Today's Papers / Editor / 30 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...

• 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:

The Mirror's Chief Sports Writer Oliver Holt could have set up a David Beckham interview in Hertfordshire at any time in the last couple of months; but why would you if you could go to Rio De Janeiro to see him instead? Old Golden Balls tells Holt, while doing keepy ups on a beach in Brazil, that he's fit and ready to win his 100th cap. Fabio Capello may be less convinced that flying round the world is perfect preparation to play international football. Beckham is currently [3.95] to back and [5] to lay to be Fabio Capello's first captain next Wednesday. It's a decision that the new England boss is keeping very quiet on - the Mail reports that Wembley's programme printers have been told to wait before completing their front cover and picture spreads inside. No clues there on whether Beckham is in or out.

Cruft's:

Daily Mail - McAllister has to take Leeds up or he goes - So no pressure there, then. Ken Bates reacted quickly to Dennis Wise's departure by bringing in a fans' favourite but has told Gary McAllister he won't have his contract renewed in June if the club don't go up. Still a tough task with that 15 point penalty hanging over them. Leeds are [2.54] promotion, [2.86] to lay after last night's defeat at Southend

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Mirror - James is Zoff on a Fab task - David James is hoping that Capello's knowledge of the Dino Zoff legend - the keeper who won a World Cup aged 40 - will help convince him that he's worth one more try as England's number one. A clean sheet at Old Trafford tonight would help. James is [2.06] or [6] to lay to be Capello's first keeper. He's an appealing [12] to keep a clean sheet against United, who are [1.26] to get the win they need to go top again

The Sun - Fergie pitch battle - The Sun's Manchester man Neil Custis is good for Old Trafford gossip and reports that Sir Alex has demanded the pitch be relaid - again! United went through four pitches in a season one year, so maybe if they've reached nearly February before changing this time it's getting better. The current one, damaged by the Super League Grand Final in October, will be used for the last time tonight

The Sun - Hot Stew's looking Fab - Why would Fabio Capello have chosen Middlesbrough v Wigan as the game to watch last night? The Sun's Martin Blackburn reckons he was looking at Stewart Downing. Top Dog fears it might have been because he was wondering about going back to Emile Heskey.

Daily Mail - Spurs-bound Hutton will treble his wages - Alan Hutton's on-off move to Tottenham looks on again according to the Mail. They've also wrapped up the signature of Brazilian defender Gilberto for £2m from Hertha Berlin. Positive stuff from Spurs, so could it be worth laying Everton at [2.52] tonight?

The Sun - Give Ash a Bash - Avram Grant says Ashley Cole has asked to be back in his team to play Reading tonight and that Fabio Capello shouldn't worry about picking him either. We'll see if he means it when the team sheet to face Reading comes out.

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Express - City blow up over Balloongate - Manchester City have written to the FA complaining about the 'balloongate' goal that helped knock them out of the FA Cup. 'The game should have been stopped to burst the balloons' says Sven. And exactly how long after the goal did City have to get back in the game and what was their excuse for the second? Top Dog is tempted to lay [1.76] favourites City at Derby tonight.

The Sun - We'll win our next 26 matches - Not sure who is more silly, John O'Shea for claiming Manchester United can win all their remaining games or Neil Custis for taking it seriously!

Today's other headlines:

The Sun - Ad enough yet Kev? - Mac gets Leeds job - It's White Hutt Lane - Bolton 0 Fulham 0, what a load of scrap! - Glad Rad -- Championship match reports - Pompey's Web wonder

Daily Express - You Ade bad night, Kev? - Aliadiere provides French polish for Boro - Sweet 16 for Adebayor - Prica an instant hit - West Brom slip up - Cole is not a problem says Grant - McAllister's Wise move - I'll bring back pride to Pride Park promises Jewell

Daily Star - Toon need Wise man - Mac moves in at Leeds - Manu KO's Kev again - Megson running on empty - Keane enjoys a Rade-ing party - Super Stew gives Fab a nudge - Who dares wins title says Ryan Giggs - Grant me a favour, don't axe Ash - Rafa wants Kop killers

Daily Mirror - Beckham in Brazil special - Adebayor puts nut in on Keegan - Woody's exit no problem for Boro - Anelka's 'ghost' haunts Megs - Prica's debut goal has Cats purring - Championship match reports - At last! Spurs get Hutton

Daily Mail - Triple trouble - This will only get worse, Kev - Grant warning for Cole - Hodgson's men hit by travel sickness again - Downing gives Capello reason to cheer - Championship match reports

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