Today's Papers / Top Dog / 21 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.

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:

Readers of Betfair's Big Interviews might recall how highly Graeme Murty rates Cristiano Ronaldo. So the Reading captain was less than pleased after swapping shirts with the Manchester United winger when he came out of the shower and found somebody had nicked the United number seven shirt from his bag? He's promising in all the papers to "break some legs" when he finds out the culprit. Not good for the Royals team spirit! They are only two points above the relegation zone but [6.6] to go down.

Cruft's:

Daily Mail - Randy Lerner, the right sort of American - The Mail's Midlands man Neil Moxley writes with authority about the American owner who is quietly helping Martin O'Neill to remodel Aston Villa. Tonight's an acid test of their progress - a win at Anfield takes them above Liverpool where the American owners have been considerably less popular with manager and fans. Villa are a tempting [7.2] to win, [4] the draw with the Reds [1.62] Meanwhile all the Anfield talk is about whether their American bosses will sell up to another foreign investment group from Dubai.

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Mail -Sports Agenda - Charlie Sale's daily column of gossip from behind the sporting scenes normally focuses on more commercial matters but is always well informed. Today he says the cost of hiring Gerard Houllier - £1.5million compensation to the French Federation - is beyond the Republic of Ireland's resources. Houllier's price has already drifted from odds on, but you can still lay him at [6.6] to collect some easy money.

Daily Mirror - Sulley's salvo - Interesting that the papers haven't sent staff men to the African Cup of Nations, despite so many Premier League players being involved. The Mirror at least gives Ghana's opening win big coverage. The hosts have drifted a little to [4.3] after an unconvincing start, with Ivory Coast the new [4.1] favourites
Daily Express - Danger trip for Rooney - Richard Tanner flags up a concern for Manchester United. They are going ahead with a tour to Saudi Arabia next week despite Foreign Office warnings on terrorism.

The Sun - Jamie dodger - Nice headline for biscuit lovers as Jamie Scowcroft explains the reasons behind Neil Warnock's success so far at Crystal Palace. Into the play-off places, Palace are a tempting [3.4] for promotion and [10.5] to close the seven point gap behind leaders West Brom and finish top

Daily Mirror - U-turn for the better - A week ago Jermain Defoe was told he could leave Tottenham. Now after being made captain for the day he's revealed Juande Ramos wants him to stay after all. Bad news for Villa and Newcastle who hoped to sign him, good news for Spurs who are [2.32] favourites to beat Arsenal tomorrow and go to their first major final in six years.

Dog' s dinner:

The Sun/Daily Mirror - Fergie's TV ruck - Both the big red tops try to make a meal out of TV pictures of Sir Alex Ferguson's gestures after Manchester United's late goal at Reading. But do we really think the FA will want to have a run-in with the Old Trafford legend when there's a new England boss wanting his players not to be 'injured' for several friendlies?

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Curbs goes off on one - Hicks: I'm no seller - My Hart stopper - Wait for it, Shearer - Pompey laugh off Sol bust-up - 28 page Super Goals pullout - Bruce's blast for Bramble - Kev must get ace Owen going - Headebayor

Daily Express - No Kop out - Keegan: Ashley's the best - Diarra's debut has Harry purring - Kev miracle's a hype dream - Superb Joe breaks Hammers hearts - Double R is Fergie's title brand - Jermain's Spurs peace pact - Championship match reports

Daily Star - Kev to fight Harry for Sol - Titus howler - Kop chaos as Yanks deny deal - Moyes joy - Murty gets shirty - I just want to beat Villa says Benitez - 20 page Seriously Football pullout - No stardust from magician Kev - Hammers Hart break - Fergie doesn't do mellow

Daily Mirror - Sick and tired of Yanks - Terry in dark on cap role - Fergie's FA probe - Bramble's blunder - Pompey rubbish 'Sol's quit' claims - 20 page football Mania pullout - Hart of England - Adebayor's leap year - Stan Collymore column - Palace toasting bubbly Warnock

Daily Mail - Hicks Kop out - FA probe Ferguson 'gesture' - Kev's wake up call - Forgt transfers, bring in Shearer - City's Hart stopper - Shambles for Bramble - Redknapp relieved to keep Benjani out of Africa - Accra-cadabra as Ghana win - Championship match reports

Tags: African Cup of Nations, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gerrard Houllier, Ivory Coast football