Mercedes Cup – Kohlschreiber and Kiefer bid for quarters
July 15, 2009
Stuttgart, Germany – Philipp Kohlschreiber leads the German charge on day 4 at Stuttgart along with compatriots Nicolas Kiefer and Simon Greul. While Kohlschreiber is set to battle Polish Lukasz Kubot, Nicolas Kiefer and Simon Greul collide in the second round for an all-German affair. A spot in the Mercedes Cup quarters on the line. Who will advance?
Here is a look at the second round action at Stuttgart, complete with BetOnline tennis betting lines and odds.
Tennis Betting Line: Nicolas Kiefer -220 Simon Greul +170
Match Time: 05:00 A.M. Eastern Time Thursday July 16 2009
Tennis Betting Verdict: This all-German affair pits two veterans against each other. No. 40 Nicolas Kiefer is 32-years-old. He once ranked as high as No. 4 in the world (2000). Over the last few years, Kiefer has struggled to keep up with the game and for the most part it has left him behind. His best run in recent memory came last year when he reached the Rogers Cup final (l. to Rafael Nadal). The last time he had reached a final prior to that Masters Canada final was in 2005. Kiefer takes a 6-9 mark into Stuttgart.
No.87 Simon Greul is a seasoned player at 28-years-old. Though he is a few years Kiefer’s junior, Gruel is a different story altogether. Greul competes on both the singles and doubles circuits and his highest career single’s ranking was No.75 (2006). He is 4-6 on the season.
Overall, Kiefer is the better player of the two and therefore, he is the favourite to win this match. Home edge is cancelled out naturally so this should be an interesting affair. Greul is not without a chance, seeing Kiefer is but a shadow of his old self. He should be able to give the German crowd something to cheer about and make a match of it. Still, Kiefer is the value play.
Tennis Free Picks: Kiefer in three sets.
Tennis Betting Line: Lukasz Kubot +650 Philipp Kohlschreiber -1400
Match Time: 05:00 A.M. Eastern Time Thursday July 16 2009
Tennis Betting Verdict: Kohlschreiber arrives in Stuttgart after heroically representing Germany in their 2-3 Davis Cup quarterfinal loss to Spain over the weekend. Kohlschreiber, who won both his rubbers against Robredo and Verdasco, did not seem to show any ill effects from the weekend’s disappointments as he cruised into the second round.
Philipp Kohlschreiber began his bid at Stuttgart with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over Diego Junqueira of Argentina. Next up is Polish qualifier Lukasz Kubot. It will be the first time the fifth seed and world No. 26 Kohlschreiber meets No.127 Kubot. Kohlschreiber is a notable 28-13 on the season, which includes taking Germany to the World Team Championships final, semis in Halle and quarterfinals in Doha and Auckland.
Kohlschreiber enters this match as the whopping favourite at -1400. He is the heavyweight in this match and the player expected to win. His season has been standout so far so he has tons of confidence. He is on form and he has home edge.
Tennis Free Picks: Kohlschreiber in straight sets
Gilles Simon leads French Push at Stuttgart
July 15, 2009
Stuttgart, Germany – Top seed Gilles Simon and fellow French mates, Jeremy Chardy and Paul-Henri Mathieu lead the French surge on day 4 at Stuttgart. Simon and Co. hope to fly the French flag high at Stuttgart and push into the quarterfinals. Here is a look at their second round matchups, complete with tennis betting odds and lines and free picks.
Tennis Betting Line: Fabio Fognini +200 Paul Henri Mathieu -300
Match Time: 05:00 A.M. Eastern Time Thursday July 16 2009
Tennis Betting Verdict: Fabio Fognini is a dangerous clay courter who does most of his damage on this surface. He reached the Monte Carlo quarters earlier this year where he actually gave world No.3 Andy Murray something to think about before bowing out in a tight two-setter. Fognini is however inconsistent and he has been unable to replicate his Monte Carlo heroics. Paul-Henri Mathieu is a huge talent but despite all his natural ability and raw skills he never quite reached the heights in the game most expected of him. Along with the physical aspect of the game is the mental. Mathieu does not have the best head in the game. He can be inconsistent as well and one never knows when he might implode. Currently, he is riding a bum wave in tournament play. He weighs in as the favourite but there is more value in Fognini methinks.
