Today's Papers / Top Dog / 21 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

• 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:

It's not the greatest day for the sports pages with most of their focus on Wednesday night match reports and previews of tonight's UEFA Cup ties. The biggest revelation of the day is Jonathan Woodgate's discovery that house prices in London are much higher than Middlesbrough! Gosh. Didn't know that!

Cruft's:

The Sun - So much for Jose's untouchables - While the other papers carry Frank Lampard's quotes on being left out of Chelsea's team in Greece, the Sun's Ian McGarry picks up on Michael Ballack's opinion. 'I'm not sure if anyone is untouchable now'. Avram Grant now has a full squad to pick from after a couple of months of getting great results from a thin squad - but will it be more hindrance than help if he doesn't know his best team? Chelsea are [2.14] to win the Carling Cup in normal time on Sunday

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Mail - United facing battle for Lahm - Sir Alex keeps his transfer cards close to his chest but there's an element of truth in this story that United want to sign Bayern Munich full back Philipp Lahm in the summer. Barcelona are also in for the right-footed defender who plays at left back for Bayern, although the arrival of Jurgen Klinsmann might mean he ends up going nowhere!

The Sun - Stevie's G-latest - The Sun pick up on Steven Gerrard's habit of getting late goals, his last minute strike against Inter was the seventh time he's scored in the last five minutes this season. And they don't even mention the FA Cup final against West Ham two years ago!

The Sun - Nolan call to be cool - Bolton's Kevin Nolan warns his team mates they could have to deal with some dirty tricks against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Cup tonight. Bolton are [9] to win in Madrid but only [2.04] to qualify. Top Dog fears that might be the best bet to lay of the day

Daily Star - Keegan's gamble - Here's a sign of Newcastle's problems. Kevin Keegan is preparing to pick 19-year-old striker Andy Carroll against Manchester United. He's just back at the Toon after a loan spell at Preston that brought just one goal in 11 games. But King Kev claims: 'He's done very well and I like him'. Newcastle are an amazing [8.2] to win a home game.

Daily Star - This is Juan I want - The Star virtually ignores Jonathan Woodgate's moan about London house prices and concentrates on Juande Ramos' view that the UEFA Cup is ahead of the Carling Cup final in his list of priorities. Tottenham are an unbelievably short price of [1.32] to warm up for Wembley with a win against Slavia Prague tonight

Dog' s Dinner:

Daily Express - Sky limit for Gibson - Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson wants to know why Sky never seem to choose to screen his club's games. 'We finished 12th but were the least shown club on TV. How can that be?' Neutrals who have seen Boro's somewhat dull brand of football could tell him!

The Sun - Arsene misses Henry's Euro cutting edge - The Sun's top writer Steve Howard says Arsenal discovered they can't do without Thierry Henry in the biggest games. That obviously can't be the same Steve Howard who used to write about how Henry never produced the goods when the Gunners got to the biggest games

Today's Other Headlines:

The Sun - Tev the Lyon tamer - Manu's boob costs Gunners - A bit AC dicey - Thank Tevens - Cahill: I support Scu plan - Woodgate is driven batty by house prices

Daily Express - Tevez the Lyon tamer - Maldini keeps Gunners out - Wenger boys hit by old timers - Fergie boosted by Tevez late show - I don't want to miss a minute says Lampard - Woodgate's a double dreamer

Daily Star - Tev rides to rescue - Young Guns fire blanks - Gunners run out of steam - Carlos is a net gain for Fergie - Lamps Sub story - We're cream of the Kop - Tim dreams of 39th step down under - Spitting mad Nolan's blast

Daily Mirror - Lyon King - Carlos kick a goal - Ade miss is Gunner be tricky - Ryan's simply Mr Tonderful - Now it's San Serious for Arsenal - Location, location, location for Woody - Rotation, rotation, rotation for Chelsea

Daily Mail - Suffocated - Arsenal hit the wall - Tevez rescue for Ferguson - Magic Messi too classy for Strachan wannabes - Lamps: I really hate to rotate - Liverpool hero Gerrard just won't shut up - Woodgate: London is a rip-off

Tags: Chelsea, Jonathan Woodgate, Middlesbrough, Today's Papers, Top Dog