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NFL Super Bowl Betting: The Updated Super Bowl Odds

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:50:00 +0000

The sports betting world is getting anxious to get to Super Bowl Sunday. But before we can get to Super Bowl Sunday, the four remaining teams still have to square off in Championship Sunday. The best in the AFC and the NFC fight it out to see who will meet in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI.

As is the case throughout a playoff tournament, the Super Bowl betting odds change constantly before each new round. The favorites suffered some pretty significant losses in the divisional round as the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers were dispatched and sent home for the rest of the playoffs. Now we have the championship games all set to go and, as expected, the odds have shifted yet again.

New England Patriots (2 to 1 odds to win Super Bowl XLVI)

Despite having the worst defense in all of football, the New England Patriots have managed to convince the price per head experts that it is the odds-on favorite to win it all. What gives the Patriots such clout is the success of the combination of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. Four AFC Championships and three Super Bowl titles between the duo carries a lot of weight. But this Patriots’ team has yet to really be tested this season against a team that can play a complete game. The Baltimore Ravens have a great running game and one of the best defensive units in football. The Patriots were able to exploit the weaknesses in the Denver defense because there were a lot of weaknesses. The Ravens’ defense is a much different thing.

New York Giants (4 to 1 odds to win Super Bowl XLVI)

Under head coach Tom Coughlin, the Giants have become a terrible regular season team but a very effective playoff team. Once Coughlin gets this team into the playoffs, anything can happen as the team showed in Green Bay in the divisional round. It is hard to find a weakness with the Giants, but if you had to find one then you would look at the defensive secondary. But that Giants’ defensive front has a way of preventing the opposing offense from getting too deep into the secondary.

San Francisco 49ers (4 to 1 odds to win Super Bowl XLVI)

A sportsbook review of the 49ers season shows a team that has found its coach and now intends to dominate the NFC for a long time. But the 49ers offense is still suspect. San Francisco did stand up to the New Orleans Saints and outscore the top offense in the league. But the New Orleans defense has been nothing to write home about all season long. When the 49ers step on the field to play the New York Giants, San Francisco will be facing a team that has a ferocious pass rush and has been getting to the quarterback as of late. When the playoffs started, the Giants seemed to flick on a switch and became a playoff monster. The 49ers have an excellent pass rush, but it may have problems getting past that New York offensive line.

Baltimore Ravens (6 to 1 odds to win Super Bowl XLVI)

Even considering the NFL scores that the Patriots have been able to run up on teams lately, including 45 points in the divisional round against the Broncos, there is still concern in New England over this AFC Championship game. The Patriots faced a defense similar to Baltimore’s when it played the Steelers in the regular season. The Patriots’ offense was completely neutralized in that game. NFL fans can expect the same results in this AFC Championship game.

NFL 2012 Playoffs: AFC Playoff Teams and their Super Bowl Odds

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:14:00 +0000

The online betting crowd is getting geared up for the playoffs and the price per head sports experts are applying Super Bowl winning odds to each playoff team. While the NFC is considered to be the strong favorite to win it all in February, the AFC has some strong teams that will make this year’s Super Bowl fun to watch. Let’s take a look at the AFC playoff teams and compare their Super Bowl odds to their chances of winning the big game.

Baltimore Ravens (6 to 1)

What makes the Ravens go is its defense and running back Ray Rice. The problem for the Ravens is that if one person on the defense seems off for a game, then the whole defense has a problem functioning. Baltimore still possesses one of the top defenses in all of football, and the Ravens have won a Super Bowl with a much worse offense than what it has now. The pay per head bookie experts seem to think that the Ravens have an excellent chance to win the Super Bowl this year. If Baltimore can hold together and play as a unit while avoiding injuries, then a Super Bowl win is possible.

Cincinnati Bengals (70 to 1)

The disappointing thing about the odds applied to the Bengals is that Cincinnati is considered the least likely team to win the Super Bowl this year. Denver may very well be the least likely team to win the Super Bowl and the Broncos will have its hands full with the Pittsburgh Steelers. A 5 dimes review of the Bengals roster shows a young offense backed up by a veteran defense. This may not be the year that the Bengals compete for the Super Bowl, but that year is coming.

Denver Broncos (60 to 1)

The planets seemed to align and Tim Tebow was given credit for helping the Broncos to sneak into the playoffs. What really carried the Broncos during its six-game winning streak is the defense. When you throw in a kicker in Matt Prater that is regularly hitting clutch 50-plus yard field goals, you start to get the impression that Tebow is more of a liability than an asset.

New England Patriots (7 to 2)

Can the New England Patriots take the worst defense in football to the Super Bowl? The NFL experts seem to think so. The problem with the Patriots is that its offense is all about Tom Brady throwing the ball short. Teams like Baltimore and Pittsburgh will easily be able to take that away from Brady and knock the Patriots out of the playoffs before Brady and head coach Bill Belichick have a chance to play in another Super Bowl.

Pittsburgh Steelers (10 to 1)

When the Steelers announced that running back Rashard Mendenhall will miss the playoffs with a torn ACL, the Steelers’ stock dropped immediately. Ben Roethlisberger can pass his way into the Super Bowl so long as the Pittsburgh defense can hold up. But the defense is going to have to be extremely sharp to get a team with no running game, especially a Pittsburgh Steelers team, into the Super Bowl.

Houston Texans (35 to 1)

The Texans made the playoffs for the first time in team history riding one of the best running games in football. But without starting quarterback Matt Schaub in the mix, the Texans are just an average team. As the Houston defense improves under new coordinator Wade Philiips, then this team will become a serious Super Bowl contender. But there are too many missing pieces from the Texans’ lineup to consider Houston a Super Bowl threat this year.

NFL Week 16 Preview: Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens (-13 ½)

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:07:00 +0000

Online Betting Overview

Cleveland starting quarterback Colt McCoy looks like he will not be playing in this game. The concussion he sustained against the Steelers in week 15 is still lingering. But that does not mean that all is lost for the Browns in this game. This is the same team that pulled off upset wins over the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots last season. It is true that former defensive coordinator Rob Ryan had a lot to do with those wins, but the point is that this team is capable of that. According to the price per head sports experts, the Browns are about as long of a shot as a team could be to win this game. But you should never count the Cleveland Browns out, and you should always take the points when the Browns play the Ravens.

The Ravens have one of the best defensive units in the league. This defense may not be quite as dominating as the 2000 defense that won the Super Bowl, but it is very close. This defense was good enough to help Baltimore sweep the Steelers for the first time in a long time. But the pay per head sports analysts are concerned about the Baltimore offense. Head coach John Harbaugh keeps trying to give the ball to quarterback Joe Flacco to be the offensive leader, but it always keeps coming back to running back Ray Rice. Flacco has a habit of throwing interceptions at the worst possible times while Rice scores points. It is a balance that the Ravens are still struggling with.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns are not completely dead in the water for this game just because Colt McCoy is not playing. Backup quarterback Seneca Wallace has plenty of experience and he adds an element of mobility that McCoy does not have. Whatever kind of quarterback the Ravens were planning on playing will be completely different than the quarterback it will get. Don’t forget that running back Peyton Hillis can grind the Baltimore defense into the ground as well. A 5 dimes review of the Cleveland defense shows a team that could give Ray Rice problems, which would put the responsibility of winning the game on to the shoulders of Joe Flacco. That may be the only chance the Browns have of winning this game.