Tennis Free Picks: Fognini in three sets
Tennis Betting Line: Martin Vassallo Arguello +150 Jeremy Chardy -200
Match Time: 05:00 A.M. Eastern Time Thursday July 16 2009
Tennis Betting Verdict: Jeremy Chardy is a promising French talent and a player to watch in the next few years. He is also quite a good clay courter. He enters this match as the favourite at -200. However, Argentine Martin Vassallo Arguello is a clay court specialist. This is the surface on which he wrecks most havoc on, so it follows, he has a chance to upset the favoured Frenchman. That said, there is more value in Chardy.
Tennis Free Picks: Chardy in straight sets
Tennis Betting Line: Gilles Simon -300 Mischa Zverev +200
Match Time: 05:00 A.M. Eastern Time Thursday July 16 2009
Tennis Betting Verdict: Top seed Gilles Simon enters this match as the favourite at -300. His compatriots will be looking to him to lead the French charge in Stuttgart but he takes on local favourite, German Mischa Zverev in the second round. Zverev is adept on clay and he recently was a quarterfinalist at the Rome Masters. He has not followed up on that successful run since; yet, that is, as he might do so here. Nevertheless, Simon is the value play.
Tennis Free Picks: Simon in three sets
Almagro and Gimeno-Traver in Swedish Open 2nd Round
July 15, 2009
Bastad, Sweden – While defending champion, Spaniard Tommy Robredo is already through to the quarterfinals after successfully opening his title defence campaign with a convincing 6-2, 6-3 victory over Peter Luczak, compatriot and top seed Fernando Verdasco is yet to start his tournament. Verdasco opens his Catella Swedish Open bid in the second round on Thursday when he takes on Daniel Koellerer of Austria.
Joining him on Day 4 of the tournament, in the second round is Nicolas Almagro and Daniel Gimeno-Traver. Almagro, who was the 2007 Swedish Open runner-up (l. to countryman David Ferrer), moved into the second round with a cool straight set win over Marat Safin, 6-3, 7-6(6). Meanwhile, Spanish qualifier Daniel Gimeno-Traver advanced into the second round when he dispatched Frederico Gil , making short work of Portugal’s No.1 player 6-1, 6-4.
In 2000, the Catella Swedish Open was won by one of its own, Swede Magnus Norman. Since then, the tournament saw a Spanish champion five times 2002, 2005-08, an Argentine twice (2003-04) and an Italian once (2001). Might the champion be amongst the Spanish contingent again or is he elsewhere? A side note: Magnus Norman, the last Swede to win the event is currently sitting in Robin Soderling’s box, as his coach.
Tennis Betting Line: Nicolas Almagro -220 Potito Starace +170
Match Time: 05:00 A.M. Eastern Time Thursday July 16 2009
Tennis Betting Verdict: Nicolas Almagro enters this match as the solid favourite with a price tag of -220. Almagro is a devastating clay courter. This is his favourite surface and he does most his damage on, winning all five of his career titles. In 2009, he is 17-12 on the season with one title – Acapulco. Starace is a good clay courter in his own right but he is not at the same level as Almagro. Starace is no on form this season as well; he takes an 11-15 mark into this match. Almagro is the value play and he should advance with ease.
Tennis Free Picks: Almagro in straight sets
Tennis Betting Line: Daniel Gimeno Traver +170 Jurgen Melzer -220
Match Time: 05:00 A.M. Eastern Time Thursday July 16 2009
Tennis Betting Verdict: Austrian Jurgen Melzer might be more than what Daniel Gimeno Traver can handle. Melzer is the solid favourite at -220 in this match. He currently ranks No.28 in the world and he is coming off an okay grass court stint – a quarterfinal in Halle and a R32 at Wimbledon. Melzer is not punching at his weight class though; he takes a 16-18 mark into Bastad. So he might not be a sure play. Moreover, he prefers fast courts like grass than slow courts like clay. Therefore, No.91 Gimeno-Traver has a surface edge over Melzer that should he convert on might see him mastermind the upset.
