11/21/2008 - Carson, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - When the dust settles on the Major League Soccer title game at The Home Depot Center on Sunday, one of the two combatants - the New York Red Bulls or the heavily favored Columbus Crew - will be hoisting their respective franchise's first ever MLS Cup Trophy.
Sunday will mark the first time since the league's inaugural season that two teams who have never before played in the MLS Cup Final will meet for the league championship. Columbus will be looking to be the first Supporters' Shield winner since 2002 to win the MLS Cup while New York will aim to match the 2005 Los Angeles Galaxy as the lowest seed (No. 8) to win the league title game.
The game will feature two of the brightest stars in MLS, with New York striker Juan Pablo Angel and Columbus attacker Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
"Every team has important players in this league," Crew coach Sigi Schmid said. "I mean, one of the things I say to coaches, especially guys if they call me and talk to me, guys who are starting off in this league is, I've always said every team has good players, every team has players you need to be concerned and worried about."
Schelotto was just named the league's Most Valuable Player on Thursday after collecting seven goals and a league-leading 19 assists while Angel is considered by many to be the top striker to ever play in the league after collecting over 30 goals in his two-year MLS career.
"I think they have, in my opinion, one of the premiere strikers in this league, if not the premiere striker in Juan Pablo Angel," Schmid said. "He's a classic center forward. Good in the air, can hold the ball. He's lethal with his finishing. That's certainly an important weapon to have."
The Crew have one of the best center backs in the league - Chad Marshall - to match up with Angel, however.
"I'm very happy for Chad, and I'm pleased at the season he's had and the accolade that he received, because I think he was the best defender in the league this year in terms of central defenders for sure in my opinion," Schmid said of Marshall winning the league's defender of the year award. "... He knows that he's had to be the leader because he's the more experienced player of our two center backs and he stepped into that role. He's been a good passer for us out of the back with the ball. And obviously he's come up with some very timely goals on set pieces and is a very dangerous force for us on those kind of things."
Another key battleground could be the wings, where the Crew feature a solid tandem in Robbie Rogers and Eddie Gaven and the Red Bulls feature the experienced Dave van den Bergh and the speedy Dane Richards. All four have been key contributors for their respective teams in the playoffs.
Regardless of who prevails, however, it should an exciting game because of what is at stake.
"Obviously for me it's been a long time coming," veteran Crew fullback Frankie Hejduk said. "I think being here in Columbus for six years, it's been a lot of ups and downs, a lot of hard work. But with Sigi coming in and taking the reins and pointing this organization in the right direction, you know, a lot's changed. And it's going to be a very exciting game."
<< Jets QB Ainge suspended four games by NFL
Florham Park, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Jets rookie quarterback Eric
Ainge has been suspended by the NFL for four game on Thursday for violating
the league's policy on steroids and related substances.
Placed on injured reserve
<< Griffins' Wilson recalled by Dallas
Grand Rapids, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Grand Rapids Griffins left winger Landon
Wilson was recalled by the Dallas Stars on Friday, the American League Hockey
club announced.
Wilson, 33, leads the AHL with seven power-play goals and rank
<< U.S. men to open 2009 schedule against Sweden
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The United States men's national team will kick
off a busy 2009 schedule when they face Sweden on Jan. 24.
The game, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., follows a training camp
that begins the first
<< Bengals place CB Joseph on IR, sign Castille
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cincinnati Bengals placed cornerback
Johnathan Joseph on the injured reserve list and signed cornerback Simeon
Castille on Friday.
Joseph has been sidelined with a foot injury he suffered
Rampage winger Lisin rejoins Coyotes >>
Glendale, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes recalled right winger
Enver Lisin from their American Hockey League affiliate, the San Antonio
Rampage, to replace Daniel Winnik, who was placed on injured reserve, it was
announc
Around the CFL: Montreal trying to win big one at home >>
Montreal, QC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Montreal Alouettes will definitely have
home-field advantage for the Grey Cup.
The Alouettes will have the support of 60,000-plus rabid supporters on Sunday
when they take on the Calgary Stampeders at
Gibson leads USC past Chattanooga >>
San Juan, PR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Taj Gibson poured in 17 points and added nine
rebounds as 19th-ranked USC bounced back from its first loss of the season
with a 73-46 win over Chattanooga in the second round of the Puerto Rico Tip-
Off Cla
Around the CFL: Burris feels Stamps must win Grey Cup to get respect >>
Montreal, QC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Henry Burris wasn't a happy camper at the
CFL's awards banquet Thursday night.
After both he and Calgary Stampeders kicker Sandro DeAngelis were snubbed for
individual awards, a rather testy Burris greeted rep
Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends
We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS. Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned. For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go. As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190). Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet. For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction. On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later. Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick. Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com
New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season.
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls
Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times.
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons
Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season.
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers
In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS.
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”. With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit. Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.
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To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your basketball sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout
An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.
Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off. Randy was not impressed though. Paula thought he started off fantastic. "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either.
Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed. Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact. He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition.
Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula. Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.
Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next. Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential. Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell. He sang "Careless Whisper".
22 year old Chris Richardson was up next. He was listed with +1100 odds coming in. He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great.
Nick was boring and pitchy. Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week. Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition.
Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds . These of course were the early odds. He was considered original for picking an "odd song". He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night.
Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good.
Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds. Great voice and a great sense of humor. He's a real standout. Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit. Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig".
Jared Cotter followed. He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition. The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good.
22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next. "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon. Though the judges felt he performed okay. Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.
Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition. He was the last to perform. He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start.
Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys. Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
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