Feyenoord looking to continue push up Dutch ladder

Soccer Betting Lines

12/23/2006 - Rotterdam, Holland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Feyenoord are traditionally looked at as one of the big three in Holland, along with PSV and Ajax. This season, Erwin Koeman's club have endured plenty of ups and downs on their way to a fifth-place spot in the Eredivisie this season, and will try to improve on that position when they host city rivals Sparta on Saturday.

After fighting their way through a sluggish start, Feyenoord have won seven of their last nine league games, putting themselves back in the top five and within striking distance of second-place AZ. The Rotterdam club is 14 points adrift of league-leaders PSV, making a run at the title unlikely. However, a spot in the Champions League next season is well within reach. With three games to go before the brief winter break, Feyenoord will be trying to position itself for a run at the coveted European spot in the second half.

Koeman's lineup will not include goalkeeper Patrick Lodewijks, who will miss out with an Achilles problem, while Romeo Castelen (ankle), Pieter Collen (shoulder) and Karim Saidi (knee) will also be relegated to the role of spectator. Defender Serginho Greene will be a game-time decision.

On a positive note for Feyenoord, playmaking midfielder Alfred Schreuder could return from a 16-month layoff to make an appearance. Schreuder has missed the past 16 months with a knee injury.

The home side is coming off of a 2-1 loss at Utrecht last weekend, and anything less than three points on Saturday will be a disappointment.

Sparta, meanwhile, languished at the bottom of the table in the early part of the season, but have since lifted themselves out of the basement and three points clear of relegation in 14th place.

The visitors will be without the services of striker Yuri Rose, who is battling muscle issues, and midfielder Sani Kaita, who is struggling with a groin problem. Midfielder Edwin van Bueren will be available after serving a suspension.

On Friday, FC Groningen took-out Heracles Almelo 1-0 at the Polman Stadion courtesy of a 62-minute tally from Goran Lovre.

In other play on Saturday in Holland, Heerenveen, sixth-place in the standings, host Excelsior, NAC and Den Haag get together in a matchup of bottom-half clubs and PSV try to maintain their seven-point cushion at the top when they host Willem II.

On Sunday, Twente travel to Roda in an attempt to move into the top three, Ajax sit third in the table and visit a middle of the standings Vitesse team. AZ are seven points back of PSV in second place and will try to keep pace with the leaders as they entertain NEC and cellar-dwellers RKC Waalwijk host Utrecht.

WEEKEND EREDIVISIE FIXTURES:

FRIDAY

Heracles - Groningen

SATURDAY

Heerenveen - Excelsior

NAC - ADO Den Haag

PSV Eindhoven - Willem II

Feyenoord - Sparta

SUNDAY

AZ Alkmaar - NEC

RKC Waalwijk - Utrecht

Roda - Twente

Vitesse - Ajax

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American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

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