NHL Betting Insider – Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins

NHL Tuesday Night Preview

The hottest game on ice has a busy schedule on Tuesday. Those doing any NHL betting can pick from six intriguing contests – here’s two of the marquee matchups . . .

Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins

The Bruins took a much-needed win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, snapping a three-game skid and getting just their second win in the last six games. Boston found life with the man advantage, scoring two power-play goals versus Buffalo, giving the team its first goals with the man advantage since October 22. The Bruins have struggled to score this season, averaging just over two goals per game. Injuries and illness are the main cause of this scoring drought.

The Penguins are suffering through some scoring issues of their own heading into Tuesday. A West Coast road swing wrapped with back-to-back losses against the Kings and Sharks in which the team scored just two total goals. Injuries have also slowed Pittsburgh’s progress and left head coach Dan Bylsma to scramble his lines, mixing his stars with minor-league callups. The Pens split their four meetings with the Bruins last season, winning the most recent matchup 6-4 at home in March.

Minnesota Wild at Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs are on a winning streak. It may be only two wins in a row, but it’s a streak nonetheless. Toronto is coming off a huge victory over the Red Wings at home Saturday. Goaltender Jonas Gustavsson stood on his head, stopping 35 of 36 shots, and getting help from his blueline. The Leafs’ forward corps is also coming around. Newly acquired Phil Kessel is settling into his role with the team, totaling three points in the past two games.

The Wild are grinding out wins, taking three of their last four games in one-goal fashion. Minnesota has benefited from quick starts, scoring five of its eight goals in the first period in those wins. The Wild have taken the lead and then relied on their blueline and solid work from goaltender Niklas Backstrom, who can pick up his 100th career victory with a win against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Minnesota won last season’s lone meeting between these teams. Going back to 2000, Toronto leads this series 5-2.

Premier League Betting – Liverpool vs. Birmingham City

Liverpool FC are after a 1:1 draw against Lyon in midweek Champions League action. The Champions League attempt came right after a 3:1 to Fulham in Premier League action. Indeed, the Reds are in all sorts of woes right now. And as you might expect their upcoming domestic commitment against Birmingham City is a must-win. Birmingham City are relegation threatened but they are coming off a scoreless draw against Manchester City, which considering the state of their campaign is a good result for them. However, Birmingham City cannot really be overconfident about their chances at Anfield Stadium.

Soccer Betting Line:

Liverpool FC -1½ -115 -325 2½ O -120 U Ev 2 O -120 U Ev Draw +375
Birmingham City +1½ -105 +1200 2½ O -120 U Ev ½ O -130 U +110

Venue: Anfield Stadium

Match Time: 03:00 P.M. Eastern Time Monday November 9, 2009

Soccer Betting Verdict: Liverpool FC were sixth in the table ahead of the weekend, but slipped to seventh when most contested their matches on Saturday and Sunday. As Liverpool and Birmingham close the 12 th cycle, the standings will be adjusted accordingly. Liverpool have a shot to move up to fifth in the League if they take all three points at the expense of Birmingham City.

Birmingham City are currently 15 th in the table on 11 points, at a level with 16 th Bolton and 17 th Hull City. They are at the positive end of the mark on a better goal difference and so long as they don’t lose by a huge margin to Liverpool, they will hold on to their place in the standings.

Liverpool enter this match as the favourites to win outright however, they are listed at rather pricey odds of -325 to win outright. They are expected to win so. But at such a hefty price they are not worth the risk. Birmingham City are unlikely to take anything away from Anfield Stadium so they would be a long shot bet at +1200 to win outright. They have shown some stoicism through the early season and therefore while they are expected to lose they are not expected to capitulate huge. The value in this match is betting on the score. Taking Liverpool to cover the spread at -1 ½ -115. And taking the combined totals at Over 2.5 goals -120, Liverpool to score over 2 goals at -120 and Birmingham City to score at least one goal at Over ½ -130 are some of the better options on offer.

