USA looking to rain goals on Nigeria

Soccer Betting Lines

09/17/2007 - Shanghai, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The United States needs to earn at least a draw against Nigeria on Tuesday to escape the "Group of Death" and advance to the quarterfinals.

While a draw would be enough to ensure the United States moved on to the next round, it could also result in a quarterfinal game against defending champion Germany.

For the United States to avoid that quarterfinal, it has to pull out of a tie with North Korea for the top spot in Group B. After the teams played to a 2-2 draw, both posted 2-0 victories in their second games of the group stage.

The United States is in good position, facing the "weakest" team in the group but the game could be played in poor conditions with Typhoon Wipha headed to Shanghai. There was talk about moving the game, but no change was made as of Monday evening.

If the United States and North Korea, which plays Sweden on Tuesday, both win or tie it would come down to tiebreakers to determine the group winner. Right now, the teams are equal on every tiebreaker except fair play, which is total cards received in the tournament. North Korea has one more card.

The easiest way for the Americans to avoid falling to second is to post a big win against Nigeria. Simply, if both games end with the same result - win or tie - the United States has to score more goals in its game to win the group.

Not only would that scenario suit the Americans well, but it would also boost the team's confidence after a couple so-so performances, according to captain Kristine Lilly.

"We are looking forward to (the Nigeria) game, making some things happen and play better soccer overall," Lilly said. "I think we need to play the game more, keep the ball on the ground (and) we have to attack teams, especially Nigeria. We have to go after them and make them be back on their heels and defend."

The United States had trouble in its opener in Chengdu against North Korea in a steady rain. North Korea proved it was a contender with its performance, but the rain cost the United States one goal when goalie Hope Solo had a ball slip through her hands.

The forecast for Shanghai on Tuesday is a 90 percent chance of heavy rains - which means bring your umbrella - and the field at Shanghai Hongkou Football Stadium is already torn up from four previous games in the last seven days.

Regardless of the conditions, the top-ranked Americans are a heavy favorite.

However, Nigeria proved with its 1-1 draw against third-ranked Sweden its a team that can't be overlooked. Nigeria is led by 2006 FIFA Player of the Year nominee and reigning African Woman Footballer of the Year Cynthia Uwak, who scored against Sweden.

The African champions have a lot of skill, great athleticism and enough speed that they'd "make a great track team," U.S. coach Greg Ryan said.

"Our approach has been that with each team we face," Ryan said, "we have to adjust in order to bring out our best qualities and try to limit theirs."

According to Lilly and many of the other U.S. players, the team hasn't shown its best qualities yet. The United States allowed two goals to North Korea but both of those came when the team was down a player with Abby Wambach in the locker room getting stitches to close a gash on her head.

Wambach had one goal in the opener and scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Sweden. But the team again felt it didn't play its best game.

It shouldn't take a great game to beat Nigeria, but the United States' best effort should leave no doubt about the outcome of the group.

Nigeria and Sweden each still have a chance to advance, but must win by at least three goals.

The second-place team plays Germany on Saturday. The winner of Group B also plays Saturday against England, which posted a win and two ties in the group stage, including a 0-0 draw with Germany.

Wwwgamecenter Soccer Betting News


<< Scattered change marks new LPGA rankings
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Solheim Cup had no bearing on the Rolex Rankings for women's golf, so there were few changes this week to the top 20. Lorena Ochoa, Karrie Webb, Annika Sorenstam, Cristie Kerr, Suzann Petter

<< NBA reinstates official Joey Crawford
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NBA has reinstated referee Joey Crawford, the league announced Monday, five months after he was suspended indefinitely for improper on-court conduct. Crawford ejected San Antonio Spurs s

<< Penguins and Sabres to play outdoor game on New Year's Day
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres will ring in 2008 by playing an outdoor contest on January 1 in the NHL Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY. The NHL Winter Classic will b

<< Appalachian State still unanimous in Sports Network Top-25
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Appalachian State took advantage of its 34-21 victory over Northern Arizona on Saturday to remain the unanimous No. 1 team in The Sportsbook Betting Lines FCS Top-25 poll, which was released on Monday. The Mountaine

<< Woods again pads lead in world rankings
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tiger Woods won the Tour Championship on Sunday, and the inaugural FedEx Cup too, and in doing so padded his large lead in the Official World Golf Rankings. Woods' lead over No. 2 Phil Mickelson climb

Sweden needs a little luck to get past North Korea >>
Tiajin, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sweden's hoping to change its luck against North Korea on Tuesday. The third-ranked Swedes settled for a 1-1 tie in their World Cup opener on a late equalizer by Nigeria, then lost to the United States 2

