Tag Archives: sportsbiz

Week 7 Thursday Night Football Betting Preview

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are a banged-up team, which might bring them down to the Chicago Bears’ level. The Packers are listed as the eight-point favorite against the Bears in the Thursday Night Football matchup. The total is set at 46 points. Green Bay is a -370 heavy favorite on the moneyline, with the Bears at +285.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

The Packers are 3-2 straight-up and 1-3-1 against the spread after losing to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6. Green Bay, which is 10-3 SU in their last 13 games after a loss, is thin in the running game and in pass coverage. Starting RB Eddie Lacy and backup RB James Starks are out, while top CB Sam Shields has been played on injured reserve and CBs Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins are also sidelined.

Rodgers is off to a slow start, but the Packers offensive line is thriving at pass protection and the Bears have not had a consistent pass rush since switching to their 3-4 defense. Rodgers’ main targets, WR Jordy Nelson and WR Randall Cobb, will also face a Bears secondary that could be minus starting CBs Tracy Porter and Bryce Callahan.

FIFA Set Up Working Group to Probe Potential Benefits of eSports Associations

Football’s governing body FIFA has created a working group to look into the growth of eSports to see what opportunities are present to help enhance the beautiful game on a global scale.

Tonight, Manchester United head to Anfield to take on Liverpool. It is the biggest derby in English football. When I was a kid, the whole world stopped on its axis in the build up to this game. We would use our school jumpers for goal posts and play out the game ahead of the real thing. Those with great Dads would head to watch the match live, and the ones with Dad’s who were too busy working their right arm down the pub would huddle around the TV set or radio.

I wonder how many kids will be watching the game tonight?

I wonder how many of the working class can afford a Sky TV subscription?

Week 8 EPL Review: Liverpool & United Play Out Snore Daw

Arch rivals Liverpool and Manchester United played out a snore draw at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp’s side miss the opportunity to go joint top of the table with Arsenal and Man City.

Liverpool’s clashes with Manchester United are some of the hotly anticipated games of the season, but tonight, the British public would have been better off watching the Great British Bakeoff.

It was the 197th meeting between the two North West teams stretching back as far as 1894, and I doubt you will find one as boring as this.

It was a game of few chances as United started to look like a Jose Mourinho side for the first time this season. The industry of Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young preferred to the silky skills of Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard. Wayne Rooney found himself on the bench once again. Liverpool started with Daniel Sturridge up top. Georgino Wijnaldum was missing due to an injury sustained during the international break, and Adam Lallana began on the bench.

Week 8 EPL Review: Arsenal Move Level With City At The Top

Week 8 of the English Premier League sees Arsenal draw level with Man City at the top of the league after a 3-2 home win against Swansea; Spurs take a point at West Brom to maintain their unbeaten start; Chelsea hammers Leicester.

Arsenal is now level with Man City at the top of the Premier League after a Theo Walcott brace helped the Gunners to a 3-2 home win against visiting Swansea City.

It was Arsenal’s sixth Premier League win on the spin and their 10th game unbeaten in all competitions since being on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller against title challengers Liverpool at the start of the season.

Former US National coach, Bob Bradley, who was taking charge of the South Wales side for the first time since the board showed Francesco Guidolin the door, must have wondered what he had let himself in for after Arsenal ripped them apart at times in the first half.

Week 6 Monday Night Football Betting Preview

Carson Palmer and the Arizona Cardinals often have trouble covering as a home favorite, but have an excellent opportunity to break out against the New York Jets’ porous pass defense. The Cardinals are the eight-point favorite against the Jets in the Monday night matchup.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

Arizona is only 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 home games after an outright defeat against the Los Angeles Rams in their most recent outing at University of Phoenix Stadium, but they are 8-0 straight up in their last eight home games after losing their previous home game.

Prior to missing Week 5 while completing the NFL concussion protocol, Palmer had been struggling, with his lowest quarterback rating since 2013. The scenario seems tailor-made for the Cardinals. The Jets allow a NFL-worst 9.2 yards per pass, and CB Darrelle Revis (hamstring), has not been participating in practice. Arizona might finally be able to get Carson, WR Larry Fitzgerald, WR Michael Floyd and WR John Brown on the same page.