Tennis Free Picks: Gimeno-Traver in three sets
Padding Your Track Bankroll – Wednesday July 15
July 14, 2009
The $65,000 Jersey Girl Stakes is the featured race on the Belmont Park card today, and although the race drew just a small field of five three-year-old fillies, we might be able to catch a decent price with our top pick Union City .
If the Tony Dutrow trainee can upset the 6/5 morning line favorite Slam the Cat, it might bode well for our Late Pick 3 play.
The Jersey Girl is the middle leg of the three-race sequence, and we will invest $24 in the play.
The play of the day comes earlier in the card, a maiden special weight race for two-year-old fillies, all first time starters.
Our top pick Dattt Echo has the price tag, the pedigree, the workouts, and the connections to be a runner, and her 8/1 morning line looks attractive as well.
Today’s Play of the Day from Belmont Park:
BEL Race 4 Md Sp Wt (2:36 ET)
#6 Dattt Echo 8/1
#4 Union Waters 3/1
#2 Taboo 6/1
#1 Genuine Charm 5/2
Analysis: #6 Dattt Echo is a $360K Keeneland purchase making her debut for the Hennig barn that is 16% winners (with a +ROI) with first time starters. The filly is by Strong Atlantic (13% winners with debut runners) out of a Coronado’s Quest mare that has dropped one other foal to race, stakes winner Mini Bhavan ($267K). The filly sports a quick string of works for an underrated barn with younger runners.
#4 Union Waters debuts for the Pletcher barn that is 18% winners with firsters. The filly is by Dixie Union (10% winners with debut runners) out of the stakes winner Panama Canal ($192K), who has dropped four foals to race, three winners, top earner Rough Water ($92K). She put in a quick drill out of the gate on July 9. Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 4/1 or better.
EX: 4,6 / 1,2,4,6
TRI: 4,6 / 1,2,4,6 / 1,2,3,4,6
Today’s Pick 3 Play from Belmont Park:
Starting in Race 7: $1: 6,7,9 / 2,5 / 1,3,5,10 = $24
BEL Race 7 Md $25,000 (4:12 ET)
#6 New York Holiday, #9 Straight Flash, #7 Chromospere
#6 New York Holiday returns to the grass for just the second time here after setting the early fractions and weakening to finish third last out in the mud in a race taken off the turf. Two back in his first go on turf he raced along the inside much of the trip in a fifth place finish, beaten 3 3/4 lengths for the top spot. The third place finisher in the race was Have You Ever, who beat $35K maiden claimers in his next outing on June 4. The pedigree for turf is on the light side but this guy does have seven sibs that are winners including a couple of stakes winners, top earner Im Out First ($438K).
#9 Straight Flush was a non-threatening sixth in his debut, which came going a mile on the turf here for a $35K tag. The third and fourth place finishers in the race came back to graduate in their next starts. This guy also has a light pedigree for grass but is in a sharp barn with Brown and has more upside than this group, five of which have lost 8+ times.
BEL Race 8 Jersey Girl S. (4:45 ET)
#5 Union City, #2 Slam the Cat
#5 Union City raced wide much of the trip in a fifth place finish in the Jostle at Philly. They went very quick early in that race and she was just run off her feet. The runner up in the race was Northern Belle, who came back to take a optional claimer for non-winners of three in her next outing at Del Park on July 11. Two back our top pick showed good early speed wiring a field of Alw-1 foes at Philly off a nine-month layoff. She is quick enough to get the lead here as she drops into restricted company and she figures to bounce back with a better effort here for the Tony D. barn.
#2 Slam the Cat is coming off a sharp win last out against Alw-1 foes, taking the field gate to wire. She has won three in a row since coming back off a six-month layoff for the Kimmel barn. She owns a solid pace profile throughout and showed two back she does not need the lead to win. Her last two figs point her as the one to beat here but the price is going to be on the short side.
BEL Race 9 Clm $7,500 (5:17 ET)
#1 Silver Ferrari, #5 Indian Hawke, #10 Here I Go Again, #3 Api Mohkat
#1 Silver Ferrari was a sharp winner last out against $10K non-winners of a race in six months at a short price. The third place finisher in the race was Mister Alimony, who beat $16K non-winners of a race in six months in his next start on July 10. Our top pick steps into open company here but comes in here very sharp and owns a solid pace profile throughout.
