Soccer Sports News & Betting

Santos, the team Pele made famous, defeated Santo Andre 3-2 on Sunday in the first leg of the Sao Paulo state championship final in Brazil, making it a strong favorite for the title going into the return leg.

Santos can win its 18th state title - its first since 2007 - even if it loses the second leg next weekend by one goal.

“We have a bigger advantage now going into the second match,” Santos right back Leo said. “But Santo Andre showed its strength and we will need to be careful.”

Wesley scored two second-half goals to lead Santos to the victory.

Santos is heavily favored over the small club from the outskirts of Sao Paulo and is led by Robinho and young players Neymar and Paulo Henrique Ganso.

Robinho is back at Santos on loan from Manchester City, but much of the attention has been on Neymar and Ganso with fans and local media wanting coach Dunga to select them for the World Cup.

The Rio de Janeiro state championship ended last week after Botafogo defeated Flamengo 2-1 in the Rio Cup final. Botafogo automatically clinched the overall title because it had also won the Guanabara Cup, the competitions first stage.

The Brazilian league starts in two weeks with the state championships being played across the country.

In Mexico, the eight-team playoffs are set in the Clausura championship.

America claimed the final spot on Sunday, beating Santos 1-0 at Aztec Stadium through Angel Reynas seventh-minute goal.

Seven of the eight teams had already qualified before Sunday: defending champion Monterrey, Guadalajara Chivas, Toluca, Pumas, Santos Laguna, Morelia, Pachuca. The quarterfinal playoffs start next weekend in a home and away series.

In the playoffs, its: Monterrey-Pachuca, Chivas-Morelia, Pumas-Santos and America-Toluca.

Reyna summed up his winning goal.

“Miracles exist,” he said. “I lit an extra candle at home and its thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe that we will get another chance.”

Reyna was referring to the countrys patron saint, who is widely revered in Mexico and often used as a symbol of the nation.

Defending champion Monterrey will be the favorite to win back to back titles, the Rayados having lost only one of 17 matches in the regular season.

Chivas won a record eight consecutive matches to start the season, but won only two more after that. Though Chivas finished second, it has played the last month without five of its top players who are away at a training camp for Mexicos World Cup team.

Three players finished equal for the scoring title with 10 goals in the Clausura: Herculez Gomez of Puebla, Javier Hernandez of Chivas and Johan Fano of Atlante. Hernandez has not played for Chivas for a month and Gomez was suspended from Puelbas final match after picking up two yellow cards last weekend.

Gomez, who was born in Los Angeles to Mexico-born parents, is the first U.S. player to win or share the regular season scoring title.

In Argentina, Estudiantes went back to the top of the standings in the Clausura tournament with a 1-0 victory Saturday over River Plate. It was Estudiantes fourth straight victory with three rounds remaining.

The victory improved Estudiantes to 33 points, one ahead of Argentinos Junior and two in front of Godoy Cruz and Independiente. Argentinos Juniors defeated Gimnasia on Sunday 3-1.

Independiente drew 0-0 at Hurucan on Saturday and Godoy Cruz defeated Chacarita 1-0 on Friday.

In Chile, Colo Colo took over the league lead with a 1-0 victory over Universidad de Chile with Argentine Ezequiel Miralles getting the winner. Colo Colo played a man short when Miralles was sent off in the 35th on a red card just minutes after scoring.

Colo Colo has 26 points and Universidad de Chile 25. It was the last match for Colo Colos Argentine coach Hugo Tocalli, who said last week he would be leaving for “family reasons.” Tocalli has been under pressure since Colo Colo was knocked out of the Copa Libertadores.

Results of 16th-round weekend matches in Argentinas Clausura tournament:

Sunday matches

Argentinos Juniors 3, Gimnasia 1

Racing Club 2, Banfield 0

Atl.Tucuman 2, Rosario Central 2

Boca Juniors 2, San Lorenzo 0

Saturday matches

Lanus 4, Arsenal 1

Newells 5, Colon 0

Estudiantes 1, River Plate 0

Huracan 0, Independiente 0

Friday matches

Velez Sarsfield 1, Tigre 0

Godoy Cruz 1, Chacarita 0

Manchester United ended Tottenhams winning run Saturday with a 3-1 victory that kept the pressure on Chelsea at the top of the Premier League.

