Barca's Xavi welcomes latest Villa link
Soccer Betting Lines
06/25/2009 - Barcelona, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Xavi Hernandez has urged Valencia striker David Villa to join him at Barcelona.
The Spain midfielder has admitted he is excited by the prospect of his international colleague joining up with the La Liga and Champions League winners.
Barca and Real Madrid are believed to be battling it out to sign the $57 million-rated striker despite Valencia claiming last week that he is now no longer for sale.
"David Villa has goals in his blood and he is worth that kind of money," said Xavi.
"What I want is for him to go where he will be happy, although I would like that to be Barca."
Meanwhile, Xavi has set his sights on winning more silverware with the all- conquering Catalan club next season.
"We will continue to win trophies," he declared. "Because we have won the treble this season, next season we have three more to go for with the Intercontinental Cup as well as the Spanish and European Super Cups.
"We will go out to win all six because if you only aim for five or less then you could end up with nothing."
(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)
Milan, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Zlatan Ibrahimovic insists he remains focused on Inter Milan despite the constant speculation surrounding his future. The Sweden striker is reported to be at the center of a transfer tug-of-war between
<< L.A. signs Patterson, promotes Zerboni
Carson, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Sol signed forward Lyndsey
Patterson to a developmental contract and promoted McCall Zerboni to senior
player Thursday.
Patterson played for both the Seattle Sounders and the Atlanta
<< D.C. United and goalie Crayton part ways
Washington, D.C. (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - D.C. United will not exercise the option on
goalie Louis Crayton's contract, ending his one-year stay with the club on June
30, the team announced Thursday.
Crayton played in six games, all starts, for the
<< Hawks acquire Crawford from Warriors
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Hawks acquired guard Jamal Crawford
from the Golden State Warriors on Thursday in exchange for guards Acie Law and
Speedy Claxton.
"We feel we have gained tremendous flexibility with the addition
<< Lions give C Raiola contract extension
Allen Park, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Lions announced on Thursday
they have agreed to terms with center Dominic Raiola on a contract extension
that will keep him with the club through the 2013 season. Financial terms of
the dea
Enschede, Netherlands (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - FC Twente Austria international striker Marko Arnautovic remains confident that he will be able to complete a dream move to Inter Milan. The 20-year-old is reported to be one of Inter's top
City interested in Brazilian Maicon >>
Mancheseter, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manchester City is interested in
signing Maicon, according to the agent of the Brazil fullback.
The 27-year-old is unsettled at current club Inter Milan and has been linked
with Manchester U
Villarreal's Rossi open to Serie A return >>
Villarreal, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Americna-born Italian striker Giuseppe
Rossi would consider leaving Villarreal should a "great" club come calling,
according to his agent.
Federico Pastorello claims the Italy international w
Report: Nets agree to trade Carter >>
Newark, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Jersey Nets have reportedly agreed to
ship star forward Vince Carter to the Orlando Magic.
The Newark Star-Ledger reported on Thursday that New Jersey has agreed in
principle to deal Carter for
Stuttgart secures double deal >>
Stuttgart, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Stuttgart has completed a double deal to
bring defender Stefano Celozzi and midfielder Matthias Schwarz to the club.
Twenty-year-old Celozzi joins from Karlsruhe for an undisclosed fee, having
agree
Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards
Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.
Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.
Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.
Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.
All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.
A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.
For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.
2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award
Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1
Ron Brace (NE) 25/1
Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1
Darius Butler (NE) 40/1
Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1
Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1
Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1
Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1
Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1
Larry English (SD) 15/1
Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1
Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1
Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1
Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1
James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1
Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1
Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1
Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1
Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1
Roy Miller (TB) 20/1
Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1
Fili Moala (IND) 30/1
Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1
Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1
B J Raji (GB) 7/1
Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1
Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1
David Verkune (CLE) 20/1
Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1
Field (Any Other Player) 6/1
To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.