SERVICE PLAYS FOR SAT. 2/2
- Thread starter GIANTS007
- Start date
Black Magic
Black Magic
NCAA Basketball:
5 Unit Black Magic CBB Big Dog of the Month on Denver +18.5
Denver has won 3 out of their last 5 games overall. To be receiving 18.5 points tonight is an absolute joke. Denver is 6-0 ATS after 2 straight games with 26 or less rebounds this season. Denver is 9-0 ATS after scoring 65 points or less 2 straight games this season. Denver doesn't score a ton of points, but they are holding opponents to just 59.7 points a game this season. Their defensive effort behind this 15-0 System will lead to a Denver cover against he spread Saturday. Cash in with Denver as the underdog.
3 Unit Sharp Play on Creighton -12.5
Creighton will come into this game furious over losing 3 close games in a row. Two to the MVC's best team in Drake and then a close road loss to Southern Illinois will have the Blue Jays coming out hungry for a big win Saturday. Wichita State is just 3-6 in road games and 9-12 on the season. They are scoring just 58 points a game on the road. Creighton is 10-2 at home averaging 80 points a game. The Bluejays are outscoring their opponents by 16 points per game at home. Wichita State is just 1-6 in their last 7 games overall and playing a pissed off Creighton team gives them no chance of competing. Creighton is 22-9 ATS against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons. Wichita State is 1-9 ATS after playing 2 consecutive games as a home favorite over the last 3 seasons. Cash in with Creighton as the favorite.
3 Unit Sharp Play on New Orleans -6.5
New Orleans wins this game by double-digits easily Saturday. Troy State is 2-7 in road games this year, allowing their opponents to go off for 82 points per game. New Orleans is 21-9 ATS off 2 or more consecutive road losses since 1997. New Orleans is 10-2 ATS off 2 consecutive road losses of 10 or more since 1997. Catching New Orleans at home Saturday will produce a blowout win over Troy State. Cash in with New Orleans as the favorite.
3 Unit Sharp Play on Cincinnati +2
Cincinnati continues to get no respect and it makes no sense. After a 62-39 road victory over West Virginia as a 14-point underdog, you would think odds makers would get the clue. Cincinnati is the real deal as indicated by their 10-2 ATS mark over their last 12 games overall. In all of these games the Bearcats have been the underdog. They love this role and will pull off another upset in the Big East over Marquette Saturday. Cincinnati is 6-0 ATS as a home underdog or pick this season. Cash in with Cincinnati as the home underdog.
3 Unit Sharp Play on Tennessee State +6.5
Tennessee State catches Austin Peay in a great spot Saturday. Austin Peay is coming off an emotional home win in overtime against Murray State, a conference power house. They will have a hard time getting up for this game following this big home win. Tennessee State will take advantage as they have all season on the road. Their 7-3 ATS mark in road games cannot be ignored. Tennessee State is 8-2 ATS after 1 or more consecutive losses this season. Austin Peay is 1-9 ATS in Saturday games this season. Cash in with Tennessee State as the underdog.
Black Magic
NCAA Basketball:
5 Unit Black Magic CBB Big Dog of the Month on Denver +18.5
Denver has won 3 out of their last 5 games overall. To be receiving 18.5 points tonight is an absolute joke. Denver is 6-0 ATS after 2 straight games with 26 or less rebounds this season. Denver is 9-0 ATS after scoring 65 points or less 2 straight games this season. Denver doesn't score a ton of points, but they are holding opponents to just 59.7 points a game this season. Their defensive effort behind this 15-0 System will lead to a Denver cover against he spread Saturday. Cash in with Denver as the underdog.
3 Unit Sharp Play on Creighton -12.5
Creighton will come into this game furious over losing 3 close games in a row. Two to the MVC's best team in Drake and then a close road loss to Southern Illinois will have the Blue Jays coming out hungry for a big win Saturday. Wichita State is just 3-6 in road games and 9-12 on the season. They are scoring just 58 points a game on the road. Creighton is 10-2 at home averaging 80 points a game. The Bluejays are outscoring their opponents by 16 points per game at home. Wichita State is just 1-6 in their last 7 games overall and playing a pissed off Creighton team gives them no chance of competing. Creighton is 22-9 ATS against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons. Wichita State is 1-9 ATS after playing 2 consecutive games as a home favorite over the last 3 seasons. Cash in with Creighton as the favorite.
3 Unit Sharp Play on New Orleans -6.5
New Orleans wins this game by double-digits easily Saturday. Troy State is 2-7 in road games this year, allowing their opponents to go off for 82 points per game. New Orleans is 21-9 ATS off 2 or more consecutive road losses since 1997. New Orleans is 10-2 ATS off 2 consecutive road losses of 10 or more since 1997. Catching New Orleans at home Saturday will produce a blowout win over Troy State. Cash in with New Orleans as the favorite.
