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      Who will make it to Brazil?

      November 18, 2013 /

      Football fans the world over are getting ready for the biggest competition since the last World Cup. We’re fast approaching the FIFA World Cup 2014, which will be held in Brazil next summer.

      And as we approach the final games that will decide the teams that will be fighting it out for the honour of lifting the world cup, excitement is mounting for fans and followers alike.

      Betting on the World Cup

      Traditionally many more people join the hardcore football fans when it comes to the World Cup. People who don’t necessarily follow any of the involved team’s domestic leagues will be following their favorite national team.

      Placing bets on the team you think will win and the team you want to win is part of the fun of the competition with communities becoming heavily involved in the World Cup fixtures as they happen. The advent of online betting and online gaming has made it much easier for the average fan to bet on their team – rather than having to go down to the bookies, everyone can pick up their smartphone or tablet and quickly hope online at one of the many online sports betting sites. As these are usually part of an online casino site, it’s a great crossover for people who also like to play casino games, progressive slots or a bit of poker at half time!

      But before we even get to the finals, the finalists have to make their way there.

      Showdown between Portugal and Sweden

      This is the next big decider and in less than seven days, either Portugal or Sweden will have their World Cup dreams crushed. And as these two teams are playing for a single space at the World Cup, this means that one of two major sporting heroes only will be playing in the World Cup.

      Whoever wins this match will decide whether Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Cristiano Ronaldo will be present in Brazil where they belong. The first part of the showdown is in Lisbon, followed by the second match in Stockholm. It’s safe to say that this is probably not what FIFA or the fans want as it’s important for the big superstars to be at the tournament to keep momentum and media coverage interested.

      But it does mean an incredibly exciting play off for the fans at this stage of the qualifying matches, and promises to be an electric and exciting competition – as much between the two individuals as the two countries.

      Greece vs Romania

      Greece ended up second behind Bosnia in Group G, even though they won an impressive eight out of the ten qualifying matches at groups stage. This means they have to play Romania and it’s likely that they will be through to the World Cup, with an amazing striker in Kostas Mitroglou they are looking strong and determined.

      Whoever you’re backing for the World Cup, it’s guaranteed to be an exciting and involving competition – bring on next summer!

      Odds, Soccer

      NFL Week 11 Free Picks

      November 17, 2013 /

      Falcons vs. Bucs, 1:00PM ET
      Can things get any worse for the Falcons this season? They lose Julio Jones to a season-ending foot injury, Roddy White hasn’t been fully healthy since the start of the preseason and the defense has been forced to start undrafted rookies at multiple linebacker spots. Toss in a horrible offensive line, a weak pass rush and a frazzled quarterback and you’ve got the makings of a 2-7 season for a team that was supposed to contend for a Super Bowl. The Falcons are 1-6 against the spread in their last seven games overall, 0-4 ATS in their last four road games and 1-4 ATS in their last five division games. Even when they’re good they’ve struggled in Tampa Bay.
      FREE PICK: BUCCANEERS -1

      Lions vs. Steelers, 1:00PM ET
      The Steelers are a shell of their former selves on defense. They can still generate a decent pass rush but they’ve been bad in coverage and even worse against the run (which had been a strength under Dick LeBeau). On the other side, the Lions remain explosive on offense and their defense is dangerous because of their stout pass rush, but they’re far from being a lockdown unit. Even on a soggy field in Pittsburgh, this game has the makings of a shootout. The over is 4-0 in the last four meetings between these two teams and 41-20-2 in the Lions’ last 63 road games.
      FREE PICK: OVER 45.5

      49ers vs. Saints, 4:25PM ET
      The Saints have won and covered in 14 straight home games with Sean Payton on the sidelines. That’s an incredible feat, although it’s clear to anyone that pays attention that the Saints are a different team at home than away from the fast carpet of the Superdome. The Niners, meanwhile, are coming off their worst offensive performance of the season when they were held to just 151 yards of total offense. They’ve beaten up on teams like the Rams, Texans, Cardinals, Titans and Jaguars over the past month and a half, but faced with a stiff challenge in the Panthers, they couldn’t muster double-digit points. That kind of effort won’t cut it Sunday against a Saints team that has scored at least 31 points in all four of their last four home games.
      FREE PICK: SAINTS -3.5

      Chiefs vs. Broncos, 8:30PM ET
      The Chiefs can’t win in a shootout – that’s not who they are. Thus, their defense will be put to the test tonight against the most explosive offense in the NFL. The X-factor in this game is Peyton Manning’s ankles. If he’s more banged up than he and the Broncos are letting on, then Kansas City’s defense will make this game. Denver hasn’t done a good enough job the past few weeks of protecting Manning and he’s paying the price. Look for the Chiefs to take a page out of the Colts’ playbook and play press coverage on the outside. Disrupting Manning’s timing with his receivers is the only way you’re going to beat him, and that’s easier said than done. That said, the Chiefs’ have the corners and pass rush to keep Manning in check and keep this game close throughout.
      FREE PICK: CHIEFS +7.5

      NFL

      Can the Indiana Pacers get the top seed in the East?

