point is well made that United's defence has been the key to their title. The Mirror's good graphics make this an interesting read. United are [1.82] to keep a clean sheet on Sunday and set a club record for the fewest goals conceded in a season

Daily Express - Ramos puts foot down for Bentley - Matt Law reports that Spurs have tried to step in front of Liverpool by targeting David Bentley for a summer transfer. The England winger hasn't agreed a new contract at Blackburn yet. Bentley's team look a very appealing [3.85] to finish the season with a win at nervous Birmingham

Dog' s Dinner:

Daily Star - Hols are on me - Reading's Marcus Hahnemann is promising to take his friend Jamie Ashdown on holiday if he can keep a clean sheet against Fulham. Good story - except the Star themselves reported yesterday that David James would be playing on Sunday thus putting Ashdown back on the bench!

Daily Mirror - Fair Kop - Rafa Benitez hits back at Martin O'Neill for calling him 'disrespectful' at the start of the Gareth Barry transfer saga. If Liverpool's boss thinks he can bully O'Neill he'll find he's wrong

Daily Express - Brady's move to Arsenal in ruins - Tony Banks believes Birmingham's Karren Brady was favourite to be Arsenal's new managing director until she was arrested as part of the football corruption investigation. Top Dog reckons she's still a serious contender for the job.

Today's Other Headlines:

The Sun - Crouch fury at £15m bomb - Wenger rocked as Hleb quits - Kev won't change his Toon - Not even Fergie or Jose could have saved Blues claims McLeish

Daily Express - Kev told to get in Toon - Its time to give Grant backing - Hargreaves cool on Blues chances - Reading pray for salvation

Daily Star - Fergie's double vision - Weng Hleb rage - Beat United, then I can keep Bruce says Dave Whelan - Cech: win or it's all wasted - Roy's boys need a final day corker - KK: I won't walk away - Sven's £6m move - Juve plan £15m Xab grab

Daily Mirror - Only God can save us says Al Fayed - Jewell rap for big time Charlie Dillon - Even Fergie would struggle to keep Blues up - Carv: No carve up - Toe the line Kev - Ramos in bye bye to Berba

Daily Mail - Roy does it by the book - Why McLeish is the miracle man - Jewell's Royal rant at assistant's slur - Keegan: I won't be sacked at showdown - Rafa puts £15m tag on Alonso and Crouch

Tags: Football Betting, Kevin Keegan, Mike Ashley, Premier League Betting, Today's Papers