UFC 146 Odds: Dos Santos Favored Heavily Against Veteran Mir
Junior dos Santos will look to defend his UFC heavyweight belt for the first time this weekend as he lines up against former champion Frank Mir at UFC 146. Get MMA odds for the bout before the action unfolds in Las Vegas.
Although Mir’s UFC odds (+350) may intrigue bettors given his experience as a fighter and specifically as a UFC heavyweight title winner, there’s no denying that the younger dos Santos is the -500 favorite for a reason.
Not only has dos Santos gone unbeaten in UFC bouts since his debut in 2008, his distinct skill set lines up with one of Mir’s greatest vulnerabilities. In each of his five career losses, Mir has fallen to punches, most recently by Shane Carwin at UFC 111.
Will dos Santos, well-known as an elite-level boxer in the octagon, be able to strike his way to an early victory? Given the momentum he’s established over the course of the past few years it’s hard to see why not.
Of course, if the two end up on the ground and Mir’s experience comes into play, we may very well see the start of a surprising new reign for the MMA veteran.
Devils Show New Life on Stanley Cup Futures
A pair of Zach Parise goals put the New Jersey Devils back in a tie for the Eastern Conference Finals lead against the New York Rangers, now fans and critics alike are watching to see how the NHL odds shift for Game 5.
New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers (Game 5)
Can the Devils, who’d previously been overshadowed by their No. 1 seed opponent, stake a worthy claim on the Stanley Cup futures? Up to this point those betting on the NHL have seen the Rangers touted as moneyline favorites.
In New Jersey, however, it’s not so simple. With legendary goaltender Martin Brodeur operating between the pipes, it’s hard to ever rule them out entirely, even more so when the man has some momentum behind him as is the case after Game 4.
Brodeur may have looked mortal over the course of the past few seasons, a shell of his former self when lined up against younger All-Stars like Henrik Lundqvist, but nobody knows what it takes to win a Stanley Cup more than he does.
With mid-to-low NHL odds, despite being tied in their series, the Devils are an intriguing bet option. Whether or not they’ll be able to cash in on the work they’ve put in over the course of these playoffs and rally to beat the New York Rangers in the Conference Finals is what it all comes down to.
2012 Belmont Stakes Odds on Saturday 9th June
The 144th Belmont Stakes (G1) will take place on Saturday, June 9. Hosted by Belmont Park in Elmont, NY, the $1M Belmont Stakes is run at a distance of 1 ½ miles and is the final jewel in the Triple Crown series of races.
This year, the Triple Crown is up for grabs by 3-year-old son of Flower Alley, I’ll Have Another. Trained by Doug O’Neill, I’ll Have Another captured the $2M Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 5 at Churchill Downs by running down pacesetter Bodemeister in deep stretch. On May 19, he ran a similar race in the $1M Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course, stalking Bodemeister until the stretch run and catching him in the final strides. Find Belmont Stakes betting lines on I’ll Have Another at Bovada as he seeks the elusive Triple Crown.
While two-time Triple Crown runner-up Bodemeister will not make the trip to New York, several other Kentucky Derby starters will. Dullahan, a son of Even the Score, finished third in the Kentucky Derby but missed the Preakness Stakes in favor of a month’s rest. He recently turned in a 5-furlong breeze at Churchill Downs on May 19 timed in 1:00.20 and looks sharp in his bid for spoiler. Find horse racing odds on Dullahan at the Bovada Racebook.
Looking for a chance to redeem a second straight disappointment is Union Rags, last year’s runner-up for champion 2-year-old. A jockey change is likely in the works for this son of Dixie Union, who could not find his way out of trouble in either the Kentucky Derby (in which he finished 7th) and the Florida Derby (G1) back in March. Make your 2012 Belmont Stakes bets on Union Rags at Bovada.
Who will win the 2012 Belmont Stakes?
Stanley Cup Western Conference Playoff Odds: Poster Boy Kings Target Sweep Of Coyotes
Time is running out for the Phoenix Coyotes in the Western Conference Final as the Los Angeles Kings take one step closer to the Stanley Cup. This Sunday, up 3-0, L.A. can seal the deal on an unlikely sweep over the conference’s No. 3 seed. Get some action in on the possible finale on Bovada’s Stanley Cup odds.
Although the Coyotes are in fact the higher seed in the matchup, it’s growing harder and harder to consider the Kings an underdog contender. Should their victory over Phoenix come through, they’ll have disposed of each of the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in the conference.
As a result, now Los Angeles finds themselves atop the hockey futures line with 5/7 odds of winning the Stanley Cup. The Coyotes, in contrast, thanks to their current series deficit, sit miles behind at 50/1. For comparison’s sake, the Eastern Conference No. 1 seed New York Rangers hold second-place on the line with 5/2 odds.
