UFC 98 Betting Odds Preview

While the popularity of UFC odds betting isn’t waning at all, the sport has something to prove to its fans after Anderson Silva and Thales Leites put viewers to sleep at UFC 97. Can the UFC 98 odds breathe life back into MMA betting? Hardcore fans should enjoy the main event, which will be a chess match between the sport’s best defensive fighters in Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida, but layman supporters probably won’t be on their feet again until sluggers Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva meet at UFC 99.

Let’s make some picks for the main events in the UFC 98 odds.

Rashad Evans (18-0-1) vs Lyoto Machida (14-0) – for UFC Light Heavyweight Championship

UFC odds: Evans +160, Machida -200

“Sugar” Rashad Evans finds himself in a strange position at the sportsbook as a rare underdog champion. What does the man have to do to earn MMA betting fans’ respect? He’s undefeated, having beaten the likes of Michael Bisping, Tito Ortiz and, most recently, Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin via knockout. The latter two fights answered questions about Evans’ finishing ability, as fight fans were beginning to wonder if the outstanding wrestler could do anything besides “lay and pray.” Now that he’s demonstrated considerable power (especially in his huge knockout of Liddell), how could he possibly be an underdog?

The answer: Lyoto “the Dragon” Machida, also undefeated, is probably the best technical fighter Evans has ever faced. Machida’s unorthodox, upright Karate stance makes him extremely difficult to hit – more so than any fighter in MMA betting. Even though Evans’ strength isn’t striking anyway, he’ll have trouble just getting close enough to Machida to take him down. If Evans does successfully get Machida to the ground, he’ll still have to contend with a man proficient in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Evans is almost as good as Machida at evading attacks, so this fight should go to a decision, but the more versatile Machida should inflict more damage and win the title.

Sportsbook pick: Machida -200

Matt Hughes (43-7) vs Matt Serra (16-5)

UFC odds: Hughes -300, Serra +240

Grudge match alert! Finally, after endless trash talking and training injuries, Hughes and Serra settle their bad blood Saturday. The luster has worn off this MMA betting matchup, but don’t worry – as soon as the opening bell rings, things should get ugly here. Hughes is a massive UFC odds favorite with good reason – he’s a phenomenal wrestler, among the best of all-time in UFC betting, and that matches him up well against the diminutive Serra, whom Georges St-Pierre manhandled on the ground in their rematch.

Hughes is definitely getting long in the tooth and is coming off brutal losses to GSP and Thiago Alves, but he’s made it fairly clear that this is the last fight of his career, so he’ll leave everything in the octagon. Sports wagering fans should expect him to beat Serra.

Sportsbook pick: Hughes -300

Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway Betting Odds

After taking a break for the All-Star event the drivers of the Sprint Cup Series will return to the track for a points race on May 24 in the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Mark Martin picked up the win in the circuit's last points race, the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on May 9. Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart finished behind Martin in that race, while Ryan Newman and Jeff Gordon were fourth and fifth.

Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski, Greg Biffle, Joey Logano, and Matt Kenseth rounded out the Top 10 in the Southern 500. Denny Hamlin was 13th, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was 27th, and Kyle Busch had to settle for a 34th-place result.

Gordon heads into the Coca-Cola 600 with a 29-point lead on Stewart in the driver standings. Kurt Busch is 55 points back of Gordon in third place, ahead of Johnson and Hamlin.

Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman, Biffle, and Kenseth make up the rest of the standings' current Top 10. Martin's win at Darlington boosted him four spots to 11th in the points race, and Carl Edwards sits just above the Chase cutoff in 12th position.

Burton won the Bank of America 500 at Lowe's last October, while Kasey Kahne is the defending champion in the Coca-Cola 600. Kahne also picked up a pair of Lowe's wins in 2006, while Gordon and Casey Mears won on the track in 2007.

Johnson won five Lowe's events from 2003-2005, including a sweep of the races in both 2004 and 2005. Gordon has a total of four Cup wins at the track in his career, and Martin grabbed a trophy at Lowe's in both 1998 and 2002.

