The European World Cup Qualifiers for the 2010 South Africa World Cup Tournament were held in various parts of Europe over the weekend.

In Group 1, Albania drew with Sweden 0-0, Hungary drew with Denmark 0-0 and Portugal defeated Malta 4-0.

In Group 2, Latvia defeated Moldova 2-1, Israel drew with Switzerland 2-2, and Greece defeated Luxembourg 3-0.

In Group 3, Poland drew with Slovenia 1-1, Slovakia defeated Northern Ireland 2-1, while San Marino and the Czech Republic have yet to play their first European World Cup qualifying match.

In Group 4, Germany defeated Liechtenstein 6-0, Wales defeated Azerbaijan 1-0, while Russia and Finland have yet to play their first European World Cup qualifying match.

In Group 5, Turkey defeated Armenia 2-0, Belgium defeated Estonia 3-2, and Spain defeated Bosnia Herzegova 1-0.

In Group 6, Ukraine defeated Belarus 1-0, England defeated Andorra 2-0, and Croatia defeated Kazakhstan 3-0.

In Group 7, Lithuania defeated Romania 3-0, Serbia defated Faroe Islands 2-0, Austria defeated France 3-1.

In Group 8, Republic of Ireland defated Georgia 2-1, Italy defeated Cyprus 2-1, Bulgaria drew with Montenegro 2-2.

In Group 9, Macedonia defeated Scotland 1-0, Norway drew with Iceland 2-2, while the Netherlands have yet to play their first European World Cup qualifying match.

Eight groups of six teams and one group of five will contest the European qualifying competition for the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be held in South Africa. The nine group-winners will qualify directly, while the highest ranked eight of the nine second-placed teams will contest home and away play-off matches for the remaining four places.

The favorites to qualify directly by becoming group winners in the 2010 World Cup European Qualifiers are Portugal for Group 1, Greece for Group 2, Czech Republic for Group 3, Germany for Group 4, Spain for Group 5, England for Group 6, France for Group 7, Italy for Group 8 and Netherlands for Group 9.

Check out the latest odds, game prop bets and betting lines for the 2010 World Cup and visit the 2010 World Cup Sportsbook.

2010 World Cup Tickets and Packages Are Available Here.

Here are some expert betting picks for Week 1 of the 2008-09 NFL regular season:

Washington Redskins at New York Giants -3.5

Super Bowl XLII Champions New York Giants aren’t being given much respect this season, but I believe the New York Giants have got a lot of fight in them, and the Washington Redskins will be their first victim en route to another Super Bowl appearance. Bet on New York Giants to cover the spread against Washington Redskins. Bet on total score of Washington at New York to go UNDER 40.5.

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens -1

Bet on Baltimore Ravens to cover the spread against Cincinnati Bengals. Bet on total score of Cincinnati at Baltimore to go UNDER 39.0.

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins +3

Brett Favre is QB of the New York Jets, and the Miami Dolphins may not be as lousy as they were last season, but expect the New York Jets to win against the Miami Dolphins. It’s simple - Brett Favre is the QB of the New York Jets, and he’s the best QB in NFL history! Bet on New York Jets to cover the spread against the Miami Dophins. Bet on total score of New York Jets at Miami to go UNDER 36.0.

Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots -16.5

The New England Patriots look like the best team in the NFL on paper, but then that all depends on the questionable health of star quarterback Tom Brady, who might not be fully recovered from his foot injury. The Pats will definitely win, but bet on Kansas City Chiefs to win over the New England Patriots against the spread. Bet on total score of Kansas City at New England to go OVER 46.5.

Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers -6.5

Bet on Pittsburgh Steelers to cover the spread against the Houston Texans. Bet on total score of Houston at Pittsburgh to go UNDER 43.5.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans +3

Bet on Tennessee Titans to cover the spread against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Bet on total score of Jacksonville at Tennessee to go OVER 37.0.

Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons +3

Bet on Detroit Lions to cover the spread against the Atlanta Falcons. Bet on total score of Detroit at Atlanta to go UNDER 41.0.

Seattle Seahawks at Buffalo Bills +1

Bet on Buffalo Bills to cover the spread against the Seattle Seahawks. Bet on total score of Seattle at Buffalo to go UNDER 39.0.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints -4

Bet on New Orleans Saints to cover the spread against Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bet on total score of Tampa Bay at New Orleans to go OVER 42.5.

St. Louis Rams at Philadelphia Eagles -7

Bet on St. Louis Rams to win against the spread over the Philadelphia Eagles. Bet on total score of St. Louis at Philadelphia to go OVER 44.

Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns +4

Bet on Dallas Cowboys to cover the spread against the Cleveland Browns. Bet on total score of Dallas at Cleveland to go OVER 48.5.

Carolina Panthers at San Diego Chargers -9

Bet on Carolina Panthers to win against the spread over the San Diego Chargers. Bet on total score of Carolina at San Diego to go UNDER 42.5.

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers +3

Bet on Arizona Cardinals to cover the spread against the San Francisco 49ers. Bet on total score of Arizona at San Francisco to go OVER 41.5.

Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts -9.5

Bet on Indianapolis Colts to cover the spread against Chicago Bears. Bet on total score of Chicago at Indianapolis to go OVER 44.0.

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers -3

Bet on Minnesota Vikings to win against the spread over Green Bay Packers., Bet on total score of Minessota at Green Bay to go UNDER 38.5.

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders +3

Bet on Denver Broncos to cover the spread against Oakland Raiders. Bet on total score of Denver at Oakland to go UNDER 41.5.

Find out all the NFL betting lines, NFL odds, NFL game props, NFL player props and all sorts of NFL bets by visiting the NFL Sportsbook.

NFL Tickets and NFL Season Passes still available here.

WBC lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao has agreed to fight six-time boxing world champion Oscar De La Hoya for a 12-round non-title bout at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds on December 6, 2008 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada!

The Pacquiao vs De La Hoya fight is expected to be the biggest fight of the year, and will be a sure blockbuster pay-per-view event. Promoters Bob Arum of Top Rank and Richard Schaefer have already shook hands, but the share of the purse for this main event has yet to be announced. The Pacquiao vs De La Hoya match took three weeks of negotiations. Initially, Manny Pacquiao wanted 40% share of the purse while Oscar De La Hoya offered 30%. Eventually, the two parties agreed to something in between. 35% maybe?

Oddsmakers already opened a betting line for the Pacquiao vs De La Hoya fight, and odds makers are making Oscar De La Hoya as an 8-5 favorite over Manny Pacquiao. Well, that seems normal as Oscar De La Hoya has had experience fighting at 147 pounds even though he hasn’t fought at that weight since 2001. Meanwhile, Manny Pacquiao hasn’t found above 135 pounds, and it will be interesting to see how Manny Pacquiao gains the weight to match up against the size of Oscar De La Hoya.

For Oscar De La Hoya, this may be his last fight before he considers retirement at the age of 35. Oscar De La Hoya has wanted to fight Manny Pacquiao ever since he watched Pacquiao destroy the likes of Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez and David Diaz. Oscar De La Hoya’s desire was even pushed further after reading statements from Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach who said that Oscar De La Hoya will not be able to ‘pull the trigger’ against Manny Pacquiao.

“I felt challenged, especially from an expert trainer like Freddie Roach… If he thinks I can’t pull the trigger, then we’ll see on December 6,” said Oscar De La Hoya.

Freddie Roach was in Oscar De La Hoya’s corner in his fight against Floyd Mayweather, so maybe there is some basis of truth for the statements of Freddie Roach.

Meanwhile, Manny Pacquiao thinks that he has the advantage in speed and technique, predicting that he would beat Oscar De La Hoya in the same way he clinically defeated David Diaz where Pacquiao chopped down David Diaz until he won via a 9th round TKO.

“I’m faster and stronger than him, and I’m younger… He has an advantage in the height… but I believe I’m stronger,” was Manny Pacquiao’s statement.

Check out the latest odds and betting props for the Pacquiao-De La Hoya fight at the boxing sportsbook.

De La Hoya-Pacquiao Tickets and Ringside Seats for December 6 at the MGM Grand Arena are available here.

Last season, the New England Patriots had an undefeated regular season with a perfect 16-0 record. The New England Patriots were also on their way to a perfect 19-0, except that they lost the last game of the season that counted the most - The Super Bowl. The New England Patriots lost Super Bowl XLII to the New York Giants 17 to 14, and had to settle for an 18-1 record.

For the 2008-09 season, the New England Patriots are still the big favorites to win the 2009 AFC Championship and earn their fifth trip to the Super Bowl in eight years. After all, their perfect regular season record last season (despite losing Super Bowl XLII) still makes the New England Patriots one of best teams in the history of the NFL.

With a superstar roster that includes 2007 NFL MVP quarterback Tom Brady, wide receiver Randy Moss and running back Laurence Maroney, the New England Patriots are billed to have the best offensive line in the NFL. Of course, the defense of the New England Patriots is also one of the strongest in the NFL with the likes of Tedy Bruschi, Adalius Thomas, Mike Vrabel and James Sanders. There’s also Junior Seau on the New England’s defensive line, but has yet to sign his contract for the 2008 to 2009 NFL season.

Oddsmakers have already given an early line on which NFL team will win Super Bowl XLIII, and the odds have ranked the New England Patriots as the heavy favorites to win Super Bowl XLIII. Other strong contenders to win Super Bowl XLIII include the Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts.

Oddsmakers think that it is a long shot for Super Bowl XLII champions New York Giants to win again in Super Bowl XLIII.

The New England Patriots may be the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIII, but they are off to a sluggish start during the NFL pre-season games, going 0-4 during the pre-season. Of course, the New England Patriots haven’t really used their big guns, sidelining star quarterback Tom Brady throughout the pre-season. Tom Brady is still recovering from an injury to his right foot. However, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick stated that Tom Brady will start in their season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 7, 2008 at the Patriots’ home field at the Gilette Stadium.