Baltimore Ravens

Even if the Ravens had a chance to rest starters, it probably wouldn’t. There are very few players on the Ravens’ roster that want to be rested and coach Harbaugh is not a big believe in days off either. The Ravens believe in playing the NFL schedule right down to the wire. Besides, the Ravens are still in a battle with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the AFC North title, which means that Baltimore needs this win. So look for the Ravens to throw everything at the Browns in this contest.

The Bottom Line

When the Ravens are turned up to 11, as they are at this point in the season, it is just too much for the Browns to handle. But you may want to take the Browns anyways as the Ravens may not be able to cover that spread. The safe bet is the Ravens.

Pick: Baltimore Ravens

NFL Week 14 Preview: Houston Texans @ Cincinnati Bengals (-3)

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Sports Betting Overview

The price per head sports experts started counting the Houston Texans out of the playoff race once starting quarterback Matt Schaub went down for the season. But the fans were still holding on to hope that backup Matt Leinart had those special qualities that head coach Gary Kubiak said Leinart had to be a leader and a quarterback. Leinart was also looking forward to the chance to prove to the Arizona Cardinals, and the rest of the league, the he could play quarterback in the NFL. Part of the way through his first regular season game in over two years, Leinart broke his collarbone and rookie third-string quarterback TJ Yates was in. Yates is 2-0 as an NFL quarterback and 1-0 as a starter. Maybe the Texans know something that the betting experts don’t know.

No matter how many wins the Cincinnati Bengals get this season, the team will never get respect until it beats the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cincinnati Bengals will also never win the AFC North divisional title until it beats the Steelers and Ravens. So far, Cincinnati has been unable to beat the Ravens and the Steelers, which means the team is working on next season. The numbers being churned out by the bookie software show that Cincinnati rookie quarterback Andy Dalton is slowly improving but still has a lot to learn. But the combination of the Cincinnati offensive line and Dalton seems to be one that can grow together into a very potent unit.

Houston Texans

Even with defensive star Mario Williams out for the season, the Houston Texans’ defense is still able to come to the team’s rescue when things get bad. Rookie quarterback TJ Yates played smart football in the Texans’ week 13 win over the Falcons. He handed the ball to Arian Foster most of the time and when Yates did throw the ball, he did not throw an interception. The betonline sports experts are starting to think that if the Texans can keep playing this way, then Houston can retain its place on top of the AFC and enter the playoffs as the top seed in the AFC. Could Schaub or Leinart come back this season? Schaub may be ready of the Texans get to the AFC championship game. There is nothing to say that the Texans won’t get that far.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are a young team that will be a force to be reckoned with for many years to come if it can stay together. The NFL schedule will always be working against the Bengals because it will have to play the Steelers and Ravens twice each season. Until the Bengals can come out of those four games with a winning record, it will not be considered a playoff contender. But the Bengals do have a chance in this game. Cincinnati’s defense is a better unit that the one in Atlanta that the Texans just ran over. This game will come down to a battle between the Cincinnati offense and Houston defense. This is where Dalton gets his chance to shine.

The Bottom Line

The Texans’ game plan is going to be the same as week 13. Houston will run Ben Tate and Arian Foster while giving TJ Yates only safe passing plays. Since the Texans will be without its starting quarterback at least until the playoffs start, do not be surprised if Kubiak puts in the recently signed veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia to provide an offensive spark.

Pick: Houston Texans

NFL Week 12 Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers (-10 ½) @ Kansas City Chiefs

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 04:52:00 +0000

Sports Betting Overview

It is correct to have the Steelers be favorites in this game because, logic would suggest, that the Steelers will win this game and by a significant margin. But the Kansas City Chiefs are so hard to figure out this season that almost anything could happen in this game. With quarterback Matt Cassel injured, the Chiefs have turned to the tuft of hair known as Tyler Palko to try and win games. But Palko is not playing the role of able backup. He is unpredictable, undisciplined and makes really bad decisions in the face of just the slightest pressure. In the week 11 loss to the New England Patriots, Palko throw three interceptions without countering with a single touchdown pass. Will we see rookie Ricky Stanzi this week? Considering how bad Palko is playing and the luck that other 2011 rookie quarterbacks have had, we just may see the rookie in week 12.

The price per head sports fans in Pittsburgh have seen the Steelers develop from an unpredictable bunch on offense to a potent offensive unit. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger keeps making up the offense as he goes along, but his adlib solutions are extremely effective. The Pittsburgh running game is helping to spread out the opposing defense and Big Ben is showing the arm strength that everyone was expecting to see. The bookie software is still unsure about the Pittsburgh defense. It looks like the Steelers are having a tough time adjusting to the new rules regarding hitting, but it is making progress.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have become a shell of what it was last season. Running back Thomas Jones has shown that he cannot carry the running game without the injured Jamaal Charles. What was one the most potent running game in football has been completely neutralized. A bodog review of the Chiefs’ 2011 season shows that, without the dominating running game, the Chiefs are not contenders. When you strip away the running game you see that the Chiefs have not made many substantial changes to the rest of the team, and that is causing problems.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The NFL schedule has never been something that has bothered the Pittsburgh Steelers. But the NFL rules committee looked like it had short-circuited a great Pittsburgh defense. But the Pittsburgh defense has rebounded to become the second-best unit in the league. Pittsburgh has a lot of work to do as two losses to Baltimore this season means that the Steelers do not own the tie-breaker over the Ravens as the Steelers did last year. The Steelers need to win the division straight-up, and that won’t be easy.

The Bottom Line

The Steelers will be able to do whatever it wants against this Kansas City Chiefs team. The Chiefs don’t have the defense to stop the adlibbing Ben Roethlisberger, and the Chiefs offense lost all of its punch with the injuries to Jamaal Charles and Matt Cassel. The Steelers should not look past this game, but it is a game that Pittsburgh should definitely win.

Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL Week 10 Preview: Tennessee Titans @ Carolina Panthers (-3)

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 04:33:00 +0000

Sports Betting Overview

Cam Newton-mania is reaching a fevered pitch in Carolina, and rightfully so. Newton is a lock to be the offensive rookie of the year, and he gives Carolina an offensive edge that it has never had before. Another thing that Newton offers that the Panthers have never had is a franchise quarterback. Yes, Jake Delhomme took the Panthers to the Super Bowl and had some good years. But most people do not know who Jake Delhomme is. There are a lot of football fans who know who Cam Newton is that have never seen Newton play. Now the Panthers just need to parlay Newton’s abilities into a winning season.

The price per head sports fans in Tennessee were prepared to be patient this season and see if veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck could help bring along rookie Jake Locker and make Locker the new face of the franchise. But, because of the weak team that surrounded him in Seattle, a lot of people forgot that Matt Hasselbeck can still play football. With the collapse of the Indianapolis Colts, the AFC South became an open race. The Texans look like it is in control of the division title, but the Titans can still come around and challenge for the division before the season is over.

