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Post by Gooba on Jul 20, 2016 6:46:52 GMT -5
2016 Olympic Gold Medal Odds
The 2016 Summer Olympics begin on Aug. 5 from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and bettors can start wagering on how many gold medals will be captured by certain countries.
Sportsbooks have the United States listed as the top betting choice with an ‘over/under’ of 41 ½ gold medals.
Team USA captured 46 in the 2012 Olympics at London, which was the most they won since they earned 44 in the 1996 Olympic Games from 1996.
Listed below are the all of the countries and their respective odds.
USA Gold Medals Over 41.5 (-110) Under 41.5 (-120)
China Gold Medals Over 34.5 (-125) Under 34.5 (-105)
Great Britain Gold Medals Over 18.5 (-105) Under 18.5 (-125)
Germany Gold Medals Over 15.5 (-115) Under 15.5 (-115)
Australia Gold Medals Over 12.5 (-145) Under 12.5 (+115)
Japan Gold Medals Over 12.5 (-120) Under 12.5 (-110)
France Gold Medals Over 12.5 (-120) Under 12.5 (-110)
Advertisement South Korea Gold Medals Over 10.5 (-115) Under 10.5 (-115)
Brazil Gold Medals Over 6.5 (-240) Under 6.5 (+195)
New Zealand Gold Medals Over 8.5 (-145) Under 8.5 (+115)
Italy Gold Medals Over 7.5 (+120) Under 7.5 (-150)
Canada Gold Medals Over 5.5 (+170) Under 5.5 (-210)
Hungary Gold Medals Over 5.5 (-155) Under 5.5 (+125)
Cuba Gold Medals Over 6.5 (-140) Under 6.5 (+110)
Netherlands Gold Medals Over 7.5 (+110) Under 7.5 (-140)
Spain Gold Medals Over 4.5 (-115) Under 4.5 (-115)
Odds Subject to Change
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Post by Makers on Jul 20, 2016 10:06:42 GMT -5
What a cluster this will be
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Post by PIX2CLICK on Jul 22, 2016 18:01:49 GMT -5
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THE OLYMPICS THAT NO ONE WANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN
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Post by Makers on Jul 23, 2016 5:58:15 GMT -5
US pounds Argentina in Olympic tune-up
Full of new star power, the U.S. men's basketball team opened its bid for a third straight Olympic gold medal with a 111-74 exhibition romp over Argentina on Friday night.
A U.S. team that hasn't lost a game in 10 years had little trouble with Argentina, which some consider a medal contender in Rio. Paul George scored 14 first-half points, Kevin Durant added 12, and the U.S. blew open the game early before an appreciative crowd on the Las Vegas Strip.
Even with Kobe Bryant retired and LeBron James taking this Olympics off, there was no real talent drop off on a team heavily favored to win gold once again. The depth of the U.S. showed as coach Mike Krzyzewski rotated players in and out, searching for the right combinations on a team with 10 new players from 2012.
''Nothing is for sure,'' Durant said. ''We want to get this gold and right now we have a job to do. We have to prepare the right way.''
The game was the first of five exhibitions the U.S. will play before traveling to Rio to defend the gold medal. The U.S. team has spent the last week practicing in Las Vegas in preparation for the tour and the games.
For Durant the game was a chance to play with a pair of his new Golden State teammates, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. It was also a chance for Durant and Carmelo Anthony - the only two players from the 2012 team - to demonstrate that this will be their team in Rio.
Both players cheered from the bench as the minutes were spread around, jumping up to clap for teammates. Every U.S. player got quality time, with Green's 12 minutes the least played by any American.
''We're going to have fun and we're going to enjoy ourselves,'' Anthony said. ''If it's not fun it's not worth it. We're going to enjoy ourselves but at the same time we're going to be focused in trying to get that gold medal.''
Durant finished as the game's high scorer with 23 points, while George had 18 and Carmelo Anthony 17. Andres Nocioni had 15 for Argentina, while Manu Ginobili added 11 for Argentina, which lost to the U.S. in the semifinals of the 2012 Olympics.
Though at times little defense was played, there was plenty of offense to keep the crowd at the new T-Mobile Arena happy. The teams combined to put up 70 3-point attempts, 41 of them from the U.S.
Oddsmakers had made the U.S. a prohibitive 29.5-point favorite in what at times looked a lot like an NBA All-Star game. But while the U.S. team is loaded with 12 NBA players, the Argentines had only three on their roster and the talent difference showed.
