Manchester City Spent More to Reach the Top

The fever seems unstoppable in buying Manchester City. In recent weeks, the English club has strengthened its staff in such a way that has become one of the favorites for the title of champion of the Premier League, which begins on Saturday.

Its new acquisitions are Paraguayan Roque Santa Cruz (from Blackburn), Argentine Carlos Tevez (who comes from Manchester United), Emmanuel Adebayor and the Togolese defender Kolo Toure (both Arsenal) and the English midfielder Gareth Barry (Aston Villa's ).

The now famous quintet cost about $ 157 million, but it appears that the purchases will not end there and that "citizens" feel strengthened further before the transfer deadline at the end of August.

All this is possible thanks to the philosophy that "money does not matter" that owns the club since September 2008: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of the royal family of Abu Dhabi, whose personal fortune is estimated at one trillion dollars.

Compared to these Sifra, 20,000 dollars is estimated that the assets of the Russian oligarch and Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, seem little.

But for Real Madrid and its new edition of the "galactic" with Cristino Ronaldo, Kaka and company, which cost 250 million euros (about $ 286 million), the small City, which since 1976 does not win any title would set a record.

"A small-minded small club", was angered Sir Alex Ferguson, the coach of Manchester United, the great rival of the city and champion of England.

Ferguson complained that the City placed in the center of the city after the signing of Tevez great Argentine retatro of which read "Welcome to Manchester."

Now we will have to wait and see if all these charges and transfers sufficient to meet the objective of becoming "one of the biggest clubs in world" within a few years, the goal of Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

On his way to the desired height, the Manchester City will have to first break the supremacy of the "big four": Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. In recent years, these teams always disputed with each other fighting for the championship and qualifying for the Champions League.

But first, the coach of the City, Mark Hughes, who won more titles as a player that the City throughout its history, yet to be converted into a cohesive team to that handful of stars.

The "citizens" only last year managed to place tenth in the table despite the expensive signing of Brazilian international Robinho from Real Madrid.

Except Touré, other players have helped to improve the City's great weakness: defense. The fit 50 goals last season.

Similarly, large British stars such as Chelsea's captain and the selection, John Terry, and from abroad, such as Samuel Eto'o and Kaká, declined the offers and chose the City of Chelsea, Real Madrid or Inter Milan, respectively.

MLB Betting - New York Yankees vs. Seattle Mariners Odds

The New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Safeco Field.

Lefthander Andy Pettitte will take the mound for the Yankees to start this game. Pettitte is 9-6 this season with a 4.14 ERA.

The Mariners will counter Pettitte with Ryan Rowland-Smith. Lefthander Rowland-Smith has a 3.86 ERA to go along with a 2-1 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Yankees listed as 150-moneyline favorites versus the Mariners, while the game's total is sitting at 8½.

The Yankees opened a four-game series with a 11-1 win over the Mariners on Thursday, as -200 favorites. The 12 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8.5).

Hideki Matsui cracked two home runs and drove in five runs for the Yankees. C.C. Sabathia allowed just one run off three hits in eight innings of work.

Jack Wilson hit a solo home run to drive in the lone run for the Mariners, who were +180 underdogs. Ian Snell allowed eight runs off nine hits in six innings on the mound.

A few trends to consider:
NY Yankees are 10-1 SU in their last 11 games

NY Yankees are 12-3 SU in their last 15 games when playing Seattle

NY Yankees are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games on the road

Seattle is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home

Seattle is 3-12 SU in their last 15 games when playing NY Yankees

Dallas Cowboys vs. Oakland Raiders Betting Odds

The fans at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum will be treated to a preseason game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland Raiders when they take their seats on Thursday.

The Oakland Raiders Pick Under 34.5 for the 2009 NFL Preseason Week 1 Odds.

2009 team records:
Dallas: 9-7 SU, 7-9 ATS

Oakland: 5-11 SU, 7-9 ATS

Next up:
Dallas home to Tennessee, Friday, August 21

Oakland at San Francisco, Saturday, August 22

NFL Betting - New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles Picks

The New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Lincoln Financial Field in preseason action.

The Eagles are currently 3–point favorites with Total 33.

The New England Patriots are +3.5 Over 35 for the 2009 NFL Preseason Week 1 Odds.

