Fire's Ljungberg set for first trip to Seattle
Soccer Betting Lines
08/27/2010 -
Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Freddie Ljungberg will return to Seattle on
Saturday for first time since being the first designated player ever traded in
Major League Soccer, as his new club Chicago visits Qwest Field.
Ljungberg joined Sounders in a high-profile signing, but the long-time Arsenal
star failed to produce results in his second year in the league. Seattle sent
the Swedish midfielder to the Fire, and both clubs have been benefited.
Seattle (8-8-5) has not lost since Ljungberg last put on a Sounders uniform in
early July, going undefeated in its last six MLS matches. Chicago (6-6-6) lost
last week to Houston, but it was unbeaten in Ljungberg's first three games.
Sounders FC has moved into a playoff position, tied for sixth overall with the
San Jose Earthquakes, although five teams are within five points of the duo.
Ljungberg's departure at Seattle was followed by the addition of forward
Blaise Nkufo and midfielder Alvaro Fernandez, two new designated players, and
Seattle coach Sigi Schmid has used the reinforcements to support Fredy
Montero. Montero is again producing goals, leading the team with eight goals
and three assists.
Ljungberg had two assists in 15 matches for Seattle, and has produced two for
Chicago in just four games. The Fire also added a second designated player by
signing Mexican Nery Castillo, although he is still not at top form.
Ljungberg was excited to join the Fire because "their vision and commitment to
... winning championships was extremely appealing to me."
Chicago does not currently hold a playoff spot, although it sits fourth in the
Eastern Conference. With just two teams in each division guaranteed a playoff
berth, the Fire and Ljungberg could take a major step toward contending for a
title this season with a win in Seattle.
<< TFC aims to start new home streak vs. RSL
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Real Salt Lake travels to take on Toronto FC in
Major League Soccer action at BMO Field on Saturday night.
RSL, which has just one league loss in its last 16, will be facing a Toronto
side that is coming off
<< Report: Manny awarded to White Sox through waiver claim
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago White Sox have reportedly been
awarded Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez through a waiver claim, MLB.com has
confirmed.
There is still the matter of either finalizing a trade with Los Angeles
<< Stakhovsky lands in New Haven finale
New Haven, CT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ninth-seeded Sergiy Stakhovsky was an easy
semifinal winner Friday at the $750,000 Pilot Pen Tennis event, a final
hardcourt U.S. Open tune-up.
The Ukrainian Stakhovsky handled 12th-seeded Dutchman Thiemo D
<< Dons aim to continue perfect start
Aberdeen, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aberdeen enters the weekend on top of
the Scottish Premier League table with two wins from its first two games, and
the Dons will look to make it three wins from three matches on Saturday when
they ho
<< Boyd among three leaders in Scotland
Perthshire, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Five days after losing a playoff,
England's Gary Boyd shot a four-under 68 to earn a share of the second-round
lead Friday at the Johnnie Walker Championship.
France's Julien Guerrier fired a 67
Briscoe captures third straight Chicagoland pole >>
Joliet, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ryan Briscoe will start on the pole for an IZOD
IndyCar Series race at Chicagoland Speedway for the third year in a row after
winning Friday's qualifying for the PEAK AntiFreeze and Motor Oil Indy 300.
With In
Lions place DE DeVries on IR >>
Allen Park, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Lions placed defensive end Jared
DeVries on injured reserve Friday, officially ending his 2010 season.
DeVries has been dealing with knee problems all training camp and he had
arthroscopic
Rams WR Avery has significant knee injury >>
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - St. Louis Rams wide receiver Donnie Avery
suffered an apparently serious knee injury during Thursday night's 36-35
preseason win over New England.
Avery, who departed after recording two catches f
Georgia RB Ealey arrested >>
Athens, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Georgia sophomore running back Washaun Ealey
was arrested early Friday morning for a hit-and-run involving a parked vehicle
and driving with a suspended license.