Soccer Free Picks: Liverpool -325 | Liverpool -1 ½ -115 | Over 2.5 -120

Strikeforce Main Event – Fedor Emelianenko (-500) vs. Brett Rogers (+350)

We all know that Brock Lesnar sells pay-per-views. But can the world’s top heavyweight, Fedor Emelianenko, bring TV ratings at a rate anywhere near what Lesnar and even Kimbo Slice are capable of?

The world will find out on Saturday as CBS Television brings what should be the best main event and fight card in the history of free MMA TV to the airwaves.

Emelianenko is the polar opposite of Lesnar: technique over brute force, quiet confidence over self-promotion, grappling over wrestling, a pudgy physique compared with a mostly rock-solid body, and on and on.

But that’s what makes him so fascinating as we continue to watch his dominance unfold.

The man who will take to the cage on Saturday against Fedor, Brett Rogers, would elicit the most picks in a straw poll of men on the street with his enormous size and more intimidating presence, but the bettors know better and have predictably installed Fedor as a big-time favorite.

Fedor Emelianenko is currently a -500 to +350 favorite over the underdog Rogers in the BetOnline Sportsbook, and for good reason as he has beaten virtually all of the best heavyweights in the world.

Rogers has youth and size on his side, however, and he overwhelmed strong favorite Andrei Arlovski in his last Strikeforce bout to earn this title shot.

The specter of a quick knockout at the hands of Rogers is something Fedor will have to look out for, as he should have about 40 pounds or so of a weight advantage come fight time along with 3-4 inches in height.

But Fedor’s biggest asset is his sambo-based grappling game along with his experience and cold, calculating demeanor in the cage. If Fedor gets in trouble, he should be able to clinch with Rogers and take him down where he has the potential to put him in a serious world of hurt if not submit him. Rogers could be in serious trouble due to his lack of a reliable ground game if that’s where the fight goes.

Make no mistake, Fedor will lose sometime soon because he might have a bit of ring rust and he hasn’t fought the level of competition he did back in PRIDE. That makes Rogers a value bet at +350 as an underdog going into this one.

But the likely outcome is that Fedor uses his game planning, grappling, and/or knockout power to chop down the taller Rogers, eventually making him tap due to an armbar in the first or second round.

The pick: Fedor Emelianenko (-500).

Strikeforce Betting Picks – Gegard Mousasi vs. Sokoudjou

Gegard Mousasi is not Fedor Emelianenko, but in some circles, he’s starting to get almost as much respect.

A training video of the two Red Devil sparring partners grappling in an exhibition match has made the rounds, and while Fedor seemed to get the best of Mousasi in the match, the fact is that Mousasi was able to land some incredibly nasty and technically sound throws of his own on the bigger and more experienced Fedor.

Look at the MMA betting circle for evidence of the respect people have for Mousasi, where the 26-2 boxing/sambo specialist comes into his fight against a solid opponent in Sokoudjou as a huge -500 to +350 favorite, and that’s despite the fact that Sokoudjou has the same kind of knockout power as Fedor’s Strikeforce opponent on Saturday night, Brett Rogers.

Granted, Sokoudjou does have just a 7-4 record but he is a beast of a fighter who just made short work of the much bigger Bob Sapp in Dream and has wins over topnotch fighters like Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Ricard Arona from his PRIDE days.

Some expected him to get more respect against Mousasi because of the power he possesses in his quick hands, but his lack of a reliable ground game is probably the biggest reason why he’s an underdog going into his Strikeforce fight.

This fight was originally scheduled to be in Dream’s Super Hulk tournament but was moved to Strikeforce so Americans could get another glimpse of Mousasi, Strikeforce’s Light Heavyweight Champion. The belt won’t be on the line this time around for Mousasi, but pride and physical health definitely will be among other things.

On the feet, Sokoudjou is deadly, but Mousasi has a solid edge technically as his boxing and long reach allow him to land crisp, calculated strikes on anyone he comes up against.

