World Cup 2010 Preview: Lowered expectations for Nigeria

Soccer Betting Lines

05/21/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - No African nation has ever reached the semifinals of the World Cup, but if you were to rewind time about 15 years, Nigeria would be the odds on favorite to do it.

With players like Sunday Oliseh, Victor Ikpeba and Jay-Jay Okocha starring for the Super Eagles in the mid-1990s, Nigeria appeared to have a very bright future.

Nigeria advanced to the second round in its first two World Cups in 1994 and 1998 before being eliminated, but took a step back in 2002 as it failed to advance past the group stage.

Nigeria then missed out on the 2006 World Cup altogether after failing to qualify, leading most observers to place them behind fellow African sides like the Ivory Coast, Ghana and Cameroon.

And although the Super Eagles struggled in qualification, needing a Tunisia loss and a win of their own just to make it to South Africa, they still bring an experienced team that is capable of returning to the knockout round.

On paper, the strength of this team can be found up top, where the Nigerians have a nice blend of youth and experience.

Veteran Nwankwo Kanu has enjoyed a successful career in European club soccer as he has won the Champions League, UEFA Cup and both English and Dutch titles.

He has twice been named Africa's Footballer of the Year and, at 33, should provide guidance for some of the team's younger stars.

Obafemi Martins and Ayegbeni Yakubu combined to score four of Nigeria's nine goals in qualification, while Peter Odemwingie and Ikechukwu Uche are also attractive options off the bench.

The midfield will be led by Chelsea's Jon Obi Mikel, a physical player who will provide cover for a defense that includes Taye Taiwo and Joseph Yobo.

Yobo scored a pair of important goals in qualifying and has been one of Everton's most reliable defenders over the past five years and he will play a large role in determining Nigeria's fate.

The team was drawn into Group B along with Argentina, Greece and South Korea, which was not a bad draw considering where some of the other African nations ended up.

Outside of Argentina, the other three teams should be fairly evenly matched, which should make for some tight games.

Nigeria will be coached by former Sweden boss Lars Lagerback, who replaced Shaibu Amodu at the end of February following the African Cup of Nations.

Lagerback helped Sweden advance past the group stage in each of the past two World Cups, but how much of a chance he has had to make his mark on the team is questionable.

A deep run in the World Cup for Nigeria is no longer a topic of discussion, but a spot in the second round would be a step in the right direction.

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MySportsbook.com and Kentucky Derby Offer Bonuses
The 2008 Kentucky Derby has announced a $1-million bonus for this weekend’s 134th ‘Run for the Roses’ and MySportsbook.com is doing the same.

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According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800).

Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.

''It's certainly creative, it's certainly fun and it has something for the horsemen, which we always want to embrace,'' Churchill Downs president and chief executive Robert Evans said at a news conference. ''What's really cool is it will force us to remember Barbaro.''
    
Meanwhile, the Derby favorite – Curlin – is going against the odds this year. It's been 125 years since Apollo won after skipping his 2-year-old season, and not since Regret in 1915 has such a lightly seasoned horse worn the blanket of red roses.

Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby.

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Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year.
   
Asmussen dismissed suggestions that Curlin's lack of racing experience could keep him from the winner's circle.

”He exudes confidence and he's got a great presence about him,'' the trainer said. ''I feel great about the position we're in. He's not worried about anything, why should you be?''
   
The Kentucky Derby is at 4:04 p.m., ET Saturday.

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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.

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