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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:

Mateja Kezman was an interview waiting to happen after Chelsea's defeat in Turkey and he's duly obliged, saying the Blues would never have lost the game if Jose Mourinho was still in charge. All the papers report his damning verdict on Avram Grant's regime: 'There's not the same spirit in the team. It's not the machine it used to be'. This is now a major test for Grant who shows signs of losing his dressing room. Chelsea are [1.84] to win at Manchester City tomorrow but [6.6] to overhaul United for the title. They are [5.7] to win the Champions League.

Cruft's:

Daily Mail - It's a fair Kop - Javier Mascherano has issued a public apology to referee Steve Bennett and indicates he'll accept the two match ban and £15,000 fine handed out by the FA yesterday. 'I made a mistake and it was my fault', he says. The story has a joint by-line with Mersey man John Edwards and Sports Editor Lee Clayton who is close to Kia Joorabchian, meaning you can trust the quotes. Liverpool without Mascherano are [4.2] to win at The Emirates tomorrow

The Sun - I'm no reffin' cheat - Guess what? The referee who didn't give Arsenal a penalty on Wednesday night comes from the next village in Holland to Dirk Kuyt and they know each other. While other papers have reported Kuyt's admission that the ref is his mate, the Sun have got hold of the ref himself who insists it's ridiculous to say he was doing a fellow countryman a favour. All adds to the pressure on the second leg. Liverpool are [1.67] to qualify

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Mail - Andy Townsend column - More on the Avram Grant theme, with former Chelsea player Townsend comparing Grant's regime to when Jack Charlton took over the Republic of Ireland. The players weren't certain if what Jack wanted was right, but he wouldn't accept dissent in the squad, even if it meant dumping David O'Leary and Liam Brady. Townsend says Grant has to be equally tough but isn't showing signs that he can be

Daily Star - Stroppy Frank is let off - Another sign that Avram Grant is reluctant to take on the big names in his dressing room. David Woods reports that while Juande Ramos hit Robbie Keane with a £120,000 fine for throwing his tracksuit down in a strop after being substituted, Frank Lampard won't face any action for his tantrum in Turkey.

Daily Star - Vidic blow stuns Fergie - Manchester man Bill Thornton reports that Nemanja Vidic will be out for at least two weeks, meaning he'll miss the crucial Premier League game with Arsenal. A big blow for United, who are now [1.26] to retain their title.

The Sun - Magic of the cop - Interesting stuff from Tony Adams on how his management relationship with Harry Redknapp works. He plays the good cop while Harry's the bad one to keep discipline. It's working - Pompey are [1.88] to win at Wembley and well worth backing even at that price

Daily Mirror - We were the turkeys not Avram - Michael Ballack says it was the players to blame for giving a lead away in Turkey and not Avram Grant.

Daily Mail - Mowbray, the miserable sod whose life was kissed by an angel - Alan Fraser gets West Brom boss Tony Mowbray, one of the most difficult interviews in football, to open up on the tragedy of losing his first wife, and on his footballing philosophy. A good read - including the admission that Albion still have a soft centre which might cost them automatic promotion. They are [3.7] favourites to win the Championship.

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Express - Reds cry foul over Mascherano - Liverpool are plotting to appeal against the two extra games that Javier Mascherano was banned for when the FA reviewed his reaction to being sent off against Manchester United. Might not be easy when they read the Daily Mail!

Today's other headlines:

The Sun - About time Two as Javier gets extra ban - Fight to the finish promises Gallas - Harry the new people's champ - I nearly lost my leg in final says Hasselbaink - irky Tricks - Av slams sleepy Blues - Child's play - Gerrard magic the real moment of truth - Blues canned by the Coca-Cola kid - Vidic injury fear

Daily Express - Chelsea gutless without Mourinho says Kezman - Gallas aiming to be a roaring success - Dirk looking at home for Rafa - Fizz kid's cola-coaster of emotion - James ensures he'll be spot on in semi - Jimmy out to put record straight

Daily Star - Kuyt: Ref's my mate - Anfield Jav a blast at FA - Kez taunts Av - Winning before Kop would top San Siro says Gallas - I want to go out a winner says Sol Campbell - Kiely's keen to end Harry feud - Hasselbaink on agony of his last FA Cup final day

Daily Mirror - You Blue it Avram - Dirk: I did know ref - Last time I played in a cup final I almost lost my right leg - Wembley final could be Campbell swansong - Kiely to end axe row with Harry - Gallas says Gunners won't fail at Anfield

Daily Mail - Mean machine misfires - We won in Milan so let's do the same at Anfield says Gallas - Brian Howard FA Cup feature

Tags: Avram Grant, Champions League betting, Mateja Kezman, Robbie Keane fine