#5 Indian Hawke returns off a seven week break for the Maker barn. In his first go for the barn, the gelding dueled for the early lead and weakened to finish fourth against open $10K claimers. The runner up and fifth place finisher in the race were next out winners while the winner Geroni was beaten just a head at Philly against $12.5K starter allowance company in his next start on June 15. The gelding is a two time winner over the main track here and makes his second start for the Maker barn that is 35% winners (with a +ROI) second off the claim.
Price Plays From Belmont Park:
These are price plays to watch today. A small win-place wager is in order or if your pockets are deep enough, use these runners in your trifecta and Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers. One or two of these could be the difference between a regular day at the track and hitting the IRS window with a signer. R2: #2 Itobe 8/1
R2: #3 Calling My Colors 10/1
R4: #6 Dattt Echo 8/1
R5: #1 Ed’s Princess 8/1
R6: #6 Park Avenue Prince 10/1
R9: #10 Here I Go Again 8/1
Good luck padding your bankroll today!
Jacques Lemaire Returns to New Jersey Devils
July 14, 2009
Talk about a blast from the past! The New Jersey Devils, never one to make big noise in the free-agent market, have opened up the gates to one of hockey’s better coaching talents. Infamous for developing the strategy referred to as the neutral zone trap, Lemaire returns to the team where he won his one and only Stanley Cup Championship as a coach in 1995. Lemaire has been coaching the underachieving Minnesota Wild for the past eight seasons, having gone as far as the conference championship in 2002-03.
What exactly does this do for the New Jersey Devils? Besides familiarity, I’m not so sure. The president and general manager of the Devils, Lou Lamoriello, has been lambasted for making the Devils’ coaching position a revolving-door. But Lemaire, who has 11 Stanley Cups as a player/coach/executive, is the kind of grizzled coach and hockey wizard that the Devils need.
Lemaire has a gift for developing young talent, and the Devils are in a tough spot when it comes to considering the future. In net, they have the best goalie of all time in Martin Brodeur. However, at age 37, and having played just 31 games last season, Brodeur’s health remains a concern. When Lemaire and Brodeur were first united during Lemaire’s previous tenure as a Devils coach, they made history together and put Brodeur in the position he enjoyed last season, passing Patrick Roy on the all-time wins list to assume the mantle as greatest all-time.
Now Lemaire’s task will be similar to the one he assumed in 1993 when he first joined the Devils. He’ll have to take a young team and find the right mix to make things work in the playoffs. Zach Parise scored 94-points for the devils last year, and four players after that scored more than 60-points. To make things even more promising, Lemaire boasts a crop of young talent on the minor league affiliate that will help restore some youth and grit to a Devils lineup that was lost last season.
Notorious for moving players up and down lines during games, Lemaire’s coaching strategy will bring cohesion to a unit that lost its way last season. It didn’t help that Lamoriello has been made the coaching position in New Jersey a hot-seat. After Brent Sutter left to go coach the Calgary Flames, Lamoriello did what he had to do to instill some consistency and faith in the coaching staff, especially given the youthful age of the roster – he went out and found the only man he could trust.
With Lemaire behind the bench, the Devils will be making noise once again. They are rarely a team that rattles the cages in the free-agent market, or partakes in massive, jaw shattering trades. They are a team which conserves funds and builds from the inside. Bringing back Lemaire is the first-step in to ensuring Game 7 collapses, and first round exits, don’t become a part of the Devils’ storied past of success.
Mercedes Cup – Wednesday First Round action
July 14, 2009
Stuttgart, Germany – Day 3 of the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart sees first round action end and second round action commence. The last few matches in the first round feature Russian Mikhail Youzhny square off against Frenchman Paul Henri Mathieu and Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan take on Martin Vassallo Arguello of Argentina. Here is a look at the last few opening matches as tennis betting continues at BetOnline Sportsbook this week.