Its no contest when it comes to the ground game where Mousasi has a much bigger edge. He’s not a true jiu-jitsu ace like his last opponent Renato Sobral, but his transition game and ability to get in position using takedowns and strategic jiu-jitsu and sambo for MMA is on a different planet form what Sokoudjou can do going into this fight.

With so many different possible ways for winning the fight, it’s hard to bet against the favorite Mousasi, even though he’s just 24 years old right now.

Sokoudjou has a slight chance to win via one big punch, but that’s not the wisest bet to make when Mousasi has the ability to finish the fight wherever it goes.

For that reason, Mousasi is the safe pick here as he continues to prove himself as one of the world’s best. Get the popcorn ready because it could be another highlight-reel win for the Armenian/Dutch prodigy.

Strikeforce MMA pick: Gegard Mousasi (-500).

NBA Parlay Picks – Nets Looking For First Win in Philly Tonight

Maybe it’s me, but I just don’t believe the New Jersey Nets (0-5 SU, 0-5 ATS, 2-3 O/U) should be winless after five games this season with the boatload of impressive young players that are on their roster.

The Nets will try to pick up their first win of the season when they battle their longtime Atlantic Division rivals, the Philadelphia 76ers (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS, 2-2 O/U) at the Wachovia Center tonight at 7 PM ET.

The Nets were obliterated by the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, losing 122-94 while failing to cover the game’s NBA moneyline as 9-point road underdogs while the 216 combined points played Over the 200-point O/U total.

Chris Douglas-Roberts scored a team-high 19 points in a losing effort.

The Sixers also got blown out in their last game, falling to the incendiary Boston Celtics 105-74 on Tuesday night while failing to cover the NBA moneyline as 6.5-point home underdogs.

Andre Iguodala scored a team-high 17 points in the loss while the final scored played Under the 191.5-point O/U total.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends and NBA betting odds, followed by my in-depth analysis and expert NBA free picks.

• Nets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games.
• Nets are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
• 76ers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite.
• 76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Atlantic.
• Nets are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Philadelphia.
• Under is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings in Philadelphia.
• Nets are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
• Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
• Road team is 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
• Underdog is 13-3 ATS in the last 16 meetings.

NBA Odds
New Jersey Nets +12½
Over/Under 190½

Analysis: While the New Jersey Nets have gone a dismal 0-4 ATS in their last four road games and 0-6 ATS in their last six games overall, I think they’re going to cover this high point spread against a Sixers team that has also struggled to cover the spread recently.

Philadelphia has gone a pitiful 2-5 ATS in their last seven games as a favorite and just 1-4 ATS in their last five games against their Atlantic Division rivals.

The Nets may be averaging just 88.8 points per game this season compared to Philly’s 105.0 points per contest, but New Jersey has also gone a perfect 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings in Philadelphia while the road team in this series has gone 7-2 ATS in the last nine meetings and the underdog, an impressive 13-3 ATS in the last 16 meetings.

While the Under has gone an unblemished 5-0 in the last five meetings in Philadelphia and 7-3 in the last 10 meetings overall, I like this game to play Over the O/U total with Philadelphia’s new up-tempo style under veteran head coach Eddie Jordan.

NBA Free Picks: Nets +12½ Points/Over 190½ Total Points

NCAA Football Betting – Purdue Boilermakers at Michigan Wolverines

Purdue Boilermakers at Michigan Wolverines

Saturday, November 7, Noon ET
Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI

The Michigan Wolverines imploded last week in a devastating loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini that has Rich Rodriguez perhaps on the hot seat in Ann Arbor despite still being early in a total transformation of what was one of the most static programs in college football.

Fans are now realizing that perhaps they were too hard on Lloyd Carr and his conservative style, considering he won Big Ten titles and a national championship despite some of his struggles.