3 Unit Sharp Play on Cincinnati +2
Cincinnati continues to get no respect and it makes no sense. After a 62-39 road victory over West Virginia as a 14-point underdog, you would think odds makers would get the clue. Cincinnati is the real deal as indicated by their 10-2 ATS mark over their last 12 games overall. In all of these games the Bearcats have been the underdog. They love this role and will pull off another upset in the Big East over Marquette Saturday. Cincinnati is 6-0 ATS as a home underdog or pick this season. Cash in with Cincinnati as the home underdog.
3 Unit Sharp Play on Tennessee State +6.5
Tennessee State catches Austin Peay in a great spot Saturday. Austin Peay is coming off an emotional home win in overtime against Murray State, a conference power house. They will have a hard time getting up for this game following this big home win. Tennessee State will take advantage as they have all season on the road. Their 7-3 ATS mark in road games cannot be ignored. Tennessee State is 8-2 ATS after 1 or more consecutive losses this season. Austin Peay is 1-9 ATS in Saturday games this season. Cash in with Tennessee State as the underdog.
Derek Sheppard
Subject: Soccer for Saturday
Manchester City vs. Arsenal (English Premiership 7:45am ET Saturday 2nd Feb)
There?s has been a few occasions this season when Arsenal have slipped up, and many have expected the youthful and comparatively inexperienced Gunners Premiership prospects to fade as the season progresses. However, every time that Arsene Wenger?s charge have gone through a brief blip they have come out the other end of the tunnel firing on all cylinders, as they did when bouncing back from their heavy defeat against Spurs in their Carling Cup semi-final tie by thrashing Newcastle in the FA Cup at the weekend.
At Saturday the north London title chasers visit Eastlands to face Sven Goran Eriksson?s Man City, a side that remain unbeaten following 12 games on home soil in the top-flight this term. City?s form, both generally and at home, has taken a downturn over the past month. They have won just one of their last seven Premier League fixtures (2-0 at Newcastle United). After winning nine straight fixtures at Eastlands from the start of the season the Citizens have drawn their last three, against West Ham (1-1), Liverpool (0-0) and Blackburn (2-2). Having built their meteoric rise on outstanding home form during the early months of Sven Goran Eriksson?s tenure, their inability to win on home soil now will have damaged confidence among players and supporters.
Obviously, the Citizens were punching above their weight early in the campaign when they topped the table for a few weeks, but while they?ve predictably failed to match strides with Arsenal, Chelsea and their neighbours United as the season has progressed, the City of Manchester outfit are a respectable seventh in the pecking order at the time of writing, just two points adrift of fourth-placed Everton.
Sven?s men are one of only four teams yet to suffer a defeat in their own backyard in the premier League this term ? the top three (Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea) being the others. But City?s problems this season lie almost entirely up front. During his years in Serie A Eriksson proved a master at building teams who defended solidly in numbers and he?s repeated the trick at City, resulting in them having a goals against column of just eight conceded in 12 games, the joint-second best tally in the top flight. But without a world-class striker, City are unable to nick goals when outplayed, or capitalise when dominant.
On the downside, however, City?s record at home against Arsenal is poor. Last season?s 1-0 verdict was the first occasion in which they claimed maximum points in this fixture since the birth of the Premiership. Of their 10 encounters since 1992, that was their only victory, with the Gunners winning eight of the games in question and the two clubs finished honours even in the other match.
Admittedly, the Sky Blues of present are probably the strongest they?ve been for many a year, so such statistics may be deemed inconclusive by some. However, for all that City are organised at the back and difficult to break down, I suspect that they?ll be tasting league defeat for the first time during Eriksson?s tenure this weekend, as Arsenal are simply irrepressible and, if they get into a rhythm, I can?t envisage the home side?s defense being able to repel the bright young things for 90 minutes ? especially not after Championship side Sheffield United scored two when eliminating them from the FA Cup on Sunday.
City were far from disgraced when going down by a goal to nil at the Emirates in August when their game-plan was sound and it wasn?t until the 80th minute that their back line was infiltrated. To some end, their chances of getting something from Saturday?s game rests with the midfielders ? they can?t allow Arsenal?s midfielders time on the ball ? they need to stop the visitors from gaining momentum as, when they do, there is no better side in the world, never mind the Premier League.
However, that?s easier said than done. The flair of Hleb and Rosicky, allied with Fabregas? unprecedented skill and vision, not to mention the effervescent Flamini, makes Arsenal so difficult to contain. And striker Emmanuel Adebayor is red-hot at present. Although they can look vulnerable without Kolo Toure in defence, I reckon that the Gunners look a good bet to win here. It appears that there is no lasting damage to team spirit from the on-pitch fall-out between Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicolas Bendtner. Indeed, Adebayor remains the most dangerous target man in the top flight, scoring nine goals in his last seven games and scoring at least once in each of those seven matches.
Liverpool vs. Sunderland (English Premiership 12:15pm ET Saturday 2nd Feb)
It?s a sign of how far Liverpool have fallen that their 1-0 defeat at West Ham on Wednesday night barely caused raised eyebrows among neutrals and Reds fans alike. Rafael Benitez?s beleaguered side are now 17 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United and Arsenal. But there?s little point alluding to the top two at the moment because, painful as it may be for Liverpool supporters to admit, the Anfield club?s direct rivals for the remainder of the season are the likes of West Ham, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Everton.