Can Phoenix fight back and at least postpone their demise after clawing their way to their deepest playoff run in franchise history? Though the NHL odds may be dead against it, stranger things have happened – like a lowly No. 8 seed obliterating any and everything in its path.
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D-Backs Trail Rival Dodgers On MLB Betting Line
The Arizona Diamondbacks will get the chance to gain some ground on the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers this week, as they play host to the division rival in a three-game set at Chase Field. Is it too late for the D-backs to flex their muscle on the MLB betting line?
Though they may have fallen behind in the win column early, nobody’s forgotten about their first-place finish just last year. Was Arizona’s run at the top – no doubt aided by Los Angeles’ collapse in 2011 – just a temporary high?
With the Dodgers starting to fire on all cylinders in 2012, the going’s only going to get tougher for Arizona in the National League, and given the depth of the NL in general, a wild card berth is far from guaranteed.
But with 30/1 odds of winning the World Series on Bovada’s MLB betting line, the D-backs remain an intriguing, if unlikely, choice to come out of the division. Can Arizona start turning their season around before it’s too late?
Indiana Victory Adds New Dimension to NBA Playoff Betting Line
The Indiana Pacers held on for a much-needed, albeit unexpected, victory in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal this week. Now they’ll head back home knotted with the NBA betting line favorite Miami Heat at one game apiece. Get odds for the best-of-seven on Bovada’s basketball futures list.
Despite the fact that the No. 3 seed Pacers have been defying expectations all season long, to have labeled them a legitimate threat to knock off LeBron James and the Heat at the beginning of the postseason would have been considered outright off-the-wall. Two games in, however, and they’re proving to be not such a bold bet after all.
Although the NBA odds may never fully support them, the Pacers remain a genuine threat where it matters: on the court. Can the combination of Indiana’s depth down low, along with their ability to slow the game down defensively help them keep the Heat in check?
It won’t be easy for Indiana to contain the Big Three when Game 3 tips off on Thursday night, but after Game 2, nobody really know where to draw the line.
Get your NBA Playoff odds at Bovada today
NHL Betting Line Favorite Rangers Take Early Lead Over Rival Devils
The New York Rangers are perhaps the only NHL team remaining that hockey fans expected to see in these Conference Finals and on Monday night they showed exactly why. Now up 1-0, New York will brace for Game 2 against the New Jersey Devils before taking their series on the road.
In a year of bracket busters and surprise contenders, the Rangers are the big man on campus. It’s an obvious notion on the NHL betting line as well as in the subconscious of those who have been watching the postseason unfold.
Can the Devils, who’ve already impressively knocked off the Philadelphia Flyers and, well, the Florida Panthers, continue to demonstrate that they’re not your typical No. 6 seed?
Weigh in for yourself before puck drop this Wednesday on Bovada’s Stanley Cup betting line.
Falling behind after Game 1 certainly didn’t help New Jersey’s case as they line up against Hart Trophy-candidate goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, but we saw them bounce out of a one-game hole just last series against Philly.
Can Hall of Famer-in-waiting Martin Brodeur climb back to the top of the mountain at the expense of the Eastern Conference’s top contender?
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MLB Betting: Underachieving Red Sox, Disappointing Phillies Clash
A pair of underachieving World Series contenders will clash in interleague play this weekend, as the Philadelphia Phillies look to shake off some of their rust against an equally-disappointing Boston Red Sox team. Get your MLB odds for the ugly affair at Bovada.
Though each has struggled mightily to start the 2012 campaign, the Phillies and Red Sox remain intriguing options on the MLB betting line. The question is, how long do they deserve such praise on the World Series futures list if they’re not producing results?
Heading into the weekend set the two clubs are dead last in their respective divisions, having shown no indication of crawling out of the basement any time soon. Could a strong showing against the other give at least one of them some momentum to climb back up the standings?
According to Bovada’s MLB odds makers, the Phillies still hold 11/1 odds of winning the World Series. The Red Sox, perhaps slightly more dysfunctional at the time, sit lower down the list at 18/1.
It might not be pretty, but there’s nowhere to go but up for both clubs. Weigh in the series with Bovada’s MLB betting line today.
Get all your MLB futures at Bovada’s online sportsbook
2012 Preakness Stakes May 19 at Pimlico Race Course
The 2012 Preakness Stakes will take place on Saturday, May 19 at Pimlico Race Course. Kentucky Derby champion I’ll Have Another is scheduled to start, but he will have to face some old rivals in the Preakness Stakes, including Bodemeister and Went the Day Well.
