Sports Betting Digest

The Weber State Wildcats will take on the Boston College Eagles on Saturday the 4th in a season opening matchup. These two teams came off of decent seasons last year, but both teams feel like they can become something more in 2010. In the football betting arena, their odds looks promising.

The Boston College Eagles have shown big potential over the years, but they seem to not have much consistency. Just a couple years back it seems like they were making a run to be one of the top teams in the nation. Last season things slowed down tremendously for the Eagles as they only managed a record of 8-5 on the season.

This Boston College team will need to turn up the heat on the offensive side of the ball. Their defense was one of the top 20 defenses in the nation last year. Meanwhile their offense was just the 79th best scoring offense. With a offense that is a bit more consistent this team could take a step to the next level.

The Weber State Wildcats managed a 7-5 record. The Wildcats play in the Big Sky Conference and managed a 6-2 record against conference foes. They are clearly not a big name team, but this team from Utah will be looking to spoil the season for the Eagles. A win against a team like BC could give them a ton of momentum entering the season.

Both teams will come out firing as it is the season opener. Look for a hard fought matchup as the two teams try to start off the season with an important win.

In the welterweight division, Marshall Zelaznik has confessed BJ Penn could well be forced if he and Kenny Florian are successful at UFC 118.

The UFC UK president, Zelaznik, during a recent interview cast his eye over the state of the lightweight division. before Penn attempts to reclaim his title against Frankie Edgar, Kenny Florian and Gray Maynard fighting for the right to become No. 1 contender in August’s UFC 118 card, which features something of a 155lb tournament.

With Florian or Maynard earning the title shot, a win for Edgar would make matters simple. Having never beaten Maynard before, a victory for Penn and Maynard would also hand the Prodigy a new challenge. However, when the Prodigy dominated Florian, and Zelaznik admits that scenario might not prove so straight-forward, triumphs for Penn and Florian would set up a rematch of their clash 12 months ago.

He said, “Penn and Florian only recently happened, and it was a pretty overpowering performance from BJ. Depending on the BJ v Frankie fight, if BJ takes a narrow victory there is the potential for a trilogy between them. If Frankie were to win, it’s very easy to say the winner of Florian v Maynard fights for the championship. But, if BJ wins and Florian wins, then it puts pressure on the match-making. That then puts the possibility of BJ stepping up a weight class back on the table.”

In week two of the NFL preseason on Thursday, the New England Patriots will play the Atlanta Falcons.

In longer than two series in this game, expect Atlanta to leave Matt Ryan. As the number two receiver in Michael Jenkins absence (shoulder surgery), Atlanta will also be trying to work Brian Finneran into the lineup.

After the second offensive series, Tom Brady, Randy Moss and company will most likely bug out. New England and Bill Belichik’s backup quarterbacks will be working with first string receivers for a few plays and they have much work to do. Don’t be surprised if Belichik, a gambler, Brady and Moss in loner than the first quarter.

What will be interesting is the other side of the ball. How long can Matt Ryan actually play? The question is will he play the entire first half! Which will make for an interesting game and it will spice up NFL betting odds too, as no one knows these answers. Atlanta needs to get off to a great start again in 2009 and stay healthy is what everyone does know heading into this game.

On an aging defense, New England will be looking to answer questions. In the NFL Draft, Bill Belichik drafted several defensive players that can step into the lineup this season. When Ty Warren went down with a hip injury, New England did lose a key defensive lineman and he was placed on the season ending injured reserve list. Gerard Warren (no relation) will be replacing Warren. Gerard Warren was released by the Oakland Raiders, a 10 year veteran and he now finds himself as a starter on the New England Patriots defensive line.

At UFC 117, Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen will square off. With high expectations, these two fighters will take the ring.

As of late, Anderson Silva has been simply amazing. In his fights he has even looked bored at certain times during the fights as he has been so thoroughly dominant. With this whether or not anyone will be able to challenge Silva, there have been questions. This fight will just be another opportunity to show how dominant Silva really is in the sport as he has already established himself as an all time great fighter.