This fixture would have looked a home banker when the schedules were drawn up pre-season, and even more so when Liverpool demolished Derby County 6-0 at Anfield on September 1. But in the five months that have passed since that stunning victory, Liverpool have won just three Premier League games on home soil ? v Fulham (2-0), Bolton (4-0) and Portsmouth (4-1) ? with five ending as draws and one a defeat. Fourteen points from a possible 27 is the main reason why Benitez?s boys have dropped off the pace. Liverpool?s only wins in their last eight outings have come against Luton Town (5-0) and Havant & Waterlooville (5-2) in the FA Cup, which hardly encourages me to side with the hosts at short prices such as -360 to win the game or -110 with a -1.5-goal start on the handicap.
Yet although Liverpool?s stats inspire little confidence, there are few figures indicating that Sunderland will get something out of the game as the visitors have been charitable on the road since their return to the top flight. The Black Cats have managed to move out of the relegation zone for the time being but their improvement is exclusively thanks to a run of three straight wins at the Stadium of Light. On the road, they have taken just two points from a possible 36 all season and lost their last eight. There may be psychological factors in play here. It would be misleading to suggest that Sunderland manager Roy Keane has written off away games, but he has stated on several occasions that his team?s home form will decide whether they stay up, and subconsciously that may have affected how his players perform on the road. That?s why it would be no surprise to see Liverpool win, although I think their prices are too short.
The best market appears time of first goal. Liverpool will look to start quickly and score early in an attempt to win over the increasingly disgruntled fans who have sat through so many mediocre performances at Anfield this season. The fans fully supported Benitez in his recent spat with club co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett but now the antagonism has died down Liverpool fans are free to focus on the team?s performance again, and needs to repay the regulars? faith in him. Thus expect a strong line-up and a team instructed to start this match in the best possible manner.
Given Sunderland porus defense and Liverpool's more attacking style, the OVER 2.5 goals appears the way to go.
Crystal Palace vs. Southampton (English Championship 10:00am ET Saturday 2nd Feb)
Southampton slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Norwich on Tuesday, a result that many observers might interpret as a worrying sign for what lies ahead following George Burley?s decision to take the job as Scotland boss. However, you would be hard pressed to find anyone in Hampshire who is devastated by Burley?s departure and reports indicate that the performance against the Canaries was a vast improvement on other setbacks in recent weeks. Few people would deny Burley the opportunity to manage his country considering how his teams have generally entertained over the past 13 years, but things were clearly going stale at St Mary?s and his decision to answer the call of the SFA would appear to suit all parties. The Saints have now failed to score in six of their last nine home games but they did at least create a handful of excellent chances against Glenn Roeder?s men, hitting the woodwork three times and missing a penalty. The players appear to have been given a fresh lease of life under caretaker boss John Gorman and it?s interesting that playmaker Rudi Skacel has now returned to squad in his favoured attacking role. The overall balance of the team was clearly ruined in the final months of Burley?s tenure and the biggest crime of all was asking the enigmatic Czech to play at left back. Southampton still have the personnel to cause serious problems for any team at this level and they should have little reason to fear a Crystal Palace team that might be deflated following the climax of their long unbeaten run of 15 league games at Leicester on Monday.
Barnet vs. Morecombe (English League 2 10:00am ET Saturday 2nd Feb)
Morecambe?s current sticky patch continued with a 2-2 draw at home to bottom-of-the-league Wrexham on Tuesday. The Shrimps have now taken just two points from their last four league games and it?s perhaps no coincidence that performances have dipped since the team booked their passage through to the northern area final of the Johnstone?s Paint Trophy in early January. A 2-1 semi-final triumph over Bury has rekindled memories of securing promotion from the Conference in front of 40,000 fans at Wembley back in May and Sammy McIlroy?s players clearly want to taste the experience of playing on the hallowed turf once again. The Shrimps were lucky to snatch a last-gasp win over Dagenham & Redbridge in their next game but good fortune has deserted them in subsequent matches and they will have to hike their standards in order to avoid defeat at Barnet on Saturday. The Bees recent FA Cup commitments mean they have yet to play a league game on home soil in 2008 but they have collected seven points from three very tough away fixtures in the meantime. Most observers would probably point to the 1-0 win at leaders MK Dons three weeks ago as the highlight of the month but Tuesday?s 2-1 win at Hereford was equally significant. It was the perfect response to the disappointment of last weekend?s cup exit when Bristol Rovers denied Barnet the opportunity to reach the last 16 for the first time in their history. Now manager Paul Fairclough has set his sights on rejoining the hunt for the play-off places but the Bees cannot afford to let games like this slip through their grasp if they are to be taken seriously.