I’ll Have Another, piloted by Mario Gutierrez, is on everyone’s watch-list since his brilliant Kentucky Derby. His winning performance had him breaking from extreme outside post 19, but a strong start and perfect timing by Gutierrez had him in just the right position to make a run at the pacesetter and catch him late in the race. Find Preakness Stakes betting lines on I’ll Have Another at Bovada.
Bodemeister was the talk of the Kentucky Derby both before the big race and after – even though he didn’t win. The son of Empire Maker vaulted into the spotlight in his final Derby prep with a stunning 9 ½ length victory. With Mike Smith in the irons, Bodemeister nearly pulled off a history-making run in the Derby with a wire-to-wire effort that just fell short. With his great speed, Bodemeister may be primed to spoil I’ll Have Another’s Triple Crown bid. Make your 2012 Preakness Stakes bet on Bodemeister at Bovada.
Despite a strong performance in his final Derby prep, Went the Day Well was not seen as much of a threat. And his race did not go smoothly; the son of Proud Citizen was bumped near the start and was in 14th position with just a quarter-mile left to run. But with some savvy piloting by John Velazquez and a seven-wide swing entering the stretch, Went the Day Well finished fourth. Get horse racing odds on Went the Day Well at Bovada.
Bet on your Preakness Stakes picks at Bovada
NBA Odds Favor Well-Rested Spurs Against Underdog Clippers
The biggest question mark surrounding the San Antonio Spurs heading into these NBA playoffs was whether or not the aging veterans that make up the roster would be able to stay fresh throughout the entire postseason. Well, so far, so good, as the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed preps to collide with the Los Angeles Clippers on Bovada’s NBA betting line.
Thanks to a four-game sweep of the Utah Jazz in Round 1, the Spurs will have had more than enough rest by the time they tip-off for Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinal series on Tuesday.
The Clippers, in contrast, fresh off of a seven-game series with the Memphis Grizzlies that only ended on Sunday will have but one night off.
According to Bovada’s NBA betting line, the difference is significant. Not only are the Spurs overwhelmingly favored over the Clippers on the NBA futures list, they’re the favorites to come out of the West altogether – sorry OKC.
Can San Antonio make a genuine run at the NBA title this year? Though Tim Duncan and company will always be capable of making an impact in the postseason, it’s been five years since they last won a championship leading many to wonder if their window had shut.
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Rangers Gather Momentum on NHL Betting Line, Eye ECFs
The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals have played each other about as evenly as anyone could ask so far in their second-round series, but the parity can’t last forever. After squeezing out of Game 5 with an overtime win, the Rangers will look to close the books on the Caps altogether in Game 6 and climb further up the NHL betting line.
With contenders dropping off left, right and center this postseason, a lot can be said of the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed if they manage to hold on into at least the Eastern Conference Finals. We’ve already seen the NHL odds turned on their head with the elimination of the Western Conference’s top two seeds and the East’s No. 2 (Boston).
Could the Capitals keep with the trend and send another favorite packing? According to Bovada’s NHL betting experts it’s not out of the question, but their odds of winning the Stanley Cup are steep at 16/1. In contrast, New York’s are 10/3.
Though they’ll have home ice advantage in Game 6, and are more than capable of forcing (and winning) a decisive Game 7, you can imagine the Capitals will have to be at their best.
NBA Odds Favor Celtics, But Skeptical of Hawks
Things may have gotten ugly in Game 4 but a glimmer of hope remains for the Atlanta Hawks in their matchup with the time-tested Boston Celtics. Can the return home give ATL the boost they need to claw back into their first-round series on the NBA betting line?
According to Bovada’s NBA odds makers, it won’t be so easy. The 3-1 stranglehold that the Celtics have run off to puts them in a more than comfortable position heading into the final half of the series.
But not all is lost for the Hawks, especially with the returns of Josh Smith and Al Horford to the lineups in Game 4. It may not have helped in the road blowout the Hawks suffered on Sunday, but they’re touted as All-Star calibre players, and more importantly – game changers, for a reason.
Could the combination of a return to Philips Arena plus successful games from Smith and Horford put the NBA odds back in Atlanta’s favor? Assuming a Game 5 win, the Hawks would be but one road victory away from returning home for a decisive Game 7.
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After Knicks, Heat Face Long Road on NBA Betting Line
The Miami Heat can make it a four-game sweep this Sunday as they look to close the books on their first-round matchup with the New York Knicks and get ready for Round 2. There’s a reason they’ve topped the NBA betting line all season long and we’re seeing it in full force.