After competing in the Coca-Cola 600 the drivers of the Sprint Cup Series will move on to Dover International Speedway for the Autism Speaks 400 on May 31. June events will then take place at Pocono, Michigan, Sonoma, and Loudon.

Man United - Tevez Situation to be Decided in June

Carlos Tevez's future at Manchester United will be resolved until after the Champions League final, while the club deals with vericuetos to reach a permanent agreement.

The loan of Tevez for two years expires at the end of the season and the club's general director, David Gill, reported Sunday that the team would hire him to pay 25 million pounds (38 million U.S. dollars) to a group of investors.

But that will happen after the current monarch of the Champions League against Barcelona to play for the title on May 27.

The current situation will be clarified in early June, Gill predicted to the BBC. Carlos has played very well. We would like to continue, but the current economic situation must be resolved.

The coach Alex Ferguson, whom he seems irritating having to negotiate with third parties, agreed that United should consider the economic crisis in the world when thinking about the payment of large accounts.

The demands raised initially we were unrealistic, Ferguson said the newspaper The Sunday Times. Like other clubs, we must be aware of the consequences of lack of credit. This is no time for careless with money. As for Tevez, everyone would be better if the will exists to reach a negotiated settlement.

Tevez appeared to bid farewell to fans cluv on Saturday when he was substituted during the 0-0 draw with Arsenal that gave Manchester its third consecutive title in the Premier League.

The Argentine player said it would be difficult to stay in Manchester to complain that he had not been respected during the contract negotiation.

Tevez arrived at West Ham United at the start of the 2007-8 season and quickly became a favorite among fans. More than a thousand fans went to the outlets where managers and players threw beer cans while shouting Fergie, contrátalo.

However, achieving a permanent agreement is further complicated because the contract of Tevez is owned by a group of investors, not from another computer.

Manchester United Win Premier League Title

Manchester United won its third consecutive title Saturday in the Premier League 0-0 draw with Arsenal in the penultimate day of the season.

Los Diablos Rojos of Alex Ferguson needed just one point to win his third consecutive title and his escort left behind Liverpool, which is seven units with two matches to play.

It's an incredible feeling. Fortunately we were able to achieve today, "said striker Wayne Rooney. Recent years have been incredible and hopefully we can continue.

United have won 11 titles in the Premier in the last 17 seasons under the command of Ferguson, and tied with Liverpool as the most English winners of the tournament with 18 crowns.

Despite a dull party, the public in the Old Trafford stadium erupted in celebration when they heard the final silbatazo.

Ferguson has 25 trophies since arriving at the club in 1986 and expects to add another when United face Barcelona in the final of the Champions League on May 27 in Rome.

That was the goal because we are the best team in the world, but never thought he would win 11 titles, "said the coach of 67 years. I want to keep forever.

The result of Saturday gives Ferguson almost two weeks to prepare his team for the final in Rome, although Arsenal threatened to ruin the party at Old Trafford as the visitors were more dangerous in a game of few scoring opportunities.

90 minutes were the longest in history, said Ferguson. There was only a shortcut on the whole match was a very cautious.

Although the goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney and Argentine Carlos Tevez attention, the defense of United this season was one of their strengths and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar imposed a record for British football to add 1311 minutes without allowing a goal.

Tevez, whose future is uncertain with the club when his loan expires at the end of the season, was one of the most acclaimed players from the public during the medals ceremony.

Tevez was the owner and the public ovation when he left the stadium in the second half. When Ferguson spoke after the coronation, the audience drowned his words with chants of fíchalo.

Maybe it's goodbye, "said the Argentine. It is very difficult (to stay).

United stumbled in April when he lost 4-1 to Liverpool and 2-0 against Fulham, but then thread a winning streak and left on the road to the Reds.

I think it is a fantastic achievement, "said zaguero Gary Neville, who won their eighth title with the team. We made things difficult this season. Next season we will have a difficult task to repeat.

Liverpool on Sunday to face West Bromwich Albion colere. The last date is next week and closes United against Hull.