NFL Power Rankings Week 6 – The Upside Down

I’ve been around the game for long enough to recognize a bizarre season when I see one. And this season might as well be The Upside Down from Stranger Things. Aside from Pittsburgh, Denver and New England being among the best in the AFC, nothing else about the 2016 season makes any goddamn sense and it’s crushing bettors all over the place.

At some point you just have to take information for granted. Stop trying to figure it out and just say “this team is covering despite having tremendous flaws.” Be brave, my wayward friend. You are not alone.

1. New England Patriots (4-1 SU and ATS)

They’re not close to a perfect team, but in a season like this, they’re more than good enough to be the best team in the league by a country mile. The problem? Tom Brady moves the betting line so much that it’s hard for them to be a pure profit generator against the line. This might be the last time they hold the top spot.

Week 6 Thursday Night Football Betting Preview

The Denver Broncos will try to maintain their mastery of divisional road games without their coach when they visit the San Diego Chargers. The Broncos are listed as the 3.5-point favorite against the host Chargers in the Thursday night matchup. The total is at 45.5 points.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

Denver is 15-0 straight-up, and 14-1 against the spread, over its last 15 road games within the AFC West. Coach Gary Kubiak (migraine condition) will be replaced on the sideline by special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis. Starting QB Trevor Siemian (sprained left shoulder) is listed as questionable, but has been practicing.

The Broncos, who were shredded by the Atlanta Falcons in Week 5, are 14-2 SU in their last 16 games after a loss. Denver will need to better support Siemian (or Paxton Lynch) with a strong rushing game. Both RT Donald Stephenson and TE Virgil Green are returning from three-game absences, which should improve Denver’s run blocking.

World Cup Round-Up: Germany, Belgium, Greece & Switzerland Have 100% Records Intact

The European qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in Russia have come to a temporary halt with Germany, Belgium, Greece and Switzerland winning all three of their opening group matches.

France remains joint second favourites to life the World Cup after beating their main Group A rivals Holland in the Amsterdam Arena by a goal to nil.

A long distance strike from the world’s most expensive player, Paul Pogba, settled one of the plum ties of the week in the 30th minute. Holland, who were without Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder through injury, also lost Quincy Promes after 16-minutes. Promes scored twice in Holland’s 4-1 win over Belarus on Friday. Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum also limped off with a hamstring injury and could miss his side’s tie with Manchester United on Monday.

In the other Group A ties, Sweden maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign with a 3-0 win over Bulgaria. Belarus and Luxembourg drew 1-1. France is -275 to win the group. The Netherlands is +250 and Sweden is +800.

Wayne Rooney Dropped For Slovenia Clash; What Next For England’s Top Goalscorer?

Gareth Southgate has dropped Wayne Rooney for their crunch tie away in Slovenia prompting Paddy Power to axe the odds of him retiring from international football from 33/1 to 3/1.

When the Football Association (FA) appointed Gareth Southgate as England’s interim manager, two questions immediately popped into my mind replacing the recurring image of him missing THAT penalty in 1996.

1. Will he command respect from his senior players?

2. Can he bite?

Week 5 Sunday Night Football Betting Preview

Aaron Rodgers after a bye week is daunting for any coach, even one who was part of the Green Bay Packers’ meetings and practices for eight seasons.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

The Packers are listed as seven-point favorites for their Sunday Night Football matchup against the New York Giants, whose rookie head coach Ben McAdoo was on Green Bay’s staff for eight seasons. The total is set at 48 points.

Since Rodgers became their quarterback in 2008, the Packers are 6-2 straight-up and 6-1-1 against the spread in games after a bye week. Green Bay is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games in October.

Ex-NBA commish David Stern gets a grip on ‘outdated’ sports betting fear

David Stern has been known as a staunch opponent of sports betting legalization. Well, not anymore.

The former NBA commissioner recently made a complete turnaround from his former stance, telling ESPN.com’s David Purdum that “the notion that gambling will lead to bad things is ‘outdated.’”

Stern, along with major sports leagues such as the NBA, supported the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), which effectively limited state-sponsored betting to Nevada and, to a lesser extent, Delaware. In 2012, Stern even argued that, “The NBA cannot be compensated in damages for the harm that sports gambling poses to the fundamental bonds of loyalty and devotion between fans and teams.”

Four years later, and Stern is singing a new tune—thanks partly to the popularity of daily fantasy sports.

