Manchester United looking to bounce back against Villa

Soccer Betting Lines

12/22/2006 - Birmingham, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manchester United had an eight- point lead in the Premiership standings only two weeks ago. Now, the Red Devils have seen that cushion fall to only two points, courtesy of their stunning 1-0 loss at West Ham last week.

Chelsea picked up wins against both Newcastle and Everton to close the gap, and have served notice to United that they are not going away.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men are now looking to rebound from their disappointment at Upton Park, the first away loss of the campaign for United. The Red Devils will hit the road once again when they visit Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Villains are looking to rebound as well, as Martin O'Neill's team have slowly descended down the standings in the EPL. After occupying a top-five spot in the early part of the season, Villa have taken just four points away from their last six games, including a 1-0 home defeat to Bolton last time out.

Midfielder Gavin McCann will face a late fitness test for Aston Villa as he is battling a hamstring problem. If McCann can't go, 20-year-old Craig Gardner could make his first start of the season after impressing the team as a substitute.

The Villains will trot out almost the same lineup they have for the past couple of weeks despite their recent struggles, but the team must start picking up the maximum points to improve on its ninth-place standing and compete for a spot European competition next season.

United is expected to put the same starting 11 on the pitch on Saturday that they have for weeks. One question that has been raised concerning United's title chances is whether or not they have enough depth to navigate the rest of the season. United could have trouble if they suffer an injury or two in their starting lineup, as there is not much depth on the roster. One player who will help the thin front line for the Red Devils is Henrik Larsson, who will join the club in January after signing on loan from Helsingborg. The 35-year-old former Celtic star will bring needed firepower up top to go along with Louis Saha and Wayne Rooney.

Defender Patrice Evra will probably not be available to Ferguson as he is battling a calf injury, while Alan Smith is not up for selection as he is still trying to return to fitness.

In other action on Saturday in England, Fulham tries to move into the top-half of the standings with a win against West Ham, Arsenal hosts Blackburn and will try to keep its place in a tight race for third place, surging Liverpool has won its last three games by a combined 11-0 score and will attempt to keep that momentum going when they host bottom-feeding Watford. Bolton got back in the win column last week and tries to make it two straight with a visit to Manchester City, Middlesbrough hosts Charlton in a match heavy with relegation implications, Newcastle entertains a suddenly-strong Tottenham club, Portsmouth is just two points out of third and plays host to Sheffield United, Reading and Everton are separated by just two points and clash at the Madejski Stadium and Chelsea visits Wigan in an attempt to keep the heat on United.

SATURDAY

Fulham - West Ham United

Arsenal - Blackburn Rovers

Aston Villa - Manchester United

Liverpool - Watford

Manchester City - Bolton Wanderers

Middlesbrough - Charlton Athletic

Newcastle United - Tottenham Hotspur

Portsmouth - Sheffield United

Reading - Everton

Wigan Athletic - Chelsea

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American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

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