Brewers, Cardinals Battle In National League Central

Before the Preakness odds get out of the gate on Saturday afternoon, we’ll get to see some early baseball. Most of the handicapping focus will be on the Preakness betting but the Milwaukee Brewers-St. Louis Cardinals day game should be interesting.

Jeff Suppan and Adam Wainwright will be the on the mound for their respective teams as both the Cardinals and Brewers jockey for position – pun intended – in the National League Central.

Suppan will be facing his former team and although he had been a disappointment to start the season, lately he’s improved. Although they aren’t expecting him to be a staff ace or even a No. 2, No. 3 or No. 4 starter, the Brewers would like some reliable innings out of him at the back end of their rotation.

In his first two starts, Suppan gave up 11 runs in his first 7.2 innings pitched (13.75 ERA). Since then, he has given up just 12 earned runs in his remaining 30 innings pitched (3.60 ERA).

Suppan also had some trouble with walks early on, starting his season with a 2:7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his first two starts. Since then, he’s struckout 19 batters and walked just 10.

Suppan will faceoff with Adam Wainwright, who is 3-1 this season. Even though the record has been good, his ERA has been far higher than normal. Wainwright’s ERA hasn’t been higher than 3.70 in the last three years but it’s at 4.35 this season.

He had a good start to the season in April but has been pounded in back-to-back starts in May.

Wainwright had an ERA of 2.76 in 29.1 innings pitched through April while allowing just one home run. In May, he’s allowed 11 earned runs in 12 innings pitched. More importantly, he’s allowed four home runs in those 12 innings pitched, which far too many for a pitcher that gave up just 12 in 2008 and just 13 in 2007.

Wainwright is still 8-2 in his last 10 home games and he clearly pitchers much better at home. Look for him to get back on the winning track with a strong performance on Saturday.

With no NBA odds or NHL odds on the board for Saturday, take a shot with the Cardinals on the moneyline.

Preakness Stakes Odds - Preakness Stakes Favorites

Preakness Stakes odds favorites win more than half the time so keep that in mind as you look at this year’s race. Remember that favorites in horse racing win about 33% of the time. Preakness Stakes favorites win 51% of the time. I you are considering Preakness Stakes longshots you will want to keep that in mind.

Preakness Stakes favorites are oftentimes the Kentucky Derby winner, but not always. In 2008 it was Big Brown who was favored at odds of 1-5 and he was an easy winner. In 2007 it was Derby winner Street Sense a very slight favorite over Curlin and he lost a very close race. In 2007 it was Barbaro the Preakness Stakes online betting choice and he lost after getting injured. In 2005 the Derby winner, Giacomo was not favored. That role went to Afleet Alex and he won the race. The Derby winners were favored though in 2002-2004 as War Emblem, Funny Cide and Smarty Jones were winners as Preakness Stakes favorites.

As you handicap Preakness odds do you really want to go against Preakness Stakes betting favorites and take Preakness Stakes longshots? You are bucking a 50%+ trend and those numbers are tough to get past if you like Preakness Stakes longshots at the sports book. Preakness Stakes favorites that have had big online betting money wagered on them have done even better than the 50%. Odds-on favorites have won about 64% of the time. 18 of 28 odds-one favorites have hit the wire in first place in Preakness wagering. Many of those horses were huge favorites at the sports book as Big Brown was. Big Brown went off at 1-5 but he was not the biggest of the Preakness Stakes favorites ever. That honor goes to Citation in 1948 followed closely by Spectacular Bid in 1979.

Not all Preakness Stakes betting favorites have won. Probably the most memorable failure was Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000 as he disappointed a lot of people losing at odds of 3-10. Red Bullet was the Preakness Stakes longshots choice at odds of 6-1.

When you are betting this year’s Preakness you have to start with the favorite. That role is likely to go to Rachel Alexandra with Kentucky Derby winner, Mine That Bird pretty much an afterthought. Looking at Rachel Alexandra first and everyone else second seems to be the way to go based on Preakness Stakes odds history.

