Miscellaneous Articles

World Cup Odds and Picks: Netherlands Vs. Uruguay Predictions
by T.O. Whenham - 7/5/2010

The first of two World Cup semifinals certainly qualifies as a surprise. Netherlands got there by beating probably the most feared team in the tournament in impressive fashion, and Uruguay made it by landing by far the easiest path to the Semis in the entire bracket. The important thing now, though, is that both made it. You can argue whether they deserve to be there all you want, but the only thing that matters is that they are.

World Cup Odds and Picks: Argentina Vs. Germany Predictions
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 7/2/2010

The World Cup has been full of surprising results and unexpected performances from non-traditional soccer powers, but now that eight teams remain the marquee matches everyone expected to see in South Africa are coming to fruition.

World Cup Odds and Picks: Paraguay Vs. Spain Predictions
by Alan Matthews - 7/2/2010

If you go strictly by world rankings, the final quarterfinal match at the World Cup between Paraguay and Spain on Saturday is the biggest mismatch of the four, with Paraguay ranked No. 31 (only Ghana, at 32, is lower) and Spain at No. 2 in the world. And the odds – see below -- bear out that this should be the most guaranteed result.

NASCAR: Coke Zero 400 Odds and Predictions
by Christopher G. Shepard - 7/2/2010

Jimmie Johnson managed to silence rumors of his demise by surviving a bump-and-run from Kurt Bush and winning his second consecutive NSCS race at the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 last week, bringing his total to five wins this season. This weekend NASCAR heads to the beach for under-the-lights excitement on Saturday, July 3 at 7:30 p.m. for the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

World Cup Players to Watch
by Alan Matthews - 7/1/2010

We are down to the quarterfinals at the World Cup, and most of the top heavyweights have made it to the final eight, including five of the world’s top-seven teams: No. 1 Brazil, No. 2 Spain, No. 4 Netherlands, No. 6 Germany and No. 7 Argentina.

World Cup Odds and Picks: Brazil Vs. Netherlands Predictions
by T.O. Whenham - 7/1/2010

Powerful titans will clash twice in the quarterfinals, with this matchup being perhaps the most interesting. Brazil is the undisputed king of the World Cup. They have won it five times and lost in the finals twice more, and and are an obvious and serious threat to win it all every time the tournament takes place. Netherlands can't nearly match up to that impressive record, but they have finished second twice and fourth once, and 1938 was the last time they qualified for the World Cup without advancing beyond the first round.

World Cup Odds and Picks: Uruguay Vs. Ghana Predictions
by Jordan Adams - 7/1/2010

There’s been some pleasant storylines so far this World Cup, but perhaps the play and success of both Uruguay and Ghana tops the list. As the group stage concluded, most wanted to cynically look at the crash and burn of world notables France and Italy. However, it is instead time to praise the likes of those who have achieved in South Africa this summer.

2010 Tour de France Betting Odds, Picks and Predictions
by T.O. Whenham - 7/1/2010

The Tour de France, the most grueling sporting event in the world, starts July 3 in Rotterdam. It finishes up 20 stages and 2,234 miles later in Paris on July 25. Like last year it starts out flat, and riders aren't likely to make bold moves or exert themselves until at least the early mountain stage starting in stage eight, and more likely until the four-day trip through the mountains starting in stage 14. It's always a tight race at the top with several riders in the mix, and this year is clearly no exception.

World Cup Final Eight Power Rankings and Predictions
by T.O. Whenham - 6/30/2010

The final eight has been set for the World Cup. Three-quarters of the field has gone home to pout and lick their wounds, while the remaining eight are harboring more or less realistic dreams of glory. Since we're down to the elite now (with a couple of notable exceptions) this is a good time assess the remaining teams and see how they stack up. Here's an updated power ranking for the final eight teams at the World Cup:

World Cup Player Salaries
by Alan Matthews - 6/30/2010

While no soccer player in America comes anywhere close to ranking on any Top 50 list of U.S. sports stars’ earnings – the Galaxy’s David Beckham makes about $6.5 million as the highest-paid player in MLS – soccer stars are paid huge sums in the world’s premier leagues.