At this point, Chael Sonnen is the best contender that the sport has to offer. He has really turned it on as of the last year and he has dropped 10 fights throughout his career. In the league, he has had quality victories over several top fighters. These fighters are clearly not of the quality of Anderson Silva is where the problem lies. With this what to expect from the fight, it is really difficult to know.

To make his presence felt early in the match will be the key for Sonnen. In order to muster up an effort worth Silva’s time, he needs to get his blood and adrenaline flowing early on. Silva may toy around with his opponent again like he did during his last fight, but he will undoubtedly be ready to fight.

It is unclear who will be able to challenge Silva, if Sonnen is not able to contend with him. This figures to be an entertaining fight either way.

Cricket fans in the Europe and UK will be able to follow all the action in September, when the Champions League Twenty20 cricket competition gets underway.

To broadcast the Champions League Twenty20 in the UK and Europe, Eurosport announced this week about an exclusive three-year deal has been signed.

Of the competition, this follows a highly successful inaugural broadcast by Eurosport last year, and to broadcast the tournament on-air and online, the new agreement includes rights, appearing exclusively on the Eurosport Player with featured matches, the channel’s online subscription player service.

Director of British Eurosport, David Kerr said, “As a new, emerging international tournament the Champions League Twenty20 fits perfectly with British Eurosport’s portfolio of events.”

A deal was struck between Asia’s biggest sports content provider, ESPN STAR Sports and Eurosport.

the top T20 teams from West Indies, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and India features in the 2010 edition, all playing for a multi-million dollar prize fund.

In South Africa Sept 10 to 26, it all gets started and features 23 matches.

Some participating teams include the Royal Challengers Bangalore (DLF Indian Premier League – India), South Australian Redbacks (KFC Twenty20 Big Bash – Australia, the Central Stags (HRV Cup Twenty20 – New Zealand), Chennai Super Kings (DLF Indian Premier League – India), the Victorian Bushrangers (KFC Twenty20 Big Bash – Australia), and the Highveld Lions (Standard Bank Pro 20 Series – South Africa).

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has made a decision regarding the pending lawsuit over sports betting in the state, and the decision is to keep himself and the state out of it. The lawsuit, which is attempting to overturn the federal sports betting ban in the state, was initiated by State Senator Raymond Lesniak.

Lesniak felt that the state’s current financial strains could be lessened by allowing the Atlantic City casinos to take in sports bets, providing additional revenue. He claims that the state could pull in an additional $100 million per year if they rejected the federal ban.

However, Governor Christie felt that the lawsuit, while it may indeed increase the state’s revenue base, was likely to fail and that expending any of the state’s time and resources contributing to the lawsuit would be wasted. Through a spokesperson, the Governor stopped short of dismissing the lawsuit entirely, but referred to it as a “legal longshot”, in which the chances for success in the courts would be slim.

State Senator Lesniak expressed disappointment over the Governor’s decision not to participate. However, he said he would continue to pursue the lawsuit as intended.

The lawsuit is attempting to overturn a ban that was instituted in 1992, and not only affects New Jersey but forty-five other states as well.

This spring, Galileo Sports Fund became the first sports betting hedge fund in the world. Centered in London, Galileo works just like any other hedge fund, in which a select group of investors buy in to one fund that follows a specific investing strategy. In the case of Galileo, that strategy is tied to sports betting.

According to Businessweek’s Jonathan Kelly, Galileo is hoping to expand its portfolio to 50 million euro. Investors can buy in to for 100,000 euro. Galileo currently has no American investors.

Galileo doesn’t work the same way common sports betting works, where people place a bet and sit and watch the game hoping for a good outcome. The hedge fund pays careful attention to odds and probability, and makes thousands of investments using a computer system instead of human emotion. If they feel they will lose a game, they get out early, just as any hedge fund would.

