Today's Papers / Top Dog / 15 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

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:

When Sepp Blatter talks about English football it's usually nonsense, but for once his contribution is welcome. He's all but killed the 39 game plan to take the Premier League round the globe and the papers are cheering. Just as interesting is that Rafa Benitez is against the plan and says his chief executive Rick Parry doesn't rate it either - despite Richard Scudamore's claim that all the clubs are behind the idea. The rest of the world will have to settle for tuning in on TV to English football, and tomorrow's big Cup collision between United and Arsenal will get a massive audience. Plenty to read about from both camps today.

Cruft's:

Daily Express - Roo and Ron aim to make amends - John O'Shea tells the Express's Manchester man Richard Tanner about why Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are so keen to put on a show at Old Trafford tomorrow. United are [2.14] to win it, but the best value could be [5.8] for a draw at half time before Roo and Ron do their stuff in the second half

The Sun/Daily Express - Fab lolly - Cesc Fabregas is about to jump to the top of Arsenal's pay league with a new deal worth £33million. That's £80,000 a week until 2016. The story is backed up with quotes from the Spanish midfield genius who says: 'I have a contract until 2014 but I have been talking to Arsenal and they want to renegotiate it.' Could Arsenal's lead at the top of the table help Cesc get a few late votes as Player of the Year? He's now [6.4] to be honoured by the PFA while Ronaldo is [1.25] favourite.

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Mail - How proud Jimmy swapped Wembley for the warehouse - Ian Ladyman talks to former Manchester United star Jimmy Greenhoff about his FA Cup memories and why he wouldn't sell his medal even when he was struggling for cash and working in a warehouse. Heart stirring stuff

Daily Express - Gibson says his pal was right man - Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson sticks up for Bryan Robson in a brutal attack on the Sheffield United fans who have hounded him out. Gibson's one of the last top chairmen to give his managers time and patience as well as money. Boro's improving form is his reward.

Daily Mirror - Tale of the two Ronnies - While Gary Neville tells how Cristiano Ronaldo is on top of the world, the Mirror's Darren Lewis reveals that the other Ronaldo, Brazili's great World Cup winning striker, fears his career is over due to ruptured knee ligaments. Sad news.

Daily Star - Sven has eyes on Dunne deal - Good news for Manchester City fans as Sven Goran Eriksson says he expects skipper Richard Dunne to sign a new deal. City's top four chances have slipped - they are now [16.5] to make the Champions League places despite being on the same 44 point mark as [1.64] chance Liverpool

Dog' s dinner:

Yesterday everybody reported Bryan Robson would be staying at Sheffield United. They got that wrong! Depending on which paper you read today he either walked out because he knew he'd never beat the fans or was sacked. Kevin Blackwell comes in and will hope for more luck than his last two management jobs - at Leeds and Luton where both clubs went bust!

Today's other headlines:

The Sun - Spurs are so gutsy - Robbo axed - 85 per cent of fans don't want Scu's world plan - Diouf makes it El for Spanish - Roon will fight to the finish - Rafa rage at world plot - UEFA probe pool ball thrown at Everton keeper - FA Cup spotlight on Huddersfield's Chris Brandon - Planet Ronaldo

Daily Express - Spurs' heavyweight message to Europe - Robson walks Blades plank - Becks and FIFA snub Scudamore - Diouf goal settles his latest spat - Yakubu making up for lost time - Rafa and Rick say no to 39ers - Agents payouts are in decline claim League

Daily Star - Rafa rage at 39 games - Cerny's clanger - Black day for Robbo - Bolton spit in the eye of Spanish giants - Roo and Ron to shoot down Gunners - We're better than United boasts Fab - I'll show Jo says Aaron Lescott - More FA Cup features - Yak eyes final fling - Villa chase Euro chance

Daily Mirror - End of your world - I'll make Scu a laughing stock says Blatter - Blades axe for Robbo - Diouf has last laugh - Cerny slip could let Robinson back - Tale of the two Ronnies

Daily Mail - Blatter kills Premier League scheme - An insult to our game - Benitez: I do not like this idea - Slavia roll over for lean Keane - Fans forced me out says Robbo - Yakubu so gratefulDiouf delight after spat - ift-off for Leon - Weight is not over for Spurs slimmers - Campo: Atletico face a scrap - Premier League the moneybags of the world game - Why evergreen Andy Cole is having a ball at Burnley - Chris Coleman interview

Tags: Cesc Fabregas contract, FA Cup betting, Sepp Blatter, UEFA Cup results