Carolina Panthers

The price per head services know that when a defense practices against a quarterback like Cam Newton all week, that defense is bound to get better. The Panthers have the 13^th best pass defense in football. That may not sound like much, but it beats being one of the worst pass defenses in football like the Panthers were last year. Newton makes everyone better, and it won’t be long before the lure of playing with Cam Newton brings some big defensive talent to Carolina. For now, the Panthers should have just enough defense to keep Hasselbeck in check and give the Panthers’ offense a chance to win this game.

Tennessee Titans

Fans in Tennessee are starting to wonder if running back Chris Johnson is a betonline scam. Johnson is one of the highest paid players in the NFL, but yet his production is half of what it was last season. In Johnson’s defense, the run blocking in Tennessee has been awful. Johnson will turn his game around, but the Titans are wondering if it will be in time to help Tennessee make a playoff run. The young Titans’ receivers have been benefiting from Hasselbeck’s influence and it has shown on the football field. But with veteran receivers lost for the season due to injury and a defensive secondary that is having problems stopping the long ball, this could be a long day for the Titans.

The Bottom Line

The NFL scores that the Panthers have been involved in this year do not reflect the impact that Newton has had. The defense let the team down early in the season, but now the defense is making its stand along with Newton. The Panthers may not make the playoffs this season or even go .500, but it is definitely a playoff team in the making.

Pick: Carolina Panthers

NFL Week 8 Preview: Cleveland Browns @ San Francisco 49ers

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:37:00 +0000

Sports Betting Overview

The Cleveland Browns are starting to feel the same growing pains that any improving team would feel. The problem for the Browns is that these pains are real. Running back Peyton Hillis is still unable to play and wide receivers Josh Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi are still recovering from injuries. The wide receivers may play, but they will not be at full speed. Hillis will be out for this game against San Francisco. The price per head sports injuries that the Browns are suffering contributed to the lack of offense in week seven against the Seattle Seahawks. Cleveland could only muster two field goals in that game, and things do not propose to be any better against the San Francisco 49ers.

The San Francisco 49ers do not do any single thing particularly well. But the 49ers win games because it does know how to play well in important situations. It was no small feat to hand the Detroit Lions its first loss of the season after destroying the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the week before. The San Francisco 49ers have quietly become one of the best teams in the NFL and the only real off-season change was the head coach. A bookie software analysis of the 49ers roster shows many of the same guys that could not win last year still playing for the team. Aside from running back Frank Gore, there are no superstars on this team. It is just a really good football team.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns’ offense has been struggling all season because it cannot stay healthy. Running back Peyton Hillis is a huge part of the offensive game plan for the Browns and he has been out for three weeks now. With the wide receivers injured and its star running back out, the Browns have very little to work with when it comes to generating points. But quarterback Colt McCoy has managed to bring the team to a 3-3 record. That could slip below .500 by the time this game is over.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers roster is full of NFL picks no one else wanted. New head coach Jim Harbaugh kept struggling quarterback Alex Smith because no other team wanted him and Harbaugh saw great things for Smith. Under Harbaugh, Smith has not necessarily become more prolific with his passing yards, but he has become more efficient at scoring points. Smith has eight touchdown passes compared to only two interceptions this season. He is giving the 49ers a chance to win, and San Francisco is taking full advantage of that chance.

The Bottom Line

The Browns are turning into a very good football team, but its offense is wounded. Cleveland could only manage two field goals against a very bad Seattle Seahawks’ defense. The Cleveland defense is playing well and should be able to keep the Browns in this game. But the intertops advantage has to go to San Francisco.

Pick: San Francisco 49ers

NFL Week 4 Game Preview: San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:59:00 +0000

Online Betting Overview

The Philadelphia Eagles are in huge trouble. Aside from being 1-2 to start the season, the Eagles are incapable of protecting quarterback Michael Vick. Philadelphia and Vick can complain about the officiating all they want. But if the offensive line takes the steps to put a stop to late hits, then those hits are less likely to happen. Many of those “late hits” are also follow-throughs from defensive linemen making legal and clean plays. The worst hit Vick has sustained this season was from his own offensive lineman who was standing around as Vick was being thrown to the ground. The offensive line and Michael Vick are not working together and it is causing all kinds of problems. Running back LeSean McCoy doesn’t seem to be having any issues with the offensive line as he is averaging more than 100 rushing yards and a touchdown per game. Once the Eagles figure out its problems on offense, then it is time to figure out the issues on defense.

The San Francisco 49ers has a lot of interesting NFL betting lines coming up this season. This game is interesting because it pits the athletic and quick San Francisco defensive line against the weak Eagles’ offensive line. But the 49ers are still having problems on offense. New head coach Jim Harbaugh is the third San Francisco head coach to see some sort of potential in quarterback Alex Smith and, once again, Smith is unable to deliver. Harbaugh was a quarterback himself in the NFL during his playing days, and it leads people to wonder if Alex Smith really can play or if the 49ers keep grasping at straws at the quarterback position.

Philadelphia Eagles

NFL fans in Philadelphia had huge plans for their team this season. Playoff plans were being made and Super Bowl hotel reservations had already been called in. But with the 1-2 start that the Eagles have gotten off to, many of those plans may have to be changed. Yes, the Eagles have some of the best offensive talent in the league at the skill positions. But football games are won at the line of scrimmage, and the Eagles just do not stack up at the line on offense or defense. Philadelphia has shown time and again that it cannot protect Michael Vick and it also cannot sustain pressure on the opposing quarterback. The Eagles have great skill players, but it lacks the role players a team needs to win.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers are fishing games out from last season to try and find out what is wrong with its offensive line. The problems for San Francisco on offense are a combination of quarterback Alex Smith’s inability to make good decisions and the offensive line’s inability to run block. When you put those two factors together, you get an offense that is not going anywhere. The 49ers cannot live off of its defense forever, and this game will be proof of that.

The Bottom Line

This is one of the more difficult NFL picks for the week because everyone wants to bet against the Eagles. The 49ers have improved drastically over last season, but it still lacks key players in key positions to stop a team like the Eagles. The San Francisco linebackers are tough and aggressive, but the secondary tends to give up big plays. When you bring together the 49ers’ weak offensive line with its sketchy secondary, you get a combination Michael Vick can beat.

Pick: Philadelphia Eagles

Champions League Betting: Bayern v Man City

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 08:15:00 +0000

Bukomir's Predictions

27 September, 2011

Allianz-Arena

Bayern vs Man City

ko 19:45 BST

The new kinds on the block are messing with the in form, four time European champion - it should be a 100 % entertainment on Tuesday night and I will add some more by placing a small bet on the game.

Last game

Bayern easily took all the points at home against another Champions League competitor - Bayer Leverkusen (3:0). City beat Everton 2:0 and are still unbeaten in England.

