Tag: bubble

MLS Picks: FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew SC odds and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew SC sports betting odds and lines, with MLS betting picks, tips and best bets.

FC Cincinnati (0 wins, 2 losses, 0 draws) tangle with their Buckeye state rivals the Columbus Crew (1-0-1) Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET in each club’s first game of the MLS is Back Tournament in the bubble at the Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. We analyze the Cincinnati-Columbus sports betting odds and lines at BetMGM, while providing MLS betting tips and picks around this matchup.

FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew: Key injuries

Cincinnati

  • F Jurgen Locadia (thigh) out

Place legal sports bets on MLS action in CO, IN, NJ and WV through BetMGM. Sign up and bet at BetMGM now!

FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew: MLS odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at noon ET.

Prediction

Columbus 2, Cincinnati 0

Moneyline (ML)

COLUMBUS (-110) is the more well-rounded club, and it will show in this one. It also helps that the Crew are completely healthy, while Locadia is a big loss for Cincinnati (+290), and it need all hands on deck since the defense was absolutely atrocious through the first two matches. Cincinnati allowed five goals in two outings, tied for the worst defense in the Eastern Conference.

A winning $10 wager on Columbus (-110) nets a profit of $9.10. A $10 wager on Cincinnati (+290) would net a $29 profit if it were to pull off the upset.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 2.5 (-121) is the way to be, as the Under is 3-1 through the first four matches of the MLS is Back Tournament, and it would be a perfect 4-0 if not for Orlando City SC’s game-winning tally at 90’+7 against Miami the other night. Cincinnati is rather punchless on offense, and you can expect some heavy legs and bit of a feeling out process for most of this battle.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet with BetMGM today. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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MLS Picks: Atlanta United FC vs. New York Red Bulls preview, odds and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Atlanta United FC vs. New York Red Bulls sports betting odds and lines, with MLS betting picks, tips and best bets.

Atlanta United FC (2 wins, 0 losses, 0 draws) square off with the New York Red Bulls (1-0-1) Saturday at 8 p.m. ET in each club’s first game of the MLS is Back Tournament in the bubble at the Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. We analyze the Atlanta-New York sports betting odds and lines at BetMGM, while providing MLS betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Atlanta United FC vs. New York Red Bulls: Key injuries

Atlanta

  • F Josef Martinez (knee) out

New York

  • D Aaron Long (hamstring) available
  • GK Ryan Meara (knee) available

Place legal sports bets on MLS action in CO, IN, NJ and WV through BetMGM. Sign up and bet at BetMGM now!

Atlanta United FC vs. New York Red Bulls: MLS odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 10:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Atlanta 2, New York 1

Moneyline (ML)

ATLANTA (+115) was playing better than anyone in the Eastern Conference before the pause in early March. While it’s difficult to glean much from a two-match sample size, Atlanta United consistently finds the back of the net, even without their star striker Martinez.

They were tied for the most goals in the Eastern Conference through two matches, and they’ll do enough against a defensively-challenged Red Bulls (+225) side to come away with the victory.

A winning $10 wager on Atlanta (+115) nets a profit of $11.50. A $10 wager on New York (+225) would fetch a $22.50 profit if the Red Bulls were able to come through with a win.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 2.5 (-154) is a bit on the costly side, but it will be worth it in the end. Both of these clubs were averaging 2.0 goals per game before the pause, and the Red Bulls yielded three markers early on. While these teams will be building up their stamina again as they get into the swing of things, a total of three goals shouldn’t be too difficult to achieve. Also, playing YES (-176) ON BOTH TEAMS WILL SCORE is a good wager, too.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet with BetMGM today. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Sixers express multitude of concerns about playing in Orlando bubble

A multitude of Philadelphia 76ers players have expressed concerns over the Orlando bubble.

The good news is, the NBA is returning! After being in suspension since March 11, the league has found a way to safely resume the season at Disney World in Orlando.

The bad news is, the world is still dealing with a global pandemic and it can be tough playing under such conditions and Joel Embiid already expressed that he hated this idea. The Philadelphia 76ers will be one of the 22 teams heading down to Orlando on Thursday to resume the season and it can be tough to play this way, but in the current circumstances, this is probably the best way they can handle things.

“I don’t think we should be playing, but I think the NBA is doing all that they can to make the environment safe as possible,” said Shake Milton. “So, my teammates want to play. We’re going down there to try and get a win.”

Glenn Robinson III agreed with Milton that this is probably the best idea the NBA could come up with to keep everybody safe at the moment.

“Obviously, you see all of the stuff on social media and hear all of the talks about it, but honestly, it’s as good of a job as they can do right now,” he echoed. “We see all of the money they’re spending. Just seeing the plan, hearing the action, I don’t know if we could get better than this right now for something that we’ve never done, but it should be interesting. It’s just the unknown, if someone gets it what happens? I think all of us are just thinking like that, but in terms of the NBA, I think it’s as good a job as they can do.”