As for Purdue Boilermakers, the mood was fairly upbeat in town considering the team defeated Ohio State under new coach Danny Hope and also almost beat Oregon on the road, a team that just walloped USC.

Signs of progress are being made but the feelings of “Same old Boilermakers” crept back in last week during a shocking blowout loss to Wisconsin.

Now, both programs face a key game in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines desperately need to win at least another game so Rodriguez can get a to a bowl, while Purdue would love to beat the Big Ten’s other flagship program to give recruiting a big boost.

The line on this one at BetOnline.com has Michigan favored by 6 points at home in a projected high-scoring game with the over-under listed at 53 ½ points.

Michigan is 7-1 in their last 8 games against the spread vs. the Boilermakers and Purdue is just 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at Michigan Stadium. But you can almost throw those trends out the window as both have new regimes at the helm. This is a whole different ballgame.

Michigan’s defense is extremely porous in the back seven and Purdue should be able to pass the ball for good yards. Plus, their RB, Ralph Bolden, and QB, Joey Elliot, can both run some to keep Michigan off-balance.

On offense, Michigan should score a lot as well. Expect this game to be similar to last year’s wild one in which Purdue won on a hook-and-ladder play late at home in a shootout.

Michigan should pull it out on the strength of the home crowd and a superior run game but Purdue should be able to cover this spread considering how bad Michigan’s defense has been.

The pick: Purdue (-6) and the over (53 ½).

College Football Betting Odds – Oregon Ducks vs. Stanford Cardinal

Oregon Ducks (7-1 SU, 6-2 ATS) at Stanford Cardinal (5-3 SU, 5-3 ATS)

Saturday, November 7: 3:30  p.m.

College Football Betting Odds: Oregon -7

Here are some BetOnline.com Betting Trends Which May Impact This Game:

• Oregon: 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games
• Oregon: 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games
• Oregon: Total has gone OVER in 5 of their last 7 games
• Stanford: 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games
• Stanford: 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games
• Stanford: 9-1 SU in their last 10 games

One of college football’s hottest teams hits the road Saturday, when the Pac-10 leading Oregon Ducks travel to Palo Alto, CA to take on the Stanford Cardinal.

For Chip Kelly, it’s hardly been the first year that Oregon’s new coach expected, but after eight games they’re right where they want to be, at the top of the Pac-10.

The Ducks are coming off the game of their lives last Saturday, a 47-20 beat down of powerhouse USC. The game was actually not even as close as the final score indicated, as Oregon rolled up 613 yards of total offense in the win.

For the Ducks, success has come as quarterback Jeremiah Masoli continues to improve. On the season, Masoli has missed parts or all of most games, but has been healthy in Oregon’s biggest wins, including last Saturday. He has thrown for over 1100 yards and six touchdowns, as well as rushed for eight more scores. Additionally, LaMichael James has emerged as a truly phenomenal compliment at the running back position, as he is closing in on 1000 yards for the season, and has rushed for at least 100 yards in five of the Ducks last six games.

Defensively, Oregon doesn’t have a lot of “name,” players, but they continue to get better as the season goes on. Currently, the Ducks rank 20th in college football in total yardage allowed and scoring defense, and had one of their best games last weekend, holding USC’s balanced offense in check.

As for Stanford, it has been an excellent third season for coach Jim Harbaugh, as he looks to return the Cardinal to a bowl game for the first time in close to a decade. Leading the way for Stanford is one of the best rushing attacks in college football, led by senior Toby Gerhart. Gerhart is ranked No. 9 in all of college football, with just under 1000 yards. He has rushed for over 100 yards in six of the Cardinal’s eight games this season.

On defense, while Stanford is good, they’ve still struggled quite a bit. They are giving up an average of 22 points per game, but also rank in the bottom half of college football in yardage allowed and pass yardage allowed. The key of course for the Cardinal will be limiting Oregon’s high-powered rushing attack.

