Olsen makes coaching debut for D.C. against Revs

Soccer Betting Lines

08/06/2010 - Foxborough, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ben Olsen makes his coaching debut Saturday night for D.C. United, which fired coach Curt Onalfo earlier this week after a 3-12-3 start in his first season in charge.

Olsen retired following a 12-year career at United last season and started his coaching career as an assistant this year under Onalfo. Now, the former United States international will try to turn United's season around.

D.C., winless in six straight and shut out 12 times this year, visits Gillette Stadium to battle the New England Revolution this weekend.

Although D.C. is 25 points behind the first-place Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference, the struggling side trails New England and the Philadelphia Union by just three points.

Olsen is used to winning as a player, he helped United win the MLS Cup in 1999 and 2004, and D.C. President and CEO Kevin Payne felt a change was needed.

"This was a difficult and painful decision. Curt is an outstanding person and a fine coach," Payne said. "This has certainly been a trying season, made more so by a number of factors outside of anyone's control.

"This decision is not about placing blame, but about looking forward. Recent performances have convinced us that we need to make a change at the top for the team to improve the remainder of this season, for 2011 and beyond."

Olsen has been in charge for just a few days, so it's tough to know how he'll make his mark on D.C. this weekend. Branko Boskovic was added as a designated player and Argentine forward Pablo Hernandez was signed this month as well, so Olsen has new talent at his disposal.

New England (4-9-3) qualified for the SuperLiga final with a 5-3 penalty kick win over Puebla following a 1-1 draw Wednesday, and has a six-match undefeated streak in all competitions.

The Revolution tied Philadelphia in their last league match, 1-1, and will try to sweep the season series with United.

New England may be without starters Kevin Alston and Marko Perovic, after the duo left the field during the SuperLiga match against Puebla. That would be a blow for Revs coach Steve Nicol, who is also in need of league points.

"That's unfortunate," New England midfielder Pat Phelan said. "Hopefully, it's not too bad with either Kevin or Marko because we have a big game Saturday."

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

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