While the team is full of new players, the gold medal run will be the last for Krzyzewski, the national coach for the last decade. His teams have lost only one game during his reign, which will end after the Olympics with San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich taking over.
AP NEWS
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Post by Gooba on Jul 25, 2016 5:58:32 GMT -5
Durant, Thompson lead Team USA rout of China By The Sports Xchange
Two Golden State Warriors teammates, newcomer Kevin Durant and longtime mainstay Klay Thompson, led Team USA to a 106-57 rout of China in an exhibition game Sunday night at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Durant led the U.S. squad with 19 points in 18 minutes, while Thompson scored 17 in 19 minutes. Each hit four 3-pointers. Team USA also received double-figure scoring from the Toronto Raptors' DeMar DeRozan (13 points), the Los Angeles Clippers' DeAndre Jordan (12 points), the Sacramento Kings' DeMarcus Cousins (12 points) and the Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving (10 points). The New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony scored five points and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds. Jordan blocked three shots. Yi Jianlian, formerly of the Milwaukee Bucks, led China with 18 points and seven rebounds. Zhao Jiwei, who had 14 points, was the only other Chinese player to hit double figures. The Americans were coming off a 111-74 blowout of Argentina on Friday in Las Vegas. Next up on their pre-Olympic tour is another game against China on Tuesday at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., where Durant will play before his new home fans for the first time since signing with the Warriors as a free agent. Team USA will play Venezuela in Chicago on Friday and Nigeria in Houston on Aug. 1 in their final games before heading to Brazil for the Olympics.
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Post by Makers on Jul 25, 2016 6:01:31 GMT -5
==== THE OLYMPICS THAT NO ONE WANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ==== One exception..The Russians! LOL
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Post by Gooba on Jul 26, 2016 6:29:52 GMT -5
With just 38 days to go before the Rio Olympics kicks off, the situation in the host city just went from bad to worse.
A beach goer Wednesday discovered mutilated human body parts that had washed up on the shore, right in front of the Olympic Beach Volleyball Arena on Rio's famed Copacabana beach.
A dismembered foot and another body part still unidentified was found, according to Andre Luiz, an officer of the Military Police. Police believe the victim was a woman or young adult.
Although the circumstances surrounding the person's death are unknown, it is another embarrassing blow to the host country -- already reeling from financial problems, a mishap-prone Olympic torch and an outbreak of the mosquito-borne Zika virus.
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Post by Gooba on Jul 30, 2016 7:53:55 GMT -5
Olympic betting is back in Las Vegas sportsbooks and operators couldn't be happier By PATRICK EVERSON
Spend a day hanging out at the betting windows of any sportsbook around Las Vegas, and you’re bound to overhear patrons asking all kinds of interesting questions, often about what they can and cannot wager on.
“I hate to have something where people ask, ‘Hey, can you bet on this?’ And we have to say, ‘No, we’re not allowed to take bets on that,’” said Chris Andrews, director of the South Point sportsbook.
But since the 1990s, that’s been the case when it comes to the Olympics. Until this year, that is.
Thanks to a conglomerate of representatives from several operations – the South Point, CG Technology, William Hill US, Wynn Las Vegas and others – the Olympics return to the betting board for the 2016 Summer Games, which begin Aug. 5 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After the Nevada Gaming Control Board worked out a memorandum of understanding with the International Olympic Committee in January 2014, the group of sportsbook operators began its efforts with the board to get Olympic events back on the betting menu.
In February 2015, those efforts paid off, with the board unanimously approving the regulation. It was a big step in the right direction, according to Johnny Avello, executive director of race and sports at the Wynn.
“We thought the Olympics had some merit, because there were some important games we wanted to have, for sure – basketball, hockey, events that are heavily watched, even in our books,” Avello said, noting that offshore and overseas books have long taken Olympic action. “We didn’t want to be at a competitive disadvantage.”
Added Jay Kornegay, vice president of race and sports for the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook: “We were in favor of it obviously, because it gives us more events. The more events, the better.”
In the case of the Summer Games, there is heavy interest in basketball, particularly with the NBA-laden USA men’s team, but sports such as track and field, swimming, soccer and volleyball also draw some action. And the timing is great, because there will be betting options every day for more than two weeks during what is generally a slow time at the books – although this year, the Olympics coincide with the opening of NFL preseason play.
