Today's Papers / Top Dog / 28 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

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:

No midweek matches of any substance - save one FA Cup replay - means the reporters have had to work harder to fill the pages. Well done to the PR firm who work for the glove company that supply Ben Foster. They spotted this would be the best week to put him for interview at the National Space Centre in Leicester to explain how his gloves use NASA style material. For somebody who hasn't played for Manchester United all season he's talking a good game about becoming the next England keeper. Meanwhile Steven Gerrard has also been talking about Liverpool's hopeless League season and how finishing fourth won't be good enough. There's no guarantee even of that, mind. Everton are sitting there at the moment and a good value [3.35] to stay.

Cruft's:

Daily Mirror - I'm hungry for more - John Cross has got hold of the transcript of an interview given by Juande Ramos for ESPN, and the Spurs boss insists after winning the Carling Cup he can go on and lift more silverware with the UEFA Cup. Betfair punters think so too. Spurs are [1.57] to get past PSV and [6.4] to win the trophy

Daily Mail - I'll do it - The Mail said months ago that Frank Rijkaard would leave Barcelona this summer and become Chelsea boss, and they are sticking to the story. 'Friends' of the Barca boss have told Neil Ashton that he'd fancy a crack at Stamford Bridge. More evidence of the pressure building on Avram Grant. Chelsea remain [1.93] to win at West Ham on Saturday.

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Star - Fab: I was a poser - Interesting interview with Cesc Fabregas, taken from the official Arsenal magazine, in which he claims he used to play more for himself and now is a team player. Unlikely to change the voting for the PFA player of the year award. Fab was once odds on to win it, but is now [7.4] a long way behind [1.26] favourite Cristiano Ronaldo

The Sun - Beware the grim reaper, Keegan - Martin Blackburn has spotted that the last two Blackburn victories at Newcastle both signalled the end of the Toon manager's reign. Graeme Souness went after a 1-0 defeat in January 2006, and Glenn Roeder after a 2-0 reverse in May 2007. Who do toon play this week? Blackburn. It makes [18.0] for Keegan not to win a game pretty good value!

Daily Mail - How long can this last? - Open the Daily Mail and that bet looks even more worth taking. Matt Lawton has established that Keegan wasn't involved in the appointment of Chris Hughton and is increasingly unhappy that owner Mike Ashley and chairman Chris Mort are making all the big decisions. Will he walk out soon?

Daily Mail - That's rich as Robbie goes over the top - Robbie Savage turned up to Derby training in a brand new £160,000 Mercedes causing rumblings among players about his alleged show-off ways at a time when he's playing like a drain. Paul Jewell has clearly got problems that will keep Derby buried at the bottom. They are as long as [3.4] to win a home game with Sunderland on Saturday

Daily Express - Inter lining up £14m bid to capture Hleb - More unrest at Arsenal. As well as potentially losing Mathieu Flamini they also have Inter Milan chasing Belarus midfield man Alexander Hleb.

Daily Express - Pioneer Lambert almost last of a breed - Interesting piece from John Dillon on why English players don't go abroad, and what they could find if they did. Wycombe manager Paul Lambert talks about his experience playing in Germany

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Express - Tevez-gate - Harry Harris says the Carlos Tevez affair still isn't over for West Ham. Kia Joorabchian is suing them for £7m in unpaid ownership fees and claims to have text messages to support his case. Except that Hammers were only allowed to keep Tevez in their team on the basis that Joorabchian didn't own the Argentinian any longer. Confused? Top Dog is too

The Sun - Blues' chief's amazing Euro cup cheek - Ian McGarry reveals that Roman Abramovich has already booked hotels and restaurants around Moscow to celebratae winning the Champions League final with Chelsea and suggests that puts more pressure on Avram Grant. He's under enough pressure anyway, but this shouldn't add to it. Top clubs routinely book hotels months ahead as contingency planning. The night you qualify for a final it's too late to organise anything. Chelsea are currently [4] to reach the final, [7.6] to win it.

Daily Star - Avram family in race ordeal - David Woods reports that Avram Grant's dad was forced to listen to a few Chelsea fans racially abusing him at Wembley. Why give a few morons more publicity?

Today's other headlines:

The Sun - I'm ashamed of title failure says Gerrard - Moyes boys can handle heat - Paddy's saddy - Keano's axe falls on Liam - How Arsenal physio Lewin saved Eduardo

Daily Express - I'm gutted every time I look at the table says Gerrard - Grant under the cost from boss - Kenny's slip hands it to fortunate Boro - Foster sizes up Edwin's shirt - Taylor gives support to furious Boro - Euro spot would ice the cake for Harry - We won't crack warms Moyes - Shearer says Toon will move forward

Daily Star - I'm gutted when I look at table says Gerrard - Mido gives Paddy pain - Keano says time up for tardy Miller - I'd glove to be the world's number one

Daily Mirror - I'm sick and tired of Kop flop - Boro forced to work overtime - Drama behind Eduardo injury - Desailly backs Terry to rescue Blues - Roman: we must Av flair - Worried Keegan vows to bring in five new players - I'll follow Schmeichel's footsteps says Ben Foster

Daily Mail - Gerrard: I'm running out of time at Anfield - Unwanted Viduka ready to move out - Kenny's cruel exit - David James interview - Fit-again Foster a star in the making - Is it ok to love MK?

Tags: Cesc Fabregas, Gerrard comments, Juande Ramos, PFA Player of the Year