Rangers getting healthy ahead of Hibernian clash

Soccer Betting Lines

03/21/2008 - Glasgow, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rangers has been the hottest team in the Scottish Premier League for months, and they got some good news on Friday when it was determined that captain Barry Ferguson, defender Davie Weir and striker Jean-Claude Darcheville would all be fit to face Hibernian on Saturday.

Rangers has won its last 11 league games to enable the club to take a three- point lead with a game in hand on bitter rivals Celtic.

The two teams will renew acquaintances next Saturday at the Ibrox Stadium, but Rangers must first focus on taking all three points from a Hibernian side that is involved in a fierce battle for third place.

"Hibs will clearly be difficult opponents as they have been over the course of this season but we need the victory to maintain our momentum," manager Walter Smith told the club's website.

Striker Daniel Cousin will not be available for a few weeks after having surgery to repair a fractured jaw that he suffered against Werder Bremen in a UEFA Cup Round of 16 match. However, the striker did return to training.

Hibernian is locked into a tight battle for third place with Dundee United and Motherwell as all three clubs are level on 46 points.

Hibs has been in top form in recent weeks, winning six of its last seven SPL matches and the club should provide another solid test for the Glasgow club.

The teams have split their two meetings in league play this season, while Rangers bounced Hibs from the Scottish Cup, winning 1-0 on aggregate over two legs.

Celtic visits last-place Gretna in Sunday's lone contest, while Dundee United and Motherwell square off at Tannadice Park in an effort to break up the logjam in third.

St Mirren visits Aberdeen, Hearts hosts Falkirk and Inverness travels to Kilmarnock in other action on Saturday.


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MySportsbook.com week 1 NFL lines


Now that the 2007 NFL schedule is finally out, it is only matter-of-course for lines on “Week 1” to follow.  Of course MySportsbook.com is the first to churn out odds for the NFL’s inaugural week for the upcoming season.   Expect a lot of fireworks the first Thursday night of the season as the defending champion Indianapolis Colts face off against the surprise of the 2007 season, the New Orleans Saints.  These teams were ranked #1 and #3 in the NFL respectively a season ago so a high scoring affair could be in order.  As of now, the Colts will be giving 6 points to the Saints; keep in mind the Saints were one of the better road teams last season going 6-3 SU and 7-2 ATS.  The first Monday night of the season will again provide a “double feature”. Coming off a disappointing season, the Cincinnati Bengals will look to get back to playoffs and improve their public image as they take on the AFC North favorite Baltimore Ravens.  The second game features a couple of teams that haven’t had too much success recently but each could make some noise if the NFC is as weak as it was last year as the San Francisco 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals. The most interesting game of the opening week will feature the NFC champion Bears as they hit the road to take on the NFL’s top team during last year’s regular season, the San Diego Chargers.

MySportsbook.com Week 1 odds:

Saints +6 @ Colts -6

Falcons @ Vikings (pick ‘em)

Panthers @ Rams (pick ‘em)

Broncos -3.5 @ Bills +3.5

Chiefs -1 @ Texans +1

Dolphins +3 @ Redskins -3

Patriots -5 @ Jets +5

Eagles -3.5 @ Packers +3.5

Steelers -4 @ Browns +4

Titans +6 @ Jaguars -6

Bears +6 @ Chargers -6

Lions +3 @ Raiders -3

Bucs +6.5 @ Seahawks -6.5

Giants +4 @ Cowboys -4

Ravens +3 @ Bengals -3

Cardinals +3 @ 49ers -3

 Super Bowl line (2008)

NFC +6.5 vs. AFC -6.5

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

Additional baseball lines can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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