Bad week gets worse for Rangers

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02/18/2012 - Glasgow, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After being forced into administration and subsequently docked 10 points this past week, Rangers misery was compounded on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock at Ibrox.

The deduction of points leaves Rangers 14 back of red-hot Celtic, which can extend that advantage further on Sunday with a win at Hibernian.

Ally McCoist's side was eager to start well and almost did when Lee McCulloch's header was cleared off the goal line by Killie's Garry Hay.

But the visitors took the lead in the 12th minute when defender Dorin Goian slipped, allowing Dean Shiels to beat goalkeeper Allan McGregor with a low shot.

The home side had a goal called back for offsides before being dealt another blow as Sasa Papac earned himself a straight red card for a poor challenge on Liam Kelly.

McCulloch thought he had equalized midway through the second half for Rangers, but his headed goal was brought back for a foul in the build up, leaving Rangers with its first home defeat of the league season.

Motherwell 3, Hearts 0

Motherwell, Scotland - Motherwell closed the gap on second-place Rangers with a 3-0 home victory against Hearts which moves the club to within six points of the Glasgow side.

The hosts scored two goals in the final 10 minutes of the first half to seize control of the match as Keith Lasley's shot took a deflection off of Hearts defender Andy Webster and found the back of the net for an own goal.

Jamie Murphy made it 2-0 when he headed home a cross from Lasley, who was sent off early in the second half after collecting a second yellow card.

But Nicky Law only added a third goal the rest of the way for Motherwell, which still has a game in hand on Rangers and could make the race for second place an interesting one.

Dunfermline 1, Inverness 1

Dunfermline, Scotland - Dunfermline could have moved off the bottom of the league table on Saturday but conceded a second-half goal and had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Inverness.

Joe Cardle put Dunfermline in front on the stroke of halftime when Martin Hardie's free kick crashed off the crossbar and was finished on the rebound by the midfielder.

But Inverness claimed a point with 15 minutes to play when Nick Ross was on hand at the back post to sweep home a low cross from Jonathan Hayes.

Dunfermline is now level on points with Hibernian at the bottom of the league, but Hibs has two games in hand.

Dundee United 0, St. Mirren 0

Dundee, Scotland - Dundee United and St Mirren played to a 0-0 draw at Tannadice Park on Saturday in a match that saw few scoring chances.

St Mirren has drawn four of its last five games to move 10 points off the bottom of the table while Dundee United remains two points above its opposition in the middle of the league.

The best chance for either side came in the closing minutes for St Mirren when a good cross from Dougie Imrie for substitute Nigel Hasselbaink failed to be finished off by the Dutchman, who should have scored.

Cbssportslinr Soccer Betting News

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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