MLS Betting Preview  
Kansas City Wizards at Columbus Crew  
Thursday, 8:00 pm Eastern – ESPN 2

The Columbus Crew sits in 2^nd place in the Eastern Conference while the Kansas City Wizards are tied for last place but only 7 points separate the two teams as they enter play on Thursday.  The two teams are meeting for the third time this season and so far it has been all Columbus as they have won both meetings.  The Crew won 2-1 at home and 3-0 at Kansas City.  

Columbus Crew is a -135 favorite with a total of 2.5 at SBG Global 

Columbus is coming off a 2-0 loss to Real Salt Lake last Saturday.  The loss ended a four-game unbeaten streak for Columbus.  The Crew was shutout for the first time in more than a month. “I just think we didn’t look sharp,” said Crew head coach Sigi Schmid. “We had a couple of opportunities, if Guillermo scores and makes it 1-1, instead of hitting the post; that changes the game. I thought Marshall had a pretty open header, on the corner. If he puts that one in I think the game tips a little bit and we get a little momentum. We needed a shot of adrenaline, and the only way that was going to come was through a goal, and that didn’t happen.”  

The Kansas City Wizards are unbeaten in their last four games including a 2-1 win against New York last Thursday. “We’re extremely pleased to get the three points. It puts us right back in the mix. Today was a must-win as far as I was concerned,” Kansas City coach Curt Onalfo said. “… Still, there are times in the game where we are a little too naïve and we give them too much territory and allow them to at least get back into it. We fell asleep, and we got punished. When you fall asleep, Angel is going to punish you.”  The win was huge for Kansas City who is now unbeaten over the last month. “It’s been an uphill battle, and we’re at .500 halfway through the season,” said Onalfo. “We need to continue to move up. We need to be positioned well by the last 10 games of the season so we can make a run for sure to make the playoffs and try to get home-field advantage.”

Here are the Soccer Bettingstats for Thursday’s game.  The teams have met 36 times in history and they have split with each team winning 16 times with 4 ties.  At Columbus the Crew has 10 wins, Kansas City has 7 and there have been two draws.  Last year the home team won each of the three games.  Kansas City has won eight of the last 13 meetings between the two teams overall.

Home Run Derby Betting Preview
Monday, 8:00 pm Eastern – ESPN

If you like home runs then tune in on Monday for the Major League Baseball All-Star Home Run Derby on ESPN.  It will take place at Yankee Stadium and should be exciting.  Most of the time when betting the Home Run Derby you can look at the previous year’s champ as one of the favorites but that will not be the case in 2008.  Last year’s champ Valdimir Guerrero has pulled out of the competition.  The leading home run hitter this season is the Phillies Ryan Howard and he is not even in the Derby.  Home town favorite and superstar Alex Rodriguez is also not in the field.

The current odds for the Home Run Derby at SBG Global:

STATE FARM HOMERUN DERBY
L BERKMAN     +400 
C UTLEY     +475
D UGGLA     +800
R BRAUN     +725
J HAMILTON     +250
G SIZEMORE     +550
E LONGORIA     +800
J MORNEAU     +500 
FIELD     +550

It is likely that one of the favorites for this year’s Home Run Derby will be Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton who is having an MVP year.  He is among the league leaders in home runs, leads in RBI’s, and is hitting over .300. Looking at the field of contenders it is easy to see why Hamilton will be a popular choice.  The National League contenders don’t look that strong.  No one really thinks of Chase Utley, Dan Uggla or Lance Berkman as home run hitters.  True, they are all having excellent seasons, but none are really known as power hitters.  That is not the case with Hamilton who is simply a stud. The player to watch in addition to Hamilton could be Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun. He is among the leaders in home runs this season and is thought of more as a power threat. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, something you dream about,” Braun said. “It’s too good an opportunity to pass up.”

One of the top home run hitters in the American League is also a surprise entrant into the Home Run Derby.  Cleveland outfielder Grady Sizemore is making his third consecutive appearance on the AL All-Star team and his first ever appearance in the Home Run Derby.  He has hit over 20 home runs this year.  He is the first Cleveland player in the Home Run Derby since Jim Thome in 1998.

The Marlins Dan Uggla is one player that is very excited to be a part of the Home Run Derby. “I think it’s awesome,” said Uggla, “Every kid dreams about being in the Home Run Derby. I know I used to watch it every year. It’s just one of things, I’m very fortunate and very excited to be in. I’m very thankful.” Uggla has 81 career home runs in his first three seasons.

The winners of the MLB betting Home Run Derby since 2002 are Guerrero, Howard, Bobby Abreu, Miguel Tejada, Garret Anderson and Jason Giambi.

Our Pick:

Josh Hamilton

MLS Betting Preview
Chivas USA at Los Angeles Galaxy
Thursday, 11:00 pm Eastern – ESPN 2The top two teams in the Western Conference meet on Thursday in Los Angeles as the Galaxy host Chivas USA.  Chivas is unbeaten in their last three games overall while the Galaxy is winless in their last three.

Los Angeles is a -155 favorite with a total of 3 at SBG Global.