A few members of the Sixers roster are fathers and they will be leaving their children for a while to go play basketball in the middle of a pandemic and a huge Civil Rights movement at the moment. All of that can be tough and draining for anybody.

“We’re just going off of ‘we’ll see’,” said Mike Scott “We just can only go off of what people are saying, explaining what it’s going to be like down there, and giving us an idea of what’s to come, but we don’t really know. We’re really just going off of ‘we’ll see what happens when we get down there’. Hopefully, they’ll try and make everybody safe, but that’s how I feel. We’ll see. I don’t know anything until I get down there and see.”

The Sixers will be staying at a hotel at Disney World for weeks and possibly months depending on how far they go into the playoffs. That can be really tough for a lot of guys to stay away from their family like that.

“I think the hardest thing will be just being away from the people we love and being away from our friends and family,” said guard Raul Neto. “I think that’s the thing I’m most concerned about and I think it’s going to be the hardest for me personally, because I think the NBA is doing a great job just setting the bubble the way they did with a lot of entertainment for us, with a lot of things that we can do besides basketball, protecting us.”

It is difficult for anybody to be away from their family and friends for this long time and try to focus on doing their job and playing basketball. None of this is going to be easy for anybody in the Orlando bubble.

“It’s pretty difficult,” Josh Richardson added. “I’m not excited to be in that situation, but I’m excited to play. I’m excited to go to war with my teammates so it’s a silver lining to everything so I’m excited for it.”

Even for a veteran like Al Horford, this is all so entirely new to him. He has been in the NBA for 13 years now and his mindset is so focused on just being prepared for any challenge thrown at him while in Orlando.

“The reality is that the world has changed for all of us,” he explained. “These are things that are unexpected and you can’t predict. Now, the way that I look at it we have another opportunity. We have a reset type of button and we’re healthy as a team. For me, it’s just about being as prepared as I can.”

Philadelphia begins their biggest challenge on August 1 against the Indiana Pacers. [lawrence-related id=34358,34321,34335]

MLS: Montreal vs. New England odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Montreal Impact vs. New England Revolution sports betting odds and lines, with MLS betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Montreal Impact (1 win, 0 losses, 1 draw) takes on the New England Revolution (0-1-1) Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in each club’s first game of the “MLS is Back Tournament” in the bubble at the Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. We analyze the Montreal-New England sports betting odds and lines, while providing MLS betting tips and picks around this matchup from BetMGM sportsbook.

Montreal vs. New England: Key injuries

Montreal

  • MF Steeven Saba (foot) doubtful

New England

  • MF Luis Caicedo (knee) out
  • D Andrew Farrell (left quad) questionable

Place legal sports bets on MLS action in CO, IN, NJ and WV through BetMGM. Sign up and bet at BetMGM now!

Montreal vs. New England: MLS odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Montreal 2, New England 2

Moneyline (ML)

Montreal (+250) edged New England (+100) by a 2-1 count Feb. 29 before the pause button was pressed due to the COVID-19 global pandemic situation. Now, they’ll square off in the bubble in Orlando. The difference here is that the Revolution will have a full cadre of DPs with F Gustavo Bou, F Adam Buksa and MF Carles Gil available for the first time. That will tip the scales more in their favor in a match which should see plenty of action. TIE (+275) IS THE BEST BET. Also, if this match were to end up 2-2, betting that for the “Correct Score” returns a healthy +1150.

A winning $10 wager on Montreal and New England settling for a draw nets a profit of $27.50. A $10 wager on the Correct Score ending up 2-2 nets a profit of $111.50 – basically, every $1 wager that wins will profit $11.50.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 3.5 (+150) could be quite the value here. The Impact were averaging 2.0 goals per match before the pause, while allowing 1.5 goals per match. The Revs netted two total goals while also allowing 1.5 goals per match. While I expect some clubs to start slow in the bubble, these sides are relatively healthy and could get off to a quick start. Over 2.5 (-162) is a safer play, and will cost you a lot more juice, but should be a slam-dunk play as well.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet with BetMGM today. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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MLS: New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union sports betting odds and lines, with MLS betting picks, tips and best bets.

New York City FC (0 wins, 2 losses, 0 draws) takes on Philadelphia Union (0-1-1) Thursday at 9 a.m. ET in the “MLS is Back Tournament” in the bubble at the Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. We analyze the New York City FC-Philadelphia Union sports betting odds and lines, while providing MLS betting tips and picks around this matchup from BetMGM sportsbook.

New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union: Key injuries

New York City FC

  • MF Nicolas Acevedo (coronavirus travel restrictions) available

Philadelphia Union

  • F Cory Burke (travel restrictions) out

Place legal sports bets on MLS action in CO, IN, NJ and WV through BetMGM. Sign up and bet at BetMGM now!