My thoughts

Top placed Bayern is welcoming the new boys Man City in a clash that should answer some questions in this Group A. The home side is flying on the wings of 9 wins in a row in all competitions while also managed to keep clean sheets in all of them. Bayern beat Villarreal 2:0 in the opening fixture and another win on Tuesday night will leave them at the top of the group. The pressure is clearly on visitors side and that can reflect in open game with lots of chances in front of Joe Hart. Bayern will surely score a goal here - the team has a massive attacking power and I can't see a way for City to keep the clean sheet.

The question is can Man City fight back? I think, yes. Dzeko and Aguero are in very good shape and the whole team is playing more offensively than last year. I am not convinced City have enough to steal all the points here but they can surely try to score one or two and see what happens.

Bet selection:
I will take "Both teams to score" - 1.72 @ bet365.

Bookmakers of choice:
This season I will use mainly the following bookies to bet on UEFA Champions League as I find them secure, trusted and user friendly:

bet365 or Bet-at-home.

Subscribe to Betting Premier League Picks via RSS:

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

NFL 2011-2012 Week 2 Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Minnesota Vikings (-3)

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 04:37:00 +0000

Online Betting Overview

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were beaten by the developing offensive juggernaut in the Detroit Lions in week one. The Bucs could have given up a lot more points in that game if it had not played better defense in the second half. The fact that the Buccaneers were able to identify the issues it was having defensively with the Lions and adjust at half time says a lot about the development of Tampa. The only problem for the Bucs was their inability to pick up points in the second half. The Detroit defense is aggressive and angry and it seemed to overwhelm the Tampa offensive line at times. The Minnesota defense is equally as aggressive, but the Vikings are more calculating on defense. They think about things a lot more than most other defenses do, and that may be a problem for Tampa.

Even with a solid defense on the field, the NFL betting lines are still a little shaky in Minnesota because of the offense. As expected, running back Adrian Peterson was a dominant part of the Vikings offense in week one against the San Diego Chargers. But the reasons why the Washington Redskins traded veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb were evident immediately. McNabb was 7 of 15 for the game with 39 total passing yards. He did throw a touchdown pass, but he also threw an early interception that eventually resulted in a touchdown. The Vikings scored 0 points in the second half and showed little cohesiveness on offense.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The biggest problem that the Bucs will have in this game offensively is dealing with the Minnesota pass rush. NFL fans in Minnesota know that the one thing their team consistently has is a good defense. But Tampa likes to throw the ball, and that is where the Vikings are weakest on defense. Once you get past the defensive line, the Vikings become vulnerable. The Tampa running game was frustrated at its lack of carries in the opener against Detroit and, unfortunately for them, it will not be getting better against the Vikings. The Bucs will be throwing the ball deep to test that Minnesota secondary. On defense, the Bucs will keep bringing pressure and counting on its young secondary to stay with the Minnesota receivers.

Minnesota Vikings

This is not an easy NFL pick this week because Donovan McNabb could explode for a 300-yard passing day. But without any real deep threats to throw to, the Vikings make it easy for a defense to key in on the pass rush. The Bucs’ run defense is not nearly as good as the Chargers’, which means that running back Adrian Peterson could have a good day. If McNabb bombs in front of the home town crowd, then head coach Leslie Fraiser may not have any choice but to go with the rookie Christian Ponder. But it is debatable as to whether or not that will make things any better.

The Bottom Line

Brett Favre is out there bass fishing somewhere and he is on the minds of Minnesota Vikings’ fans. The abbreviated training camp due to the lockout has something to do with the poor play of the Vikings’ offense, but McNabb has to take some of the blame. While the Vikings are favored in this contest, this could be a victory for the young Buccaneers.

Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFL 2011 Preseason Week 4 Preview: Houston Texans @ Minnesota Vikings

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:13:00 +0000

Online Betting Overview

It is déjà vu all over again for the Houston Texans as many football experts are picking this to be the year that the Texans replace the Indianapolis Colts as the top team in the AFC South. Many of the same experts said the same thing last year and the Texans did not make the playoffs. The Colts are an easy target right now. They just lost pro bowl cornerback Bob Sanders to the Chargers and starting quarterback Peyton Manning may not be able to play in the first week or two of the regular season. But the Texans have a lot of areas to address before it can sit atop the AFC South and call itself a division champion. There are reasons why Houston missed the playoffs last year. Some of those reasons are being addressed in this preseason, but others are being glossed over.

The Minnesota Vikings are probably Donovan McNabb’s last chance at being a starting quarterback in the NFL. His reputation took a beating in Washington when head coach Mike Shanahan continually questioned McNabb’s abilities. If McNabb wants to affect NFL betting lines again, he will need to step up his play. It looks like McNabb will be the starter when the Vikings open the season. But rookie quarterback Christian Ponder is making good on his statement that he wants to challenge for the starting job. Ponder is the future of the Vikings while Donovan McNabb fights to be the present.

Houston Texans
The biggest concern for NFL fans in Houston is the offensive line of the Houston Texans. The running game is overflowing with talented running backs and Andre Johnson will once again elevate the Houston passing game to new heights. But if the running backs do not have any holes to run through and quarterback Matt Schaub does not have time to throw, then the offense will still struggle. The Texans made some bold moves on defense that included moving defensive line Mario Williams to linebacker which should help improve the defense. The defense was a major issue last season, but if the Texans do not find a way to solidify the offensive line, then the major changes on defense may not lead to a playoff spot.

Minnesota Vikings
One of the more interesting NFL picks in the 2011 draft was quarterback Christian Ponder by the Minnesota Vikings. At the time of the pick, the NFL lockout prevented the Vikings from trading for veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb. Some fans started to assume that Ponder would be the starter. When McNabb entered the picture, Ponder went on the offensive saying that he would compete for the starting job. Ponder has been impressive, but after Donovan McNabb’s performance in preseason week three against the Dallas Cowboys, it became obvious that the veteran would at least start the season as the number one. Running back Adrian Peterson also looks ready for the regular season but may not play a lot in this final preseason game.

The Bottom Line
Houston has some great bass fishing and some high expectations for its football team. This last game of the preseason will feature mostly depth players for both teams, but Texans’ fans will want to keep an eye on how all of the offensive line players perform to see if Houston can fill in that last piece to become a playoff team.

Pick: Houston Texans

NFL Preseason Week 2 Game Preview: Chicago Bears @ New York Giants

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 07:45:00 +0000

Online Betting Overview

The second week of the preseason is often used to try and get a good look at second and third-string players that have a chance of making an NFL roster. Teams like to make decisions on fringe players in the second week because they can then release the players and give them a chance to sign on somewhere else. The Chicago Bears looked decent in their preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills, but the offensive line was suspect. The Bills picked up nine sacks on the Bears’ offense and held the first-string offense to no points. It is only preseason, but the Bills had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year. Yes, Buffalo has made some minor improvements to its defensive unit. But the Bears should be trying out a lot of offensive players in this game.

Any NFL betting lines on the New York Giants are split into two halves. The Giants excel in the first half of the regular season, but they fall apart in the second half. Unfortunately, one of the reasons the Giants choke in the second half of the season is quarterback Eli Manning. Since Manning isn’t going anywhere, the Giants need to focus on discipline as that is the second reason New York crumbles in the second half of the season. The plays that worked so well in the first eight games fall apart in the second set of eight games because receivers give up on routes, tight ends drop the ball and running backs miss their blocking assignments. The Giants will also be using this game as a chance to find some more consistent offensive players to avoid the second-half collapse.

