Bafana Bafana need win over frazzled French, help to survive
Soccer Betting Lines
06/21/2010 -
Bloemfontein, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - South Africa is on the verge of
becoming the first host nation to fail to advance to the knockout stage of the
FIFA World Cup, but a frazzled France presents a part of the miracle equation
the Bafana Bafana need to survive Tuesday.
South Africa started the tournament with promising 1-1 tie against Mexico, but
after a 3-0 defeat to Uruguay, needs a win over France, for Mexico and Uruguay
not to draw Tuesday, and to overturn a considerable goal differential deficit.
Bafana Bafana continue their tournament at Free State Stadium and hope support
from the hum of the vuvuzela can help produce, if nothing else, a win to close
their World Cup in Group A play.
Mexico and Uruguay are level atop the group with four points, meaning a tie is
sufficient to put both countries into the knockout round. South Africa and the
French each have one point, so both need a win and help.
South Africa trailed Uruguay by one goal before goalie Itumeleng Khune was red
carded. Diego Forlan scored his second goal on the ensuing penalty and Alvaro
Pereira added the last goal just before the final whistle.
"We have to go on and believe. But [the Uruguay loss] was unacceptable," said
South African captain Aaron Mokoena. "The first 15-20 minutes, they started
pressing us, we lost that belief and we didn't want to play at all.
"We still have France and we really have to bounce back."
South Africa will be without Khune and Kagisho Dikgacoi, who is suspended for
accumulated cards, but will try to add to France's woes. The French don't have
a goal through their first two games, a 0-0 tie against Uruguay and a 2-0 loss
to Mexico, and are headed toward a disappointing exit similar to 2002 when it
failed to score in group play.
During halftime of the loss to Mexico, Nicolas Anelka had a confrontation with
coach Raymond Domenech and the Chelsea striker was later kicked off the team.
Jeremy Toulalan is also suspended through accumulated cards, leaving Domenech
without two starters.
On top of that, another incident involving Domenech before training Sunday led
to practice being canceled.
The latest incidents follow France's controversial qualification after Thierry
Henry's handball set up the game-winning goal in a playoff against Ireland and
an underage sex scandal involving Franck Ribery.
Coupled Domenech's impending departure after the World Cup, France is in total
disarray entering its finale, and captain Patrice Evra admitted it was crucial
just to "salvage our pride against South Africa."
<< Memphis Grizzlies 2010 Draft Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With O.J. Mayo, Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay on hand and
three first round picks at their disposal, the Memphis Grizzlies have a chance
to take the next step in their rebuilding program.
Getting Gay, a restricted free agent,
<< Mexico, Uruguay battle for Group A supremacy
Rustenburg, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Both Mexico and Uruguay are in a
great position to advance from Group A, and their meeting at Royal Bafokeng
Stadium on Tuesday could determine who tops the group and who finishes second.
Both
<< Jankovic, Clijsters win Wimbledon openers
Wimbledon, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former world No. 1s Jelena Jankovic
and Kim Clijsters were among Monday's first-round winners at The
Championships, Wimbledon.
The fourth-seeded former U.S. Open runner-up Jankovic was tested in a 6-3
<< Los Angeles Lakers 2010 Draft Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With their 16th NBA championship safely tucked away, the
Los Angeles Lakers will get to work on a three-peat by trying to unearth a
shooter in the second round of the upcoming NBA Draft.
Obviously a championship team doesn
<< Beat earn first WPS win, 1-0, over Chicago
Kennesaw, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta beat topped the Chicago Red Stars
1-0 at KSU Soccer Stadium to earn their first WPS win on Saturday.
Beat defender Tina Ellertson scored the game's only goal - her first of the
season - just be
New Zealand highlights parity-filled first round >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Finding 32 quality teams to fill out a World Cup field can
sometimes be a difficult task, especially when soccer hotbeds like Europe and
South America are limited to a certain number of teams.
Often times it is the las
This Week in Golf - June 24th through June 27th >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - PGA TOUR - TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP - TPC
River Highlands, Cromwell, Connecticut - The first post U.S. Open tournament
heads to Connecticut with a decent field considering how many people take off
the week afte
Argentina patiently waiting its turn >>
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Behind a devastatingly skilled attack and
coached by a personality to match, it is a bit of a mystery as to how Argentina
has faded into the peripherals of South Africa.
Despite having won both its matches
Winless Nigeria aiming to stay alive vs. S. Korea >>
Durban, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - There aren't many teams that can
afford to lose the first two games at a World Cup and still have a chance at
advancing to the next round.
But that is exactly the situation for Nigeria when
Line of Scrimmage: How high is the sky for Redskins? >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two years ago, an NFL team coming off a
4-12 season made banner headlines by dealing for a highly-decorated veteran
quarterback who was expected to return that franchise to glory.
The same team beefed up t
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.
Anybody who knows about online sports betting knows MySportsbook.com! They are probably the most famous offshore sports gambling website located on the web! After nearly 10 years of online sportsbook service, MySportsbook.com is still impressing their visitors with great customer service, live odds, fast payouts, and an easy-to-use website. MySportsbook.com has everything that die-hard sports fans want. For those looking to bet on all major sporting events, look no further. Make MySportsbook.com your one-stop shop for NFL football, college football, baseball, baseketball, boxing, and horseracing.
MySportsbook.com has one distinct advantage over all other online sportsbooks: They have been in the football gambling industry the longest and have served the most satisfied customers. So if you're in the market for a new online sportsbook for the next upcoming season, be sure to check out MySportsbook.com today! We are absolutely positive that you will not be disappointed with this company.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting lines needs.
|