Today's Papers / Top Dog / 01 January 2008 / 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.

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:

Sam Allardyce is angry with everyone. The linesman who gave Chelsea a gift last minute goal, for a start. And Joey Barton who he admits has 'let him down' in an interview that curiously only The Sun and Daily Mirror have made much of. The last time Big Sam was under real pressure this season his team responded by drawing with Arsenal then beating Birmingham. The Toon are [2.34] to beat Manchester City at home on Wednesday night which Top Dog thinks might just be the first good bet of the year.

Cruft's:

The Sun - Berba: I'm off - While Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy tells Spurs' website his club won't be selling, Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov's agent says he's already told Levy that his man wants to move if a Big Four club comes calling. Berba's future will be the big talking point of the next four weeks - which won't help Spurs who are [4.6] a top six finish, and [3.15] to win at Aston Villa on New Year's Day

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Mail - On your marks - The transfer window opens at midnight and while the rest of us are still watching the fireworks Rafa Benitez will be trying to get his first deals done. Liverpool's manager, according to the Mail, will be the biggest spender. But if he buys good players will he pick them often enough? The Reds are now [17] for the title

Daily Mail - Hero's return piles pressure on Robson - It's funny how Neil Warnock is now a Sheffield United hero again. Back in May when they got relegated a lot of people were glad to see the back of him. But Palace's win has helped them focus on the fond memories. For Betfair punters it's more a chance to focus on what Warnock is doing now. Palace, 12 games unbeaten, are [4.9] promotion from the Championship and [1.86] to beat Norwich tomorrow.

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Mirror - Just say no, Shearer - Nothing wrong with the Mirror's back page lead as a story. Gareth Southgate has told Alan Shearer he should take some pressure off Sam Allardyce by distancing himself from the Newcastle manager's job. But why have the Mirror tagged it 'exclusive' when it came from the post-match press conference at Portsmouth on Saturday night?

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Wenger gets ugly - Benitez: I haven't given up - Joey let me down says Sam - I don't blame Cesc says Arteta - Fergie's right to road us says Saha - Jewell fury at bottle job - 20 page Super Goals pull-out - Pizza cake for Southgate

Daily Express - Put Sam out of his misery - Give in? No way says Benitez - Arteta: Cesc not to blame - Honey monster is sticky for Rafa - Jewell admits Derby are just not good enough - Fergie's challenge - Hodgson's happy

Daily Star - Don't write us off says Benitez - Mac leads mouring - Kop flops are Dunne and busted - All bets are off as Rams sink - Anton decked - 20 page Seriously Football pull-out

Daily Mirror - We're not Dunne for - Two page transfer window special - Derby are down before the decorations - 20 page Football Mania pull-out - Stan Collymore column - Chelsea fans turn on Grant

Daily Mail - Dunne holds Reds at bay - Liverpool look Dunne for - Bentley in gear for Capello call - Unlucky Sam - Berby's not for sale - Africans wilt as Pomepy slump goes on