O'Neill thinks Milner could replace Beckham

Soccer Betting Lines

03/16/2010 - Birmingham, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill thinks James Milner may be the ideal candidate to play on the right side of England's midfield at the World Cup finals in South Africa this summer.

The 24-year-old has often played in a more central role for Villa this season, but O'Neill is confident that Milner could fill the gap left by an injury to veteran David Beckham.

"James can play out there and probably that has been lost a bit since he moved into the middle," O'Neill said. "But he is an all-purpose player and, at this stage, James would have as good a chance as anyone of being on the plane outside of those absolutely nailed on to go to the World Cup.

"If he had to start on the right, he wouldn't let England down. Not at all, no problem."

Beckham tore his Achilles tendon Sunday while playing for AC Milan, and had to undergo surgery Monday that will sideline him for at least six months.

Meanwhile, O'Neill has urged both Ashley Young and Stewart Downing to keep pushing to earn a place on the plane to South Africa, adding: "I would think Stewart and Ashley shouldn't give up.

"They should continue to perform for Villa which is the only way they can get noticed and hope that is enough."

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)

Wwwsunsentinel Soccer Betting News


<< Impressive Return for Lookin At Lucky
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The margin of victory was scant once again, but all Lookin At Lucky does is win races. The two-year-old champion made his 2010 debut a winning one taking the Rebel Stakes last Saturday at Oaklawn

<< Ohio State extends Tressel's contract again
Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ohio State has extended the contract of head football coach Jim Tressel an additional two years. Under the terms of a previous extension signed in 2008, Tressel had been under contract at Ohio State until Ja

<< Tiger to make return at the Masters
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tiger Woods will return to competitive golf at the Masters. Woods made a statement Tuesday, saying he will end his self-imposed hiatus from the game at the year's first major championship, set for April 8-11 at Augu

<< Isles try to end road woes in tough test with Canucks
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Vancouver Canucks will try to extend their seven-game home winning streak when they take on a New York Islanders club that will be looking to avoid a ninth straight setback on the road tonight at GM Place. Vancouver ha

<< Sharks to pay a visit to slumping Stars
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars will meet three times before the end of March. That isn't likely to help Dallas' playoff chances. The first of those three scheduled meetings takes place tonight, as Western Conference-

Els back in top 10 of world rankings >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ernie Els' victory Sunday at the WGC-CA Championship vaulted the former world No. 1 back into the top 10 of this week's world golf rankings. Els' win at Doral moved the three-time major winner up

Hull coy on managerial targets >>
Hull, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hull City chairman Adam Pearson has revealed he is working toward appointing a new manager from a select group of names on a concise short-list. The Tigers parted company with former manager Phil Brown on M

Valencia's Albelda out with leg injury >>
Valencia, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Valencia defender David Albelda could be sidelined for up to four weeks after suffering a leg injury during the weekend defeat to Barcelona. The former Spain international has already been ruled out of T

Dundee's Casalinuovo suffers setback >>
Dundee, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dundee United striker Damian Casalinuovo is set to be sidelined for a couple weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in the 3-3 Scottish Cup draw at Rangers. The Argentinian lasted just three minu

Chiefs bring in Lilja >>
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Kansas City Chiefs signed free agent guard Ryan Lilja on Tuesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Kansas City Star reports it is for three years. The 28-year-old Kansas State prod

2007 NFL Football Betting Preview


“You play to win the game!”

Those are the words of notoriously intense head coach Herman Edwards. Unfortunately, from a bettors’ perspective, most coaches don’t feel that way about the NFL preseason. August is a time to evaluate young players, finalize the depth chart and pray your star players stay healthy.

The trick to making money during the exhibition schedule is identifying coaches – like Edwards – who can’t stand losing even when there's nothing on the line.

The New York Jets betting won 15 of 21 preseason games and went 14-7 against the spread (ATS) during Edwards’s five-year tenure with the club. In his first season as the Kansas City Chiefs field boss, the team improved from 0-4 to 2-2.