Tevez Scores Another Crucial Goal for Manchester

Carlos Tevez scored another crucial goal and Manchester United was placed at a point in a third consecutive title in the Premier League on Wednesday to beat Wigan 2-1 at home in it.

The United went missing after a goal from Colombian Hugo Rodallega to 28 minutes until they entered the Argentine as a replacement and equal shares just three minutes after stepping on the court with a shot to the heel 61.

Then the midfielder Michael Carrick scored the goal of victory four minutes remaining when playing in the JJB Stadium.

United now need only avoid defeat to visiting Arsenal on Saturday for the championship is when a party disputes, which cosecharía his 18th title _un récord_ and empataría Liverpool in this statistic.

We prepare for the match in the same way that we always prepare for any meeting, said Alex Ferguson, manager of United. Go against a very good Arsenal.

Liverpool are six points of United before their penultimate match at home by West Bromwich Albion, which will also be contested on Saturday.

The United, the 2-0 weekend defeat to Manchester City, appeared to be aimed at an embarrassing defeat until Tevez joined the Party in place of Anderson.

South American striker, who scored the weekend just his fourth goal of the campaign, said he hopes to be at another club next year due to United's reluctance to hire him after they received a loan.

But again at this meeting to show their value when reacted quickly to stop a deflected shot from Carrick and directed arc.

A draw would have left United needing to win one of their last two games to secure the title with a trip to the stadium on the last day of which _The Hull faces descenso_ the May 24, Carrick said, but the victory with a long shot distance that is embedded in the top corner.

It feels great scoring goals as important as this, said Carrick. Wigan attacked us and created some problems. It is not the first time you picked up.

The United have won 27 of his 36 matches in the Premier League, whereas Wigan have tied four and lost 28 of their 32 matches against the top four clubs in the division since he joined it four years ago.

Preakness Betting – Rachel Alexandra Has Spiced Up the Preakness

The first jewel of Horse Racing’s Triple Crown provided quite a shock as one of the biggest long shots in the history of the Derby won outright. Mine That Bird took the run for the roses and even though in most cases the Derby winner is immediately the favorite on the Preakness odds, there is an interesting, special case this year.

A filly by the name of Rachel Alexandra, who didn’t run in the Kentucky Derby, will be a huge factor for the Preakness odds.

Rachel Alexandra dominated the Kentucky Oaks race, which is why all of the sudden there was hype surrounding this horse. The speed of Rachel Alexandra was measured as it ran through the Oaks and it was compared to the speed of Mine That Bird – as well as every other horse – at the Kentucky Derby. Expert prognosticators believe that if Rachel Alexandra ran in the Derby, it would have won.

Rachel Alexandra doesn’t have a great pedigree, which is why there was some debate as to whether she should be entered at Pimlico. The super filly did win the Kentucky Oaks and it was an impressive performance, but who knows about how she’ll perform on a bigger stage with tougher competition.

She’s a real wild card for Preakness betting handicappers as they aren’t sure what to make. The science shows that she should dominate, which is why odds makers list her as the favorite, but the intangibles aren’t on her side. There are some questions marks.

But the general concern is that the field at the Preakness may not be as tough as it has been in previous seasons. With such a huge underdog winning at the Derby, it might indicate that the field is rather weak at this point. The favorite at the Derby pulled out of the race and there is clearly no Big Brown that is expected to dominate this field in Baltimore.

Rachel Alexandra is the hot horse right now, which is why you can expect her price tag to climb as the Preakness odds approach. She’s won her last five races all by impressive margins and bettors are going to be hopping on her back as she trots into the starting gates.

Win or lose, one thing is for sure: Rachel Alexandra’s entry into the Preakness has generated plenty of gossip and speculation for the second leg of the Triple Crown.

Lebron Advancing to the Finals of the Eastern Conference of the NBA

Cleveland Cavaliers last night beat the Atlanta Hawks 84-74, thus advancing to the finals of the Eastern Conference of the NBA.

Now James and company will wait for the winner between the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic, teams are tied at two victories in the series.