New England Patriots reserve quarterback Matt Cassel has been taking over for Tom Brady in the pre-season, and hasn’t really been coming up with impressive numbers. If the New England Patriots hope to win Super Bowl XLIII, then they better have a healthy line up, especially a healthy Tom Brady. Because as we can see - without Tom Brady playing for the New England Patriots, they are very vulnerable.

To find out the latest odds, NFL futures bets, betting lines and NFL game prop bets, then visit the NFL Sportsbook.

NFL Tickets available here.

New England Patriots Tickets available here.

Super Bowl XLIII Tickets available here.

The Italian Super Cup or Supercoppa Italiana is a football competition that is contested by the defending Italian Serie A champions and the Coppa Italia winners of the previous season.

In this year’s competition for the Italian Super Cup, the match will be fought between Coppa Italia winners AS Roma vs Inter Milan, the defending champions of the Italian Serie A.

AS Roma and Inter Milan are no strangers in the Italian Super Cup competition as they have faced each other in 2006 and in 2007. In 2006, Inter Milan beat AS Roma 4-3, winning in extra time. In 2007, it was AS Roma who had the better of Inter Milan by winning 1-0.

For the upcoming 2008 Italian Super Cup to be played again at the San Siro, Milan, the deadlock between AS Roma and Inter Milan will be determined.

AS Roma will be relying on key players like Alberto Aquilani, Francesco Totti, Cicinho, Simone Perrotta, Daniele De Rossi, Mirko Vucinic and Julio Baptista.

Inter Milan will rely on its squad with stars like Luis Figo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Hernan Crespo, Julio Cruz, Adriano, David Suazo, Cristian Chivu and Patrick Vieira.

Find out the latest odds and betting lines for the Italian Super Cup.

Italian Serie A Tickets available here.

Two former boxing champions will face each other on September 27 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

Shane Mosley vs Ricardo Mayorga

Shane Mosley is an awesome boxer and has been crowned as IBF Lightweight champion, WBC Welterweight Champion, WBA Super Light Middleweight Champion and WBC Super Light Middleweight Champion. Shane Mosley has had a total of 50 fights with an impressive 44 wins, 5 losses and 37 wins by KO. Shane Mosley also holds the distinction of being the only boxer to date to have beaten Oscar De La Hoya twice!

Recently, Shane Mosley suffered a loss against the undefeated WBA Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden. Shane Mosley lost via unanimous decision. After that bout, Shane Mosley was scheduled to go up against Zab Judah, but Zab Judah suffered an injury and instead Shane Mosley will go up against Ricardo Mayorga of Nicaragua.

Ricardo Mayorga is no push-over. Ricardo Mayorga is the former WBA/WBC Welterweight Champion and the former WBC Junior Middleweight champion. Ricardo Mayorga has a decent record of 29-6 with 23 KO’s and 1 draw to his name.

Ricardo Mayorga has had a colorful boxing career. Once upon a time, he announced his retirement from boxing, but only to come back to win the vacant WBC world Super Welterweight title from Michele Piccirillo in a twelve-round unanimous decision.

When the bell rings and Shane Mosley and Ricardo Mayorga get into the ring, most boxing critics and fans are going to be expecting it to be a slugfest. Definitely, Ricardo Mayorga is known for his punching power and entertaining style of boxing, and will look to go for a big KO punch in the first few rounds. However, the favorite of the fight is Shane Mosley, whom oddsmakers think will be dominating over Ricardo Mayorga.

Odds on the Shane Mosley vs Ricardo Mayorga fight are as follows:

• Shane Mosley (-750)
• Ricardo Mayorga (+550)
  

Find out other boxing betting lines, or bet on Shane Mosley vs Ricardo Mayorga by visiting the boxing sportsbook.

Shane Mosley vs Ricardo Mayorga Tickets and Shane Mosley vs Ricardo Mayorga front row seats are available here.

Brazil vs Argentina. Ronaldinho vs Messi.

The Brazil Olympic Men’s Soccer Team has yet to win an Olympic Gold Medal. The Argentina Olympic Men’s Soccer Team are the current defending champions, and were the Olympic Gold Medal winners during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Soccer superstars Ronaldiho of Brazil and Lionel Messi of Argentina are among the highlighs of the semi-final match between Brazil vs Argentina. Of course, the winner of this Olympic semi-final soccer match will advance to the finals with the opportunity to compete for an Olympic Gold Medal, or at least be awarded with an Olympic Silver Medal.

Brazil crushed Germany 4-1 during the quarterfinal to earn a match against Argentina in the semi-final. Meanwhile, Argentina overcame Netherlands 2-1 during their quarterfinals.

Belgium vs Nigeria

Highlighting the other Olympic Men’s Soccer semi-final match will be Belgium vs Nigeria. Belgium has once won an Olympic Gold Medal in Men’s Soccer, but that was nearly a century ago in 1920. Nigeria had their Olympic Gold Medal in men’s soccer during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

Nigeria knocked out the Ivory Coast 2-0 in the quarterfinals while Belgium had to get past a rather talented Italy side, and beat them 3-2.

Check out the latest odds on the semi-final matches of men’s soccer in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.