Barcelona beat last-place Xerez 3-1 on Saturday to stay top of the Spanish league ahead of title rival Real Madrid, which remained one point back of the defending champion after Kaka scored the winner in a temperamental 2-1 win at Zaragoza.

Inter Milan rallied to beat Atalanta 3-1 to return to the top of Serie A, at least until AS Roma plays Sunday.

Schalke kept alive its hopes of winning the Bundesliga title with a 1-0 win at Hertha Berlin, pulling even with Bayern Munich as the leader stumbled to a 1-1 draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Falkirks attempt to avoid relegation from the Scottish Premier League was hit Saturday by a 1-0 home loss to Hamilton.

Panathinaikos won its 17th Greek Cup title and the domestic double with Sebastian Leto scoring on a 30-yard shot in the 63rd minute before 50,000 at Olympic Stadium.

Freddy Adu entered as an 80th minute substitute.

Before the game, there were clashes between fans and police outside the stadium. At least 55 fans were detained and 18 arrested, with nine police officers injured.

A long-range shot by Pablo Mastroeni gave the in-form Colorado Rapids a 2-1 win away at New England Revolution in Major League Soccer on Saturday.

Moroccan midfielder Mehdi Bellouchy put the visitors ahead in the 14th minute, but New England equalized five minutes later through Serbian midfielder Marko Perovic.

Colorado captain Mastroeni snatched all three points with 25-yard ground-hugging drive, giving the Rapids three straight wins.

New York Red Bulls 2, Philadelphia Union 1

In Harrison, New Jersey, Juan Pablo Angels 67th minute penalty was enough for New York to down Philadelphia.

The ex-Aston Villa striker has three goals in two games and was a franchise-best 48th of his career for New York. He was awarded the penalty for handball against Philadelphia defender Michael Orozco.

Former Brugge forward Salou Ibrahim opened the scoring for New York in the 50th minute, and ex-Lorient striker Sebastien Le Toux equalized nine minutes later.

The Red Bulls have won four of five games, after just five wins in all of last season.

Columbus Crew 1, Real Salt Lake 0

In Columbus, Ohio, veteran Argentine forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto scored from the spot in the 38th minute to settle a clash of the past two MLS champions.

Salt Lake upset the Crew in the playoffs last year en route to its first MLS Cup, but went 34 minutes without a shot at one point and didnt force a save until the 84th minute.

Former Boca Juniors and Estudiantes schemer Schelotto got his third goal of the season after Real Salt Lake defender Robbie Russell knocked down Robbie Rogers in the area.

Brazils sports minister says some cities slated to host World Cup games in 2014 may be removed from the list if they dont start refurbishing their stadiums or build new ones soon.

Orlando Silva says many cities did not meet the March 31 deadline to begin renovating their stadiums or build new ones. Unless they meet the second deadline on May 3, they run the risk of being excluded from the World Cup.

FIFA has approved 12 cities to host the 2014 games in Brazil. Silva says eight would be enough for the event. He did not say what cities were running behind schedule.

Silva made his remarks on Friday at a business forum.

Portugals Benfica will play a postseason friendly at Major League Soccers New England Revolution on May 19.

The 32-time Portuguese league champions have a six-point lead with three games left.

Benficas roster includes Portugal internationals Carlos Martins, David Luis, Quim and Nuno Gomes; and Argentinas Aimar and Javier Saviola. However, players with national teams preparing for the World Cup will miss the friendly, which was announced Friday.

AC Milan, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Legia Warsaw and Red Star Belgrade also have announced postseason U.S. tours.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Glasgow Rangers, Glasgow Celtic, Valencia and Sporting Lisbon have planned preseason tours in July and August.

Soccer betting – Pick Draw +279

Online betting players are in for a wild game on Saturday in London, where a number of ex-Arsenal players will be in a Manchester City uniform when the Blues visit the Gunners, and one made headlines for inciting the fans in the first game. But Man City’s inability to put teams away on the road, coupled with Arsenal’s form at home, will give each team a point.

Soccer betting odds: Pick Draw +279

What: Soccer betting
When: Saturday, April 24, 12:30 PM ET
Where: Emirates Stadium, London, England
Defending Champion: Man City has seven draws in 17 away games this year

The Storyline: Man City vs Arsenal Picks

Arsenal sits comfortably in third place, but they can’t get complacent as they’ve dropped their last two games away at Tottenham and Wigan, and in the latter, they lost a 2-0 lead to fall 3-2. Man City are two points behind Tottenham in the race for the final Champions League spot, and they dropped two vital points by giving up a goal in injury time of a 1-0 loss to Manchester United at home. But on a side note, this is the return to the Emirates for Man City’s Emmanuel Adebayor, the former Arsenal striker who ran the length of the pitch to celebrate a goal in front of the Arsenal fans in a 4-2 win back in September, earning a two-game suspension, and he is sure to get a frosty reception, at best.