Tennis Betting Line: Mikhail Youzhny -115 Paul Henri Mathieu -125
Match Time:05:00 A.M. Eastern Time Wednesday July 15 2009
Tennis Betting Verdict: No.72 Mikhail Youzhny and No.39 Paul-Henri Mathieu are set to meet of the fifth time in their careers with the Russian holding the 4-0 edge to the better.
Youzhny started the 2009 term slow, struggling in tournament play. An inspired turnout during the late spring months saw him push to the final in Munich (l. to Berdych) and the semis in Kitzbuhel (l. to Guillermo Garcia-Lopez). In the first week of the short grass court swing, he reached the quarters of London’s Queen’s Club (l. to James Blake). In spite of these few encouraging results, Youzhny’s season cannot be described as anything but a disappointment. He is better than he has shown us to be this year. He has oscillated in the rankings. He is 20-17 on the season, highlighted by back-to-back first round exits at Eastbourne and Wimbledon. He is recently coming off representing Russia in their Davis Cup tie against Israel (Russia lost).
If Youzhny’s season is a disappointment, Mathieu ‘s is a disaster this season. He is 17-17 on the term, highlighted by an inability to win back-to-back matches consistently.
Given the mixed nature of both these player’s seasons this match is anybody’s for the taking. The tennis betting line is appropriately close. For my part, I like Youzhny in this match because he is slightly better on clay than Mathieu and has the head-to-head edge. That said, don’t be surprised if Mathieu finally wins his first match against Youzhny. The Russian’s confidence took a beating this weekend so he might be due a win against him finally.
Tennis Free Picks: Youzhny in three sets
Tennis Betting Line: Andrey Golubev +120 Martin Vassallo Arguello -160
Match Time: 05:00 A.M. Eastern Time Wednesday July 15 2009
Tennis Betting Verdict: I would have expected slightly wider odds between these two players but as this is what the bookies have come up with, we must make ado. No.71 Golubev is 5-8 on the season meanwhile, No. 49 Martin Vassallo Arguello takes a 13-14 mark on the season into this opening match. The Argentine veteran beat Golubev in the lower circuits in 2005 and therefore has a 1-0 edge. It happened to be a match on clay. Vassallo Arguello is a clay court specialist – he had a good stint during the South American clay court swing. He is the value play at -160.
Tennis Free Picks: Martin Vassallo Arguello in straight sets
Mercedes Cup – Davydenko Eyes Spot in Quarters
July 14, 2009
Stuttgart, Germany – The Mercedes Cup enters the second round on Wednesday and there is a whole slew of exciting action on the books at BetOnline Sportsbook for online tennis bettors to choose from, so, let us get started.
Tennis Betting Line: Alexandre Sidorenko +235 Oscar Hernandez -375
Match Time: 03:00 A.M. Eastern Time Wednesday July 15 2009
Tennis Betting Verdict: Oscar Hernandez accounted for the first mini-upset when he took out Janko Tipsarevic in the first round. The Spanish veteran beat Tipsarevic 6-4, 6-4 to book his spot in the second round. Meanwhile, Alexandre Sidorenko took full advantage of a lucky loser pass when Alberto Montanes withdrew from the tournament by beating qualifier Daniel Munoz de la Nava in three sets 7-6(3), 1-6, 6-2. It is the first career meeting between No.56 Hernandez and No.193 Sidorenko. Sidorenko is competing in only his second ATP event on the season; he arrived in Bastad 0-1 on the season. Hernandez is 12-19 on the season. This match could go either way but if there were an advantage, it would be in Hernandez’s camp. He is the clay court specialist and the seasoned player.
Tennis Free Picks: Hernandez in straight sets
Tennis Betting Line: Rainer Schuettler +160 Victor Hanescu -210
Match Time: 03:00 A.M. Eastern Time Wednesday July 15 2009
Tennis Betting Verdict: German Rainer Schuettler opened his campaign with a victory over Ivo Minar of the Czech Republic. The veteran rallied from a set down to send Minar packing 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-4. Schuettler is looking for a spot in the quarters but standing in his way is Romanian Victor Hanescu who moved into the second round with a victory over German qualifier Domink Meffert on Monday. Hanescu has the 1-0 edge over Schuettler but the lone encounter came in 2004. Schuettler has the home edge and with crowd support, he just might rally past Hanescu. Schuettler is the value play in my opinion.