Chicago Bears
Quarterback Jay Cutler did look leaner and more athletic in the preseason opener. Cutler had worked on his throwing delivery and his conditioning all summer long, and it shows. But he still makes bad decisions when it comes to throwing the football, and that may be something that the Bears can do nothing about. The Bears offensive line was weak and the running game did the best it could to push the Bills back. The Bears’ defense did not look like one of the best in the NFL as the Bills were the only team that scored points in the first quarter. But the Bears’ defense has the leadership to improve, which is something the offense lacks.

New York Giants
Even though the Giants lost their preseason opener to the Carolina Panthers 20-10, the first-team offense and defense looked good. The Giants’ defense picked off Carolina quarterback Jimmy Clausen early, and then went toe-to-toe with an extremely determined Panthers’ offensive line. The Giants’ offense moved the ball, scored points and avoided mistakes. If the Giants keep this up, they may be able to break their second-half curse.

The Bottom Line
The betonline reviews of the Chicago Bears were not encouraging. The Bears looked just as inconsistent as they did last year. The Giants show some promise, and may be able to put together a 53-man roster that can make the playoffs this season.

Pick: New York Giants

UEFA Europa League Betting

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 05:06:00 +0000

Bukomir's Predictions

4 August, 2010

Rheinpark Stadion

Vaduz v Hapoel Tel Aviv

ko 19:00 GMT

Ouch, my bet on Slovan went wild yesterday! It is time to rebuild some pride and that is why I have carefully chosen the game from UEFA Europa League coupon and spent more time on selecting the winning bet.

Last game

Hapoel won 4:0 in the first leg and it was obvious Vaduz are way out of their league. Now it is time to warm up for the next round and winning always tastes good in Europe.

My thoughts

Hapoel Tel Aviv had the job done early in the first leg and bookies are suspicious about them playing at full speed tonight. That is why guests received odds around even here - 1/1 or 2.00 in Decimal on bet365 this morning. Considering the big quality gap we have between both squads and the aggressive away style of Hapoel, it looks like a must shot at the visitors.

I was even thinking of taking Hapoel to cover the handicap, but after I have lost some money on Slovan yesterday, prefer to stick with the safety bet and pick the straight winner.

The guests are well in form, offering goals and aggression in their friendlies and UEFA Europa League previous qualifications. They drew 2:2 Maccabi in the local derby just few days ago and again looked solid and ready for an outstanding season. The team can't afford loosing the rhythm so early with having bit of a rest tonight - speaking of preserving power would be silly as Hapoel needs more minutes and matches right before the start of the real battles. Bring them on!

Bet selection:
I will take Hapoel Tel Aviv to win - an option, generously priced at 2.00 by bet365.

LOST, 2:1

Bookmakers of choice:
This season I will use mainly the following bookies to bet on UEFA Europa League as I find them secure, trusted and user friendly:

bet365 or Bet-at-home.

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UEFA Champions League Betting - To Qualify Market

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 07:36:00 +0000

Bukomir's Predictions

3 August, 2010

Stadion Pasienky

Slovan v Apoel

ko 19:45 GMT

I had a wining shot at UEFA Champions League qualifications yesterday and it tastes good. Another betting pick loaded today with a huge possible return for your stake. Ready? Go.

Last game

Slovan held Apoel in the first leg for a goalless draw, which gives the team a clear advantage at home. As both domestic championships are in a very early phase or even not started yet, I won't take the local results in consideration.

My thoughts

I know 0:0 can be a tricky first leg result but in that case it means to me Slovan had the job almost done and now just need to perform at their usual best in front of the fans. Apoel have lost their chance at home and it will be a mountain to climb to produce any shocking result here - Slovan have the experience and the home ground on their side. I am a bit concerned about the odds that all of the bookies put on the game today - not a clear favorite on paper, but that only makes the price unusually tasty.

I expect a solid performance by Slovan Bratislava here and they must use the momentum and progress in the competition. However, I will back up my bet a bit and instead of going with a straight bet on winner, I will use the "To Qualify" option in bet365, which will double my money.

Bet selection:
My betting instincts are shouting Slovan to qualify here and the price of 2.00, offered by bet365, is a reward, indeed.

LOST, 0:2

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UEFA Champions League Betting - Goals Market

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Bukomir's Predictions

2 August, 2010

Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock v Copenhagen

ko 19:45 GMT

With the new England Premier League season knocking on the door, I have decided to warm up a bit and have a shot on UEFA Champions League qualifications betting.

Surprise in Dublin, anyone?

Last game

This is the return leg and Copenhagen have a slightly 1:0 advantage after the first 90 minutes.

Shamrock last domestic game with Bray was postponed and the team had plenty of time to focus on this one in what can be a huge history breakthrough. Copenhagen took easily 2:0 their last match from the Superliga.

My thoughts

I believe the game is coming too early for Copenhagen as they still are in the same beginning of the local championship and are in obvious lack of games and practice. The first leg proved that and Shamrock are coming home with their hopes alive, which guarantees an inspiring performance and battle for every inch of the pitch, at least. The home team is currently sitting 3rd in Ireland and demonstrates a solid, well organized defense. Their last 5 games in all competitions ended in low scoring, under 2.5 goals affairs and the fact makes me believe it will be another close one tonight. I have no mood to risk my money on a draw or a home win (both possible and standing tasty at 3.80 and 6.00 in bet365) as Copenhagen are, on paper, clearly the better side. But I bet Shamrock will give their guest a battle and a closed, tactical game with hard midfield action is likely.

Bet selection:
Take the Under 2.5 Goals here and collect the huge price of 1.70 , offered by bet365

WON, 0:2

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NBA Betting – Too Many Issues At Hand For NBA To Avoid Losing Games

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 05:27:00 +0000

With the National Football League finally lifted, the negative focus on the business of sport shifts entirely to the National Basketball Association and what appears to be a much more difficult overall problem. Unlike the NFL, where there never really seemed to be the imminent threat of losing any regular season games, the NBA is in a position where it seems as though that outcome is a distinct possibility. The labor issues in the NBA will be much harder to reconcile than those that the NFL went through, and the association will not benefit from not having the same stability at its core as the NFL. It appears as though the NBA lockout will surely be an extended one, as there are just too many sports betting bonus issues for the owners and their players to deal with going forward.

It has to be acknowledged that even if the NBA lockout does not go on as long as the NFL lockout, it would still compromise the early portion of the schedule. The NFL lockout went 132 days long, and if the NBA was to battle it out for that long then it would extend until 12 days after the Chicago Bulls open their season against the defending champion Dallas Mavericks. That is also the point in which the majority of the NBA players begin to receive their big paycheques, something that could be the focus for hurting them in an extended lockout. It is unlikely that the players will really feel the pressure that the owners need them to feel in order to have their way until they actually start to lose money, so it might actually take losing games for the players to get serious and actually entertain what the online casino owners are telling them.

