Sports Picks and Analysis-January 30 ESPN Streak for the Cash
Jan 27, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy (rear) is congratulated by left wing Viktor Stalberg (25) and defenseman Johnny Oduya (27) and center Jonathan Toews (right) for scoring the game winning goal during overtime at the United Center. The Blackhawks beat the Red Wings 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Just two days remain in January’s edition of Streak for the Cash. Thankfully Wednesday brings a full schedule of picks starting at noon and going all the way to 11:05 PM ET. There’s a nice variety of sports as is usual this time of year with international, EPL, and Copa del Rey soccer to go with plenty of hoops and hockey tonight. Here’s the picks I like the most
1/30 Streak Picks
12:00- Ivory Coast win: Ivory Coast has dominated play so far in Group D winning 2-1 and 3-0. Algeria has been on the other extreme picking up a pair of losses 1-0 to Tunisia and 2-0 to Togo. The only question here will be if the Elephants of the Ivory Coast will be motivated since they’ve already locked up the group and are into the knockout round. My guess is that they’ll still come out hungry and firing looking to continue their emergence as the team to beat at the Africa Cup of Nations. Algeria was supposed to be better than they’ve played, but their inability to score has cost them. I expect more of the same this afternoon. Confidence Meter: 4 (out of 10)
12:00- Togo win or draw: In the other Group D game, Togo is a -143 favorite getting the draw. Both these teams are 1-0-1 but Togo has a +1 goal differential while Tunisia is at -2. Unlike the other game, this one has huge repercussions with the winner moving on. In the event of a tie, Togo would move on due to goal differential. Togo has gotten good performances from goalkeeper Kossi Agassa and goal scorer Emmanuel Adebayor which should be enough to get them into the knockout stage with at least a draw in this match. Confidence Meter: 5
2:45- Liverpool win or draw: Liverpool has won three of four in EPL play with their one loss coming by a single goal at Man United. Arsenal has won outright just one of their four EPL matches this year. Aresenal played just four days ago in the FA Cup and were able to get a 3-2 win on the road while Liverpool lost on Sunday to Oldham Athletic bouncing them from the FA Cup in the fourth round. Both teams used modified lineups for the matchups and should return to their usual starters in this one. With the draw, I’ll take a young Liverpool team to get the green on the road. Confidence Meter: 3
3:00- Any Other Result: Southampton has only lost by three goals two times all season as they head to Man U to take on the Red Devils. Man U has been very good at home, but have only won three games with a margin of three or more. Southampton played well in their first matchup before losing 3-2 and I think they’ll be able to keep this relatively close as well. It’s definitely possible that ManU wins by 3+, but it’s not the more likely outcome. Confidence Meter: 6
Jan 26, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Villanova Wildcats head coach Jay Wright talks with guard Darrun Hilliard (4) during the first half against the Syracuse Orange at the Wells Fargo Center. Villanova defeated Syracuse 75-71 during overtime. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
6:02- Villanova wins or Single-Digit Loss: Nova are 7 1/2 point underdogs as they head to South Bend to take on Notre Dame but just have to stay within 10 to cover in this prop. Their recent play has been downright amazing having knocked off then-#4 Louisville and then-#3 Syracuse in their last two games both of which happened at home. They were playing better even before their big wins having lost only two of their previous eight by double-digits and recovering from an early difficult stretch where they lost four of five including games to Lasalle and Columbia. Those struggles are way behing them now as they take on a Fighting Irish team that has underwhelmed in conference play. The Irish have lost to three unranked Big East teams including a pair of ugly home losses to Georgetown and UConn. They haven’t won any of their last five by double-digits and I don’t think that Villanova will get run over the way they’re balling now. Confidence Meter: 7
7:03- Baylor winning Margin: The Baylor Bears host the Sooners of Oklahoma looking to continue their solid Big 12 play. Baylor has won five of six in conference with their only loss coming at Kansas. They beat Oklahoma State by 10 in their last home game before going on the road and lighting up TCU winning by 16. The Sooners come into this one of their own loss at Kansas and have dropped two of three after losing to K-State just over a week ago. They’ve struggled on the road this season with a 2-3 record in true road games. Baylor can be inconsistent, but they’ve picked things up since their Kansas loss and should be able to cover this prop at home. The Bears are favored by 6 1/2 and Oklahoma averages just under five three-pointers per game. Confidence Meter: 4
Jan 29, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) makes a save on a shot from Washington Capitals left wing Jason Chimera (25) in the third period against the Washington Capitals at Scotiabank Place. The Senators defeated the Capitals 3-2 Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
7:05- Ottawa Senators: Ottawa continued their nice start last night knocking off Washington while their fellow-countrymen the Canadiens dispatched the Winnipeg Jets 4-3. Both teams played their starting goalies last night, so we could see one or both backup net-minders in this one. I’ll go with the home team in what should be a good matchup as both teams rank in the top 10 goals per game and least goals allowed. Confidence Meter: 3
8:05- Chicago Bulls: The Bulls run to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks in the two teams’ final meeting of the regular season. The Bucks are actually 1.5 point favorites but did play last night in Detroit while Chicago hasn’t played in two days. So far the road team has won each game in the season series with the Bucks on top 2-1. I think the trend will continue as the Bulls go into the Bradley Center and get the win tonight. Both teams come in playing well with the Bulls winning four of five and the Bucks winning five of their last six. Confidence Meter: 4
8:05- Chicago Blackhawks: The Blackhawks look to extend their perfect start to the season as they head to Saint Paul to take on the Minnesota Wild. Corey Crawford has been great in goal for Chicago and the scoring has been spread out among 16 players with points. Minnesota had lost three in a row before squeaking out a victory over Columbus last night. Chicago has dominated the series recently and should be able to continue their dominance in this one. Confidence Meter: 6
9:05- St. John’s wins by double digits: The Red Storm host DePaul looking for their fifth win in a row. One of those wins was at DePaul by nine so at home, I think they can extend that and win by more than 10. DePaul has struggled in conference on the road losing their last two road games by substantial margins-Saturday at Pittsburgh by 38 and three weeks ago at UConn by 21. They did get a nice road win at Providence, but the Johnnies are rolling and should be able to cover the 7.5 point spread and win by more than ten. Confidence Meter: 5
10:40- LA Lakers: Steve Nash returns to the desert to take on the Suns as the Lakers start their longest road trip of the season with some momentum behind them. They’ve won their last three games over Utah, Oklahoma City, and New Orleans, and despite playing last night they should be able to go into Phoenix and win over the struggling Suns. Confidence Meter: 6
Jan, 26, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks forward E.J. Singler (25) dribbles the ball against the Washington Huskies at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
11:05- Oregon Ducks: Before you write this in as a lock, make sure you realize that the Ducks are actually underdogs as they visit Stanford getting 2.5 points. Stanford has been inconsistent in Pac-12 play but had a big win their last time out over Utah. Oregon also won their last game but only by five at home over Washington. They’re the last unbeaten team in the Pac-12 and they’ve been able to go on the road and get wins at USC and UCLA as well as at in-state rival Oregon State. It should be a good game tonight in Stanford, but I like the Ducks depth to carry them against a somewhat inconsistent Cardinal team. Confidence Meter: 7
January Scoreboard
Yesterday’s picks: 6-5
Overall Record: 160-150
Confident Picks (5+): 53-39
Current Streak: L1 (US Soccer)