Mansfield vs. Brentford (English League 2 10:00am ET Saturday 2nd Feb)
Mansfield might find themselves deep in the relegation mire but the Field Mill faithful still have plenty of reason to be optimistic in terms of their survival chances this season. The Stags have generally been holding their own against teams in the bottom half of League Two but they currently find themselves languishing near the bottom due to a shocking return of just one point from nine away games against teams in the top half. The good news for manager Billy Dearden is that his team face only three more games of that magnitude between now and the end of the campaign. The Stags? record of 22 points from their other 15 games comes up just short of a-point-and-a-half per game and they will almost certainly avoid the drop if they can maintain that ratio. A last-gasp 2-1 victory over Lincoln in Tuesday?s six-pointer at Sincil Bank will have lifted their spirits no-end and they look overpriced for the visit of Brentford on Saturday. The Bees have turned their season around under new boss Andy Scott having collected 17 points from their last eight league outings, but a 17-day break from action towards the end of January is probably the last thing they would have wanted. The Londoners were distinctly uninspiring when returning to the fold with a goalless stalemate against a desperate Notts County side in midweek and a repeat of that display would certainly make life difficult in this game. On paper, there is probably very little to separate the two sides but 18-goal striker Michael Boulding will be the outstanding individual talent on the field and his presence in the yellow jersey of the home side could ultimately prove the difference.
Recommendations
2 units ARSENAL @ -120
1 unit LIVERPOOL (Over 2.5 Goals) @ -115
2 units SOUTHAMPTON (+0.5 goals) @ +100
2 units BARNET (pk) -130
2 units MANSFIELD (pk) @ -115
Subject: Soccer for Saturday
Manchester City vs. Arsenal (English Premiership 7:45am ET Saturday 2nd Feb)
There?s has been a few occasions this season when Arsenal have slipped up, and many have expected the youthful and comparatively inexperienced Gunners Premiership prospects to fade as the season progresses. However, every time that Arsene Wenger?s charge have gone through a brief blip they have come out the other end of the tunnel firing on all cylinders, as they did when bouncing back from their heavy defeat against Spurs in their Carling Cup semi-final tie by thrashing Newcastle in the FA Cup at the weekend.
At Saturday the north London title chasers visit Eastlands to face Sven Goran Eriksson?s Man City, a side that remain unbeaten following 12 games on home soil in the top-flight this term. City?s form, both generally and at home, has taken a downturn over the past month. They have won just one of their last seven Premier League fixtures (2-0 at Newcastle United). After winning nine straight fixtures at Eastlands from the start of the season the Citizens have drawn their last three, against West Ham (1-1), Liverpool (0-0) and Blackburn (2-2). Having built their meteoric rise on outstanding home form during the early months of Sven Goran Eriksson?s tenure, their inability to win on home soil now will have damaged confidence among players and supporters.
Obviously, the Citizens were punching above their weight early in the campaign when they topped the table for a few weeks, but while they?ve predictably failed to match strides with Arsenal, Chelsea and their neighbours United as the season has progressed, the City of Manchester outfit are a respectable seventh in the pecking order at the time of writing, just two points adrift of fourth-placed Everton.
Sven?s men are one of only four teams yet to suffer a defeat in their own backyard in the premier League this term ? the top three (Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea) being the others. But City?s problems this season lie almost entirely up front. During his years in Serie A Eriksson proved a master at building teams who defended solidly in numbers and he?s repeated the trick at City, resulting in them having a goals against column of just eight conceded in 12 games, the joint-second best tally in the top flight. But without a world-class striker, City are unable to nick goals when outplayed, or capitalise when dominant.
On the downside, however, City?s record at home against Arsenal is poor. Last season?s 1-0 verdict was the first occasion in which they claimed maximum points in this fixture since the birth of the Premiership. Of their 10 encounters since 1992, that was their only victory, with the Gunners winning eight of the games in question and the two clubs finished honours even in the other match.
Admittedly, the Sky Blues of present are probably the strongest they?ve been for many a year, so such statistics may be deemed inconclusive by some. However, for all that City are organised at the back and difficult to break down, I suspect that they?ll be tasting league defeat for the first time during Eriksson?s tenure this weekend, as Arsenal are simply irrepressible and, if they get into a rhythm, I can?t envisage the home side?s defense being able to repel the bright young things for 90 minutes ? especially not after Championship side Sheffield United scored two when eliminating them from the FA Cup on Sunday.
City were far from disgraced when going down by a goal to nil at the Emirates in August when their game-plan was sound and it wasn?t until the 80th minute that their back line was infiltrated. To some end, their chances of getting something from Saturday?s game rests with the midfielders ? they can?t allow Arsenal?s midfielders time on the ball ? they need to stop the visitors from gaining momentum as, when they do, there is no better side in the world, never mind the Premier League.
However, that?s easier said than done. The flair of Hleb and Rosicky, allied with Fabregas? unprecedented skill and vision, not to mention the effervescent Flamini, makes Arsenal so difficult to contain. And striker Emmanuel Adebayor is red-hot at present. Although they can look vulnerable without Kolo Toure in defence, I reckon that the Gunners look a good bet to win here. It appears that there is no lasting damage to team spirit from the on-pitch fall-out between Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicolas Bendtner. Indeed, Adebayor remains the most dangerous target man in the top flight, scoring nine goals in his last seven games and scoring at least once in each of those seven matches.