The biggest difference between the NFL and NBA lockouts is the money, which is usually the big issue when it comes to major problems that cause these periods in the first place. When the NFL went to the table in search of a new CBA, the problem that was discussed the most was the idea of how to split the billions of dollars in revenues that the league projected to make. With so much money available, a deal was bound to get done as there was surely enough that neither side wanted to lose any with the understanding that regardless they should be able to get their fair share. In contrast, the NBA has reported that 22 of 30 teams actually lost money a year ago, which makes the owners far less willing to compromise in what has become like a betonline poker game.

Despite the fallout in the NFL and the fact that there is still so much to be discussed, the NBA and its players have not shown any urgency in the negotiation process to date. With so much at stake it is surprising that more key figures haven’t stepped up to address the issues, and in the end with so many problems that the two sides will have to sort out it appears as though missed sports betting games is a very likely scenario.

Bet On MLB – Young Guns Slated To Duel On Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 05:17:00 +0000

Horse betting online players are sometimes skeptical about taking a young thoroughbred, but there are a lot of talented young pitchers in the major leagues that should earn your respect, and two of them will be on the mound on Tuesday in Seattle as the Mariners host Atlanta in the second of a three-game series.

Braves Mariners Betting – Tuesday, 10:10 PM ET

Tommy Hanson (8-4, 2.48) has been off since June 12th because of shoulder trouble, but his last outing was a brilliant one in a 4-1 victory in Houston, allowing a run on three hits over seven innings. He also walked two batters while striking out a career-high 14, but now those who bet on MLB baseball odds have to wonder how his arm is going to hold up. This is Hanson’s third full season in the majors, and he made the jump from 127.2 innings in 2009 to 202.2 innings in 2010, so that has to be watched in the coming weeks. The 24-year-old has never faced the Mariners before, but he is 4-2 in seven starts on the road with a 2.57 ERA.

Michael Pineda (7-4, 2.45) was unfortunate to earn a no-decision in a 1-0 loss in Washington, tossing a four-hit shutout over seven innings with nine strikeouts and a walk, and he held the Nationals hitless for the first 5.2 innings of the game, but he was let down by an anemic offense and his bullpen. At 6’7”, 260, Pineda is an imposing figure on the found, but he has surprising touch for a 22-year-old and he has allowed a run or less in half of his last 10 starts. Pineda will obviously be facing the Braves for the first time, and he is 4-1 in seven home starts with a 1.99 ERA.

If this were an NFL pick, this would be a matchup of two young quarterbacks who are coming up in the majors, and it should be a low-scoring affair as these two rank in the bottom third of the league in terms of runs. The Mariners should be a small favorite at home, where they took two of three from the Braves back in 2003. All three games went under the posted total, and there is no reason to believe that this game will also be lacking in firepower, at least when it comes to the bats. The pitchers will be the focus at Safeco Field, which is tailored towards the hurlers as it is, so expect the under in this contest. Hanson may be slightly rusty for the Braves on Tuesday, which is why the edge goes to Seattle in your betting book.

Bet On MLB – Rays, Brewers Square Off In Milwaukee

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 07:10:00 +0000

If you bet on MLB odds, you’re used to seeing teams like Boston, the New York Yankees, Philadelphia and even St. Louis near the top of the list, but if you look to the second tier, you’ll probably find Milwaukee and Tampa Bay leading the way in that group. The two meet for the second of a three-game set at Miller Park on Tuesday.

Rays Brewers Betting – Tuesday, 8:10 PM ET

Jeremy Hellickson (7-5, 3.09) has been excellent in his first full year in the big leagues, even though a 3-0 loss against Boston at home was his second straight loss. He gave up three runs on four hits, along with two strikeouts and a pair of walks, and the damage was done on a three-run homer by Kevin Youkilis, which you may have seen while watching MLB highlights. Overall, it was a solid performance for the youngster, who bounced back from a five-run outing in Baltimore, but now he is facing another dangerous lineup in Milwaukee. The 24-year-old righty has never faced the Brewers before, but he is 5-2 in eight starts on the road in 2011 with a 3.51 ERA, and he is very poised for such an inexperienced pitcher.

Former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke (6-2, 5.23) got rocked in a 12-7 loss in Chicago to the Cubs, allowing six runs on eight hits over 5.1 innings, but he also struck out 10 and walked two in one of the strangest pitching lines of the year. The Brewers committed a couple of errors, but Greinke made some bad pitches despite his 10 Ks, and it’s been an uneven time for him since moving from Kansas City. He started the season on the disabled list and has shown glimpses of being the player who won the Cy Young in 2009, but Greinke has also been the receipient of some good run support, which takes some of the focus off his pitching. The 27-year-old righthander is 1-4 in 11 games (eight starts) against the Rays with a 3.58 ERA, and he is a perfect 4-0 in five starts at home despite a 4.94 ERA this season.

Those who make NFL picks have had this decision to make in the past: do you go with the upstart quarterback, or the veteran pivot who is struggling, but has proven himself in the past? That will be the choice to make on Tuesday, and the Brewers should be favored against the Rays, who will be making their first trip to Milwaukee beginning on Monday. Coming into this series, the Brewers were 25-9 at home, while the Rays were 21-15 on the road, and the edge goes to Milwaukee at Miller Park in what could be a high-scoring game in your online sportsbook.

MLB Betting – Red-Hot Hamels Welcomes Marlins To Philadelphia

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 05:55:00 +0000

MLB betting players wondered how the Philadelphia starting rotation was going to gel this season, and predictably, they’ve been excellent, but Cole Hamels has really pitched well and has been the second-best hurler in the rotation behind reigning Cy Young winner Roy Halladay. Hamels will look to tie Halladay for the National League lead in wins when the Phillies host Florida on Tuesday.

Marlins Phillies Betting – Tuesday, 7:05 PM ET

Chris Volstad (2-6, 5.51) has lost five straight decisions after a 3-2 loss at home against Atlanta, allowing three runs on six hits over 6.2 innings, striking out seven and walking two along the way. Volstad may want to stay away from online poker games as he hasn’t been lucky in his most recent starts when it comes to run support: In all five of his losses, the Marlins have scored four runs or less for Volstad, and that puts a lot of pressure on the youngster. The 24-year-old righthander is 2-3 in 10 starts against the Phillies, posting an ERA of 4.45, but he’s 2-0 in five starts in Philadelphia with a 5.11 ERA.

Hamels (8-2, 2.58) blanked the Dodgers over eight innings at home of a 2-0 shutout, striking out nine without a single walk was scattering six hits, and after a tough start to the season, Hamels has certainly bounced back to give Halladay some back-up. Hamels may be the most naturally talented of Philadelphia’s Fab Four, he’s the youngest as well and nothing seems to rattle him. The 27-year-old lefty is 4-7 in 16 career starts against the Marlins with a 3.65 ERA, and he is also 4-2 in seven starts this season at Citizens Bank Park with an ERA of 3.65.

