Today's Papers / Editor / 22 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:

The Toon madness goes on. With barely a week of the transfer window left Kevin Keegan is under pressure to make his first signing and speculation is still running rife. The Daily Mirror comes up with the most far fetched target, a bid for David Beckham. The Mail hits the nail on the head for the real implication of owner Mike Ashley giving his new boss millions to spend - yet more wage inflation. Keegan wants Micah Richards whose attempt to get a £70,000 a week contract out of Manchester City is being turned down. Newcastle are ready to give him what he wants - which means in turn that City will have to. Good news for players and agents!

Crufts:

The Sun - Not Good Enough - You can always trust Stevie Gerrard to tell the truth and Liverpool's skipper was typically honest last night. After slipping to fifth place - and almost to seventh if Peter Crouch hadn't rescued a late goal against Villa - Gerrard admitted the politics are damaging the team. They've now drifted to [1.62] for a top four finish while Martin O'Neill's side are [7.2].

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Express - It's Wembley or bust for Berbatov - Matt Law reveals that Dimitar Berbatov's agent is in the country and still refusing to rule out a move by his man this month. The big Bulgarian is [2.66] to score against Arsenal tonight

The Sun - Skint - Mersey man Phil Thomas gets his head round the details of the refinancing plans of Liverpool's American owners, and comes up with the solution that it will mean no more cash for Rafa Benitez to spend. Mind you, what has he done with the money he's had already?

The Sun - Chelsea will pay for my worst moment - Andy Johnson won't find Chelsea give him gifts like Titus Bramble, but he does fancy Everton's chances of turning round a 2-1 deficit in tomorrow's Carling Cup semi-final. The Toffees are a tempting [3.6] to qualify

Daily Star - Fergie in the clear - Who would have thought it? Just as Top Dog forecast yesterday the FA have decided there will be no case to answer for Sir Alex over his alleged gestures to fans and/or Reading's coach Wally Downes.

Dog' s Dinner:

Daily Mirror - Toon boss targets Becks - Keegan's back, Shearer might follow, and now comes the next piece of Geordie fantasy, a bid to sign David Beckham. Alan Nixon says owner Mike Ashley, who owns a £180million stake in Adidas (who also make Newcastle shirts), wants to bring home the sportswear firm's best model. Don't believe for a moment it will happen.

Daily Express - Alan Curbishley column - Alan Curbishley says if Arsenal stick with their policy of picking the kids for Cup ties he could go out to both Spurs and Newcastle this week. Spurs are [1.69] favourites to go through tonight, Newcastle are [9] to win at The Emirates on Saturday. But you might think Alan Curbishley had enough problems running West Ham without telling Arsene Wenger what to do!

Daily Express - Arsene on £7m Green alert - Perhaps this is why Curbishley wants to have a pop at Wenger! Matt Law says Arsenal want to try to sign Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green in the summer. One of those stories everybody forgets about, except in the unlikely event it comes true and then you can say: 'We told you so'!

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Shearer: I could manage other clubs than Toon - Sheikh rattle 'n goal - It's us, Arsenal and Chelsea for the title says HArgreaves - Jenas vows to end Arsenal hoodoo - Ian Wright column - Chelsea 1, Nigeria 0 - Keegan keeps Owen as his captain

Daily Express - Benitez saved by Crouch late show - Fans' threat to memorial - Crouch to Rafa's rescue - Kalou's wonder winner - Jenas relying on fear factor - It's Wembley or bust for Berbatov - AJ hoping Chelsea pay penalty - Hargreaves eyes long run - Time for Rob to earn his place - Harry tracks Crouch again

Daily Star - Rafa left s-Martin - City fans in Munich row - Harry is keen to land Crouch - Jenas won't get jitters - Theo's gonna striker it rich - Shoot-out misery is spur for AJ - Kalou hits a scorcher - Show you're no dud, Earnie - Healy still Ful of goal belief - Keep the armband if you want it says Kev

Daily Mirror - Kop relief as Crouch saves Rafa's bacon - City plea to scrap silence for Munich - Rafa's in a bad state - United are Sheikh-en not stirred - Keegan: I'll buy players with warts - Jenas wants Carling Cup vengeance - The saga Drogs on - Derby dud told to put in a shift - Why Lehmann's staying

Daily Mail - Kop revolt - Rafa given a reprieve - Can hard man Ramos pass toughest test? - Why do they all get the hump with Wally Downes? - City fear 'idiots' will ruin tribute - Earnshaw has to put in a shift says Jewell