“It’s very quiet, there’s not a lot of other things to bet on, it’s just the dog days of baseball. So it’s going to increase the betting menu a great deal,” CG vice president of risk management Jason Simbal said, while reiterating Andrews’ point. “Two years ago, when the Winter Olympics were happening, we were actually getting questions from people who couldn’t figure out why they couldn’t bet them. This is definitely something we think will increase the foot traffic in the book, and it’s gonna be a fun 30 seconds when you’re watching a race or whatever. And we think people will bet on that stuff.”
All that said, don’t expect the sportsbooks to go too crazy. You probably won’t be able to get down on eight-men rowing or trampoline or dressage, though there might be a surprise offering or two.
“We have to be real careful,” Avello said, noting he already has futures odds on men’s and women’s basketball and men’s and women’s soccer. “I’m gonna do more. I’m starting to put together ones that are going to be most interesting to our players.”
Among those will likely be track events such as the 100-meter dash, with Jamaican sensation Usain Bolt again the feature attraction on the men’s side. Women’s gymnastics is also a huge Olympics favorite, but Avello is proceeding with caution there, because the competition is based on judging, rather than the black-and-white of a score or a time. He said he might seek the Gaming Control Board’s advice on whether certain events – even wildly popular ones – should be on the board.
Andrews has a handful of offerings so far at the South Point, including a proposition on Bolt winning the men’s 100-meter dash, with yes at -190 and no at +170.
Kornegay’s Superbook, long renowned for its prop bet menus, already has a few pages of offerings, including: over/under props on total gold medals for several countries, with the U.S. leading the way at 41.5; and futures odds on more than a dozen team events, with the U.S. men’s basketball juggernaut a -800 chalk to again claim gold. Kornegay said there will be more to come, though the menu won’t be too overwhelming.
“We’ll just see how much time allows to post these events,” he said, noting the success of the U.S. in any given event – team or individual – will also play a big role in what gets posted. “I think the Olympics are more a watching event than a betting event, but sports that are popular will certainly get some attention. Individual games (i.e. Team USA men’s basketball) will get attention.”
Olympics betting is nothing new for offshore sites such as Bookmaker.eu, which will have an assortment of offerings. Odds consultant Scott Cooley specifically cited men’s soccer, in which longshots Mexico and Colombia are drawing significant action. Mexico opened at 24/1 and Colombia at 20/1, and both are now at 16/1.
“The Olympics have always been on our wagering board. It’s actually a big draw during a slow time in the sports season,” Cooley said, adding bettors who do their homework can definitely find some value. “I wouldn’t say the action is significant, but it certainly helps out during the stagnant months, when everyone is gearing up for football.”
None of the Vegas sportsbooks expect to earn a gold medal in betting handle from the Olympics. More than anything, book operators just wanted a say in adding interesting options that patrons sought on the betting menu.
“I just don’t like being told we can’t,” Andrews said. “It’s not gonna make or break our business, but I think it was the right decision, yes. I’m glad we can actually book the Olympics.”
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Post by Gooba on Aug 2, 2016 5:11:11 GMT -5
Anthony leads Team USA rout of Nigeria By The Sports Xchange
Carmelo Anthony missed all six of his 3-point attempts, but he still led Team USA with 19 points Monday in a 110-66 rout of Nigeria in Houston. The U.S. squad completed a 5-0 pre-Olympic run. Next up is the team's Olympic opener, against China on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. Anthony, a New York Knicks forward, made all seven of his 2-point shots, and he hit five of six foul shots. Golden State guard Klay Thompson added 17 points for Team USA, and his new Warriors teammate, forward Kevin Durant, scored 14. Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan scored 13, Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan and Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins had 10 apiece. Raptors guard Kyle Lowry contributed eight points and a game-high 11 assists. Guard Chamberlain Oguchi, who played college ball for Oregon and Illinois State, paced Nigeria with 21 points. Center Alade Aminu scored 13, and former NBA journeyman Ike Diogu had 10 points and nine rebounds. The U.S. team outshot the Nigerians from the floor 53.9 percent to 37.5 percent.
