Today's Papers / Top Dog / 16 October 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:

The middle class Mail and Express are still dominated by the Rugby World Cup - while the Daily Star sticks by it's 'Seriously Football' motto by relegating Jonny Wilkinson and his mates to eight pages behind the back. South Africa's Bryan Habana tells the Daily Mirror the Springboks are scared of Jonny - but Betfair punters still make South Africa 1.43 favourites to win the final.

Cruft's:

The Sun - Shoot out in Russia - When Mike Dunn moved from being Sports Editor of the News of the World to The Sun he took star columnist Terry Venables with him - and days like this prove the value. There's effectively a sneak preview of the pre-match dressing room talk that will be given by Steve McClaren's number two. England are going for the win to make sure they qualify - they are 2.48 favourites to get it.

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Star - Platt tells Barry: Quit the Villa - David Platt's still a legend for Villa fans, but not for much longer after suggesting Gareth Barry can only be judged as a genuine top star if he joins a Champions League club. Eighth placed Villa are currently 15 to finish in the top four.

Daily Mirror - Van de Star - Edwin van der Sar is being offered a new contract at Old Trafford to keep him at the club at least two more years - a big confidence boost for the Dutch international who should be back in Saturday's game at Villa. He's currently 2.16 for another shut-out.

Daily Mirror - Angry Blues to quit Sven's set-up - First signs of trouble at Eastlands where Rolando Bianchi and Andreas Isaksson are both warning they will want to move on if they aren't in the team by January. Backstage troubles won't help City who are 2.76 to finish in the top six.

Daily Express - Cole out three months - Ashley Cole's injury problems are reported everywhere, but the Express is the only paper to dwell on the significance for Chelsea rather than England. Wayne Bridge is also out three games after getting a red card in a reserve match. You can back Middlesbrough at 6 to beat the Blues on Saturday.

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Star - I'll Av £20m Dutch star - Hamburg's Dutch midfield man Rafael van der Vaart has told a German website he wants to quit his club - but it's a long way from there to suggest he's a Chelsea target. The fact he's Dutch and so is Henk ten Cate seems to be about the only justification for the story.

Daily Mirror - Moscow Fool - the Mirror loves nothing better than a good row story, but are trying too hard to stoke this one up. The quotes from Guus Hiddink just don't justify the claim that he's branded Steve McClaren a fool.


Today's other stories:

The Sun - Cole out three months - Gerrard interview - Owen doc gives all-clear for plastic - Rio eyes first Euro finals - Man Utd chase Partizan Belgrade kid Stevan Jovetic

Daily Express - Lescott gamble - Alan Curbishley column - Gerrard and Ferdinand interviews - Earnshaw's call to arms - Gordon's guys have bottle

Daily Star - Steven Gerrard interview - Lescott to play - Rio: I can't miss out again - Wales and Scotland previews

Daily Mirror - Let's get tough says Gerrard - Mac to gamble on Lescott - four pages of Rugby World Cup

Daily Mail - Rio won't hide this time - Lescott to get the Cole role - Shearer tells Toon fans to lay off Owen - Russian FA chief tells England not to whimper about plastic pitch.

Tags: Ashley Cole, Betfair's Top Dog, football betting, Terry Venables