Tennis Free Picks: Schuettler in three sets
Tennis Betting Line: Michael Berrer +600 Nikolay Davydenko -1200
Match Time: 05:00 A.M. Eastern Time Wednesday July 15 2009
Tennis Betting Verdict: German Michael Berrer hopes to give the home crowd something to cheer about tomorrow but he takes on second seed Nikolay Davydenko. Berrer and Davydenko have crossed paths only once before in Rotterdam (2007) with the Russian getting the better of Berrer in straight sets. Berrer has home edge but Davydenko has surface edge. Significantly, Davydenko is a top 20 player and former world No.3, whereas, Berrer is a journeyman player.
Tennis Free Picks: Davydenko in straight sets
NFL Preview – NFC North Figures to be a Three Way Battle
July 14, 2009
The NFL will soon begin their training camps in preparation for the 2009 NFL Season. BetOnline has already released odds on which teams will win the 2010 Super Bowl, which players will win the MVP, and how many regular season games each team will win.
Today we take a look at the NFC North Division and analyze the chances of each team, based on their odds to win the NFC North.
Let’s take a look at the teams.
NFL: NFC North Division To Win
1. Green Bay Packers +200 – - The Packer should be back n 2009 when they take to the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Green Bay, in the NFC Championship game two years ago, made the right choice by starting Aaron Rodgers last year. A year under his belt as a starter should have done wonders for Rodgers, but the real story is the fact that the Packers drafted two potential starters for their defense in B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews. Both guys will play in the Packers front seven and both guys could make a big impact. That, along with a healthy Nick Barnett, makes the Pack defense one of the best in the NFC North. Good offense, great coach, terrific defense…this team will be tough in this division.
2. Chicago Bears +180 – - Jay Cutler will absolutely make a difference at the quarterback position in 2009. Devin Hester might finally be ready to be a dominant wide receiver in the NFL and running back Matt Forte will be running behind one of the better offensive lines in the league. On defense, the Bears need to stay healthy or else they could be in trouble, again. The key with this team will be Cutler. If he can manage games the right way, protecting the aging and slowing defense against good offenses by keeping the ball in the Bears’ hands, then the Bears could challenge for the division title.
3. Minnesota Vikings +160 – - The defense is very good and nobody is better at the running back position than Adrian Peterson, but let’s be honest and just say that this is the one team in the NFC North that hasn’t really improved. Sage Rosenfels just isn’t the answer at quarterback. Neither is Tarvaris Jackson. Neither is John David Booty and, sorry Viking fans, neither is Brett Favre if he finally decides to come back. Without a real quarterback, the Vikings are in trouble because the teams that I like ahead of them, Green Bay and Chicago, have two of the top 10 quarterbacks in the league playing for them.
4. Detroit Lions +1400 - – The odds should be 140 to 1 on the Lions to win this division not 14 to 1. The problem with Detroit is that unless Matthew Stafford is Matt Ryan from Atlanta, he’s going to have a long season in Detroit under center. Then again, Ryan has Michael Turner to turn to at the running back position, a good offensive line and a decent defense. Stafford has an awful defense, a suspect offensive line and Kevin Smith and Maurice Morris to turn to in the backfield. It’s going to be a long, lonely trip for Stafford and Lions in 2009.
Tommy Robredo Opens Catella Swedish Open bid
July 14, 2009
Bastad, Sweden – Third seed and defending champion Tommy Robredo headlines Wednesday action in Bastad along with second seed and local favourite Robin Soderling. Robredo, who is making his ninth career appearance at Bastad, is a two-time champion (2006 and 2008) at this event and boasts a 21-6 tournament record. On five previous occasions, Robredo has made the semis or better. He is hoping for a title hat-trick.
Elsewhere, Bjorn Phau and Teimuraz Gabashvili and Daniel Gimeno-Traver and Federico Gil collide in the second round. A spot in the quarters on the line.