Liverpool vs. Sunderland (English Premiership 12:15pm ET Saturday 2nd Feb)
It?s a sign of how far Liverpool have fallen that their 1-0 defeat at West Ham on Wednesday night barely caused raised eyebrows among neutrals and Reds fans alike. Rafael Benitez?s beleaguered side are now 17 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United and Arsenal. But there?s little point alluding to the top two at the moment because, painful as it may be for Liverpool supporters to admit, the Anfield club?s direct rivals for the remainder of the season are the likes of West Ham, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Everton.
This fixture would have looked a home banker when the schedules were drawn up pre-season, and even more so when Liverpool demolished Derby County 6-0 at Anfield on September 1. But in the five months that have passed since that stunning victory, Liverpool have won just three Premier League games on home soil ? v Fulham (2-0), Bolton (4-0) and Portsmouth (4-1) ? with five ending as draws and one a defeat. Fourteen points from a possible 27 is the main reason why Benitez?s boys have dropped off the pace. Liverpool?s only wins in their last eight outings have come against Luton Town (5-0) and Havant & Waterlooville (5-2) in the FA Cup, which hardly encourages me to side with the hosts at short prices such as -360 to win the game or -110 with a -1.5-goal start on the handicap.
Yet although Liverpool?s stats inspire little confidence, there are few figures indicating that Sunderland will get something out of the game as the visitors have been charitable on the road since their return to the top flight. The Black Cats have managed to move out of the relegation zone for the time being but their improvement is exclusively thanks to a run of three straight wins at the Stadium of Light. On the road, they have taken just two points from a possible 36 all season and lost their last eight. There may be psychological factors in play here. It would be misleading to suggest that Sunderland manager Roy Keane has written off away games, but he has stated on several occasions that his team?s home form will decide whether they stay up, and subconsciously that may have affected how his players perform on the road. That?s why it would be no surprise to see Liverpool win, although I think their prices are too short.
The best market appears time of first goal. Liverpool will look to start quickly and score early in an attempt to win over the increasingly disgruntled fans who have sat through so many mediocre performances at Anfield this season. The fans fully supported Benitez in his recent spat with club co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett but now the antagonism has died down Liverpool fans are free to focus on the team?s performance again, and needs to repay the regulars? faith in him. Thus expect a strong line-up and a team instructed to start this match in the best possible manner.
Given Sunderland porus defense and Liverpool's more attacking style, the OVER 2.5 goals appears the way to go.
Crystal Palace vs. Southampton (English Championship 10:00am ET Saturday 2nd Feb)
Southampton slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Norwich on Tuesday, a result that many observers might interpret as a worrying sign for what lies ahead following George Burley?s decision to take the job as Scotland boss. However, you would be hard pressed to find anyone in Hampshire who is devastated by Burley?s departure and reports indicate that the performance against the Canaries was a vast improvement on other setbacks in recent weeks. Few people would deny Burley the opportunity to manage his country considering how his teams have generally entertained over the past 13 years, but things were clearly going stale at St Mary?s and his decision to answer the call of the SFA would appear to suit all parties. The Saints have now failed to score in six of their last nine home games but they did at least create a handful of excellent chances against Glenn Roeder?s men, hitting the woodwork three times and missing a penalty. The players appear to have been given a fresh lease of life under caretaker boss John Gorman and it?s interesting that playmaker Rudi Skacel has now returned to squad in his favoured attacking role. The overall balance of the team was clearly ruined in the final months of Burley?s tenure and the biggest crime of all was asking the enigmatic Czech to play at left back. Southampton still have the personnel to cause serious problems for any team at this level and they should have little reason to fear a Crystal Palace team that might be deflated following the climax of their long unbeaten run of 15 league games at Leicester on Monday.
Barnet vs. Morecombe (English League 2 10:00am ET Saturday 2nd Feb)
Morecambe?s current sticky patch continued with a 2-2 draw at home to bottom-of-the-league Wrexham on Tuesday. The Shrimps have now taken just two points from their last four league games and it?s perhaps no coincidence that performances have dipped since the team booked their passage through to the northern area final of the Johnstone?s Paint Trophy in early January. A 2-1 semi-final triumph over Bury has rekindled memories of securing promotion from the Conference in front of 40,000 fans at Wembley back in May and Sammy McIlroy?s players clearly want to taste the experience of playing on the hallowed turf once again. The Shrimps were lucky to snatch a last-gasp win over Dagenham & Redbridge in their next game but good fortune has deserted them in subsequent matches and they will have to hike their standards in order to avoid defeat at Barnet on Saturday. The Bees recent FA Cup commitments mean they have yet to play a league game on home soil in 2008 but they have collected seven points from three very tough away fixtures in the meantime. Most observers would probably point to the 1-0 win at leaders MK Dons three weeks ago as the highlight of the month but Tuesday?s 2-1 win at Hereford was equally significant. It was the perfect response to the disappointment of last weekend?s cup exit when Bristol Rovers denied Barnet the opportunity to reach the last 16 for the first time in their history. Now manager Paul Fairclough has set his sights on rejoining the hunt for the play-off places but the Bees cannot afford to let games like this slip through their grasp if they are to be taken seriously.
