City brushes Porto aside in Europa League

Soccer Betting Lines

02/22/2012 - Manchester, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manchester City steam rolled over Porto at home on Wednesday, earning a 4-0 victory against the Portuguese side to advance to the Round of 16 of the Europa League.

Four different players got on the score sheet at the Etihad as Sergio Aguero gave the home side the lead by halftime before Edin Dzeko, David Silva, and David Pizarro all chipped in with second-half goals to seal the win.

It only took City 19 seconds to break through as the Citizens capitalized on a giveaway in midfield.

Yaya Toure intercepted a poor pass from the Porto defense and played a brilliant through ball to split the back line. Aguero latched on and slotted his effort to the far post to get the Citizens off to a dream start.

Aguero nearly grabbed a second goal in the 29th minute when he beat the offside trap, danced around Porto goalkeeper Helton, and chipped a shot over a covering defender, but the Argentine was denied by the crossbar as his effort rattled the frame and was cleared to safety.

A second goal eventually came through second-half substitute Dzeko, and it was Aguero who turned provider in the 76th minute.

The Argentine threaded a through ball at the perfect moment to find Dzeko and the lanky striker made no mistake with the finish, slipping a shot under Helton to put the nail in the coffin.

Silva added insult to injury for the visitors following another giveaway by the Porto defense. He one-timed a centering pass from Pizarro in the 84th minute into the back of the net after Helton was drawn out of position.

Pizarro quickly put an exclamation point at the end of the aggregate score, taking advantage of a failed clearance two minutes later and adding a fourth goal for City to make it a 6-1 win for the Citizens over both legs.

Manchester City will commence Europa League play on March 8 against the winner of the Legia Warsaw and Sporting Lisbon tie. Legia Warsaw and Sporting Lisbon are set to play their second leg matchup Thursday in Portugal, tied 2-2 on aggregate.

Nflfreegamble Soccer Betting News

<< Indians ink Guzman to minor league deal
Goodyear, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Indians have signed veteran infielder Cristian Guzman to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training. Guzman, 33, did not play in 2011, reportedly due

<< Azarenka pulls out; Wozniacki advances in Dubai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka decided to pull out of the Dubai Duty Free Championships, citing a left ankle injury, while former top-ranked star and reigning champion Caroline Wozniac

<< Tribe inks Guzman to minor league deal
Goodyear, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Indians have signed veteran infielder Cristian Guzman to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training. Guzman, 33, did not play in 2011, reportedly due

<< Recovering from Tommy John surgery, David Aardsma signs with Yanks
Tampa, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Yankees have signed reliever David Aardsma to a one-year contract with a club option for 2013. The 30-year-old right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last July 22. Prior to missing the 2011

<< Blokhin extends stay with Ukraine
Kiev, Ukraine (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Oleg Blokhin will remain coach of Ukraine beyond Euro 2012, it was announced by the Ukraine Football Federation on Wednesday. Blokhin led Ukraine to a place in the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cu

Pogatetz commits future to Hannover >>
Hannover, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hannover defender Emanuel Pogatetz has signed a new three-year contract with the club, it was confirmed on Wednesday. The Austria international's contract was due to expire at the end of the seas

Hradecka exits Memphis >>
Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Third-seeded Czech Lucie Hradecka was a second-round loser Wednesday at the $220,000 Memphis International tennis event. Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko came from behind to beat Hradecka 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) on the

The Sixth Man: Lakers' strife was predictable >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Expectations in the NBA are often measured on a sliding scale. Most clubs would consider a 19-13 record that placed them a game behind the division leaders with two days to go before the All-Star break a s

Nets' Williams has successful surgery, will miss season >>
East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New Jersey forward Shawne Williams had successful left foot surgery on Wednesday, the Nets announced in a release. He will miss the remainder of the 2011-12 season. The surgery was performed by Dr

Coyotes obtain Vermette from Jackets >>
Glendale, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday acquired center Antoine Vermette from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a pair of draft picks and goaltender Curtis McElhinney. A three-time 20-goal scorer, Ver

Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds

Super Bowl XLIII, the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Super Bowl XLIII is now set, the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers will meet each other on February 1st in Tampa's Raymond James Stadium to battle it out for the coveted Lombardi Trophy. The game kicks off at 6:00pm ET on NBC with announcers Al Michaels and John Madden covering the on-field action. Super Bowl XLIII betting odds at online bookmaker MySportsbook.com have the Steelers listed as an early -6.5 against the spread favorite.Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds

Pittsburgh earned their passage to the big game by beating their division rival, the Baltimore Ravens, 23-14 in yesterday's AFC Championship Game. The Steelers jumped on Baltimore early, building a 13-0 first half lead, and never let up on their way to a fairly easy win. Although the Ravens did close to within two points in the fourth quarter, it never appeared as if they had enough offense to pull off the upset.

The Steelers dominating defense held Baltimore to a total of 198 yards while allowing them to convert just three third downs in 13 attempts. Pittsburgh also forced quarterback Joe Flacco into three interceptions, one of which safety Troy Polamalu returned fourty yards for a touchdown.

The Cardinals, by far the playoff team with the longest odds to reach Super Bowl XLIII, did so yesterday with a 32-25 upset of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship. Arizona charged out of the gates and built a 24-6 halftime lead that had the Eagles venerable defense reeling. Quarterback Kurt Warner and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald did most of the damage, connecting on three first half touchdowns.

Arizona, however, could not sustain their momentum and the Eagles took a 25-24 with 10:45 left to play in the fourth. The Cardinals, with the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance hanging in the balance, mounted a fourteen play, 72 yard touchdown drive that consumed 7:52 off the clock. Warner hit running back Tim Hightower on a short screen for the go-ahead, game clinching score that will forever live in Cardinal infamy.

MySportsbook.com's Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds:

Pittsburgh Steelers -6.5 (-110), Over 46.5 (-110), -260 (Money line)

Arizona Cardinals +6.5 (-110), Under 46.5 (-110), +220 (Money line)

Matt Foust won both of his conference championship plays yesterday and he is ready to serve up plenty of Super Bowl action. Each individual play costs $15.00, however, MySportsbook.com recommends purchasing Matt's NFL Playoff Package which includes all of Matt's Super Bowl props and picks from just $45.00.

Get free Super Bowl XLIII Betting from top rated online sportsbook MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online Super Bowl betting with credit cards

MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South


In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South.  Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC.  The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game.  For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft.  Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.

1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign?  New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1.  Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT.  Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.

Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami

2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season.  With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round.  LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems.  If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.

Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU

3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season.  The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach.  The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub.  High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career.  With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson. 

Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season.  The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age.  It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot.  This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.

Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas

It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season.  On the clock: the NFC North

Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2    

Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1

Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1

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