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Post by Gooba on Aug 2, 2016 5:50:10 GMT -5
Odds (7/31)
Novak DJOKOVIC 10/11 Andy MURRAY 5/2 Stan WAWRINKA 12/1 Rafael NADAL 14/1 Kei NISHIKORI 20/1 Marin CILIC 40/1 Juan Martin del POTRO 50/1 Jo-Wilfried TSONGA 50/1 Gael MONFILS 50/1 David FERRER 80/1 Grigor DIMITROV 100/1 David GOFFIN 100/1 Philipp KOHLSCHREIBER 150/1 Gilles SIMON 150/1 Steve JOHNSON 150/1 Borna CORIC 150/1
On the women’s side, Serena Williams is hoping to repeat as champion after coming off a dominant performance at Wimbledon. Losing just one set in the entire tournament, Williams finished off Angelique Kerber in the finals to tie Steffi Graf for first with 22 Grand Slam titles in the open era.
Kerber is also having a great season, though. In addition to her second place finish at Wimbledon, she won her first grand slam this January at the Australian Open. She provides some great value at 10/1 compared to Serena’s near even-money payout.
Garbine Muguruza, the third seed in the tournament, has the second best odds at 5/1. Muguruza is coming off a disappointing Wimbledon in which she lost in the second round. However, she beat Serena Williams this year at the French Open to take home her first career major.
Some notable names to withdraw from the women’s tournament include: Simona Halep (health concerns), Victoria Azarenka (pregnancy), and Belinda Bencic (wrist).
Serena WILLIAMS 6/5 Garbine MUGURUZA 5/1 Angelique KERBER 10/1 Petra KVITOVA 12/1 Agnieszka RADWANSKA 16/1 Madison KEYS 20/1 Sloane STEPHENS 50/1 Venus WILLIAMS 50/1 Johanna KONTA 60/1 Dominika CIBULKOVA 60/1 Timea BACSINSZKY 60/1 Ana IVANOVIC 80/1 Carla SUAREZ NAVARRO 80/1 Eugenie BOUCHARD 80/1 Lucie SAFAROVA 80/1 Elina SVITOLINA 100/1
Both tournaments will take place throughout the first week of the Olympics, with the women’s final taking place on Saturday the 13th and the men’s final taking place the following day
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Post by Gooba on Aug 2, 2016 5:52:01 GMT -5
Track & Field
Ever since the final event in the London 2012 games ended, one thing has been lurking in every athlete’s mind: the 2016 olympics in Rio. Four years have flown by and suddenly the 2016* games are just around the corner.
Two World Championships have been held since the games in London. New talents have been discovered, reigning champions have defended their titles while others have lost them to new up and coming stars.
Superstars Usain Bolt and Mo Farah, both seem to be unbeatable on the track. Will this be the games where they once again celebrate with their iconic celebrations, or will someone knock them off their thrones?
Below we break down the our favourite Rio 2016 Betting Tips from the Track & Field events.
The sprint events & “The main event”
The ultimate sporting event, the 100 Metres, is this year expected to be a battle between Gatlin and Bolt. Ever since the Beijing games were held in 2008, the face of Track & Field and undisputed number one, Usain Bolt, has dominated and proven time after time that he is the fastest man in the world.
The Jamaican had a scare when he suffered a minor injury a few weeks ago. However he was back on track when and won the 200m at the London Diamond League event recently.
Despite finishing in 19.89 seconds, Bolt said his main goal was to finish the race injury free and added that he just may be in the best shape in his career. If the Jamaican can avoid an injury during the games, the chances are good that he will cross the finish line first in both the 100 Meter and the 200 Meter events. His toughest opponents are the Americans Gatlin and Bromwell, who have both had a better ‘season best’ than him.
For the 200 Meters the toughest contestants are the american trio with Gatlin, Webb and none other than Lashawn Merritt. The latter also joining in on what is expected to be a thriller between Van Niekerk, Kirani James and himself when the three of them battle for the gold in the 400 Metres.
The Dutch revelation
The men are not the only ones competing in the Olympics.Rio 2016 Betting Tips One of the most impressive athletes in the women’s sprint events, is the Dutch girl Dafne Schippers.
One can say the powerful Dutch is the female version of Usain Bolt, with a max*speed no opponent can get close to.
If she avoids a slow start in the finals, she will be the favorite for a 1st place finish in both the 100 and 200* Metres. In the women’s 400 Metres there is no doubt that Allyson Felix is the favorite.
Kenyan Dominance & “Mo*show”?
Kenyans and middle/long distance is something just simply meant to be. The Kenyans are favorites in both the 800 and 1500 metres, with David Rudisha as the main man for the 800m and Asbel Kiprop for the 1500metres.