Precisely the Celtics, the current NBA champions, will tonight, beginning at 6 p. m., at the Magic in their court.

Magic-Celtics series will last at least until Thursday, while the winner will return to Ohio a few days to relax before the final open house.

Back in Atlanta, the most valuable player last night of the regular season, Lebron James, was lofty with 27 points for the "Knights" passes the broom for the second time so far in these playoffs.

Online Gambling blog reports: Cleveland had previously swept in the first round to the Detroit Pistons.

During the game last night, Delonte West and Žydrūnas Ilgauskas escorted James on the scoreboard with 21 staff and 14 points respectively, with 10 balls caught in the struggle for rebotera Lithuanian Zydrunas.

However, for the winners, who was sent on board the Brazilian Anderson Varejão, with 11 balls recovered.

In the camp of the hawks in the marker is lucieron Josh Smith, with 26 so, Joe Johnson, 18, and Ronald Murray, 14.

Lebron was two rebounds and two assists to achieve a triple-double, leading department in the regular season.

In the previous meeting, the Cavaliers won 97-82, James was overwhelmed with 47 points, to leave no doubt who is the key element in the actions of the Cleveland quintet.

In the four meetings against the Atlanta of the number 23 of the Cavaliers scored 34, 27, 47 and 27 units, for an average of 33.8.

Collectively, the "Knights" outperformed its rivals in the field shooting (42.9 against 31.5) and shooting from the line of three (55.6 compared to only 15.4).

Moreover, they were higher in the register of rebounds (48 to 33). The Hawks had better aim at free throws (86.7 by 53.8).

Federer Wins in his Debut at the Madrid Masters

Roger Federer won on Tuesday 6-1, 7-5 to Robin Soderling in his debut in the second round of the Madrid Masters, where the Argentinean Jose Acasuso and Eduardo Schwank were eliminated in the first exchange.

The Swiss managed 24 winners to 25 errors and took no forced his Swedish opponent. Federer added 11 aces, including on match point to seal its ticket to the third round.

Federer, who was the first free, could lose its second place in the world ranking at the hands of Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic if not get a good result in the clay courts of Madrid, the last blank before the French Open.

Acasuso lost 6-3, 6-2 Jeremy Chardy before the French and fell Schwank 7-5, 6-4 against the Italian Andreas Seppi in the clay courts of the championship.

The tournament in Madrid has been disastrous for Argentine tennis players, with the removal of Martin Vasallo Argi ¿½ this, Guillermo Cañas, Juan Ignacio Chela, Acasuso, Schwank and Gisela Dulko in the first round. Juan Monaco was the only one that has exceeded its first game.

Spaniards Fernando Verdasco and Tommy Robredo advanced to the third stage, the first with a 6-3 victory, 6-2 over his compatriot Juan Carlos Ferrero and Robredo with a 3-6 victory, 7-6 (5), 6 -- 2 against American Mardy Fish.

Robredo will play in the second round against Britain's Andy Murray, who won 7-6 (9), 6-4 to Italian Simone Bolelli.

Favorite Spanish Rafael Nadal will debut on Wednesday in the second round against Austrian Jurgen Melzer, who defeated 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 to Albert Montanes Spanish.

The Croatian Ivan Ljubicic also advanced to the third round with a 6-4 victory, 7-5 over Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Russian Nikolay Davydenko, Croat Marin Cilic and Ivo Karlovic, the American James Blake, the Italian Fabio Fognini and Czech Tomas Berdych won the first round.

In the female branch, the serbia Jelena Jankovic overcame a second round with a 7-5 victory, 6-2 on the Slovak Daniela Hantuchova.

The Danish Caroline Wozniacki won 6-3, 6-1 to American Varvara Lepchenko, defeated Italy's Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 6-2 to Czech Petra Kvitova, Hungarian Agnes Szavay overcame 2-6, 7-5, 6 -2 to Aravane Rezai of France, Russia beat Vera Dushevina 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 to Italy's Roberta Vinci, and crush the French Amelie Mauresmo 6-2, 7-5 Zheng Jie of China.