Rennes limps into Monaco tilt

Soccer Betting Lines

11/02/2007 - Rennes, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rennes has been one of the biggest surprises in Ligue 1 to this point, climbing to third in the table and trailing league-leaders Lyon by only four points through 12 games.

The club is currently riding a three-game win streak in league play as well, however a mounting list of injuries will test the team as they take on Monaco on Saturday at Stade dele Route de Lorient.

Both teams will be looking to rebound from losses in the Coupe de la Ligue during the past week, with Rennes falling 2-0 to Valenciennes and Monaco going out to Lens in 2-1 fashion.

Monaco has been a struggling team ever since a positive start to the season, losing five of its last six games. The club is also facing Rennes with the possibility that striker Jeremy Menez will not be fit after suffering a groin injury in midweek. Menez has been one of the club's top scoring threats this season and his loss would be a big blow.

Rennes, meanwhile, has bigger injury concerns with Sylvain Wiltord on the shelf for a month because of a calf problem. Wiltord has started to show top form in recent weeks and his loss will not be easy to overcome.

Midfielder Jerome Leroy is battling a thigh issue and is doubtful to play, meaning that he too could join Wiltord on an injury list that already includes Simon Pouplin, Olivier Thomert and Julien Esteban.

Despite the injuries, Rennes defender Petter Hansson is hopeful that his club can continue its positive start to the campaign.

"We want to stay in this good form for as long as possible," Hansson told the club's website. "Lyon are the big favorites for the league and I think a lot of people believe that as well. We don't know what is going to happen. But we made a good start to the season and I hope that is going to carry on."

In other Ligue 1 action on Saturday, top-four sides Nancy and Bordeaux clash at Stade Marcel Picot, Lille has lost two of its last three and visits Auxerre, Valenciennes has won just once in four games and will have its hands full when the team visits Lyon, while Marseille sits third from the bottom and hosts Lorient. Sochaux has earned just 11 points from 12 games and hits the road to meet Nice, while surprising Strasbourg hopes to improve on its sixth- place standing when the club entertains PSG.

On Sunday, fifth-place Le Mans visits Caen, last-place Metz travels to Toulouse, and Lens, which is currently in 19th place, plays host to St Etienne.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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