Mansfield vs. Brentford (English League 2 10:00am ET Saturday 2nd Feb)
Mansfield might find themselves deep in the relegation mire but the Field Mill faithful still have plenty of reason to be optimistic in terms of their survival chances this season. The Stags have generally been holding their own against teams in the bottom half of League Two but they currently find themselves languishing near the bottom due to a shocking return of just one point from nine away games against teams in the top half. The good news for manager Billy Dearden is that his team face only three more games of that magnitude between now and the end of the campaign. The Stags? record of 22 points from their other 15 games comes up just short of a-point-and-a-half per game and they will almost certainly avoid the drop if they can maintain that ratio. A last-gasp 2-1 victory over Lincoln in Tuesday?s six-pointer at Sincil Bank will have lifted their spirits no-end and they look overpriced for the visit of Brentford on Saturday. The Bees have turned their season around under new boss Andy Scott having collected 17 points from their last eight league outings, but a 17-day break from action towards the end of January is probably the last thing they would have wanted. The Londoners were distinctly uninspiring when returning to the fold with a goalless stalemate against a desperate Notts County side in midweek and a repeat of that display would certainly make life difficult in this game. On paper, there is probably very little to separate the two sides but 18-goal striker Michael Boulding will be the outstanding individual talent on the field and his presence in the yellow jersey of the home side could ultimately prove the difference.
Recommendations
2 units ARSENAL @ -120
1 unit LIVERPOOL (Over 2.5 Goals) @ -115
2 units SOUTHAMPTON (+0.5 goals) @ +100
2 units BARNET (pk) -130
2 units MANSFIELD (pk) @ -115
Larry Ness
Weekend Wipeout Winner
Texas Tech (2:00 ET)
Oddsmaker Error
Georgia (1:00 ET)
Triple Play
UCONN (1:00 ET)
Arkansas (3:00 ET)
Iillinois (3:30 ET
Weekend Wipeout Winner
Texas Tech (2:00 ET)
Oddsmaker Error
Georgia (1:00 ET)
Triple Play
UCONN (1:00 ET)
Arkansas (3:00 ET)
Iillinois (3:30 ET
Brian Hanson NBA BLOWOUT
Guaranteed Pick: Brian Hansen
Game: New Jersey Nets at Atlanta Hawks Feb 2 2008 7:00PM
Prediction: Atlanta Hawks
Reason: Although they?ve lost 3 straight, I expect the Hawks to take care of business at home against the Nets. New Jersey is just 3-8 ATS its last 11 on the road, and 2-6 ATS its last 8 on the road while the Hawks are an awesome 7-3 ATS their last 10 in friendly confines! Look for the Nets to drop to 4-7 ATS their last 11 against Southeast division opponents and for the HAWKS to improve to 13-10 ATS their last 23 played at home
Guaranteed Pick: Brian Hansen
Game: New Jersey Nets at Atlanta Hawks Feb 2 2008 7:00PM
Prediction: Atlanta Hawks
Reason: Although they?ve lost 3 straight, I expect the Hawks to take care of business at home against the Nets. New Jersey is just 3-8 ATS its last 11 on the road, and 2-6 ATS its last 8 on the road while the Hawks are an awesome 7-3 ATS their last 10 in friendly confines! Look for the Nets to drop to 4-7 ATS their last 11 against Southeast division opponents and for the HAWKS to improve to 13-10 ATS their last 23 played at home
Savannah Sports
3 *** Mississippi State +2.0
3 *** Boston College +11
2 ** Michigan State -11
2 ** Tenn Tech -5.5
3 *** Mississippi State +2.0
3 *** Boston College +11
2 ** Michigan State -11
2 ** Tenn Tech -5.5
Guaranteed Pick: John Ryan
Game: Minnesota Wild at Columbus Blue Jackets Feb 2 2008 7:00PM
Prediction: Minnesota Wild
Reason: Ai Simulator 5* graded play on the Minnesota Wild - Supporting this graded play is a system that has gone 65-19 and has made 37.1 units since 1996. Play against home dogs against the money line revenging a close loss versus opponent of 1 goal or less and is a marginal losing team with a winning percentage of 40% to 49% playing a winning team in the second half of the season. JACQUES LEMAIRE is 14-9 against the money line( 6.2 Units) in road games when playing against a marginal losing team with a winning percentage of 40% to 49% in the second half of the season as the coach of the WILD. Take Minnesota.
Game: Minnesota Wild at Columbus Blue Jackets Feb 2 2008 7:00PM
Prediction: Minnesota Wild
Reason: Ai Simulator 5* graded play on the Minnesota Wild - Supporting this graded play is a system that has gone 65-19 and has made 37.1 units since 1996. Play against home dogs against the money line revenging a close loss versus opponent of 1 goal or less and is a marginal losing team with a winning percentage of 40% to 49% playing a winning team in the second half of the season. JACQUES LEMAIRE is 14-9 against the money line( 6.2 Units) in road games when playing against a marginal losing team with a winning percentage of 40% to 49% in the second half of the season as the coach of the WILD. Take Minnesota.