The Kenyans often dominate these two events, and three medals in total would not be surprising at all. Both Kipketer and Cheruiyot are more than capable of taking a medal in the 800metres.
Defending 1500metres champion Makhloufi from Algeria is also a contender for the win next to Kiprop, a medal should be in reach for him. For the 5* and 10k Mo Farah is the clear favorite and he will be attempting to copy his double from the Olympics in London and the World Championships in 2013 and 2015.
Where do you invest your money?
It is obvious that Bolt and Farah are the biggest favorites in the events they compete in. Unfortunately the price you get with the Bookmakers is poor, and a Mo Farah double would only give you 1.5.
Bolt winning the 200 Metres is also a good tip, but again, with only 1.25 available at the bookies, the risks of false starts and injuries really don’t give value for the money.
An outsider bet that may be worth a shot is Keshorn Walcott to win the Javelin throw. The Olympic Champion from 2012 has struggled lately, but his performances tend to either be world class or rock bottom. 5.50 for him to take a medal is a nice longshot.
Rio 2016 Betting Tips
100m Men •Usain Bolt 1st place @1.50
100m Women •Dafne Schippers to win @2.50 •Shelly* Ann Fraser* Pryce: 1-3 place @2.15
200m Women •Dafne Schippers to win @1.50
3000m Steeplechase Men •Mekhissi benabadd 1*-3 place @1.60
400m Men •LaShawn Merritt to win @4.25
800m Men •Rudisha to win @2.00 •Kipketer 1*-3 place @2.75
1500m Men •Kiprop to win @1.65 •Taoufik Makhloufi 1*-3 place @1.75
200m Men •LaShawn Merritt 1*-3 place@1.40 •Ameer Webb 1*-3 place @7.50
3000m Steeplechase Men •Mekhissi benabbad* 1*-3 place @1.60
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Post by Gooba on Aug 3, 2016 5:26:00 GMT -5
Rio 2016 Olympics betting preview and odds: Men's basketball
As it has for the past quarter-century, the Olympic men’s basketball tournament boils down to the U.S. vs. the world - and the Americans once again have a significant pre-tournament advantage.
The powerhouse U.S. team rolled to the 2012 final in London, then held off a furious charge by the Spaniards for its second consecutive gold medal. Four years later, the gap between the Americans and the rest of the world may have grown even wider.
Oddsmakers certainly believe that’s the case, having made the U.S. team a whopping -2,000 favorite - well up from the -700 play the Americans were going into the 2012 Games. And when you take a look at the roster, it’s clear why the U.S. side has an overwhelming edge.
The team is led by new Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant, who is joined by teammates Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Star power abounds, with Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving, New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony and Toronto Raptors teammates Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.
Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes, Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler, Indiana Pacers swingman Paul George and Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan round out the 12-man roster.
Does any team have a shot at upsetting the two-time Olympic champions? Here’s a look at the top contenders:
2016-17 NBA rookies not included in NBA player tally
Spain
Odds to win the gold: +1,100 Odds to medal: -150 Number of current or former NBA players: 8
The two-time defending silver medallist, no team has a better chance at making history in Rio than a Spanish side boasting a terrific mix of veteran savvy and youthful energy. Pau Gasol is the lynch pin of the offence, while Ricky Rubio should make things difficult for foes in the backcourt.
The key for Spain will be its production from the swing positions, where Rudy Fernandez and Juan Carlos Ferraro are the expected starters. Both players had brief careers in the NBA, but could be in tough against teams with more skill and experience at those positions.
France
Odds to win the gold: +1,700 Odds to medal: +110 Number of current or former NBA players: 7
The French needed to win an Olympic qualifying event this summer to book their ticket to Rio, but is in great shape to reach the medal round thanks to a three-headed NBA attack. Veteran point guard Tony Parker, center Rudy Gobert and forward Nicolas Batum give this roster legitimacy and star power.
The most important role on the team, however, may belong to Boris Diaw, who brings leadership and winning pedigree. His game is suited to international competition, and he’ll need to be at his best, given that his backups - Florent Piteous and Kim Tillie - won’t be able to handle skilled power forwards.
Serbia
Odds to win the gold: +2,500 Odds to medal: +150 Number of current or former NBA players: 3
The Serbians haven’t medaled at the Olympics in 20 years, but are in their strongest position to do so since recording a second-place finish at the 1996 Olympic tournament in Atlanta.