Offensive Matchups: Man City vs Arsenal Picks

City combined to score 11 goals against Burnley and Birmingham, but were held scoreless against United. An attack with Adebayor and Carlos Tevez should be feared, but they can be inconsistent. This could be a game for Craig Bellamy, who doesn’t fear anyone and will run right at an Arsenal defense that has had problems.

Arsenal misses captain Cesc Fabregas’ ingenuity in the middle of the park, and there is no one to pull the strings for the Gunners. Samir Nasri has been Fabregas-lite, which is decent, but not great, and Theo Walcott’s pace can cause problems. Robin van Persie is being worked cautiously into the lineup after he came back too early from his last injury. If Andrei Arshavin isn’t at least 90% healthy, the Gunners’ best sportsbook odds may be in trouble.

Free pick: Man City

Defensive Matchups: Man City vs Arsenal Picks

Kolo Toure will be returning to play against his old team, and former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira may also feature, which gives City a solid defensive presence in front of Shay Given. Vieira may be used as Joleon Lescott is out, and Arsenal will surely have a lot of possession.

Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas have been hurt, which leaves Arsenal with Sol Campbell and Mikael Silvestre. Yes, that’s as bad as it gets, and they showed their age against Wigan, even though Silvestre scored. They’re just a step slower than most forwards, and that hurts Arsenal, especially with no defensive midfielder to break up passes. Abou Diaby tries very hard, but he’s probably better going forward.

Free sports picks: Man City

Notable Injuries: Man City vs Arsenal Picks

Sylvinho (calf) and Martin Petrov (knee) may be back for this game, but no luck for Lescott (hamstring).

Arsenal has been decimated by injuries: Vermaelen (calf) Fabregas (knee), Gallas (calf) and Kieran Gibbs (foot) are all out, but Arshavin (calf) and Johan Djourou (knee) could be available.

Free picks: Man City

Totals: Man City vs Arsenal Picks

Five of the last 10 between these two have gone over the posted total, including three of the last five, and their 4-2 meeting in Manchester in September was an open affair. Arsenal will still try to play that way, but without Fabregas, they’re simply not as good. Their injuries at the back will also hurt them while trying to stop the City attack.

Pick: Over 2.5

Sports betting: Man City vs Arsenal Picks

Arsenal has won six and drawn one of their last 10 against City, who have two draws and three losses in their last five trips to Arsenal. This will be an emotionally charged trip as Toure and Vieira were part of the Arsenal team that went unbeaten in 2003-04, while Sylvinho is another former Arsenal man. But the crowd will be all over Adebayor for his antics in September, and he has to keep his head about him; remember, he received another suspension for stomping on van Persie in that same game, so he has a bit of a temper. Man City really should win this match, but they’ve had problems closing out games on the road with seven draws in their 17 away matches, and Arsenal, despite their injury woes, are an excellent home team with 14 wins. Call it even in your sports betting book.

Soccer picks: Draw +279

Soccer betting – Pick Man United -200

Online betting players have watched Tottenham play some excellent soccer this year, and they’re on the verge of a major spot in Europe. However, on Sunday, they’ll head to Manchester to face Man United, who have owned Spurs, especially at home, and that trend shouldn’t change on Saturday.

Soccer betting odds: Pick Man United -200

What: Soccer betting
When: Saturday, April 24, 7:45 AM ET
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
Defending Champion: United is 7-3-0 in their last 10 against Tottenham

The Storyline: Man United vs Tottenham Picks

United is a single point behind Chelsea at the top of the table, and they were given a hand when Tottenham defeated their London rivals last weekend. Spurs are a point ahead of Manchester City for the final Champions League spot in fourth place, so they would do well not to drop any points, either. It doesn’t look likely, though: United have won seven and drawn three of their last 10 against Spurs.