Week 4 Monday Night Football Betting Preview

The Minnesota Vikings’ hot start and the New York Giants’ mounting injuries have affected the Monday Night Football betting matchup. The Vikings are listed as 5.5-point favorites against the Giants, after opening as a 3.5-point favorite. The total is set at 43 points.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

Minnesota is 8-2 straight-up and against the spread in its last 10 games as a home favorite of 6.0 or fewer points. Quarterback Sam Bradford, since being airlifted to replace injured Teddy Bridgewater, has not had an interception through two starts.

Bradford and primary targets such as WR Stefon Diggs, WR Adam Thielen and TE Kyle Rudolph will be facing a makeshirt Giants secondary. Janoris Jenkins is the sole healthy CB, with both Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (groin) and Eli Apple (hamstring) hobbled. The Giants reportedly worked out offensive players at defensive back this week.

Week 4 Sunday Night Football Betting Preview

Coming off an embarrassing loss, the Pittsburgh Steelers will try to continue their track record of bounce-back games against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Sunday Night Football betting matchup.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

Pittsburgh is listed as a 5.5-point favorite against visiting Kansas City, with a total of 47. The Steelers, who were defeated 34-3 by the resurgent Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3, are 12-2 straight up in their last 14 games after a loss.

Led by QB Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers are 8-2 SU and 4-5-1 against the spread in their last 10 home games against AFC West competition. The Steelers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games with a closing total of 47.5 or more. Pittsburgh has RB Le’Veon Bell back from suspension, which should aid in manufacturing long drives that test the stamina of the Kansas City defense.

Samsung Lions pitcher indicted in illegal online gambling scandal

South Korean baseball pitcher An Ji-Man has been formally charged of engaging in an illegal online gambling operation, despite earlier reports that he had been cleared of charges.

An, a former pitcher for the Samsung Lions in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), was summoned back in July by the district prosecutor’s office in Daegu for investigation over allegations that he provided funds to a friend who went on to launch an illegal betting site.

Prosecutors said An gave KRW160 million (USD146,000) to his friend, according to reports. The pitcher denied the allegation and told authorities that he’d lent his friend money for the purposes of opening a restaurant.

Prosecutors had cleared the 33-year-old former pitcher of his illegal online gambling charges back in August after they failed to find enough evidence to back the allegations, according to Yonhap News. Samsung Lions player Yun Sung-hwan was also cleared of the same charges.

Week 4 Thursday Night Football Betting Preview

Among other reasons, the Cincinnati Bengals are big favorites against the Miami Dolphins due to their track record of avoiding extending losing streaks.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

The Bengals are listed as 7.5-point favorites against the Miami Dolphins, with a total of 45 points, for the two 1-2 teams’ Thursday Night Football betting matchup. Cincinnati is a -360 moneyline favorite, while Miami is a +280 underdog on those odds.

Cincinnati, which is coming off losses against the Pittsburgh Steelers, is 5-0 both straight-up and against the spread in its last five games after consecutive losses. The biggest concern about the Bengals is whether their offensive line, which has already allowed 12 sacks, will be able to protect QB Andy Dalton.

Week 3 Monday Night Football Betting Preview

A tight point spread is often daunting for Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, who host the Atlanta Falcons in a potential Monday Night Football scoring battle to wrap up Week 3 of the NFL season.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

New Orleans is listed as a three-point favorite on the betting lines, with a total of 53.5, which is the highest of the week.

The Saints are 2-3 straight-up and 1-3-1 against the spread in their last five games as a favorite of three or fewer points. New Orleans is 5-0 ATS in their last five NFC South games, and has a good chance of getting RB Mark Ingram going since the Falcons and rookie MLB Deion Jones are allowing 4.6 yards per rushing attempt.

Week 6 EPL Review: Man City’s Perfect 10

A roundup of the Week 6 Premier League news including the perfect 10 for Manchester City, a Wayne Rooney free Manchester United destroy the champions, and Sunderland drops to the foot of the table after capitulating at home to Crystal Palace.

Pep Guardiola entered English football under a thunderous fanfare, but not even the greatest manager in the world could have expected a start like this. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager extended his start in English football to a ten-game winning run, in all competitions, after a hard fought victory over Swansea City, at the Liberty Stadium.

Can anyone stop them?

On the evidence of their most recent showing in South Wales, the answer is yes. Guardiola’s success is without question, but he has never played or managed in the Premier League. Every game is a battle, and the Swans pushed them all the way.