Serbia’s frontcourt is the major strength, with former NBA player Miroslav Raduljica joined by Denver Nuggets phenom Nikola Jokic. Sacramento Kings prospect Bogdan Bogdanovic anchors a young but potentially explosive backcourt.
Brazil
Odds to win the gold: +3,000 Odds to medal: +350 Number of current or former NBA players: 6
The home side will be making its 16th Olympic appearance, and is looking at securing its first medal since claiming bronze at the 1964 Games in Tokyo. A fifth-place finish at the 2012 event in London should have confidence high.
Though the Brazilians are light on NBA experience, they do have Leandro Barbosa anchoring the backcourt and Nene Hilario leading the big men. A well-balanced roster combined with home-court advantage should help.
Lithuania
Odds to win the gold: +3,300 Odds to medal: +400 Number of current or former NBA players: 1
The Lithuanians are riding high following a second-place performance at the 2015 EuroBasket tournament, and enter the Olympic tournament behind only the United States and Spain in the FIBA World Ranking.
While the team is light on NBA experience - center Jonas Valanciunas is the only player on the roster who has appeared in a game - the team is tight-knit, and features four regulars from Lithuanian league powerhouse BC Zalgiris.
Argentina
Odds to win the gold: +4,000 Odds to medal: +500 Number of current or former NBA players: 6
Argentina is the last team to win an Olympic title other than the U.S., and enters this tournament ranked fourth in the world. The Argentinians are well-positioned to challenge for a medal after placing fourth in 2012.
Legendary shooting guard Manu Ginobili and power forward Luis Scola form the core of this team, which includes former NBA role players Carlos Delfina and Andres Nocioni. But the loss of Tiago Splitter to a hip injury hurts a lot.
Croatia
Odds to win the gold: +5,000 Odds to medal: +700 Number of current or former NBA players: 2
Rio marks just the third Olympic appearance for the Croatian side, which won silver in 1992 but hasn’t finished any higher than sixth since. But with two solid NBA players on the roster, Croatia could be primed to make some noise.
Shooting is this team’s forte, with NBA players Bojan Bogdanovic and Mario Hezonja both capable of filling the net. Highly touted power forward Dario Saric and former NBA guard Roko Ukic should provide solid support.
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Post by PIX2CLICK on Aug 3, 2016 11:14:24 GMT -5
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SEEMS THE UNITED STATES HASN'T HEEDED THE CALL FOR DIVERSITY ...... THE NIGERIAN TEAM IS AS DIVERSIFIED AS US, OH
WE ARE LIKE THE NIGERIAN TEAM, BBBBUUUUUUTTTTTT TO KEEP THE INMATES IN LINE WE HAVE THE ONLY WHITEBREAD ON THE
THE TEAM, THE WARDEN ....... RAT FACE HISSELF .....
I JUST CAN'T ROOT FOR THIS TEAM USA .. ER NBA
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Post by Gooba on Aug 5, 2016 6:49:55 GMT -5
Olympic football betting preview and odds: Can Brazil win gold on home soil?
Excitement is building ahead of the 31st Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this summer, with the world’s biggest sporting event set to take centre stage once again. Football may be the most popular game on the planet, but it must share the limelight with some ‘smaller’ sports in what promises to be another amazing summer spectacle.
Running from August 3-20, with 16 teams competing for the medals, the action will take place in five other locations across the country; Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Sao Paulo and Manaus, and in seven stadia.
While all sides will field under-23 squads, a maximum of three older players may be selected. Here is our betting preview, featuring six sides with varying possibilities of success.
Brazil – Even
Having hosted the Confederations Cup and World Cup in the last three years, winning and reaching the semi finals in those respective competitions, Brazil are very much used to a party atmosphere and are rightly favourites here.
While the majority of their squad are based at home, three big hitters, in the shape of Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos, their talisman, Barcelona’s Neymar, and Lazio star Felipe Anderson could inspire them.
Santos midfielder Thiago Maia is just 19 years of age and a real star in the making who Brazil will also look to, while striker Gabriel Jesus will use the tournament as a way of furthering his impressive reputation.
The Selecao may not offer much value, but they are the safest bet for victory.
Argentina – 6/1
Gold winners in Beijing eight years ago, La Albiceleste will fancy their chances of a repeat this time around. Spearheaded by Atletico Madrid striker Angel Correa and PSG’s latest signing Giovani Lo Celso, they will hope to avenge the senior side’s disappointments in final defeats in the World Cup and Copa America since 2014.
