Today's Papers / Top Dog / 27 February 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:

Remember how Arsenal's defeat at Manchester United that ended their great unbeaten run tore the club apart for a while? Could the same thing be happening to Chelsea after their Carling Cup loss to London rivals Tottenham? All the papers are full of stories of trouble behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge again today. It's clear that the Mail was well informed yesterday when it said Avram Grant had to win a trophy to keep his job. Roman Abramovich and Peter Kenyon turned up for training yesterday in what was meant to be a show of support but could just as easily be seen as keeping a watch on what's going wrong. The Sun reveals that Henk ten Cate has confirmed his bust-up with John Terry in an interview to a Dutch paper. Grant's still [15.5] in the managerial change market. More interesting is that West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is applying some psychological pressure too. After picking apart Grant's team selection for Wembley in his Express column yesterday, he's twisted the knife deeper in an interview with the Mirror today. Chelsea are [1.96] to win at Upton Park on Saturday, where the Hammers have already beaten Manchester United and Liverpool. Top Dog will be laying them.

Cruft's:

Daily Mirror - Gallas backlash - John Cross reports that Arsenal's senior players Gilberto, Mathieu Flamini and Emmanuel Adebayor had a go at Williams Gallas for his crazy antics after the late loss of two points at Birmingham. It's three games without a win for Gunners who are still as short as [1.66] to beat in form Aston Villa on Saturday.

Daily Star - Flamini fear for Gunners - More worry for the Gunners as David Woods reveals that Arsenal chiefs fear Mathieu Flamini has already accepted an offer to join Juventus this summer. So far the midfield man has not even talked about a new contract to replace the one that runs out in the summer.

Daily mail and others - Aliadiere extra ban has Gibson fuming - It's not often that Boro owner Steve Gibson throws his toys out of the pram, but he's unhappy that the FA not only upheld Jeremie Aliadiere's red card at Liverpool but added an extra game's ban as punishment for a 'frivolous' appeal. The bottom line is that Boro must still do without the striker against Sheffield United tonight. They are still [1.69] to win the FA Cup replay with Sheffield United in 90 minutes.

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Mirror - We'll fight til we're dead - Everton's Tim Cahill talks about the Goodison desire to finish above Liverpool for that fourth spot. They are now [3.25] to make it.

Daily Express - Carson in dark over future at Villa Park - Midlands man John Wragg picks up on concerns from Scott Carson over whether his loan move from Liverpool can become a £10million permanent transfer. The worries, combined with Villa's pursuit of American keeper Brad Guzan and his high profile England blunder, have not helped his form.

Daily Mail - Thaksin arrest could release cash for Sven - Ian Ladyman is on the ball again with the background to Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra's return to Thailand where he will be arrested. The former Thai Prime Minister has in fact negotiated his trip so that he can ultimately get £800million of assets freed. That will release more cash for Sven next season.

Daily Mail - Foster is fit but Ferguson delays return - Ian Ladyman again, this time revealing that Ben Foster was fit to play in last night's reserve game and only didn't because Sir Alex wanted to take his recovery slowly. He'll give competition to Edwin van der Sar during the crucial run-in.

The Sun - Juande stops bus - Juande Ramos might have told his Tottenham team to go out and get legless to celebrate their Carling Cup win, but he's been sensible enough to turn down an invitation from the local council for an open top bus parade. He wants a crack at winning the UEFA Cup first. Spurs are now [6.4] second favourites behind Bayern Munich [4.1].

The Sun - Fat's Yer Lot - Mikel Arteta has let slip in an interview in Spain the horror of Ramos' fitness coach Marcos Alvarez at the sort of food dished up in Tottenham's canteen when he got there. Sweets, cakes, Tabasco, mayonnaise, coca-cola. Sounds good to Top Dog but that might explain why he's not so good at chasing cats!

Daily Star - Kev's Given real blow - Seems like bad news for Kevin Keegan as Shay Given is ruled out for the rest of the season but it could be a blessing in disguise. Step up a fully fit Steve Harper who has looked outstanding on the occasions he's had to deputise for Given so far. Newcastle are [2.76] to get their first win under Keegan at home to Blackburn this week.

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Express - I'll splash the cash - Tony Banks reckons Roman Abramovich will give Avram Grant another £100million to spend this summer but only if he wins a trophy first. So that's what's wrong with Chelsea: They haven't spent enough money!

The Sun - These two are history, Capello should turn to Woody and Ledley instead - Jermaine Jenas won't have his hangover improved by a so-called exclusive twisting his Wembley quotes on how well Woodgate and King played into an attack on John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.

Daily Star - Spanish eye Rafa swoop - Danny Fullbrook reckons Atletico Madrid will try to lure Rafa Benitez back to Spain in the summer and give him a £40m transfer war chest. This comes from a Spanish source but is all highly speculative at the moment.

Today's other headlines:

The Sun - My F-word war with Terry - Plan 39 KO'd - Berba on rise - Henk likes to bully players - Wenger wait on Flamini - Kev rocked by Given KO - Boro rage at Ali ban - Top Chap - Cahill's Euro promise.

Daily Express - FIFA force 39th game rethink - Ten reasons for mutiny - Payback time at The Lane for Berbatov - Anderson's start a fairy tale - Slap in the face for Aliadiere - Wheel comes off for Potters.

Daily Star - Grant's grounded - Be a winner Grant or you're out - Ed back in 9 months - Av faces Chelsea revolt - Joleon in Fab form - Boro kop a slap in the face - Fergie's nuts over Anderson - Tayl storm will help save us say Birmingham - Rich lands double top.

Daily Mirror - Gallas backlash - Avram stays at home to sort Chelsea crisis - Gibson rant at 'silly' FA - JT and the Volcano - Dowing on Boro Cup hopes - Chaplow smashes Potters.

Daily Mail - Roman crisis - Now even Scudamore gives up on game 39 - Moyes unlikely lads march on - Jamie Redknapp on Everton - Berbatov in the money - Stoke stunned by Chaplow - Double trouble for Coleman.

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