Identifying win-a-holics like Edwards is a good start if you plan betting the preseason – even though most say you shouldn’t ... but what the hell do they know anyway?

Here’s a brief rundown of two teams that have a habit of winning during the second-stringers’ season, and another club that has a good chance of exceeding this year.

New York Giants betting lines

Playing in the media hub of North America can be stressful but the press can’t write anything negative about the way Tom Coughlin’s boys play in the preseason. The Giants won and covered all four games last summer, improving their record to 7-1 both straight up (SU) and against the spread over the last two years.

Coughlin has shown he’s not afraid to give his starters more time in the second preseason game than most of his colleagues, no doubt one of the reasons his team has been so dominant.

Dallas Cowboys betting lines

Bettors can count on America’s team early on. The Cowboys are 14-6 both SU and ATS since 2002 in warm-up contests. Former coach Bill Parcells, the coach of the team the last four years, has an intimidating, in-your-face presence – surely a reason Dallas has had so much early success.

The Big Tuna won’t be strolling the sidelines with looks of disgust, but new coach Wade Phillips will be anxious to make a good first impression for owner Jerry Jones.

Dallas plays the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos before things get serious. They then face the Houston Texans in their third contest (the game starters see most game time) and finish off with the Minnesota Vikings.

Expect a Dallas team able to walk away with another 3-1 preseason record.

Oakland Raiders betting lines

This team scored a league-worst 12 offensive touchdowns last season, so the rookies and veterans each have something to prove. There’s a bounty of first-unit jobs up for grabs and plenty of bodies competing for those slots.

First-time head coach Lane Kiffin will be eager to impress an owner who employs the philosophy, “Just win, baby!”

The 32-year-old Kiffin has to command respect from a locker room full of players older than him. All of these factors should lead to purpose in preseason. 

Don’t forget: before playing like a team that belonged in NFL Europe, Oakland went 4-1 (both SU and ATS) in exhibition games.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football wagering needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

MySportsbook.com Posts Heisman Trophy Odds

With 3,919 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and a mere seven interceptions last season, combined with a powerful South Bend Heisman legacy, odds makers at MySportsbook.com have given Notre Dame senior quarterback Brady Quinn the best Heisman Trophy odds at 5-2.

Quinn isn’t the only big man on campus this season.  Oklahoma junior running back and 2004 Heisman runner-up Adrian Peterson, listed at 7-2, rushed for a combined 3,033 yards in his first two years as a college player and will give Quinn a run for his money. 

This online sportsbook has also listed Troy Smith, Ohio State senior quarterback, as another strong favorite to win the 72nd Heisman Trophy.  A 7-1 bet, Smith threw for 2,282 yards last season and also led the Buckeyes to a convincing 34-20 victory over Quinn and the Fighting Irish in last season’s Fiesta Bowl.

Current betting odds Heisman trophy are:

Brady Quinn (QB, Notre Dame)
Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma)
Troy Smith (QB, Ohio State)
Michael Bush (RB, Louisville)
Steve Slaton (RB, West Virginia)
Brian Brohm (QB, Louisville)
Chris Leak (QB, Florida)
Mike Hart (RB, Michigan)
Ted Ginn (WR, Ohio State)
Darius Walker (RB, Notre Dame)
Drew Tate (QB, Iowa)
Marshawn Lynch (RB, Cal)
Kenny Irons (RB, Auburn)
Chad Henne (QB, Michigan)
Kyle Wright (QB, Miami)
Drew Stanton (QB, Michigan State)
Kenneth Darby (RB, Alabama)
JaMarcus Russell (QB, LSU)
Drew Weatherford (QB, Florida State)
Blake Mitchell (QB, South Carolina)
Reggie Ball (QB, Georgia Tech)
5-2
7-2
7-1
10-1
10-1
12-1
12-1
18-1
18-1
20-1
30-1
35-1
35-1
40-1
50-1
50-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1

For complete NCAA Football odds visit MySportsbook.com.