Celtic, Rangers highlight SPL once again
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08/13/2010 -
Glasgow, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers have
combined to win the last 25 Scottish Premier League titles, so when the season
kicks off Saturday, the only suspense is which Glasgow club wins this time.
Celtic has finished second the last two seasons behind Rangers, and both teams
remain a cut above the rest of the SPL again this season, although both squads
lost a number of players.
"The pressure is always the same for Old Firm managers," Ranger manager Walter
Smith said. "Every other SPL manager would like to be in our shoes and it's
only when you are there that you encounter the difficulties that managing one
of the Old Firm throws up.
"The challenge is always there. Celtic had won three in a row and we have
managed to win the last two so we obviously want to make it three and carry
that on."
Rangers lost leading scorer Kris Boyd to Middlesbrough of the English Premier
League and replacing the striker won't be easy. Boyd led the SPL with 23 goals
last season and scored 101 goals in under 150 appearances for the club.
Coach Smith will also be without United States international DeMarcus Beasley,
who remains without a club after being with the Scottish team from 2007-10.
Smith did add striker James Beattie, a former England international, from EPL
side Stoke City this week, but one or two more additions are likely before the
transfer window closes.
Kenny Miller, second on the team and third in the league with 18 goals, is now
forced to pick up more scoring load alongside Beattie.
Rangers, which opens at Ibrox against Kilmarnock, lost just three matches last
season and topped Celtic by six points. Celtic struggled last season but still
finished 18 points ahead of third-place Dundee United.
Celtic, under first-year coach Neil Lennon, will have to replace more notable
departures, including striker Robbie Keane, goalie Artur Boruc and defender
Edson Braafheid. Keane and Braafheid were on loan from Tottenham and Bayern
Munich, respectively, while Boruc transferred to Fiorentina. Midfielder Aiden
McGeady joined the exodus Friday, transferring to Russian club Spartak Moscow.
Keane led the club with 12 goals last season, although he joined the team from
the English club on loan at midseason.
The Bhoys, who open at Iverness, signed Cha Du-Ri, Gary Hooper, Efrain Juarez,
Beram Kayal, Joe Ledley, Charlie Mulgrew and Daryl Murphy to compensate for
the losses.
Lennon will have a hard time in his first year in charge, and with just a one-
year contract, will also be battling for his job.
"From my point of view you always have a level of respect for Celtic managers
and that hasn't changed. Neil is just starting out and my first managerial job
was with Rangers so I know what he is going through," Smith said.
Rangers and Celtic will also try to contend in the Champions League, something
that hasn't happened in recent years for the Scottish teams.
Also Saturday, Dundee United will try to take a step toward joining the SPL's
elite when it opens at St. Mirren. In the day's other matches, Aberdeen hosts
Hamilton and Hearts hosts St Johnstone. Motherwell hosts Hibernian on Sunday.
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<< Crew aim to end RSL's home streak
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Nadal, Murray reach Rogers Cup semis >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two-time winner Rafael Nadal and reigning
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million Rogers Cup, an ATP Masters event.
The world No. 1 Nadal was tested mightily in a
Patriots put DL Warren on IR >>
Foxboro, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New England Patriots placed starting
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The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Warren is suffering from a hip injury that could
require surger
Columbus exercises 2011 option on coach Warzycha >>
Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Columbus Crew announced Friday they have
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Following a superlative debut campaign, Warzycha is now in his second full
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Cubs reinstate Lee, option Hoffpauir >>
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Cubs reinstated first baseman
Derrek Lee from the bereavement list Friday and optioned infielder Micah
Hoffpauir to Triple-A Iowa.
Lee left the team Tuesday during a series in San
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Blackpool, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Blackpool boss Ian Holloway made his
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Chris Basham.
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Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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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)
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