Those following MLB news will likely see the Phillies as the betting favorites at home, where they have split their last 10 meetings with the Marlins, with six of the games falling under the posted total. Hamels is pitching as well as anyone in the majors right now, while the Marlins are in danger of falling even further out of the National League East race; as of Monday, Florida trailed Philadelphia by seven games, and they’ll host Arizona on Monday before heading to Philadelphia, where the Phillies have a day off after sweeping the Chicago Cubs. As if the Phillies needed an edge, having the day off should pay huge dividends, especially as the Marlins play Monday night, then have to travel to the City of Brotherly Love. Hamels should feast on the Florida bats, while Volstad will take his first loss in Philadelphia, so take the Phillies at home in your sports betting picks on Tuesday.

MLB Baseball Betting – Mets Visit Red-Hot Brewers

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 05:37:00 +0000

Those betting on Belmont odds realize that it may take a while for their horse to get going, but they can’t give up hope as the Belmont States is the longest of the Triple Crown races at 1.5 miles. Some were starting to pile off the Milwaukee Brewers’ bandwagon after a slow start, but it’s getting bigger as the team has surged to second in the National League Central as they prepare to welcome the New York Mets to town on Tuesday.

Mets Brewers Betting – Tuesday, 8:10 PM ET

Chris Capuano (3-6, 5.19) was hammered for five runs on eight hits over six innings of a 9-3 loss at home against Pittsburgh, and the worst part is that he was doing just fine until the sixth, when he allowed all five runs. It was the second time in three starts that Capuano had allowed five or more runs, and he is now 1-5 in his last seven starts. However, MLB baseball betting players know that pitchers can’t do it all on their own, and in that seven-start span, the Mets have scored more than three runs just twice, and those were a win and no-decision for the 32-year-old lefty, who has never faced Milwaukee before. Capuano is also 1-3 on the road with an ERA of 5.70.

Shaun Marcum (6-2, 2.78) had another quality start, but was saddled with a no-decision in a 4-3 loss in Cincinnati as he gave up a pair of runs on five hits over seven innings, striking out seven without a single walk. Marcum has been one of the surprises of the first part of this season as he has made a seamless adjustment from the American to the National League, and even though he has been taken deep in each of his last three starts, he still has been one of the most consistent pitchers in the league. Like Capuano, Marcum has never faced his opposition before, and he’s 3-1 at home with a 4.78 ERA.

Your sports bookie software should have the Brewers as the MLB baseball betting favorites at home, even though the Mets are 6-4 in their last 10 at Miller Park, with seven of the games going over the posted total. The Mets won two of three at home against Atlanta on the weekend to try and carry some momentum into a 10-game road trip, while the Brewers will be in Florida on Monday night looking to wrap up a four-game sweep of the Marlins. The Mets may have a slight edge as the Brewers have to travel on Monday, but we’re backing Marcum at home, even though his ERA at Miller Park is much higher than it is on the road. Go with Milwaukee when you’re betting online on Tuesday.

Baseball Betting – Lee Aims To Remain Perfect Against Nationals

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Tue, 31 May 2011 06:01:00 +0000

If Cliff Lee were a Belmont Stakes betting option, he would be one of the favorites to win the final leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, and Washington can tell you all about his brilliance as they’ve never beat the former Cy Young winner in three attempts. They’ll try again on Tuesday in the nation’s capital when the Phillies are in town for the second of a three-game series.

Phillies Nationals Betting – Tuesday, 7:05 PM ET

Lee (4-4, 3.50) has now won two straight starts after a 10-4 victory at home over Cincinnati, and he didn’t just do with his arm; he had a pair of hits and three RBIs on the day to help his own cause, and if he can do that every few starts, the Phillies will see their baseball betting odds rise even more. He didn’t have his best stuff on the mound, allowing four runs on 10 hits over eight innings, while striking out eight, but Lee finally got some run support and when he gets that, he’s pretty tough to beat. The 32-year-old lefty tossed a three-hit complete-game shutout in a 4-0 victory in Washington earlier this year, taking his record to 3-0 in three starts against the Nationals with a 1.44 ERA.

Not even run support could save Jason Marquis (5-2, 4.26) in a 6-4 loss in Milwaukee, as he allowed four runs on five hits over six innings, walking four with a single walk. Marquis leads the National League in run support, and that has allowed him to hide some pretty poor performances, so his record looks a lot better than it really is. He gave up six runs in a 7-4 loss in Philadelphia in early May, and he’s now 5-8 in 25 games (18 starts) against the Phillies with a 5.61 ERA.

Those checking out MLB news will likely see the Phillies favored on the road in Washington, where they have split their last 10 meetings ahead of Monday’s series opener, and six of those games have gone over the posted total, although four of the last five have fallen under. Lee just looks to have the Nationals’ number and that can be a mental edge for a guy like him, and he’ll pound the strike zone against Washington, who had dropped eight of their last 10 as of Monday. Lee has shown glimpses of having his best stuff, and while he hasn’t always had it this season, he turns it up against the Nationals. Marquis has been fortunate to receive some great run support in 2011, but against the Phillies, he’ll need a lot of runs. Take Philadelphia in your online sports betting picks.

MLB Baseball Betting – Indians Host Surging Red Sox

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Tue, 24 May 2011 05:43:00 +0000

MLB baseball betting players who know better probably didn’t panic when Boston got off to a slow start to the 2011 season, as they had a few new players who were getting used to their new teammates, and a new city. The Red Sox have won eight of their last 10 heading into Monday’s series opener in Cleveland, and they’ll have their ace on the hill on Tuesday.

Red Sox Indians Betting – 7:05 PM ET

Josh Beckett (3-1, 1.73) allowed his first run in four starts and left after six innings because of a pulled muscle in his neck, earning a no-decision in a 4-3 win over Detroit, but he says he’s fine and should be ready to go on Tuesday. Even though NHL hockey news is garnering a lot of attention in Boston with the Bruins still in the playoffs, the Red Sox rule the city and a healthy Beckett has been key to their resurgence. Beckett is 3-5 in eight starts against the Indians in his career, posting a 5.55 ERA, and he was on the wrong end of a 3-1 loss in Cleveland on April 5th, his only loss of the season, so he’ll be out for revenge.

The Indians counter with Fausto Carmona (3-4, 4.76), and you have no idea what you’re going to get from him. Either he’s tossing seven shutout innings of two-hit ball, which was what he did to Boston in a 1-0 win earlier this season, or he’s getting lit up as he did in his last start in Chicago as the White Sox rocked Carmona for eight runs on seven hits over five innings, striking out three and walking two in an 8-2 loss. After the game on April 7th, Carmona is now 2-3 in eight outings (six starts) against the Red Sox, including a pair of blown saves, with an ERA of 3.44.

The Red Sox could be the favorites in your sports bookie software, even though they’ve dropped five in a row in Cleveland and were swept there in April. Look for the Red Sox to come out and prove they’re a better team than they showed in that series, unless Beckett isn’t 100% in regards to his neck. He says he is, and it’s fair to be skeptical after the amount of injuries he’s suffered in the last few years. However, the Red Sox may not even need him at his best if they can get to Carmona, which is a good possibility. He’s been inconsistent since his 19-win season in 2007, and you have to err on the side of caution with him. Take the Red Sox in your online sportsbook.