World Cup History USA
by Alan Matthews - 6/30/2010

The American soccer team made some history in this World Cup by winning their group for the first time since 1930. And that epic 1-0 win over Algeria to advance out of group stage play was only the fifth shutout by a U.S. team in soccer’s biggest event and the first since 1950. Landon Donovan’s stoppage time goal against Algeria gave him four goals, which tied Bert Patenaude (1930) as the American leader.

World Cup Odds and Picks: Spain Vs. Portugal Predictions
by Alan Matthews - 6/28/2010

Tuesday’s final Round of 16 match at the World Cup is a doozy as neighbors Spain and Portugal, the No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the world rankings, meet for a spot in the quarterfinals. People are calling this the “Iberian Derby.”

World Cup Odds and Picks: Paraguay Vs. Japan Predictions
by Alan Matthews - 6/28/2010

The Japanese won matches in the World Cup on foreign soil for the first time and reached the knockout round for the second time; they also advanced in 2002, when they were tournament co-hosts with South Korea. The winner of this match faces the Spain-Portugal winner in the quarterfinals.

World Cup Odds and Picks: Netherlands Vs. Slovakia Predictions
by T.O. Whenham - 6/27/2010

This unlikely pairing will be played out on Monday, June 28 at 10 am ET in Durban. That stadium was the site of Switzerland's stunning upset of Spain, so it has definitely been kind to European underdogs. It was also the site of the Dutch win over Japan, so Netherlands will have the relatively unique advantage of familiarity.

World Cup Odds and Picks: Brazil Vs. Chile Predictions
by T.O. Whenham - 6/27/2010

These two teams are certainly familiar with each other. They were, after all, the top two teams qualifying out of the CONMEBOL. Unfortunately for Chile that familiarity just means that they know how much trouble they are in. The two teams played twice during qualification, and Brazil won easily both times - 3-0 in Chile, and 4-2 at home.

World Cup Odds and Picks: Argentina vs. Mexico Predictions
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 6/26/2010

For the past four years Mexico has been salivating for a chance at redemption against Argentina. It was the Round of 16 in Germany in 2006 when Mexico could not hold on to a 1-0 lead and eventually succumbed to Argentina 2-1 in extra time on an incredible goal by Maxi Rodriguez.

World Cup Odds and Picks: England Vs. Germany Predictions
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 6/26/2010

With the group stage ripe with surprising results, overachieving countries and disappointing performances from perennial powers, a clash of two global titans in the Round of 16 was not out of the question. And that is exactly what the draw has produced with Germany and England meeting in the Round of 16 at 10 a.m. EST on Sunday in Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

World Cup Odds and Picks: Uruguay Vs. South Korea Predictions
by Jordan Adams - 6/25/2010

Uruguay will come right at you and they make no secrets about wanting to run everything through their top player Forlan. He runs the show and is the engine that makes this car run. South Korea does everything well. They aren’t exceptional or great in any one category, but to that point they rarely ever bet themselves.

World Cup Odds and Picks: United States Vs. Ghana Predictions
by Jordan Adams - 6/25/2010

How big was Landon Donovan’s 91’ goal to send the U.S. through to the elimination round? Well, results to come will really dictate that answer but for now it really gives the Stars and Stripes all kinds of momentum and confidence to put together a magical run.

World Cup Odds and Picks: North Korea Vs. Ivory Coast Predictions
by Alan Matthews - 6/24/2010

Go ahead and disregard North Korea’s chances in this match Friday as it enters off the biggest rout of the tournament, a 7-0 beat down by Portugal. Unfortunately for the Ivory Coast, that definitive Portuguese win pretty much means that the Elephants won’t advance in Group G.