Earthquakes hope to shake up West against L.A.

Soccer Betting Lines

07/21/2010 - Carson, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - San Jose slumped into the World Cup break last month on a three-game winless streak, but the Earthquakes have resembled their early-season form since Major League Soccer resumed in late June.

In addition to two ties and a win in its last three MLS games, San Jose took a break from league play to post an impressive draw against England's Tottenham.

"I'm very impressed with them," Tottenham coach Harry Redknapp said on the MLS website after the 0-0 draw on Saturday at Buck Shaw Stadium.

The Earthquakes (6-4-4) visit the Los Angeles Galaxy on Thursday night at The Home Depot Center, and midfielder Bobby Convey believes San Jose has no reason to fear the MLS overall leader.

"Obviously, L.A. is one of the best teams in the league right now. If we can play against [Tottenham], I don't see why we shouldn't be able to play against L.A.," Convey, second in MLS with eight assists, said on the MLS website.

San Jose is fifth in the Western Conference, 17 points behind Los Angeles, but has played fewer matches than every team in the division. The Earthquakes have played three fewer matches than L.A., and can make another statement in league play this week.

Coach Frank Yallop has guided the Earthquakes to 22 points already, just eight less than all of last season in 16 more matches. San Jose has played well away from home so far, posting a 3-2-2 mark - identical to its home record.

Yallop was extremely pleased with the performance against Tottenham, and hopes San Jose builds on the result against L.A.

"Obviously this is preseason for [Tottenham] and we know that, but I think a few years ago you see teams get beat in these types of matches. We're not easy to beat now," Yallop said on the league's website.

L.A. (12-2-3) has set the standard this season in MLS under Bruce Arena, going unbeaten at home in seven matches to accumulate the best record in the league.

The Galaxy even survived a stretch without stars Landon Donovan, who leads MLS with 10 assists, and Edson Buddle, who leads MLS with 11 goals. Both were with the United States for the World Cup.

L.A. won just one of four matches from June 9 to July 10, the last a 2-0 loss to the New England Revolution, but Donovan and Buddle both scored Sunday night as the Galaxy rebounded with a 2-1 win at D.C. United.

"You're going to lose games along the way, and the way you respond in the next game is important," Arena said. "Our response was really good."

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Super Bowl XLIV Odds

Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.

That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.

Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.

After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.

The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).

To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.

NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV

New England Patriots 8/1

Dallas Cowboys 9/1

New York Giants 10/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1

Indianapolis Colts 12/1

San Diego Chargers 12/1

Baltimore Ravens 14/1

Tennessee Titans 16/1

Carolina Panthers 18/1

Philadelphia Eagles 18/1

New Orleans Saints 20/1

Atlanta Falcons 25/1

Denver Broncos 25/1

Green Bay Packers 25/1

Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1

Minnesota Vikings 25/1

New York Jets 25/1

Arizona Cardinals 30/1

Chicago BearS 30/1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1

Buffalo Bills 35/1

Houston TexaNS 35/1

Miami Dolphins 35/1

Washington Redskins 35/1

Seattle SeahawkS 50/1

Cleveland Browns 55/1

Cincinnati Bengals 60/1

San Francisco 49ers 60/1

Oakland Raiders 75/1

St. Louis Rams 75/1

Detroit Lions 100/1

Kansas City Chiefs 100/1

Odds as of: 2/2/09

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

To visit this online sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.