Brazil, Portugal battle for top spot in Group G

Soccer Betting Lines

06/24/2010 - Durban, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brazil has already secured a spot in the second round after wins in its first two Group G matches, while Portugal is on the verge of advancing following a 7-0 destruction of North Korea last time out.

A draw at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday would allow Brazil to win the group, while Portugal would claim the second spot, but predicting how this match will go is something that is difficult to do. Both sides would secure first in the group with a victory.

Portugal played an ultra conservative game in its opening match against Ivory Coast, which ended in a 0-0 draw, but turned on the style against North Korea, scoring six times in the second half.

"It was a great display with good goals and the right attitude," Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz said following the North Korea game. "We needed a game like this, but we have to remember that we've not won anything yet. The most important thing is to secure qualification."

Portuguese winger Simao also talked about staying grounded after the match, and he will not be content with his team until they have reached the next round.

"Our goal has always been to get through to the round of 16 and we're close now," Simao said. "The game against Brazil is an important one and nothing's decided yet."

In order for Portugal to be kept out of the last 16, it would need an epic collapse against the Brazilians while Ivory Coast would have to hammer North Korea to overturn a massive edge in goal difference for Portugal.

Brazil star Kaka received two late yellow cards in the 3-1 win over Ivory Coast last time out, meaning he will miss the match through suspension, but goalkeeper Julio Cesar is already looking for his team to fix a few small problems as they prepare for the next round.

"We were drawn in one of the most difficult groups, if not the most difficult," the goalkeeper said. "We were a bit nervous in our opening game. Anxiety had taken hold, but I knew that we'd play better and that's why we've come off the pitch happy. Yet again we've conceded a goal, but at least we've let them in at moments we could afford to. We're going to need to iron out a few flaws ahead of the knockout stages, so we don't make any more mistakes."

Portugal will likely play a more conservative game against Brazil as they try to keep their third clean sheet in as many matches to round out the group stage, while Brazil's attack will provide a good test for goalkeeper Eduardo, who has faced just five shots in the competition so far.

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MySportsbook.com Favors Fighting Irish to win College Football betting odds

According to odds makers at MySportsbook.com, on January 8, the Fighting Irish faithful may be toasting their 14th national title in Arizona – Notre Dame’s first national championship in close to 20 years.

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ODDS TO WIN THE BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Notre Dame
Ohio State
West Virginia
Texas
USC
Florida
California
Auburn
Oklahoma
Iowa
Louisville
Florida State
Michigan
Miami (FL)
LSU
Penn State
Virginia Tech
Nebraska
Tennessee
Georgia
Arizona State
Oregon
Clemson
Texas A&M
Texas Tech
Alabama
Arkansas
Boston College
Michigan State
Maryland
South Carolina
Colorado
Purdue
Georgia Tech
TCU
UCLA
Arizona
Pittsburgh
Iowa State
Wisconsin
North Carolina State
Virginia
North Carolina
Fresno State
Hawaii
Northwestern
BYU
Oregon State
UNLV
Field (Any Other Team)
5-1
7-1
8-1
8-1
8-1
12-1
15-1
15-1
18-1
20-1
20-1
20-1
20-1
20-1
25-1
40-1
40-1
50-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
70-1
70-1
100-1
100-1
100-1
100-1
100-1
150-1
200-1
200-1
200-1
200-1
200-1
250-1
250-1
300-1
300-1
300-1
300-1
300-1
300-1
400-1
500-1
500-1
500-1
500-1
1000-1
1000-1
40-1



ODDS TO WIN ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Miami (FL)
Florida State
Virginia Tech
Clemson
Georgia Tech
Boston College
Maryland
Virginia
North Carolina State
North Carolina
Wake Forest
Duke
2-1
2-1
3-1
7-1
15-1
15-1
15-1
30-1
30-1
30-1
50-1
500-1



ODDS TO WIN BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Texas
Oklahoma
Nebraska
Texas Tech
Colorado
Iowa State
Texas A&M
Kansas State
Missouri
Kansas
Baylor
Oklahoma State
7-5
9-5
9-2
12-1
14-1
15-1
15-1
30-1
30-1
35-1
100-1
100-1



ODDS TO WIN SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Auburn
Florida
LSU
Georgia
Tennessee
Arkansas
Alabama
Mississippi
South Carolina
Mississippi State
Kentucky
Vanderbilt
5-2
11-4
4-1
6-1
7-1
7-1
9-1
20-1
28-1
75-1
100-1
300-1

For complete NCAA football odds please visit Mysportsbook.com.