Over the course of Games 1 through 3, the Heat have made short work of their opponents – most recently in an 87-70 victory at Madison Square Garden. Can the Knicks win back their honor and extend the series to at least five?
According to Bovada’s NBA odds, the Heat are betting line favorites in a class of their own. With few teams even close to their level on the futures list, they’re a hard team to vote against.
Perhaps more pressing than concern over their inevitable victory over the Knicks is what comes next for Miami. With Derrick Rose out for the No. 1 seed Chicago Bulls, is there any team in the Eastern Conference that could even hope to challenge them in a seven-game series? In the West?
They may see resistance in the form of the endlessly youthful Oklahoma City Thunder at some point, or even the crafty San Antonio Spurs, but this kind of looks to be the year they come through on their promise. Of course last year did too.
Get your NBA odds at Bovada today
MLB Betting Line Takes Notice as Dodgers Regain Form
With no disrespect to the San Diego Padres, the battle for National League supremacy in the state of California concerns two teams and two teams only. This Monday the Los Angeles Dodgers will play host to the San Francisco Giants on Bovada’s MLB betting line.
Although the Dodgers may have the early lead in the standings (in fact, they sit first in the entire National League), Major League Baseball odds makers aren’t quite sure exactly what to make of the franchise in transition. As a result, with 16/1 odds of winning the World Series, they sit above, but not far above the 20/1 Giants.
Is it safe to say that, after back-to-back years of underachievement, management issues and coaching changes, the Dodgers are ready to reclaim their spot among the National League’s best? They’ll have to get through in-state rival San Francisco – the 2010 World Series champions – if they hope to.
Led by center-fielding wunderkind and perennial MVP candidate Matt Kemp, Los Angeles has come on strong to start the 2012 campaign. Though they’ll have their work cut out for them staying competitive in a grueling division, it’s more than a possibility.
With the summer approaching all eyes will be on the annual race for playoff positioning and how that impacts the MLB betting line. Can the Dodgers win some support with a successful showing against their rivals? The Giants might not be so kind.
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FA Cup and UEFA Champions League Finals
May sees the Soccer season reaching its climax and there are plenty of events that you will be looking forward to. On 5th May Chelsea play Liverpool in the FA Cup Final at Wembley, while the showpiece event of the season, the UEFA Champions League Final, will be contested by Bayern Munich and Chelsea on 19th May. Around these games the biggest leagues in Europe will be concluding their seasons, with excitement guaranteed. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of the fantastic 100% Euro Soccer Bonus, which is sure to get you busy this month.
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Casino – Match Day Money
Casino at bet365 is marking May’s big month of Soccer showpieces with a special event of its very own. Match Day Money is perfectly timed to coincide with the FA Cup Final on 5th May, the Europa League Final on 9th May and the Champions League Final on 19th May. On each of these days you can claim a bonus of 25% up to £250. But that’s not all, because if you deposit/transfer within a three hour match window, you can get a sensational 40% bonus up to £400! Work your way to Match Day Money now!
MLB Betting: Strasburg, Harper On Display as Nats Host Phillies
The kids will be on full display this weekend as the Washington Nationals play host to the geriatric Philadelphia Phillies on the MLB betting line. On the mound starting Friday will be fireball hurler Stephen Strasburg making his sixth start of the season while rookie phenomenon Bryce Harper sits behind the plate.
Will the dynamic duo of first overall picks be enough to push the young Nats past the reigning National League East Division champions? So far it has, despite uncertainty on the World Series futures list. In fact, Washington currently sits atop the division while the Phillies find themselves desperate and uncomfortable in fourth.
One of the major reasons behind Washington’s success has been Strasburg. Through his first six appearances of the year, the imperceptibly dominant right-hander has fastballed his way to a 1.12 ERA and a WHIP of 0.88.
Can even Hunter Pence or Jimmy Rollins find a way to keep up with his 100+ MPH weapon?
More than just an opportunity for Strasburg to shine, however, the weekend series will serve as an opportunity for young Harper to impress fans at the plate. Though limited in his production in his debut week, the expectations are through the roof for the burgeoning prospect.
Is a power shift brewing in the NL East? We might find our answer as early as this weekend.
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NHL Betting: Despite Lead, Phoenix Success far from Guaranteed
It will take a lot more than home-ice advantage to get the Nashville Predators back into their second-round series with the Phoenix Coyotes, but that’s exactly what the Stanley Cup playoffs are all about. Get your NHL betting line for Round 2 before it’s too late.
Down by a pair heading into Game 3, the Preds will have to find a way to stay relevant in the Western Conference semifinals. The Coyotes, fresh off of an impressive opening-round victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, wasted no time in taking command of their latest best-of-seven.
