Van der Vaart denies Chelsea rumors

Soccer Betting Lines

03/30/2009 - Madrid, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Netherlands midfield ace Rafael van der Vaart has denied reports suggesting that he is close to agreeing to a move to Chelsea from Real Madrid.

The 26-year-old has struggled to make his mark at the Bernabeu since his switch from Hamburg last summer, but van der Vaart insists that he is focused on matters in hand with Real.

He told his official website: "I hear there are rumors about me wanting to go to Chelsea, but I have never said that.

"I have not yet decided on my future. I don't know anything about it.

"At Real Madrid a lot of things are going to happen in the summer, a new president and maybe a new coach. So I'll just wait and see."

The Dutch playmaker had previously been quoted as saying: "Fortunately for me Chelsea want me, so I have everything clear.

"If Guus Hiddink remains at the helm of Chelsea, I hope that the signing will be closed soon. I want to leave Real Madrid."

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)

Wwwlasseters Soccer Betting News

<< Oklahoma cruises past Pitt on way to Elite Eight
Oklahoma City, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Freshman Whitney Hand poured in a career- high 22 points to power the top-seeded Oklahoma Sooners over the fourth-seeded Pittsburgh Panthers, 70-59, in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament's Oklahom

<< Suns' playoff hopes take a hit in loss to lowly Kings
Sacramento, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jason Thompson was one of seven Kings in double figures, logging 21 points and eight rebounds as Sacramento dealt Phoenix's playoff chances a crushing blow in a 126-118 decision over the Suns. Spen

<< Williams sisters continue to cruise, Safina ousted in Miami
Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sisters Serena and Venus Williams won their matches in straight sets Sunday and advanced to the fourth round of the $4.5 million Sony Ericsson Open. Top-ranked Serena topped China's Peng Shuai, the 32n

<< Pair of Hockey East teams highlight 2009 Frozen Four
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Boston University and the University of Vermont, both from Hockey East, highlight the final four schools in the NCAA men's ice hockey tournament, set for April 9-11 at Verizon Center in Washing

<< Hornets gain ground, but Spurs clinch playoff spot after Suns lose
New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - David West went 11-for-11 from the free throw line as part of a 23-point effort, and the New Orleans Hornets made up some ground in the Southwest Division with a 90-86 victory over the San Antonio

Kroenke increases stake in Arsenal >>
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - American business tycoon Stan Kroenke has increased his stake in Arsenal to just over 20 percent after purchasing further shares from fellow director Danny Fiszman. The Gunners board have acted t

Cannavaro cools Real exit rumors >>
Madrid, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Veteran Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro has played down reports linking him with a move back to Italy to join AC Milan next summer. The 35-year-old central defender is out of contract at the end of the

Petrov nears return for City >>
Manchester, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Long-term injury absentee Martin Petrov has handed Manchester City a timely boost by returning to training. The 30-year-old Bulgaria international winger has been sidelined by knee ligament damag

Hull City chairman seeks Fabregas apology >>
Hull, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hull City chairman Paul Duffen says he would draw a line under the club's case against Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas if the Gunners midfielder issued an apology. Fabregas is alleged to have spat in the dire

Hangeland dismisses Fulham exit talk >>
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Key Fulham defender Brede Hangeland has again poured cold water on continuing rumors linking him with a move away from Craven Cottage. The 27-year-old Norway international has been in outstanding fo

How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?

The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.

While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.

For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.

1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.

2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.

How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.

Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.

Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.

How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).

Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.

Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.