Tennis Betting Line: Daniel Gimeno Traver -130 Frederico Gil -110
Match Time: 06:00 A.M. Eastern Time Wednesday July 15 2009
Tennis Betting Verdict: Portuguese Frederico Gil is 14-11 on the season and takes a 1-0 edge over Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver after having beaten him at Queen’s Club earlier this year. Yet, little else separates the pair on paper. They are ranked in succession – Gil at No.90 and Gimeno-Traver at No.91. As Gil is adept on clay, so is Gimeno-Traver. Hence the tight tennis betting line. If there were an edge, it would be consistency. Gimeno-Traver has a bum season and takes a lowly 8-15 mark into Bastad.
Tennis Free Picks: Gil in three sets
Tennis Betting Line: Bjorn Phau +115 Teimuraz Gabashvili -155
Match Time: 06:00 A.M. Eastern Time Wednesday July 15 2009
Tennis Betting Verdict: No.69 Bjorn Phau of Germany vanquished Swedish hopeful Daniel Berta in the first round to book a clash with No.75 Teimuraz Gabashvili of Russia. Phau (29) is 6-11 on the season; meanwhile, Gabashvili (24) is 8-16 on the season. Very little separates the two players, save for surface edge. Gabashvili has the slight edge on this surface, making him the better play.
Tennis Free Picks: Gabashvili in three sets
Tennis Betting Line: Tommy Robredo -650 Peter Luczak +375
Match Time: 08:00 A.M. Eastern Time Wednesday July 15 2009
Tennis Betting Verdict: No.16 Tommy Robredo at 27 years-old is still in his prime, playing some of his best tennis. Recently, he was a quarterfinalist at Roland Garros. He has an impressive 34-14 record with two titles on the season – Costa do Sauipe and Buenos Aires. This is the second meeting between Robredo and No.145 Peter Luczak of Australia. Robredo owns the 1-0 edge having beaten Luczak (29) at the 2005 French Open R128. Luczak is a decent clay court player but Robredo is a clay court aficionado. Robredo is the better play.
Tennis Free Picks: Robredo in straight sets
NFL Passing Yards Futures
July 14, 2009
Our look at NFL futures moves on to the passing game to look at a race that wasn’t even close last season. Does that mean it’s an easy choice for NFL betting fans wagering on the passing yards future this season?
Last season Drew Brees easily surpassed every other quarterback in the league in passing yards. By passing for 5,069 yards Brees threw for nearly 500 more yards than Kurt Warner, who was second in the league with 4,583 yards. Brees’ amazing season almost got him into the record books, as he finished only 15 yards behind Dan Marino’s all-time record for passing yards in a single season. Numbers like that will be nearly impossible to duplicate, even in New Orleans’ pass-happy offense. However, since he completely obliterated the rest of the league, it’s unlikely Brees would need to match those numbers to lead the league in passing once again. Even a 300-yard drop would still have left him on top last season. Because of that, Brees is heavily favored to lead the league again at BetOnline at +220.
Don’t hand Brees the passing yards title just yet though. Leading the league in passing yards in back-to-back seasons isn’t an easy feat. In fact, it’s quite a rare feat which hasn’t been done since Warren Moon did it in 1990-1991. Brees had a chance to do it a few years ago after leading the league in 2006, but he finished second to Tom Brady a year later in 2007. That has been a common occurrence the last four seasons, with Brees and Brady trading the title back and forth; Brady won it in 2005 and 2007, while Brees won in 2006 and 2008.
Will that trend continue with the passing yards title going back to Brady? The signs definitely point to that being a possibility, with Brady returning to his starting job after missing almost all of last year with a knee injury. On the NFL odds Brady follows Brees at +600, and if he’s healthy he should be able to challenge Brees for the title while passing to Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Joey Galloway.
Other than Brees and Brady the only other QBs the oddsmakers are giving a chance to on the NFL betting odds are Kurt Warner and Peyton Manning. Both have led the league in passing yards before, and both are currently listed at +700. Warner led the league in 2001, and after finishing second in passing yards last season he could challenge for the top spot again if he can remain healthy. Manning, who led the league in 2000 and 2003, has seen his yardage numbers drop the last three seasons, so he’ll need to reverse that trend to pick up a third passing-yards title.