While alongside Portugal in Group D, Argentina should progress with ease, given the talent in their squad. Jonathan Calleri, of Sao Paulo and a former Boca Juniors star, will likely shine too, while West Ham fans will have an eye on Manuel Lanzini.
Germany 7/1
Die Mannschaft are unlikely to go home without a fight in Brazil, having enjoyed success at all levels in recent years, including in the World Cup just two years ago.
Of all the teams in the tournament, Germany arguably have the strongest first eleven, with a real spine to their side. Schalke 04 attacking midfielder Max Meyer will grab most of the headlines alongside Sven and Lars Bender, but Niklas Sule is a towering centre half who will prove tough to get past, while striker Nils Petersen scored 21 goals in 32 games for Freiburg last season.
Arsenal’s speedy and imposing winger Serge Gnabry will also provide another attacking and tactical option. As always, sensible money is on the Germans to go far.
Colombia 16/1
There has been quite a lot of excitement surrounding Colombian football since their impressive World Cup in 2014, when they reached the quarter finals.
While not amongst the red-hot favourites, there is definitely something in a flutter on them, with a nucleus of talented young players being added to by experienced striker Teo Gutierrez.
Their squad may not be filled with household names, but they could do some damage in the games and an each-way bet could well be worth it.
Mexico – 22/1
When they met a star-studded Brazil side in the final at Wembley four years ago, few expected Mexico to prevail, but they did so with a 2-1 victory.
Defending gold will prove tough, but with Hirving Lozano, a 20-year-old striker from Pachuca supposedly interesting Manchester United, in their ranks, they will be confident of making a big splash.
An early clash with Germany in Group C will determine how far they can go, while also facing Fiji and South Korea.
Despite their lengthy odds, there could be something going for a bet on them.
Nigeria 25/1
One of three African qualifiers, Nigeria are the side most likely to cause a threat to the more established tournament nations. Despite the senior side’s failure to reach the African Cup of Nations in 2017, the under-23s will benefit immensely from the inclusion of Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel.
Up front, 19-year-old Roma forward Umar Sadiq is a bright talent, with the Super Eagles being drawn in Group B alongside Sweden, Colombia and Japan
An unlikely winner? Perhaps not, but they are no pushovers.
Others
Amongst the other ten sides, Sweden, winners of the European title at under-21 level last time, will be a side to keep an eye on at 25/1, while South Korea (66/1), Japan (40/1) and Colombia (16/1) will also provide good representation for Asia and South America respectively. Honduras, Iraq (both 150/1) and Fiji (1000/1) are among the outsiders, as Portugal (10/1) look to continue their senior side’s success. Algeria (50/1) and South Africa (80/1) complete the line up.
Good value bets:
Argentina to score most goals 9/1
Mexico to beat Germany in opening game 21/10
Colombia to get a medal 11/4
Sweden to get a medal 7/2
Mexico to to win 22/1
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Post by Gooba on Aug 6, 2016 7:16:05 GMT -5
Rio 2016 Olympic betting cheat sheet and odds: Let's light the torch and get going!
We break down the opening few days of Rio 2016 Olympic betting action with our betting cheat sheet. The pool is where most of the early medal action will take place and we have you covered from the start to the final touch of the wall.
Everyone in the Pool
Rio’s Olympic Aquatic Stadium is the focal point of the first day of medal events Saturday, with four sets of hardware being given out in swimming. The men’s 400-meter individual medley goes first, and Japan’s Kosuke Hagino (-225) is the prohibitive favourite. He’s joined by China’s Yang Sun (-125, men’s 400m freestyle), Hungary’s Kotinka Hosszu (-1,000, women’s 400m IM) and Australia (-1,000, women’s 4x100m freestyle) as the ones to beat in their respective events.
Dive and Conquer
The first diving medals are handed out Sunday at Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre, and those who frequent the venue are probably going to hear the Chinese national anthem a lot. China is expected to dominate the competition, beginning with Sunday’s women’s synchronized 3-meter springboard event. The team of Shi Tingmao and Wu Minxia is a whopping -3,300 favorite in the competition, and it’s clear why: they’re the two-time defending gold medalists in the discipline at the World Aquatics Championships.
Lucky Sevens?