New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union: MLS odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 4:40 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Philadelphia Union 2, New York City FC 1

Moneyline (ML)

New York City FC (+135) was dropped 1-0 in each of its first two matches, showing off a lack of offense but tremendous defense and goalkeeping. PHILADELPHIA UNION (+180) is the better value here, as it found the back of the net three times in the first two games of the regular season while allowing five goals. Union’s lack of defense shouldn’t be an issue here against a New York side which is still looking for its first goal of 2020. A “Double Chance” bet taking Philadelphia or Tie (-176) might also be worth a small-unit wager if you’re just looking to dip your toe into the MLS betting pool and not get crazy until you get a bit of a preview.

A winning $10 wager on Philadelphia (+180) fetches a profit of $18.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 3.5 (-167) will cost you a bit of a pretty penny, and in normal times it might be a bit worrisome considering Philly’s lack of defense in the first two matches. However, we have a 9 a.m. ET start, as MLS scheduled games in the early morning or evening in Orlando to limit the exposure to the scorching hot Central Florida sun and weather issues. But teams might be a bit sluggish offensively, rolling out of bed and playing meaningful games. Look for a slow offensive start for both ends.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet with BetMGM today. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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MLS: Orlando City vs. Inter Miami odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Orlando City vs. Inter Miami sports betting odds and lines, with MLS betting picks, tips and best bets.

Orlando City (0 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw) battles new Florida rival Inter Miami (0-2-2) Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET in the first game of the “MLS is Back Tournament” in the bubble at the Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. We analyze the Orlando City-Inter Miami sports betting odds and lines, while providing MLS betting tips and picks around this matchup from BetMGM sportsbook.

Orlando City vs. Inter Miami: Key injuries

Orlando City

  • F Dom Dwyer (lower body) available

Inter Miami

  • MF George Acosta (knee) out
  • F Julian Carranza (foot) available
  • MF David Norman Jr. (ankle) out
  • D Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (ineligible) out
  • F Robbie Robinson (personal) out
  • D Roman Torres (suspension) out
  • D Denso Ulysse (lower leg) out

Place legal sports bets on MLS action in CO, IN, NJ and WV through BetMGM. Sign up and bet at BetMGM now!

Orlando City vs. Inter Miami: MLS odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 4:10 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Orlando City 1, Inter Miami 1

Moneyline (ML)

Both of these teams started out rather sluggish in the first two games of the MLS season. Orlando City (+200) picked up a point with a draw, but managed just one goal while allowing two. Inter Miami (+130) was equally impotent on offense, netting just one goal while yielding three. After a lengthy layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic, expect a lot of “feeling out” early on, heavy legs and sloppy-set pieces. Each team might be able to find a marker, but a scoreless match wouldn’t be shocking here, either. TIE (+250) IS THE BEST BET. It might be a good small-unit play to take the “Double Chance” wager with Orlando City or Tie (-167).

A winning $10 wager on Orlando City and Inter Miami settling for a draw nets a profit of $25.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 2.5 (+105) fetches plus-money, but it might be the way to go. The two sides are likely to look like they’re running in sand as they build up their fitness and stamina as guinea pigs in the first match of the tournament. During “normal” times, they weren’t exactly lighting the world afire offensively, so it’s strange that the Under is such a value here.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet with BetMGM today. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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The WNBA’s bubble at IMG Academy is already a disaster

Already.

The differences in how WNBA players and NBA players are treated have always been stark.

NBA players generally get to live, play and travel in luxury. WNBA players get the short end of that stick. That generally manifests itself in things like salary, travel accommodations, per diems and all the little things on the margins.

On Tuesday, the differences were made evident through the WNBA’s “bubble” at the IMG Academy in Florida. And it’s clear things are as imbalanced as they’ve ever been.

Players finally touched down on campus this week to begin preparing for the restart of the WNBA’s season at the end of July.

Already, they have a ton of complaints about their arrangements. ESPN’s Kayla Johnson shared videos sent to her from players on Twitter.

Let’s just say their arrangements don’t look like they’re the greatest. This laundry room looks like it came out of a horror movie.

Later in her thread, there was also a video where someone found a worm on a bedroom floor.

And someone shared a picture of a meal that, uh, didn’t look like it was the greatest.

Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd complained about the plumbing on the campus in her Instagram story.

On top of that, Kiah Stokes, a center for the New York Liberty, implied that the bubble isn’t as isolated as it should be.

Even Stephen A. Smith says he’s hearing terrible things about the WNBA’s bubble.

So, yeah, the WNBA has a bubble problem on their hands. And the league’s return plan is barely just a day along. What a great start.

There is a silver lining here, though. The league sees and hears the problems and concerns the players are having already. And, apparently, they’re already on the job with IMG Academy to get some fixes, Bleacher Report’s Ari Chambers reports.

It’s just a shame that there are so many fixes that are needed already in the first place.