Offensive Matchups: Man United vs Tottenham Picks

United’s offense has scored just once in the last two games, and many are wondering how healthy Wayne Rooney’s ankle really is. Rooney, who leads the Premiership with 26 goals, only sat out one game after he aggravated the injury in United’s Champions League loss to Bayern Munich, and they may be left to rue the inability to resign Carlos Tevez, who went across town to Man City. But still, as last week’s derby win over City showed, they have players like Paul Scholes who can chip in with timely goals.

Spurs notched four goals last week in wins over Arsenal and Chelsea, but Jermain Defoe scored just one, off a penalty. The key has been Gareth Bale, who was tipped for stardom as a 17-year-old, but then counted out. Now, at 20, Bale has been a force on the left side for Spurs, which is even more important with the injured Aaron Lennon on the right. Spurs don’t have the attack that United has, but with Bale improving by the game, the gap isn’t that big.

Free pick: Man United

Defensive Matchups: Man United vs Tottenham Picks

United’s defense has been much better since Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Edwin van der Sar all healthy, and even though Ferdinand is being listed with a groin injury, he should be fine on Saturday. The interesting thing here may be the availability of Owen Hargreaves, who has spent most of his time in Manchester in the trainer’s room with a knee injury. Hargreaves was brought in to sit in front of the back four, but with his lack of game action, he probably won’t make a huge impact on this game.

Spurs may have the best keeper in the league in Gomes, who has made everyone at Tottenham forget all about Paul Robinson’s time in London. Michael Dawson may also be playing himself into a role with the English team in South Africa this summer, for cover at least. Bale can go back and play at left back, which puts pressure on the opposing team’s winger.

Betting picks: Draw

Notable Injuries: Man United vs Tottenham Picks

Check on the availability of Ferdinand (groin) before heading to your best sportsbook, while Wes Brown (foot) may also be back.

Lennon (groin) is no closer to coming back for Spurs.

Free picks: Man United

Totals: Man United vs Tottenham Picks

Three of the last five games between these two have gone over the posted total, and both teams like to play a wide-open style, so we’re going with the over here once again.

Pick: Over 2.5

Sports betting: Man United vs Tottenham Picks

Spurs are finally in position to snag a Champions League spot, but they’ll be up against it at Old Trafford, where United has 14 wins, two losses and a draw. Spurs have six wins, five losses and five draws on the road, and they’re winless in their last five trips to Old Trafford with four losses and a draw. With that track record, it’s tough to take Tottenham with a sports betting pick. Look for United to do their City rivals a favor with a win.

Soccer picks: Man United -200

Jeff Cunningham scored his second penalty of the match in stoppage time to give Dallas a 2-2 draw with the Seattle Sounders in Major League Soccer on Thursday.

In the 94th minute, just before the officials were about to end the match,

Jason Yeisley forced his way through Seattle defenders Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Leo Gonzalez inside the penalty area and was taken down for a foul after four minutes of injury time.

Cunningham, who led the MLS with 17 goals last year, then slotted a low shot just inside the left post for his third goal of the season.

Cunningham opened the scoring with his first penalty in the 27th minute before Steve Zakuani equalized for the Sounders in the 38th.

Fredy Montero put the Sounders ahead in the 55th minute when he boomed a perfectly executed free kick from 40 meters that sailed over the wall of Dallas defenders and curled just inside the upper left corner of the net, past goalkeeper Dario Sala.

With the draw, Seattle moved into sole possession of second place in the Western Conference.

Grueling journeys over land took their toll as Liverpool lost 1-0 at Atletico Madrid, and Fulham was held to a 0-0 tie at Hamburg in their Europa League semifinal first legs Thursday night.

American midfielder Clint Dempsey returned from a thigh injury that caused him to miss three games, entering in the 53rd minute for Fulham. The 27-year-old from Nacogdoches, Texas, missed the quarterfinal second leg at Wolfsburg and Premier League games against Liverpool and Wolverhampton after injuring a thigh late in the match against Wigan on April 4.

“We were a bit tired in the legs, but in the end its a good performance,” Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer said. “Weve done fantastically well to limit them to so few chances and its a really admirable performance that gives us hope for the return leg (next Thursday).”

Former Manchester United forward Diego Forlan scored in the ninth minute for Atletico.

“There was a lot I was not happy about tonight, but I dont think we were too tired,” Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said. “We go back to Anfield which will be packed with our great fans and we are not out of the match. Definitely not.”

Volcanic ash that turned much of Europe into a no-fly zone forced the teams to travel by train or bus.

The second legs are in England next Thursday, with the winners advanced to the final at Hamburg on May 12.