Rugby sevens makes its Olympic debut later this week at Deodoro Stadium, and oddsmakers are expecting a pair of Pacific foes to battle for the inaugural gold medal. The Australian team enters as the favorite at -150 by virtue of sitting atop the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series table. New Zealand (+175) is close behind, while Canada (+750) and England (+1,000) round out the top four. The semifinals will be held Monday afternoon, with the bronze-medal and gold-medal contests to follow.
Medal Event TV Schedule (all times ET)
Saturday
9:30 a.m.: Road cycling - Men’s road race (NBC) 10:30 a.m.: Shooting - 10m air rifle women’s finals (NBCSN) 3:30 p.m.: 10m air pistol men’s finals (NBC) 5:07 p.m.: Archery - Men’s team gold-medal final (NBCSN) 5:45 p.m.: Fencing - Women’s epee individual gold-medal bout (USA) 7 p.m.: Weightlifting - Women’s 48kg final (NBCSN) 10:03 p.m.: Swimming - men’s 400m individual medley final (NBC) 10:30 p.m.: Swimming - men’s 400m freestyle final (NBC) 10:49 p.m.: Swimming - women’s 400m individual medley final (NBC) 11:24 p.m.: Swimming - women’s 4x100m freestyle relay final (NBC) TBD: Judo - Women’s 48kg final, men’s 60kg final (NBCSN)
Sunday
12:15 p.m.: Road cycling - Women’s road race (NBC) 3:30 p.m.: Weightlifting - Women’s 53kg final (NBCSN) 4:00 p.m.: Diving - women’s synchronized 3m springboard final (NBC) 5:07 p.m.: Archery - Woen’s team gold-medal final (NBCSN) 5:45 p.m.: Fencing - Men’s foil individual gold-medal bout (MSNBC) 5:45 p.m.: Shooting - Trap women’s gold-medal match (CNBC) 7:00 p.m.: Weightlifting - Men’s 56kg final (NBCSN) 10:53 p.m.: Swimming - Men’s 100m breaststroke final (NBC) 11:01 p.m.: Swimming - Women’s 400m freestyle final (NBC) 11:54 p.m.: Swimming - Men’s 4x100m freestyle relay final (NBC) TBD: Judo - Women’s 52kg final, men’s 66kg final (NBCSN)
Monday
3:45 p.m.: Shooting - Trap men’s gold-medal match (MSNBC) 4:00 p.m.: Diving - Men’s synchronized 10m platform final (NBC) 4:00 p.m.: Artistic Gymnastics - Men’s team final (NBC) 5:45 p.m.: Fencing - Women’s sabre individual gold-medal bout (NBCSN) 7:00 p.m.: Rugby Sevens - Women’s gold-medal match (CNBC) 10:21 p.m.: Swimming - Men’s 200m freestyle final (NBC) 10:30 p.m.: Swimming - Women’s 100m backstroke final (NBC) 10:38 p.m.: Swimming - Men’s 100m backstroke final (NBC) 10:54 p.m.: Swimming - Women’s 100m breaststroke final (NBC) TBD - Judo - Women’s 57kg final, men’s 73kg final (MSNBC)
Top Favorite Play
It will be difficult for any team to unseat the Australians in the women’s medley relay. Led by world record-holder Cate Campbell and backstroke specialist Emily Seebohm, Australia is a heavy favorite ahead of the United States (+600) and the Netherlands (+700). While anything can certainly happen, Australia has the best four-woman medley unit in the world, and should have little trouble paying off confident bettors.
Top Underdog Play
What does a world-record holder have to do to get some respect? Rita Meilutyte may be wondering that herself, as the Lithuanian star enters the women’s 100m breaststroke event at +175, solidly behind American Lilly King (-250). But Meilutyte has the fastest time in both the long- and short-course disciplines at the distance, and is the defending Olympic champion. Look for her to get the better of her American counterpart.
Key Stats and Trends
— The Chinese team swept all four synchronized diving medals at the 2015 World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia, after going 3-for-4 in those same events at the 2013 championships in Barcelona.
— The Canadian women’s rugby sevens team defeated Australia 29-19 to claim the Series Cup at the end of May; the Australians were awarded the series title, finishing with 94 points - 14 clear of the second-place Kiwis.
— South Korea has astonishingly won every women’s team archery competition since the sport was first introduced at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. The South Koreans are -250 favorites to make it 8-for-8 all-time.
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