      November 13, 2013 /

      That’s the question everyone is asking as the Pacers have jumped out to an 8-0 start. Paul George seems ready to make the jump as an elite player as he’s off to a torrid start with 24.9 points per game, 7.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 47.9%. Check out the interview above where he discusses the new season and his desire to help get the Pacers over the top. The additions of Luis Scola and CJ Watson have helped the bench scoring and soon Danny Granger will be back as well. It will be interesting to see how he fits in from a chemistry point of view, but finding minutes for him is a good problem to have.

      Of course it’s very early. Miami seems to start slow every year and then they turn it on, but Indiana might make it hard for them to catch up. The Pacers seem focused on getting home court advantage, and desire is an important factor in the long NBA season.

      NBA

      Top 5 Sports Apps for Your Smartphone

      November 13, 2013 /

      man using smartphone

      Remember that time when we had to sit on the edge of our seats waiting for the final score to be announced on the television? Fingers crossed? Nervous?
      No?
      Neither do we. The smartphone has eclipsed all memory of those heart-jangling moments and now we can sit on the edge of our seats and follow the entire game. Live.
      There are thousands of sports apps on the market nowadays. Bringing us the latest news, telling us how our fantasy teams are doing and even giving us the chance to become sports stars; albeit by flicking away at the screen like we’re kicking a last-second Super Bowl conversion.

      Here are just a few of our recommended must-have apps for your smartphone.

      iPhone

      Paper Football 3D

      A perfect app to pass the time, Paper Football 3D will grant you endless hours of fun mastering the easiest job in football, the kicker. With a rich, artistic detail and a tongue-in-cheek sense of humour, this app brings its number one sports app predecessor into the 21st century.

      Full Tilt Poker Rush

      Taking the game of poker beyond the tables, the Full Tilt Poker Rush app allows you to play on the go. You can learn the ropes by taking on fellow beginners at the low-stakes table or test your hand against some of the best players in the world; even getting the chance to qualify for live tournaments.

      This fun, fast-paced variant is perfect for on-the-go and a much enjoyed pass-time on a long commute.

      Windows Phone

      Bing Sports

      Bringing you all the news, views and results from all your favourite sports teams, Bing Sports is Microsoft’s official sports app that covers everything from NASCAR to the English Premier League.

      Android

      ESPN Scorecenter

      Brought to you from renowned sports broadcaster ESPN, this app delivers all the latest scores, news and standings- hot off the press. With the option to follow your favourite teams, you’ll never be far away from knowing who’s fit for the weekend and who’s on the side-lines.

      MLB.com At Bat

      At Bat comes in two forms, the free version and the paid option. The free version boasts a whole range of features including breaking news, real-time scores, schedules and all Major League Baseball standings.

      For an extra $14.99, you can receive extra coverage including radio games for all MLB games as well as one live video game per day; whether it’s worth the extra $15, well that just depends how much you love baseball.

      General Sports

      Andrew Wiggins vs Jabari Parker: Round One

      November 13, 2013 /

      Round one goes to Wiggins, but get used to this matchup as we’ll be seeing it for years in the NBA. Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker have taken turns being crowned the inevitable top pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, but now we’ll have a year of college basketball to settle the matter, though Kentucky’s super freshman Julius Randle may have something to say about it as well.

      Both Wiggins and Parker were magnificent last night. Parker dominated in the first half and finished 27 points. He’s an all-around great player who can do everything very well from rebounding to draining three-pointers. Then in the second half Wiggins and the Jayhawks took over as Wiggins showed off his incredible athleticism that has people comparing him to Jordan and Lebron. The highlight above gives just a glimpse of what he will be capable of. Wiggins ended up with 22 points.

      I had the opportunity to interview both Wiggins and Parker in the past as both of them won the Gatorade High School Player of the Year Award for basketball (Wiggins won the overall award as well). Both are great kids and have a bright future ahead of them.

      Jabari Parker

      Jabari Parker at Gatorade awards

      Andrew Wiggins

      Andrew Wiggins Gatorade POY

      With these two and Julius Randle, it’s hard to imagine any team in the top three of next year’s NBA Draft being disappointed. In the meantime they can fight it out for the National Championship.

      College Basketball

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