Dortmund tests 14-game run against Leverkusen
Soccer Betting Lines
02/10/2012 -
Dortmund, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Borussia Dortmund returned to the summit
in the Bundesliga last weekend, but the defending champions will face a stern
test Saturday against Bayer Leverkusen.
Dortmund is unbeaten in 14 straight, and with three successive wins since the
league returned from its winter break, coach Jurgen Klopp's side has regained
its favorite status to repeat as champions.
Although Dortmund struggled in European play once again this season, Klopp has
put together the best side in Germany again. His side secured a semifinal spot
in the Pokal Cup earlier this week.
Dortmund has not missed young star Mario Gotze, but any dip in form will prove
fatal with Bayern Munich still on its heels in league play. The clubs are also
on a collision course in the Pokal Cup, either in the semis or the final.
Klopp will not overlook Leverkusen this week as his opponents did advance into
the last 16 of the Champions League, even though Bayer has struggled in league
play recently with just one win in its last five.
"We know some things, but we don't know everything," Klopp said about Bayer.
Bayer has been a work in progress under first-year coach Robin Dutt, and could
line up in a number of formations this week on the road.
With Barcelona awaiting in the Champions League on Tuesday, Leverkusen needs a
boost and a win over Dortmund would provide the perfect medicine. But Dortmund
has lost just once at home and dropped points twice in league play.
Leverkusen has been decent away from home with just two losses in 10 matches.
Bayern Munich will defend the Allianz Arena against 16th-place Kaiserslautern,
although without star midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.
He suffered ankle ligament damage against Stuttgart in the Pokal Cup, but with
Bayern through after a 2-0 road win, the team enters the league game with some
confidence.
Coach Jupp Heynckes will have to shuffle his lineup, and decide whether Thomas
Muller - who started against Stuttgart - or Arjen Robben gets the start on the
right wing.
Bayern has played better this season without Robben, who has struggled to find
top form after missing the early part of the season. Bayern played its best at
that time, leaving Heynckes in a tough spot as to what to do with Robben.
Schalke travels to Monchengladbach in Saturday's other match involving top-six
clubs, with third place on the line. Schalke currently sits third on 41 points
- level with Bayern - while Gladbach is just one point back.
With the top four separated from the pack, the winner should emerge with one
foot in the Champions League next season. Schalke, led by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
and his 16 goals, has the second-most goals scored this season (46). Gladbach
has allowed the fewest (12).
"Gladbach are a well organized side. They defend well, switch the play quickly
and like to have the ball in their attacking half," said Schalke manager Huub
Stevens.
"Our opponents set out to keep the ball a long way from their own goal. That's
clever. We have to be patient against such a team and when we create chances
we have to make sure we take them."
Markus Babbel will debut as Hoffenheim's coach at Werder Bremen on Saturday,
and Mainz hosts Hannover and Stuttgart hosts Hertha Berlin in the day's other
matches.
Augsburg hosts Nurnberg and Cologne hosts Hamburg on Sunday to end the week's
action. Wolfsburg hosts Freiburg on Friday to open the week's action.
<< Fish gives U.S. 1-0 lead against host Swiss
Fribourg, Switzerland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mardy Fish outlasted Stanislas
Wawrinka in a five-set thriller Friday, as the visiting United States grabbed
a 1-0 lead against Switzerland in their best-of-five opening-round Davis Cup
showdown.
<< More knee problems for Bayern's Breno
Munich, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bayern Munich defender Breno saw his
comeback effort take a step back as it was confirmed that the Brazilian will
require another operation on his knee.
The 22-year-old sustained a torn ACL in
<< Cavs sign Uzoh to 10-day contract
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Cavaliers inked guard Ben Uzoh
to a 10-day contract Friday, a move necessitated by the absence of first-
overall pick Kyrie Irving due to a concussion.
The 23-year-old averaged 16.8 points
<< Arango agrees to Gladbach extension
Monchengladbach, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Juan Arango has signed a two-year
contract extension with Monchengladbach, the club confirmed on Friday.
Arango's previous deal was set to expire at the end of the current season, but
the 31-year-
<< Hoffenheim turns to Babbel
Sinsheim, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hoffenheim has named Markus Babbel as its
new manager on Friday, signing the former Hertha Berlin and Stuttgart boss to
a two-and-a-half year contract.
Babbel takes the place of Holger Stanislawski,
Milan hopes to end poor run of form at Udinese >>
Udine, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - AC Milan will try to return to the win column
on Saturday at Udinese after a dip in form has left the Rossoneri staring up
at Juventus in the Serie A standings.
A run of seven wins in eight matches in all
Report: West Virginia, Big East to settle lawsuit >>
Charleston, WV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - West Virginia and the Big East have
reportedly agreed to end their legal issues in a move that will enable the
university to leave the conference and join the Big 12 in July.
According to the Ch
NCAA proposals would enhance player safety >>
Charlotte, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NCAA Football Rules Committee wrapped up
three-day meetings Thursday by recommending several rules proposals for the
2012 season that are intended to enhance player safety.
The proposed changes include:
Kerber ousts Sharapova in Paris >>
Paris, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Capable German Angelique Kerber upset top-
seeded Maria Sharapova in Friday's quarterfinal action at the Open GDF Suez.
The ninth-seeded Kerber upended the Australian Open runner-up Sharapova 6-4,
6-4 at St
Kvitova pulls out of Qatar Open >>
Doha, Qatar (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova will not
play in next week's Qatar Ladies Open due to an unspecified injury.
The world No. 2 Kvitova was slated to be the second seed in Doha, behind world
No. 1 and Austr
The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.
While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.
For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.
1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.
2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.
How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.
Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.
Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.
How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).
Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.
Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6
The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.
Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com. "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.
It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis. It's like Week 1 of the NFL. Pre-season means nada!
We do know the 24 finalists however.
Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24. He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway. He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien.
Brandon Rogers - Who?
Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition. He should go a good distance.
Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was. And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition. He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice! People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way.
"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks. He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes. But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.
A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”
Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes.
"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate. "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past. He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far. Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."
Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts)
And the others:
Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter
The girls
"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis. "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has. The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive. I think she will go far."
Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.
"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams. Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth. "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.
Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.
Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.
Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan
MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with).
Last two contestants will be?
1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)
2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)
2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)
MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.
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