The Galileo hedge fund makes their investments in games when they feel they have an advantage. Galileo watches the betting odds and decides whether or not to pull out of a game as it progresses. Odds, just like stock prices, are constantly fluctuating. Galileo predetermines an exit strategy before they invest. In a recent World Cup match, Galileo bet a draw between England and Germany. They pulled out successfully when the Germans went up 2-0 in the first half. With the popularity of sports betting, Galileo expects investment returns of 15 to 25%

All of the ladies quarterfinal matches of the 2010 Wimbledon were featured on Tuesday, June 29. All other matches, besides that were doubles, mixed doubles, and juniors.

When Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria defeated second seed Venus Williams 6-2 6-3 on Court 1, was the headline of the day. On the ladies draw, this was the biggest upset of the tournament. Venus’ shots landed everywhere but inside the court, as she had a total of 29 unforced errors, compared to Pirnokova’s 6. To win today’s match, Pirnokova definitely had the confidence because she upset Venus Williams before at the first round of the 2006 Australian Open. Additionally, Pironkova became the first Bulgarian to reach the semifinals of a grand slam. Meanwhile, on Centre Court against Li Na 7-5 6-3, Serena Williams comfortably won her quarterfinal match. The hope of seeing a Williams sister holding the championship trophy is still alive.

#21 seed Vera Zvonareva, who defeated #8 seed Kim Clijsters 3-6 6-4 6-2 was another slight upset of the day. Clijsters by her 33 winners and 36 unforced errors reflected that she played aggressively. In the middle of the second set, the errors really hurt Clijsters as she let Zvonareva get back into the match. After the match, Clijsters said, she was not too thrilled with her own level of play towards the end and she was very disappointed.

Match of the day between Petra Kvitova and Kaia Kanepi was the most competitive. With these two unseeded players, most tennis fans are unfamiliar, who have never advanced past the second round of Wimbledon. The young Czech Kvitova won the nearly three-hour battle 4-6 7-6(8) 8-6.

On Tuesday in Anaheim, crosstown rivals the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels open a three-game set.

For MLB betting fans, the fight on field between these two rival teams has always been a great entertainment. The Major League Baseball series hopes to bring back some excellent play from both the squads, though both the teams have not been in their best form for the past few years. Angels had their last win in the year of 2002 where as the last win of Dodgers dates back to the year 1998. Both Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels are ready to hit back on the other and prove themselves, gearing to bounce back.

As both the teams equally needs a win to get back their confidence and self belief, fans are definitely in doubts about which team will give the other a tougher time. You can hope to see some great game strokes from the big hitters of the team including Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp who are reared up to win the match this Tuesday, if you are supporting the Dodgers. On the other hand, Angels are also geared up to give their best for the match. The tickets of this match will no doubt get sold easily and fast, with their top players such as Erick Aybar and Kendry Morales ready for action.

On 22nd June, promises to set in the fields, enjoy the incredible excitement that the match between Dodgers and Angels.

After the long 2010 clay court season, ATP pros only have a few weeks to prepare for the grass courts of Wimbledon. There are only two warm up tournaments before the grass season’s grand slam tournament in London.

For the last several years, the discussion at Wimbledon has been about only a few players. Roger Federer is looking to tie Pete Sampras’ record for the most Wimbledon titles in the open era. No matter how Federer plays at the warm up tournaments such as Halle, he has great chances of capturing his seventh Wimbledon trophy.

Rafael Nadal comes into the 2010 Wimbledon as a major contender. Nadal won the title in 2008 but was unable to defend it in 2009 because of injuries. After winning this year’s French Open and regaining the number one ranking, Rafa will have plenty of confidence playing on Wimbledon’s Centre Court.

Andy Murray and Andy Roddick are the two other tennis big shots who pose real threats on the grass courts of Wimbledon. Both of them lost early at the French Open, and they are hungry to make the transition to the grass season. Besides Federer, Murray and Roddick do not have anyone else to fear.

Last year, Roddick lost to Federer in the final in a heartbreaking marathon five set match. If he can play the way he did last year, Roddick has all of the chances in the world to be standing with the trophy on Championship day.

Andy Murray will once again carry the hopes of Great Britain on his shoulders. Although no one can honestly expect him to win Wimbledon, there is a lot of pressure for him to reach the Semifinal again, just like he did last year. Once he gets there, everything may come down to fate or a little luck.