2009 team records:
New England: 11-5 SU, 9-7 ATS

Philadelphia: 9-6-1 SU, 10-6 ATS

Next up:
New England home to Cincinnati, Thursday, August 20

Philadelphia at Indianapolis, Thursday, August 20

Detroit Tigers vs. Boston Red Sox Betting Odds & Predictions

The Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at Fenway Park.

The Tigers will give the ball to starter Rick Porcello in this one. Righthander Porcello is 10-7 this season with a 4.30 ERA.

Porcello's opponent in this one will be Junichi Tazawa. The Red Sox righthander has a 0.00 ERA to go along with a 0-0 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Red Sox listed as 135-moneyline favorites versus the Tigers, while the game's total is sitting at 10.

Dustin Pedroia hit a two-run homer to lead the Red Sox over the Tigers 6-5 on Monday night.

Boston won as -105 home underdogs as the game played OVER the 9.5-run total listed by oddsmakers.

Nick Green knocked in a pair of runs for the Red Sox, while Ramon Ramirez picked up the win in relief of starter Brad Penny for Boston.

Marcus Thames drove in two runs for Detroit, as Zach Miner was handed the loss after coming into the game after Tigers starter Edwin Jackson.

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games on the road

The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Detroit's last 8 games when playing on the road against Boston

The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Detroit's last 18 games on the road

Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit

The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games at home

Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Detroit

The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games when playing at home against Detroit

Next up:
Boston home to Detroit, Wednesday, August 12

MLB Betting - Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees Odds

The New York Yankees will be trying to extend a winning streak on Monday when they take on the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.

The Blue Jays will give the ball to starter Marc Rzepczynski in this one. Lefthander Rzepczynski is 1-3 this season with a 3.74 ERA.

It'll be Sergio Mitre toeing the rubber for the Yankees in this contest. Righthander Mitre is 1-0 with a 7.50 ERA so far this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Yankees listed as 150-moneyline favorites versus the Blue Jays, while the game's total is sitting at 10½.

The Blue Jays defeated Baltimore 7-3 as a -230 favorite on Sunday. The 10 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (7.5).

Marco Scutaro was 4-5 with a home run and two RBI for Toronto and Roy Halladay allowed two earned runs on nine hits over eight innings.

The Yankees defeated Boston 5-2 as a -105 favorite on Sunday. The seven runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9.5).

Andy Pettitte pitched seven shutout innings for New York, while Mark Teixeira, Johnny Damon and Alex Rodriguez all hit solo home runs in the win.

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing NY Yankees

The total has gone OVER in 6 of Toronto's last 8 games

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games on the road

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees

NY Yankees are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home

NY Yankees are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games

NY Yankees are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing Toronto

The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 5 games when playing Toronto

Next up:
NY Yankees home to Toronto, Tuesday, August 11

Chelsea wins Community Shield to Manchester United

With Petr Cech as shown, Carlo Ancelotti held his first title as a coach of Chelsea on Sunday to win the Community Shield with a 4-1 victory for Manchester United on the criminal.

The traditional party that opens the curtain on the English soccer season was not a recital, but had a hot.

With the score 1-1, Patrice Evra had been lying on the pitch after an absence of Michael Ballack. The arbitrator ordered never stop the game and the wheel Frank Lampard ended the confusion by taking advantage of rivals to score a goal in the 2-1.

On both caused a strong reaction from United players, claiming that the action should have been nullified by the lack of Evra.

The champions of the Premier League, however, managed to equalize in extra time through Wayne Rooney.

United had Nani advancement to the 10 minutes, but Ricardo Carvalho tied at 52.

The duel was a criminal, where the Ivorian Salomon Kalou converted the decisive shot, after Cech tapara the auction of Ryan Giggs and Evra in the batch from the 12 steps.

Manchester United - Chelsea 2-2 (1-4 on penalties)

Goals:

Manchester United: Nani (10), Rooney (90 +2)

Chelsea: Carvalho (52), Lampard (70)

Penalty´s:

Manchester United: Giggs (failed), Carrick (marked), Evra (failed)

Chelsea: Lampard (marked), Ballack (marked), Drogba (marked), Kalou (marked)