I LOVE UNLV AND NORTH TEXAS TODAY
NOW IM SCARED AFTER SEEING THESE GUYS ALL OVER IT
I RIDE WITH THESE TEAMS ALOT
:shrug: :shrug: :shrug:
NOW IM SCARED AFTER SEEING THESE GUYS ALL OVER IT
I RIDE WITH THESE TEAMS ALOT
:shrug: :shrug: :shrug:
GAMBLERS WORLD
TIP OF THE DAY Sport: NBA Game: 7:00PM, New Jersey Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks Prediction: Atlanta Hawks
Current Line: -5.5 Over/Under: 189.5 Reason: The New Jersey Nets and the Atlanta Hawks will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Philips Arena. Oddsmakers currently have the Hawks listed as 5.5-point favorites versus the Nets, while the game's total is sitting at 189.5. New Jersey forced 16 Miami turnovers in Friday's 94-85 win, covering the 3-point road spread. The 179 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 193. Richard Jefferson had 25 points, while Jason Kidd added 11 points and 12 assists for the Nets. The Hawks lost 95-88 to the Clippers on Wednesday, as 2-point favorites. The combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 186. Josh Smith had 21 points with 10 boards for a double-double in a losing effort. Current streak: New Jersey has won 2 straight games. Atlanta has lost 3 straight games. Team records: New Jersey: 20-26 SU, 18-27-1 ATS Atlanta: 19-24 SU, 21-22 ATS New Jersey most recently: When playing on Saturday are 5-5 Before playing LA Lakers are 7-3 After playing Miami are 5-5 After a win are 6-4 Atlanta most recently: When playing on Saturday are 1-9 Before playing Philadelphia are 4-6 After playing LA Clippers are 3-7 After a loss are 3-7 A few trends to consider: New Jersey is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Atlanta New Jersey is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta New Jersey is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta The total has gone OVER in 7 of New Jersey's last 10 games when playing on the road against Atlanta Atlanta is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home Atlanta is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games at home The total has gone OVER in 7 of Atlanta's last 10 games when playing at home against New Jersey The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games
TIP OF THE DAY Sport: NBA Game: 7:00PM, New Jersey Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks Prediction: Atlanta Hawks
Current Line: -5.5 Over/Under: 189.5 Reason: The New Jersey Nets and the Atlanta Hawks will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Philips Arena. Oddsmakers currently have the Hawks listed as 5.5-point favorites versus the Nets, while the game's total is sitting at 189.5. New Jersey forced 16 Miami turnovers in Friday's 94-85 win, covering the 3-point road spread. The 179 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 193. Richard Jefferson had 25 points, while Jason Kidd added 11 points and 12 assists for the Nets. The Hawks lost 95-88 to the Clippers on Wednesday, as 2-point favorites. The combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 186. Josh Smith had 21 points with 10 boards for a double-double in a losing effort. Current streak: New Jersey has won 2 straight games. Atlanta has lost 3 straight games. Team records: New Jersey: 20-26 SU, 18-27-1 ATS Atlanta: 19-24 SU, 21-22 ATS New Jersey most recently: When playing on Saturday are 5-5 Before playing LA Lakers are 7-3 After playing Miami are 5-5 After a win are 6-4 Atlanta most recently: When playing on Saturday are 1-9 Before playing Philadelphia are 4-6 After playing LA Clippers are 3-7 After a loss are 3-7 A few trends to consider: New Jersey is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Atlanta New Jersey is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta New Jersey is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta The total has gone OVER in 7 of New Jersey's last 10 games when playing on the road against Atlanta Atlanta is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home Atlanta is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games at home The total has gone OVER in 7 of Atlanta's last 10 games when playing at home against New Jersey The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games
Dave Malinsky
4* Comp Play
PICK: UC-Irvine (-4 5Dimes)
REASON FOR PICK: 4* CAL-IRVINE over LONG BEACH STATE
Sometimes we can let a coach sum things up quite well for us, and in this case Dan Monson?s assessment of his Long Beach State squad speaks volumes - ?We have no answer to when we start bleeding. We need tourniquets when it starts going bad. Our confidence is very fragile.? Not that it is a shock, however, in a season in which Monson was basically building from scratch, with no key pieces back at all from LY?s Big Dance entrant. The problem is that the building process has already been de-railed, and the final month of the season is going to be a long one.
Last week Monson dismissed Artis Gant and Darnell Porter because of ?attitude? problems, and a weak roster suddenly became even weaker. Those two were tied for third on the team in scoring, and combined to average 47 minutes per game. The first game without them was a horrendous 100-61 beating at Cal-State Northridge last Saturday, and on Thursday night it was a 91-75 demise vs. Fullerton State on this court. Allowing 191 points over two games is not pretty, but that is all there is right now, particularly with another blow being suffered vs. Fullerton, when starting point guard Brice Gallow went down with a sprained ankle in the first half. He is not expected to play tonight, which leaves the team in tatters both physically and mentally.