The Atlanta-Journal Constitution is reportin
An into semifinals at U.S. Amateur >>
University Place, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Defending champion Byeong-Hun An
defeated Max Homa, 1-up on Friday to advance into the semifinals of the U.S.
Amateur Championship.
An's quarterfinal victory at Chambers Bay on Friday keeps h
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
Why Sports Betting is so much fun?
Betting Sports
The most popular sports to bet on are NFL and college football along with NBA and NCAA basketball. There are multiple betting opportunities within those sports, beginning with the basic wager on a game’s outcome (also called betting the side). College Football Point spreads are used in both football and basketball in an attempt to even the attractiveness of each team in a match-up. ( See our article detailing how and why point spreads are made)
But you could also simply bet on the money line, or straight-up winner of the game. Oddsmakers use the money line so that more money must be risked on the favorite or expected winner and less money on the underdog to balance the action on both sides. While money line gambling is an attractive option for football and basketball bettors who only care about picking a winner, it is the primary option for those bettors who enjoy wagering on MLB baseball and individual sports like boxing, tennis, golf and racing events such as NASCAR. ( More details on playing the Money Line)
Points (or Runs) Scored
Another bet across all major team sports including football, basketball, baseball, and hockey involves wagering on the amount of scoring in a game, called an Over/Under total. For example, the Over/Under total on Super Bowl XXXIX was 48, which means a bettor could wager whether there would be more or less than 48 points scored by both teams combined in the game.
The final score of Super Bowl XXXIX was 24-21; the scoring of both teams added up to 45, which means the game went Under . So Under bettors won, and Over bettors lost.
Future Bets
Sports gambling doesn’t end there. Betting sides and totals are the most common wagers available everywhere, but many sportsbooks also offer future bets on big upcoming events like who will win next year’s Super Bowl and what movie will win Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
The main advantage of futures is that you can get appealing odds by betting far in advance. For example, with NFL futures you often can get much higher odds on a team by betting before the season even starts. A NFL future bet on a team to win the Super Bowl odds might be 20/1 in the preseason; but by midseason, their odds might decrease to 10/1 if they turn out to be legitimate championship contenders.
Proposition Bets (or Prop Bets)
Proposition bets , also known as prop bets, focus upon the more exotic aspects of a game and are generally reserved for events that are widely televised. Prop bets are extremely popular when it comes to wagering on the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. The Imperial Palace Casino’s sportsbook is well-known for the enormous number of prop bets offered. For example, you can bet on:
- What team will win the coin toss
- What player will score the game’s first touchdown
- What will be the exact margin of victory
Types of Bets
Straight Bet
Involves one individual wager, whether it be on your team to cover the point spread, to win the game straight-up on the money line, or to go over/under the total.
A parlay is a single bet that links together two or more individual wagers and is dependent on all of those wagers winning together. The benefit of the parlay bet is much better odds than placing each individual bet separately since the difficulty of hitting it is much higher.
Standard payoffs on a two-team parlay are 13/5; while a three-teamer pays 6/1; and a four-teamer 10/1.
Parlay cards are also fairly common in sportsbooks and popular with bettors, as they are released early in the week with set odds that do not change in return for a slightly lower payoff.
Round Robin Betting
Adventurous bettors who enjoy betting parlays sometimes put together a series of parlays called a Round Robin . A three-team Round Robin consists of one three-team parlay and three two-team parlays. For example, Joe likes teams A,B,C – with a Round Robin he has a three-teamer with ABC, and two-teamers with AB, AC, and BC.
Similar to a parlay, a teaser bet is a single bet that links together two or more individual wagers, but is different in that the point spread is adjusted to your advantage on each individual wager. In exchange for the points, you get less of a return on your bet compared to a parlay. For example, a 6-point teaser would move the line on a 7-point favorite from -7 to -1, meaning the team would have to cover 6 less points. Each of the individual wagers must win or the bet is a loss.
These are the main types of sports bets available today. But as sports betting continues to grow, sportsbooks will continue to develop new and creative ways to bet. We’ll continue to track these changes to the sports gambling landscape, so check back often and we’ll tell you all about it!
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