Three-way line – Los Angeles -115, Chivas +215, Draw +225

The Los Angeles Galaxy are coming off a 2-1 loss in their last game to the New England Revolution. Landon Donovan was not able to start due to illness but he did enter in the second half and the Galaxy played better but it was not enough. “It is always good to have your best players out there. Obviously Landon is one of the best players we have got so it is good to have him out there. He has been ill for two or three days and he has not even trained so it was impossible for him to start from the word go,” Galaxy star David Beckham said. “When he did come on it changed the game and it set their players back because they know his pace and they know what he can do. It put us on the front foot and gave us for opportunities to create chances.” The problem for the Galaxy recently has been their defense. Los Angeles has given up nine goals in their last three games.

Chivas is coming off a 1-0 against San Jose last Saturday.  They scored a dramatic win as Ante Razov put a shot home in the 88^th minute.  The win vaulted Chivas into a first place tie in the Western Conference. “That’s how our league is. You are always in it. Parity is what they want and certainly I think they’ve got it,” Razov said. “It’s not the greatest record. We know we’re a long way from where we possibly could be once we get all our guys back we’ll just keep plugging away.”   The goal by Razov was his 112^th in league play which puts him sixth on the league’s all-time list.

Here are the Soccer Betting stats for Thursday’s game.  The teams have met 13 times in their history with the Galaxy notching 8 wins.  Chivas has won three matches and the teams have tied twice.  In “home” matches the Galaxy has won five of the seven meetings.  This is the second of three meetings between the two teams this season. The Galaxy won the first match 5-2 as Landon Donovan scored a hat trick.

Last season Chivas won the season series for the first time.  Chivas won two matches, Los Angeles won once and one match ended in a draw.

Euro 2008 Quarterfinal Betting Preview
Croatia vs. Turkey
Friday, 2:45 pm Eastern – ESPN

The two darkhorses in the Soccer Betting Euro 2008 quarterfinals will battle on Friday as Croatia faces Turkey. Croatia was one of only three teams that came through the group stage with a perfect 3-0 record. “We are the better team,” said coach Slaven Bilic. Croatia will have some lineup changes as Ivan Rakitic and Dario Srna are ready to go for Friday but defender Dario Knezevic and striker Igor Budan are out. “I do not have sleepless nights over them. I have plenty of options and have a good choice.” Bilic said. “We will do everything to beat Turkey. We have the strength and the quality to do it,” Billic added.

Croatia is -.5 (-120) with a total of 2 over (-140) at SBG Global.
Three-way line – Croatia -120, Turkey +335, Draw +235

The last time Croatia reached the quarterfinals of a major tournament was in the 1998 World Cup when they beat Germany and ended up finishing third.
They seem very confident for Friday’s matchup against Turkey. “The euphoria amongst fans and players is huge, but we have to concentrate on the game against Turkey,” said Mladen Petric.

Turkey has some definite problems heading into Friday’s game. They will be without suspended goalkeeper Volkan Demirel and Mehmet Aurelio. Demirel was suspended for two matches after getting a red card in injury time of Turkey’s win against the Czechs. Aurelio got his second card in that game as well and will miss Friday’s game. Turkey will also be without defender Emre Gungor who has a calf injury. Other key players like captain Emre Belozoglu, Tumer Metin and Servet Cetin are doubtful. Former number one goalkeeper Rustu Recber will be in goal and he will have to play very well if Turkey is to have a chance. “Our biggest advantage is that we never give up.” said coach Fatih Terim.

The two teams have met three times in history with Croatia winning one while the other two ended in draws. Croatia beat Turkey in 1996 by a score of 1-0 while the teams played to a 1-1 draw in 1997 and a 2-2 draw in 2004.

Pick: Croatia to win

Euro 2008 Quarterfinal Betting Preview
Portugal vs. Germany
Thursday, 2:45 pm Eastern – ESPN

Two of the top teams remaining in Euro 2008 meet on Thursday in the quarterfinals as Portugal takes on Germany.  Portugal is a slight favorite in the game, mainly because they have the world’s top player in Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portugal is a -155 favorite with a total of 2 at SBG Global.
Three-way line – Portugal +130, Germany +185, Draw +210

The Germans will not have coach Joachim Loew on the bench because he was suspended by the UEFA for his actions in Germany’s win over Austria.
“It really hurts him, because it’s a special game, the biggest game so far in his career,” team manager Oliver Bierhoff said, “He won’t be able to use his intuition on the bench.” The problem for Germany will be containing Ronaldo.  “We have a special plan to stop him, but I won’t tell you,” Bierhoff said. “He is the best player in the world; you can’t stop him for 90 minutes. And he is not alone. We have to stay solid as a group, confronting them one-on-one won’t be enough.”

Germany will be relying upon Michael Ballack who scored their only goal against Austria. “I am looking forward to this game,” Ballack said. “I know a few players; they have very strong individuals, not only Ronaldo. It promises to be a good match.” Germany’s leading scorer in Euro 2008 is Lukas Podolski but he has a left calf injury and is questionable. Midfielder Torsten Frings has a fractured rib and is also questionable.  The good news for Germany is that Bastian Schweinsteiger is likely to return from his one match suspension.

Ronaldo definitely has respect for Germany. “It’s going to be a very good game,” Ronaldo said. “Both teams are good, Portugal has more technique and Germany (plays) more physically, they have strong players. We have to respect Germany; it is a dangerous team, with very good players. But we are too, so let’s see.”

The teams have met twice at the Soccer Betting European Championship. They played to a scoreless draw in 1984 while Portugal routed Germany 3-0 in 2000.  Portugal had already secured a spot in 2000 and was resting players in that match.  Germany defeated Portugal 3-1 to take third place in the 2006 World Cup.