Inter remains the team to beat in Serie A
Soccer Betting Lines
08/27/2010 - Milan, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Inter Milan has dominated Serie A over the past four seasons, and after a summer transfer period that has been extremely uneventful, the Nerazzurri will enter the season as favorites to retain their title.
Inter returns almost the same team that captured the treble last season, minus talented but troubled striker Mario Balotelli, while the biggest loss could be felt on the bench, as former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez replaces the departed Jose Mourinho, who left for Real Madrid.
Benitez failed to capture the UEFA Super Cup on Friday in a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid, meaning that Inter's Serie A campaign will not get underway until Monday, when the club travels to Bologna.
Roma has been the chief opposition to Inter over the past few years, finishing as runners-up in both the league and Coppa Italia last season. But outside of adding Brazilian striker Adriano over the summer, the club failed to make any other significant additions, which leaves them a little short on talent when compared to Inter.
Claudio Ranieri's side opens its season at home against promoted club Cesena, while AC Milan will host Lecce.
Milan also failed to make any big moves over the summer, but they are hopeful that they can reach a deal with Barcelona for striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic before the close of the transfer window next week.
The former Inter sniper would be a welcome addition to a Milan attack that sorely needs some freshening up.
Juventus endured a horrible campaign last season, finishing seventh in Serie A. The club is now hoping a number of new signings, most notably Italy international Fabio Quagliarella, can help to reverse its fortunes, and the Old Lady will begin its season on the road at Bari.
Genoa visits Udinese on Saturday with both teams entertaining hopes of a spot in Europe, while Napoli made one of the biggest moves of the summer with the capture of Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani from Palermo.
Napoli finished last season in sixth place and the team will be looking to push into the top four this season, which starts with an away match at Fiorentina.
The Viola ended last season in a disappointing 11th place, and they will also be without one of their top players, Stevan Jovetic, for the first half of the season after he ruptured his cruciate ligament in early August.
In other action on the opening weekend of Serie A, Catania visits Chievo, Palermo hosts Cagliari, Brescia hits the road to meet Parma and Sampdoria tangles with Lazio.
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fulham signed Mexican defender Carlos Salcido from PSV Eindhoven on Friday and signed him to a three-year contract. Salcido, 30, played every minute for Mexico at the recent FIFA World Cup in South
<< Galaxy look to stifle surging Wizards
Carson, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Galaxy host the Kansas City
Wizards in a Major League Soccer fixture at The Home Depot Center on Saturday
night.
The Galaxy (13-4-4) still sit atop the league with 43 points, but ha
<< Newcastle signs Ivory Coast midfielder Tiote
Newcastle, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Newcastle signed Ivory Coast defensive
midfielder Cheick Tiote from Dutch side FC Twente on Friday.
The 24-year-old Ivory Coast international passed a physical and the deal
was sealed after he
<< Blackpool signs Varney on season-long loan
Blackpool, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Blackpool signed striker Luke Varney on
a season-long loan deal from Derby County on Friday.
Blackpool has the option to sign the 27-year-old on a permanent basis at the
end of the deal.
"He is a
<< Reds place P Leake on DL
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cincinnati Reds placed right-hander Mike
Leake on the 15-day disabled list Friday with right shoulder fatigue.
Leake, whose move is retroactive to August 25, has an 8-4 record with a 4.23
earned run
Blackburn, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Blackburn signed former Manchester City and Portsmouth striker Benjani Mwaruwari to a one-year contract Friday. Mwaruwari, 32, was signed on a free transfer. The Zimbabwe international was released by
Bordeaux signs Tunisia midfielder Ben Khalfallah >>
Bordeaux, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bordeaux signed Tunisia midfielder Fahid
Ben Khalfallah from Valenciennes on Friday.
Ben Khalfallah, 27, signed a four-year contract with Bordeaux, which needed to
replace playmaker Yoann Gourcuff in mi
Canada Basketball sets roster for Worlds >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Canada Basketball announced Friday its final
12-man roster for the 2010 FIBA World Championship.
The roster includes NBA players: Joel Anthony of the Miami Heat and Andy
Rautins of the New York Knicks.
X-rays on hand of Colts LB Brackett negative >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Indianapolis Colts linebacker Gary
Brackett will not face significant time off, after X-rays taken on his right
hand were negative.
The Indy Star reported on Friday that a source close to the
Simao calls it quits on Portugal career >>
Lisbon, Portugal (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Portugal winger Simao Sabrosa announced on
Friday that his international career has come to an end.
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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.
Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.
El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.
MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds.
Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.
New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.
Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''
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