This opens the door for a veteran Cal-Irvine squad to pick up a road win, especially since there is no real home court advantage for the 49ers (an easy bus rise for the Anteaters in Saturday afternoon traffic). In seniors Patrick Ellis (15.4 points per game) and Darren Fells (13.6) they have the kind of front-court scorers that Long Beach can not match up to, and particularly important tonight will be the defensive skills of Ellis, one of the best in the Big West. He draws the task of shutting down the only real 49er offensive option, Donovan Morris, and if Morris is kept in check there really is no tourniquet ? even with his 31 points in 40 minutes vs. Fullerton, including 5-8 from beyond the arc, Long Beach was not in the game.
Cal-Irvine has shot 78.6 percent from the free throw line in conference play, an ideal trait to have with a favorite in this price range. The Anteaters also take excellent care of the basketball. It does not take much more than a clean game here to grind away an out-manned opponent that lacks the legs and the will to play from behind in the latter stages.
4* Comp Play
PICK: UC-Irvine (-4 5Dimes)
REASON FOR PICK: 4* CAL-IRVINE over LONG BEACH STATE
Sometimes we can let a coach sum things up quite well for us, and in this case Dan Monson?s assessment of his Long Beach State squad speaks volumes - ?We have no answer to when we start bleeding. We need tourniquets when it starts going bad. Our confidence is very fragile.? Not that it is a shock, however, in a season in which Monson was basically building from scratch, with no key pieces back at all from LY?s Big Dance entrant. The problem is that the building process has already been de-railed, and the final month of the season is going to be a long one.
Last week Monson dismissed Artis Gant and Darnell Porter because of ?attitude? problems, and a weak roster suddenly became even weaker. Those two were tied for third on the team in scoring, and combined to average 47 minutes per game. The first game without them was a horrendous 100-61 beating at Cal-State Northridge last Saturday, and on Thursday night it was a 91-75 demise vs. Fullerton State on this court. Allowing 191 points over two games is not pretty, but that is all there is right now, particularly with another blow being suffered vs. Fullerton, when starting point guard Brice Gallow went down with a sprained ankle in the first half. He is not expected to play tonight, which leaves the team in tatters both physically and mentally.
This opens the door for a veteran Cal-Irvine squad to pick up a road win, especially since there is no real home court advantage for the 49ers (an easy bus rise for the Anteaters in Saturday afternoon traffic). In seniors Patrick Ellis (15.4 points per game) and Darren Fells (13.6) they have the kind of front-court scorers that Long Beach can not match up to, and particularly important tonight will be the defensive skills of Ellis, one of the best in the Big West. He draws the task of shutting down the only real 49er offensive option, Donovan Morris, and if Morris is kept in check there really is no tourniquet ? even with his 31 points in 40 minutes vs. Fullerton, including 5-8 from beyond the arc, Long Beach was not in the game.
Cal-Irvine has shot 78.6 percent from the free throw line in conference play, an ideal trait to have with a favorite in this price range. The Anteaters also take excellent care of the basketball. It does not take much more than a clean game here to grind away an out-manned opponent that lacks the legs and the will to play from behind in the latter stages.
David Singh
WinWithSharps
4 unit CBB Seton Hall +15
5 unit NFL Patriots - Giants UNDER 27 for the 1st Half
WinWithSharps
4 unit CBB Seton Hall +15
5 unit NFL Patriots - Giants UNDER 27 for the 1st Half
Frank Rosenthal
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 02, 2008
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NBA HOOPS
707 JAZZ UNDER 210 SB+
712 NUGGETS-12 SB
714 SONICS-4 SB
UNDER 201 SB
716 KINGS-7 SB+
----------------------------------------------------------------------
COLLEGE HOOPS
SATURDAY'S EARLY LEADS
722 CINCY+2.5 SB+
725 PITT+4 SB
729 VIRGINIA+5 SB
739 OK ST+5.5 SB
750 BAMA-9.5 SB
755 FLORIDA+4 SB+
765 MIAMI FL+15.5 SB
789 SO BAMA-7 SB
803 DE PAUL+11 SB
807 CAL+3.5 SB
829 DRAKE-3.5 SB
845 BRADLEY-3 SB+
854 PENN ST+11.5 SB
874 UCLA-8 SB
891 ARIZONA ST+9 SB
THAT'S IT FOR NOW.
GOOD LUCK!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 02, 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NBA HOOPS
707 JAZZ UNDER 210 SB+
712 NUGGETS-12 SB
714 SONICS-4 SB
UNDER 201 SB
716 KINGS-7 SB+
----------------------------------------------------------------------
COLLEGE HOOPS
SATURDAY'S EARLY LEADS
722 CINCY+2.5 SB+
725 PITT+4 SB
729 VIRGINIA+5 SB
739 OK ST+5.5 SB
750 BAMA-9.5 SB
755 FLORIDA+4 SB+
765 MIAMI FL+15.5 SB
789 SO BAMA-7 SB
803 DE PAUL+11 SB
807 CAL+3.5 SB
829 DRAKE-3.5 SB
845 BRADLEY-3 SB+
854 PENN ST+11.5 SB
874 UCLA-8 SB
891 ARIZONA ST+9 SB
THAT'S IT FOR NOW.
GOOD LUCK!