The jury is still out, however, on which of the two clubs would make a better championship threat. Though they trail 0-2, the Predators still have relatively impressive 10/1 odds of winning the Stanley Cup. The Coyotes, in spite of their reassuring lead, sit at just 5/1.
Might Shea Weber and company claw back into the picture in Games 3 and 4? If they do, there’s reason to believe that they could represent the unpredictable west in the Stanley Cup Finals.
The NHL betting line may be reluctant to write off Nashville despite their deficit at this point in the series, but that doesn’t mean you have to. Is this the year that being a Coyotes supporter pays off?
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NBA Playoff Betting Heats Up as Grizzlies Face Clippers in Game 2
The Memphis Grizzlies may have let it all fall apart in their postseason opener against the Los Angeles Clippers on the weekend. This Wednesday they’ll look to pick up the pieces in time to salvage at least one game from their two-game stand with home court advantage. Get NBA betting lines for the playoffs at Bovada.
After fighting out to a 27-point lead through three quarters, the wheels came off for the Grizzlies in the fourth. The result was an L.A. comeback that tied the NBA playoff record. The late-game heroics didn’t go unnoticed on the NBA futures list.
Now with 20/1 odds of winning the NBA championship, the Clippers are a legitimate threat in the Western Conference. The depth that they showed on Sunday will have to be in full effect for the remainder of the postseason, however, if they want to be taken seriously among the top tier of contenders in the league.
Is it too early to write off Memphis altogether? There’s a reason the NBA odds favored them to start the series after all, and with 25/1 odds, they’re not exactly pushovers in the eyes of basketball odds makers.
Can Blake Griffin and Chris Paul expect more support from their bench over the course of the season? And more importantly, will it be enough to keep the Clippers sailing past the scrappy, and deceivingly dominant, Grizzlies.
Kentucky Derby 2012 Odds and lines
The $2M Kentucky Derby (G1) will take place at Churchill Downs this year on Saturday, May 5. This year’s field is full of talented horses, each with a legitimate chance to win. Take a closer look at top contenders Bodemeister, Dullahan and Union Rags.
Bodemeister defeated several top rivals in his last race, the Arkansas Derby (G1) on April 14. Not only that, but he did so with ease, winning by an incredible 9 ½ lengths. Bodemeister has been looking sharp in his workouts at Churchill Downs and the potential for rain on the big day doesn’t seem to bother him at all. Jockey Mike Smith will retain the mount aboard this son of Empire Maker and will seek his second career Kentucky Derby title. Find Kentucky Derby odds on Bodemeister at the Bovada Racebook.
Union Rags, too, is a top Kentucky Derby contender. He was dominant as a 2-year-old, winning three of four races. He captured the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) on Feb. 26 by a 4-length margin. And jockey Julien Leparoux will be looking to redeem their last outing together where the pair got boxed in and unable to finish better than fourth. Make your 2012 Kentucky Derby bet on Union Rags with Bovada.
Another standout performer on the Kentucky Derby trail is Dullahan, who really broke out in his final Kentucky Derby prep race. In the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) on April 14, Dullahan showed his excellent rallying ability when he mowed down another top contender to win by 1 ¼ lengths. Dullahan will also have the benefit of veteran jockey Kent Desormeaux, who has already won three Kentucky Derby titles. Make your online horse racing wager on Dullahan with Bovada!
Get great Kentucky Derby odds on all the top contenders at Bovada Sportsbook!
Stanley Cup Odds: L.A. Kings Throw Wrench in NHL Betting Line
The Los Angeles Kings find themselves in uncharted territory now having just cast aside Western Conference No. 1 seed and consensus NHL betting line favorite Vancouver in Round 1, but can the momentum gleaned from tossing the Canucks translate over into a second-round matchup against the St. Louis Blues? Get NHL odds for the matchup at Bovada.
The unexpected turn of events has sent the Stanley Cup futures list for a loop. Now matched up against the Blues in Round 2, the Kings, who were previously expected to exit early, have 6/1 NHL odds of going all the way.
More intriguing, however, is what this means for St. Louis. Though they got past a tough San Jose Sharks team with relative ease in the Western Conference quarter-finals, the LA-Vancouver result could be the best thing that’s happened for them.
Considering that the Blues will now face a “No. 8 seed” in Round 2, Bovada’s NHL odds makers have given them league-leading 7/2 odds of winning the Stanley Cup.
Is St. Louis really the favorite heading into the second-round of the playoffs? Was Los Angeles’ victory over Vancouver a fluke? Could somebody not make the case for the Kings as the team to beat in the Western Conference?