Norway, Australia to battle for Group C lead

Soccer Betting Lines

09/14/2007 - Hangzhou, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The top spot in Group C will be on the line on Saturday when Australia meets Norway in the second game for both teams.

Norway earned a tough 2-1 comeback win against Canada, while Australia recorded its first ever win in the World Cup with a 4-1 triumph against Ghana.

The Matildas entered the Ghana match with a 0-7-2 record in World Cup play, but showed why they can be considered a threat to advance past the group stage for the first time ever.

Striker Sarah Walsh was the most dangerous player on the field for Australia, scoring one goal and setting up another. She was a problem from the opening whistle for Ghana, and she will be counted on once again to lead the Australia attack.

Lisa DeVanna came off the bench to score twice in the second half and Heather Garriock tallied the other Australia goal and played a solid match as well.

The Australia defense was not tested all that much by a weak Ghana attack, so there are still question marks as to how strong this unit is.

Having come through the tough Asian qualifying group, Australia showed its quality, but we will get an idea of just how good the Matildas have become following the Norway game.

The Norwegians are an extremely sound team technically, and will not make the mistakes in defense that allowed Walsh to get into space. They also have a player in striker Ragnhild Gulbrandsen who will give the defense all it can handle.

Gulbrandsen got free inside the box on numerous occasions against Canada, scoring one goal and helping to set up the game winner. She is a dominant player in the air, and also has some skill with her feet as well. Australia captain Cheryl Salisbury will likely draw the assignment of keeping Gulbrandsen in check, which is a big task for any defender.

Norway is known as a team that favors short passes en route to a nice build up. However, against Canada, they showed the ability to use the long ball and prove that they are capable of making adjustments.

The team's second-half effort against Canada was dominant, and they will have no trouble with any team in their group if they can duplicate that performance.

Norway is one of the most complete teams in this tournament, and they should show that against Australia on Saturday and take control of the group.

Punteruk Soccer Betting News

<< Denmark's Group D climb must start with New Zealand
Wuhan, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After dropping its opener to China on a late goal, Denmark faces an uphill battle to advance out of Group D. Denmark is ranked sixth in the world - the highest in the group - but already trails China and

<< Canada aims to rebound against Ghana
Hangzhou, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Canada and Ghana are both coming off losses in their opening match, and a win is a must for either team if they are to hold out hope of advancing into the quarterfinals. Canada took a 1-0 lead int

<< Red Bulls look to cool Fire, improve playoff position
Bridgeview, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Red Bull New York and the Chicago Fire square off for the third and final time this season in a Major League Soccer fixture Saturday at Toyota Park. The teams just played each other on Sept. 1 -

<< Rams CB Hill to miss Sunday's game against 49ers
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - St. Louis Rams head coach Scott Linehan announced that starting cornerback Tye Hill will miss Sunday's game against San Francisco after hurting his lower back in practice on Thursday. Hill, the 15t

<< Simpson named suspect in casino robbery
Las Vegas, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Las Vegas police questioned former football star O.J. Simpson and declared him a suspect Friday in a hotel room armed robbery, involving sports memorabilia at The Palace Station Casino. The form

Hosts China, Brazil look to lock up berth in quarters >>
Wuhan, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - China opened its World Cup with a dramatic win over Denmark and would all but lock up a spot in the quarterfinals with a win or a tie against Brazil on Saturday. China built a two-goal lead against Denmark i

United acquires Monteiro from Fire >>
Washington, D.C. (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - D.C. United announced Friday the club has acquired Jerson Monteiro from the Chicago Fire in exchange for a conditional 2008 MLS SuperDraft pick. Uniteds roster included an open developmental spot for the

Farfan could make season debut vs. Vitesse >>
Eindhoven, Holland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Three-time defending Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven could get a extra boost of energy on Saturday when it plays Vitesse at Philips Stadium. Jefferson Farfan, who has missed all season due

Manning, Umenyiora practice >>
East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Giants got a boost on Friday, as both quarterback Eli Manning and defensive end Osi Umenyiora practiced in preparation for Sunday's game against Green Bay. Head coach Tom Coug

Unbeatens Bayern Munich, Schalke clash >>
Munich, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bayern Munich will put its unbeaten mark on the line on Saturday against Schalke 04, the only other club in the Bundesliga that hasn't lost this season. Although the league contenders haven't lost yet, the

Sportsbook betting odds favor Europe in Ryder Cup

September 19, – Despite holding a decided edge in the all-time series, with 24 wins, 2 ties and 10 losses, Team USA is the underdog again heading into the Ryder Cup in Kidare, Ireland this weekend, according to MySportsbook.com.  The Europeans have captured four of the past five editions, including their largest victory ever, an 18 ½ to 9 ½ thumping in Michigan in 2004. Current Ryder Cup betting odds favor the Europeans to continue their winning ways; they are a 4-5 bet to take the title, compared to 6-5 for the Americans. 

Despite being knocked out in the first round of World Match play by Shaun Micheel, Tiger Woods is predicted to lead the US charge and be their highest point scorer for the week, with odds listed at 9-4 that he outpoints all other American players, including Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco to  name a  few.  Team USA has four relatively unknown players on the roster but all four are 2007 tournament winners and have posted some of season’s best performances, each earning over $1.5 million on the PGA TOUR.  They include Zach Johnson, Vaughan Taylor, JJ Henry and Brett Wetterich.

The experienced European squad includes the likes of Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington, Jose Maria Olazabal and Darren Clarke, who’s emotions will be tested after the passing of his wife to a battle with cancer.  Donald and Garcia are in particularly good form and each is a 5-1 bet to lead the European squad in the points race. Donald has proven he can go head to head with Woods at a major event after a run for the $1.2 million purse at the PGA Championship. Garcia’s Ryder Cup credentials prove he’s ready for battle too.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your golf sportsbook needs.

Ryder Cup Odds

Europe
Tie
USA		 4-5
10-1
6-5


Ryder Cup Top US point scorer
Tiger Woods
Jim Furyk
Phil Mickelson
Chris DiMarco
David Toms
Stewart Cink
Chad Campbell
Scott Verplank
Zach Johnson
Vaughan Taylor
JJ Henry
Brett Wetterich		 9-4
4-1
5-1
7-1
8-1
12-1
15-1
15-1
25-1
30-1
30-1
50-1


Ryder Cup Top European scorer
Sergio Garcia
Luke Donald
Padraig Harrington
Colin Montgomerie
Darren Clarke
David Howell
Lee Westwood
Paul Casey
Henrik Stenson
Jose Maria Olazabal
Paul McGinley
Robert Karlsson		 5-1
5-1
6-1
13-2
8-1
9-1
9-1
11-1
12-1
12-1
20-1
25-1

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com