After watching Oregon absolutely dismantle USC last weekend, this point spread seems a little low. Sure there are factors against the Ducks: They are going on the road, playing a team coming off a bye, in an early West Coast kickoff. But with a Pac-10 crown in sights, I have to assume they’ll be ready to play come Saturday.

Take Oregon, giving a touchdown in this week’s college football betting odds.

Aaron’s Pick: Oregon -7

NBA Parlay Pick – D-Wade and the Hot Heat vs. Mellow’s Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets (5-0 SU, 4-1 ATS, 3-2 O/U) and Miami Heat (4-1 SU, 4-1 ATS, 1-4 O/U) have both gotten their respective 2009-10 NBA campaigns off to sizzling starts but someone has to take a loss when the two square off at AmericanAirlines Arena tonight at 7:30 PM ET. I know which team that will be.

The Nuggets remained undefeated, spanking the struggling New Jersey Nets 122-94 on Wednesday and covering the NBA point spread for pro basketball bettors as a 9.5-point road favorite. The Miami Heat were handed their first loss of the season in a 93-89 loss to the revamped Washington Wizards on Wednesday, but they did manage to cover the NBA point spread as 2-point road underdogs.

Here is a look at the key trends and NBA Betting Odds for tonight’s East versus West matchup, followed by my in-depth analysis and expert NBA Picks:

• Nuggets are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
• Nuggets are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 road games.
• Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
• Heat are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games.
• Heat are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Nuggets are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
• Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
• Home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
• Nuggets are 3-1-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Miami.
• Over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.

NBA Odds:

• Denver Nuggets +1
• Over/Under 205½

Analysis: The Miami Heat’s fine start this season is impressive, having gone a fine 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall and 6-2 ATS in their last eight home games. But I like the red-hot Denver Nuggets to cover the NBA point spread here with the outright road win NBA pro basketball bettors.

Denver has gone a blistering 7-1 ATS in their last eight road games versus a team with a winning home record and an even more incendiary 13-3 ATS in their last 16 road games.

Making matters worse for Miami is the fact that they’ve gone just 1-4 ATS in their last five home games against a team with a winning road record while the Nuggets have posted an inspiring 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings against their counterparts in this series.

With Denver going 3-1-1 ATS in the last five meetings in Miami and the Over going an even better 7-3 in the last 10 meetings between these two teams, I say play the Nuggets and the Over in this NBA parlay pick BetOnline pro hoops lifers.

NBA Free Picks: Nuggets +1 Point/Over 205½ Total Points

NBA Betting Odds – Magic Looking For Revenge Against Pistons

The Orlando Magic (4-1 SU, 4-1 ATS, 3-2 O/U) will be looking to extract some serious revenge on the Detroit Pistons (2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS, 1-4 O/U) when the two Eastern Conference rivals square off at Amway Arena tonight at 7 PM ET.

Orlando was upset by the Pistons on Tuesday night, losing 85-80 as 8.5-point road favorites as center Dwight Howard was held to eight points and five rebounds while fouling out after playing less than 17 minutes.

"We knew if we could get Dwight into foul trouble, they’d be in trouble, because we’d have an open path to the basket," Detroit backup point guard Will Bynum said following the game. "So we just tried to keep attacking."

The Magic will also be looking to record their second straight win after spanking the Phoenix Suns 122-100 on Wednesday as they covered the game’s 7.5-point NBA point spread with room to spare.

Dwight Howard scored a team-high 25 points and blossoming forward Ryan Anderson added a fantastic double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds as the game’s final score played Over the 218-point O/U total.

The Pistons got spanked just one night later, losing to the Toronto Raptors 110-99 on Wednesday while failing to cover the NBA point spread as 8-point road underdogs. Ben Gordon scored a game-high 30 points in a losing effort while the game’s final score played Over the 193.5-point O/U total.

Here is a look at the key trends and NBA Betting Odds for this NBA ‘revenge-game’ showdown, followed by my in-depth analysis and expert NBA Picks.

