Today's Papers / Top Dog / 15 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:

Luton manager Kevin Blackwell says his club is in turmoil as they head for Anfield. He's handed in his notice and several of his players have also either gone already or are about to walk out the door. So not surprising that they are [40] to pull off the greatest FA Cup shock of the season so far by winning. But then Liverpool, [1.11] to win in 90 minutes, have got chaos of their own. Owners Tom Hicks and Geoge Gillett have admitted tapping up Jurgen Klinsmann a month ago and offering him Rafa Benitez' job. That's good news for the Daily Mail's John Edwards as it confirms his story of two weeks ago, but bad news for Benitez.

Meanwhile the Toon manager saga goes on and nobody seems to know what happens next - least of all owner Mike Ashley! He's back from business in Hong Kong today and has to decide where to go next. Interesting that despite publicly turning down the job, Harry Redknapp is still as short as [23] - that's tighter odds than proper candidates like Steve Bruce and Glenn Hoddle.

Cruft's:

Daily Mail - Bangura victory - Top Dog hates the idea of kicking a dog when he's down so is delighted that Watford's Al Bangura won't have to be deported to Sierra Leone. It will give Aidy Boothroyd's boys a boost. One-time runaway leaders they are now [7] to finish top of The Championship and [2.64] to get promoted

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Star - Ton up Rob's silver lining - Robbie Keane is two goals away from reaching 100 for Spurs and fancies getting them at Reading tonight. Steve Coppell will put his reserves out again so Keane could have half a chance - Spurs are [2.06] to win in 90 minutes and [1.47] to go through

Daily Star - Bull eyes great escape - Jimmy Bullard's 18 month battle with injury is all but over and he's likely to start at Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup. A shot of his ebullient character will be just what Roy Hodgson's side need. The Premier League team are a generous [2.24] to beat League One strugglers Rovers in 90 minutes

Daily Express - Toon just have to call - Having been out of step with the rest yesterday, the Express goes on pushing Gerard Houllier for the Toon hot seat. North East man Niall Hickman has spoken to Houllier's boss at the French federation who says they won't stand in his way. Betfair punters are not convinced, he's still [12.5]

Daily Express/Daily Mirror - Boro swap for Robbo - Paul Robinson's days at Tottenham are definitely numbered. He's being offered to Middlesbrough to try to help sign Stewart Downing. Boro have been looking for a keeper so it could happen, although Mark Schwartzer has suggested he'll sign a new deal after all. Downing himself clearly wants the Spurs move to happen

The Sun - Yanks have made my club a laughing stock - Emotional Ian Rush hits out at Liverpool's American owners

The Sun - It's right says Fred - Brazil's star is quoted as saying that Tottenham and Paris St Germain are the two clubs he's considering offers from. That's bad news for Middlesbrough who thought they would sign him. They are also struggling to tie up the deal for another Brazilian, Afonso Alves.

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Express - I can win World Cup for England insists Capello - Here we go. England didn't qualify for Euro 2008 and yet the new boss, who still wanted a translator for his press conference, is being lured into quotes about beating the world in two years time.

Daily Mirror - This Toon ain't big enough for the both of us - Alan Nixon and Simon Bird claim both Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan want the job at Newcastle but won't work with each other. They quote 'friends', but the likelihood is the friends are guessing the same as the rest of us. Both Toon legends are keeping their views to themselves.

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Writing on the wall, Rafa - Becks has to sweat - Sam in rage at Harry - Sorry Leroy, no one wants you - Ian Wright column - Capello still to pick his skipper - Anelka won't Nic my place says Drogba

Daily Express - Houllier tells Newcastle I'll take job - Rafa to dig in despite Hicks gaffe - Shearer has to speak out says Alan Curbishley - Hicks howler rocks Rafa - Blackwell woe as cream go for peanuts - African Nations Cup special focus

Daily Star - Yanks stab Rafa in the back - Luton in Cup threat - Skip Terry's wait to see if Cap fits - Double snub for Rafa - Lita can't Copp move - Jewell's up for Cup run - Listen to the fans and give job to Al - Ron: We can't go six mad every week

Daily Mirror - We did talk to Jurgen - Mersey in meltdown - Mourinho waits for Kop offer - I want to stay in Hunt for Cup glory - Make your mind up Tyne for Ashley - Fabio leaves Becks and Terry in dark - Cristiano: I don't want a rest - Wenger: Nic would rather be at Arsenal

Daily Mail - Benitez: I will not resign - Capello keeps Terry waiting - Hughes the hard man - Jol and Houllier are Toon back-ups - Wenger claims Anelka wanted to join Gunners - Bullard return gives Hodgson Cup hope - Fab's English lessons