Drake edges San Diego again at top of Mid-Major poll >>
Philadelphia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Drake maintained a slim lead over San Diego in The Sportsbook Betting Lines FCS Mid-Major poll released on Monday. Following a tight 20-7 victory over Wisconsin-Platteville, the Bulldogs (3-0) received 14 of 25 first-p

George Washington extends Hobbs through 2012 >>
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - George Washington extended the contract of men's basketball head coach Karl Hobbs through June 30, 2012, the school announced Monday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Hobbs is entering his se

Foster and Santos highlight FCS players of the week >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Georgia Southern quarterback Jayson Foster, New Hampshire quarterback Ricky Santos, Austin Peay linebacker Daniel Becker and North Dakota State punter Mike Dragosavich were selected as national FCS players of

Carmona, Kazmir share AL weekly honors >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two 23-year-old starting pitchers shared the AL weekly honors, as Fausto Carmona of the Cleveland Indians and Scott Kazmir of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays have been named co-players of the week for the period

Stanley Cup betting

New York, NY – October 3, 2007 – The dress rehearsal is over! The NHL preseason has ended and now that fans have had a glimpse of what is to come it is time to hit the book! Stanley Cup odds are live at MySportsbook.com, the world’s largest online sportsbook and casino.

The Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings remain on top of the odds charts after an impressive start in the preseason. Betting lines opened for both teams at 6-1 in June. Since then the Sens have fallen to 7-1 and the Red Wings are now caught in a pack including the defending champion Carolina Hurricanes, the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks, all at 10-1.

MySportsbook.com has also posted props on each team’s point total for the regular season. The Senators lead the charge at 108.5 followed by the Ducks at 106.5. Detroit will attempt a repeat for the prize as the Red Wings are deadlocked with the Predators at 104.5 a piece. The temporary loss of highly touted rookie Evgeni Malkin puts a lot of pressure on the stick of assistant captain Sidney Crosby - his lowly Pittsburgh Penguins are listed at 71.5.

Even if bettors are not brave enough to put their money on the underdog, an early bet on the favorites at sportsbook.com tends to produce bigger payouts than a mid-season wager. Placing a $1,000 bet last summer on the Detroit Red Wings or Ottawa Senators would have paid out to $8,000 and $10,000 respectively, opposed to a $2,500 or $3,000 payout at the beginning of the playoffs.

Stanley Cup Odds    

 Ottawa Senators
Detroit Red Wings 
Carolina Hurricanes  
San Jose Sharks     
Anaheim Ducks    
Philadelphia Flyers 
Calgary Flames     
New Jersey Devils 
Buffalo Sabres   
Dallas Stars    
New York Rangers  
Nashville Predators  
Vancouver Canucks 
Colorado Avalanche  
Minnesota Wild    
Tampa Bay Lightning    
Boston Bruins    
Florida Panthers   
Montreal Canadiens   
Atlanta Thrashers 
Toronto Maple Leafs  
Edmonton Oilers      
Phoenix Coyotes    
Los Angeles Kings      
New York Islanders   
Columbus Blue Jackets  
St. Louis Blues      
Pittsburgh Penguins 
Washington Capitals   
Chicago Blackhawks    
7-1
10-1
10-1
10-1
10-1
12-1
12-1
12-1
12-1
15-1
15-1
15-1
20-1
20-1
25-1
25-1
30-1
30-1
30-1
30-1
30-1
30-1
40-1
40-1
50-1
50-1
80-1
80-1
100-1
100-1 

NHL Regular Season Points - Team Must Play 82 Games 

Team     
Ottawa Senators      
Anaheim Ducks 
Detroit Red Wings   
Nashville Predators 
San Jose Sharks 
Calgary Flames     
Philadelphia Flyers    
New Jersey Devils     
Buffalo Sabres    
Carolina Hurricanes       
Dallas Stars          
New York Rangers   
Minnesota Wild     
Atlanta Thrashers     
Montreal Canadiens    
Team        
Los Angeles Kings           
Tampa Bay Lightening   
Vancouver Canucks 
Boston Bruins       
Colorado Avalanche 
Edmonton Oilers  
Phoenix Coyotes  
Toronto Maple Leafs   
Florida Panthers 
Columbus Blue Jackets   
New York Islanders   
Chicago Blackhawks  
St. Louis Blues  
Washington Capitals 
Pittsburgh Penguins  
Over/Under
108.5
106.5
104.5
104.5
103.5
101.5
100.5
99.5
97.5
97.5
97.5
95.5
94.5
93.5
92.5
Over/Under
91.5
91.5
91.5
89.5
89.5
88.5
88.5
86.5
84.5
82.5
80.5
72.5
72.5
72.5
71.5

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your hockey sportsbook needs.