• Pistons are 2-11 ATS in their last 13 games overall.
• Pistons are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 road games.
• Pistons are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
• Magic are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 vs. Eastern Conference.
• Magic are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
• Magic are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 vs. NBA Central.
• Pistons are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
• Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
• Pistons are 12-4 ATS in the last 16 meetings in Orlando.
• Underdog is 6-0 ATS in the last 6 meetings.

NBA Odds

• Orlando Magic -14
• Over/Under 194½

Analysis: With Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince doubtful for tonight’s matchup – and Mickael Pietrus back for the Magic – I don’t think there’s any way the Detroit Pistons win or cover the spread in this contest.

Despite losing to the Pistons three nights ago – and going a shocking 0-4 against the spread in their last four contests against Detroit – I’m sticking with the Magic in this contest tonight.

Orlando is averaging a stellar 108.4 points per game this season while the Pistons are putting up just 89.6 points per contest.

The majority key trends for this matchup also suggest a Magic NBA point spread cover with Detroit going just 2-11 ATS in their last 13 games overall, 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games and a winless 0-5 ATS in their last five road games against a team with a winning home record.

Orlando has gone an impressive 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games against Eastern Conference ballclubs, 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall and a fantastic 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games against their NBA Central Division rivals.

Take the Magic minus the points NBA sports betting members.

NBA Free Picks: Orlando Magic -14 Points

College Football Betting Odds: Kansas vs Kansas State

Kansas Jayhawks (5-3 SU, 2-5 ATS) at Kansas State Wildcats (5-4 SU, 3-3 ATS)

Saturday, November 7: 12:30  p.m.

BetOnline.com Football Betting Odds: Kansas -3 ½

Here are some BetOnline.com Betting Trends which may impact this game:

• Kansas: 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against Kansas State
• Kansas: 2-4 SU in their last 6 road games
• Kansas: 7-3 SU in their last 10 games
• Kansas State: 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games against Kansas
• Kansas State: 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against Kansas
• Kansas State:  5-0 SU in their last five home games

While the records of Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas State Wildcats look very similar, don’t let them fool you: One team is going in one direction, the other in a drastically different one.

For Kansas, expectations to begin the season were sky-high with many thinking that the Jayhawks were the favorites in the Big XII North. Well not only have those expectations been tempered, Kansas may need help just to reach their third straight bowl game.

After starting off the year 5-0 the wheels have come off for the Jayhawks, with three straight defeats. In those games, the defense has been exposed, as being soft…to put it nicely. Kansas has given up 37 points per game in those losses, all in conference play. They are currently 100th in college football allowing 247 passing yards per game, as well as 71st overall in scoring defense at 25 points per game.

Also, the Jayhawks have literally added insult to injury, as quarterback Todd Reesing had to leave last week’s loss against Texas Tech. It is uncertain if Reesing will be able to go on Saturday, meaning that either Kale Pick- who has never attempted more than two passes in any college game- or wide receiver and former quarterback Kerry Meier could get the start under center.

As for the Kansas State Wildcats, they are experiencing a midseason renaissance under former, retired and current coach Bill Snyder.

For those of you wondering, yes that’s the same Snyder who led the Wildcats program for close to 20 years and retired earlier this decade after several Big XII North Championships. However, he is back on campus, and the team hasn’t looked this sharp in years.

Just last week, the Wildcats hung with the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman, falling 42-30. It is important to note though, that after the first quarter, Kansas State actually outscored the Sooners 30-21.

This offense has come alive under quarterback Grant Gregory, especially in the last few weeks. Against Oklahoma’s stingy passing defense, he threw for 174 yards, which is actually more than Texas quarterback Colt McCoy threw for a few weeks ago.

Don’t let the records or the numbers fool you, Snyder has Kansas State back. They are getting 3 ½ points on the road, and with Reesing less than 100 percent the Wildcats are the team to pick. Take them and don’t look back in this week’s College Football Betting Odds.

Aaron’s Pick: Kansas State +3 ½

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