05/09/2008 - Lyon, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Lyon will head into Saturday's top-three showdown with Nancy full of confidence after beating Sedan 1-0 in the semifinals of the French Cup on Wednesday.
The six-time defending Ligue 1 champions remain on course for a historic league and cup double as they will meet PSG in the French Cup final, and have a two-point lead on Bordeaux in the league with two games to play.
Saturday's contest with Nancy represents the biggest hurdle for Lyon because they will finish up at bottom-half club Auxerre, while Bordeaux faces a pair of bottom-half teams in Sochaux and Lens.
Nancy will have plenty to play for as well with the club chasing third place and a spot in the Champions League. Nancy owns a two-point lead on Marseille, which travels to Le Mans, but taking three points at the Stade de Gerland will be a huge challenge.
Bordeaux manager Laurent Blanc may have to do without one of his top offensive weapons in Johan Micoud, who suffered a calf injury against Marseille last week.
The relegation battle is destined to be decided on the season's final day with three teams level on 39 points for the final relegation spot.
Last-place Metz is already headed down and will host Lorient, while Strasbourg must beat Caen to have a chance at survival.
Toulouse, Lens and PSG are battling for the final spot, and each team must play a top-half side on Saturday. Toulouse visits seventh-place Rennes, Lens travels to sixth-place Lille, and PSG entertains St Etienne, which is currently fifth.
Middle-of-the-table clubs Nice and Valenciennes square off at Stade Nungesser, and Auxerre invades Monaco.
All games will be played at the same time on the same day for the final two weeks.
<< Report: Knicks negotiating with D'Antoni
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Knicks are reportedly
negotiating with Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni to become their next coach.
The New York Post reported on its website on Friday, citing a league source,
that co
<< Nash expects D'Antoni to stay despite speculation
PHOENIX (AP) -Despite rampant speculation that Mike D'Antoni is headed to Chicago or New York, Phoenix point guard Steve Nash expects his coach to be back on the Suns' bench next season.Beyond that, the two-time NBA MVP had little to say about the S
<< Federer falls in Rome quarters
Rome, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - World No. 1 superstar Roger Federer
suffered a quarterfinal setback Friday at the hands of gritty Czech Radek
Stepanek at the $3.5 million Italian Masters, a clay-court French Open tune-
up.
The un
<< Houston looks for first win vs. first place Rapids
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The back-to-back defending Major League Soccer
Cup champion Houston Dynamo will be gunning for their first win of the 2008
season on Saturday night when they host the Colorado Rapids.
The struggling Dynam
Karlsson shoots course-record 61 to lead in Italy >>
Milan, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Robert Karlsson fired an 11-under 61 in the
second-round of the Italian Open on Friday to set a course record and take a
two-shot lead.
Karlsson was at 15-under-par 129 overall, his 61 on Friday bre
Kolzig not returning to Caps >>
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Washington Capitals goaltender Olaf Kolzig
has said that he will not be returning to the team he has spent his entire NHL
career with, according to a report on Friday.
Kolzig told the Washington Post th
Inter tries again for third straight title >>
Milan, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After failing to secure its third straight
scudetto last Sunday with a 2-1 defeat to rivals AC Milan, Inter Milan will
attempt to lift the title once again with a home victory against Siena on
Sunday.
Turnbow outrighted to minors >>
Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Milwaukee Brewers announced on Friday
that relief pitcher Derrick Turnbow has been outrighted to Triple-A Nashville.
Last Friday, the 30-year old righty was designated for assignment, which he
opte
Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value
If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture. Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).
For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot. The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.
TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.
"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,' it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."
"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.
Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash. Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.
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