Bet On MLB Baseball – Yankees Aim To Get Back On Track Against Rays

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Tue, 17 May 2011 06:29:00 +0000

Even those betting on Preakness odds would have heard about the New York Yankees’ awful weekend, in which veteran Jorge Posada refused to play, and then they were swept at home by the rival Boston Red Sox. It doesn’t get easier for the Yankees as they head out on the road to face Tampa Bay, who are looking to expand their lead in the American League East.

Yankees Rays Betting – Tuesday, 6:40 PM ET

Ivan Nova (3-3, 4.70) is coming off the worst outing of his young career, although to be fair, the Yankees didn’t do him any favors with a couple of errors in an 11-5 loss at home against Kansas City. Nova was knocked for eight runs (four earned) on 10 hits over three innings, along with two strikeouts and two walks, and he was taken deep twice as well. Those who bet on MLB baseball know that the Yankees are looking for help in their starting rotation, and this will be a test to see how Nova bounces back from a bad performance. The 24-year-old righthander doesn’t have a decision in two starts against the Rays, posting a 6.97 ERA.

The Rays counter with James Shields (4-1, 2.08), who had another great showing in a 7-4 win at Cleveland, and Shields gave up a pair of runs on seven hits over seven innings of work, whiffing seven batters with a single walk. He was taken deep for the second straight start, but overall, Shields has been rolling and he’s back at home after two starts on the road. The 29-year-old has struggled against the Yankees in the past, going 3-8 in 15 starts with a 4.91 ERA, and he’s 1-1 in four starts at Tropicana Field with a 1.72 ERA.

Dealing with the Yankees often packs more drama than an episode of WWE Smackdown, and they may need a physical confrontation in snap themselves out of this funk. Look for the Rays to be favored at home, and as of Monday’s opener, the two had split their last 10 meetings at Tropicana Field, with six games going over the posted total. Shields has never pitched that well against the Yankees, but he should have some confidence after a trio of strong performances against them in the second half of 2010, and he surely will have some after his start to this season. Nova probably won’t allow another eight runs, but he is still a young pitcher, and with all of the pressure that the Yankees are under right now, he could be feeling the squeeze. Neither team played that well on the weekend, but the smart sports bet is with the Rays on Tuesday.

Bet On MLB – National League Central Rivals Clash In The Windy City

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Tue, 10 May 2011 04:33:00 +0000

Kentucky Derby betting players don’t get much in the way of rivals, but there is always a rivalry of some sort going on in baseball, and two of the most bitter rivals over the years have been St. Louis and Chicago in the National League Central. The Cubs have the bigger market, but the Cardinals have more success and after a slow start, they seem to be coming around. The two kick off a three-game set a Wrigley Field on Tuesday night.

Cardinals Cubs Betting – Tuesday, 8:05 PM ET

Chris Carpenter (0-2, 4.19) is still searching for his first win of the 2011 campaign after an 8-7 loss at home against Florida, as he allowed six runs (four earned) on 10 hits over six innings, striking out four and walking three. The Cardinals have now lost six of Carpenter’s seven starts, and if you bet on MLB odds, you know St. Louis isn’t going to last long if this continues, especially with Adam Wainwright on the disabled list for the next year. Carpenter is 10-6 in 22 starts against the Cubs, posting a 3.10 ERA, and the 36-year-old righty is 7-3 at Wrigley Field with a 3.72 ERA in 13 starts.

The Cubs will send out Carlos Zambrano (4-1, 4.23), who tossed a gem in a 5-1 win in Los Angeles, and he scattered a run on five hits over eight innings, striking out four and walking one. Everyone in baseball knows that when Zambrano has his head in the game, he’s one of the top 15-20 pitchers in the majors, but often he lets his temper get the best of him, and the Cubs need him in the rotation as Matt Garza gets used to the National League, Ryan Dempster slumps and the rest of the rotation is up in the air. The 29-year-old righthander is 12-6 in 29 games against the Cardinals with a 3.42 ERA, and he’s still looking for his first win at Wrigley this year, posting a 0-1 mark in three starts with a 4.26 ERA.

If you’re a fan of WWE Monday Night Raw, you should check this matchup out as both pitchers have never been afraid to brush a hitter back, and neither are afraid to get into a confrontation. The Cubs head into this series training the first-place Cardinals by four games, and they’re also looking to get closer to .500 at home, where they are 7-10, while the Cardinals are 10-6 on the road and have won six of their last 10 at Wrigley Field. You get the feeling that Carpenter is going to break out at any moment, and the Cardinals would love to see it sooner than later, while it’s fair to still be skeptical of Zambrano. Go with St. Louis in Tuesday’s sports bet.

Bet On MLB Baseball – Tigers Try To Cool Off Hot Sabathia

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Tue, 03 May 2011 05:37:00 +0000

Those who bet on the Kentucky Derby know that every stable needs a leading thoroughbred, and in the New York Yankees’ starting rotation, C.C. Sabathis is, far and away, the horse that leads the way in the Bronx. He has won two in a roll, but his performances this season have been on the side of superb, including in the season opener against Detroit at home. The Tigers will look to get to Sabathia when the Yankees come to Detroit on Tuesday night.

Yankees Tigers Betting – Tuesday, 7:05 PM ET

Sabathia (2-1, 2.25) allowed three runs, but none were earned in a 12-3 romp over Chicago at home, scattering seven hits over seven innings with six strikeouts and a walk. Sabathia has been getting some great run support as the Yankees have scored 27 runs for him over his last two starts, and if he gets a lead, those who bet on MLB baseball know you’re as good as done against the big lefty, who has given up more than three runs only one in six starts this season. The 30-year-old is 15-11 in 31 starts against the Tigers, posting a 4.52 ERA, and he’s 7-4 in 13 appearances at Comerica Park with a 4.24 ERA.

The Tigers will counter with Brad Penny (1-3, 6.11), who was knocked for four runs on nine hits in a 7-2 win at home against Seattle. Penny went seven innings to take some pressure off the Detroit bullpen, and he wasn’t that bad against the Mariners, the problem is, he wasn’t great either, especially after a one-hit performance in his last outing against Chicago. The 32-year-old righty has struggled against the Yankees, going 1-2 in four starts with an 8.84 ERA, and in his first appearance at the new Yankee Stadium in that season-opening series, Penny was pounded for eight runs on seven hits in just 4.1 innings in a 10-6 loss.

Your pay per head sportsbook will have the Yankees as a favorite on the road, and heading into Monday’s series opener, they had split their last 10 trips to Detroit with six going under the posted total. Sabathia has been getting a ton of run support, obviously, but that doesn’t discount the fact that he’s one of the top three pitchers in the American League and probably top five in all of baseball. Penny has been having troubles finding the strike zone (19 strikeouts to 15 walks), and the Yankee bats have been rolling, especially with Sabathia on the mound. Sabathia is used to playing in Detroit from his time in Cleveland and obviously his time in New York, so look for him to have a strong performance. Lay a sports bet on New York on Tuesday.