Ghana kicks off Group D play against Serbia

Soccer Betting Lines

06/12/2010 - Pretoria, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kevin-Prince Boateng made headlines on the international level before ever playing for Ghana, and now the German- born midfielder is set to make more on the field at the World Cup.

Boateng, who played for Germany at the youth level, injured German captain Michael Ballack in the FA Cup final playing for Portsmouth against Chelsea. Ballack was ruled out of the World Cup. Boateng, despite being vilified, stepped up for Ghana.

The 23-year-old Boateng made his first appearance for Ghana on June 5, going into central midfield to replace the injured Sulley Muntari in a friendly against Latvia. Boateng teamed with Anthony Annan in the holding midfield roles.

With Muntari, who helped Inter Milan win the Champions League final, battling a thigh injury and Michael Essien already lost to injury, Boateng could start Sunday when his country plays Serbia in the teams' Group D opener at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

"It was his first game and he played in an unfamiliar role for him but he handled it quite well. It is the role I want to give him but for a first game with Ghana he did well," Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac said.

Although Essien was the big injury news for Ghana leading up to the World Cup, possibly playing without Muntari is another blow. Ghana will need Boateng and others to step up, or advancing past the group stage will be impossible.

"There are other young and hungry players who will be equally passionate to play," Rajevac said on Ghana's website.

Ghana advanced to the knockout stage in 2006 but lost to Brazil. Rajevac still has more World Cup veterans, including defenders John Pantsil, John Mensah and Eric Addo, and goalie Richard Kingson, to mix in with the young talent.

Serbia, one of the most underrated teams in the World Cup, will provide a huge challenge in the opener. The Serbians won Group 7 in European qualifying with one of their two losses at France and the other in a meaningless match against Lithuania when a World Cup berth was already secured.

Serbia has been impressive under manager Radomir Antic, but has never faced a three-game stretch like the one that awaits them in South Africa. But led by defenders Nemanja Vidic of Manchester United and Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, the country - which makes up part of the former Yugoslavia, and Serbia and Montenegro - could surprise.

Breeederscup Soccer Betting News

<< Algeria, Slovenia both optimistic heading into opener
Polokwane, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Algeria and Slovenia open their World Cup Group C schedules on Sunday under a ton of pressure for a result. Both clubs are underdogs to advance past England and the United States in the group,

<< Dillon takes Michigan truck pole
Brooklyn, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rookie Austin Dillon captured his second straight pole in the Camping World Truck Series after posting a lap of 176.488 m.p.h. in qualifying for Saturday's VFW 200 at Michigan International Speedwa

<< Federer continues Halle dominance, Hewitt up next
Halle, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Roger Federer moved a step closer to his sixth title at the Gerry Webber Open with a straight-set semifinal win over Germany's Philipp Petzschner, and will next face Lleyton Hewitt in Sunday's final.

<< Argentina holds off Nigeria
Johannesburg, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Gabriel Heinz's goal in the sixth minute was enough to lead Argentina to a 1-0 win over Nigeria at Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday in Group B play. Heinz headed home the lone goal from

<< Sharapova to play Li for Birmingham crown
Birmingham, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Maria Sharapova and Li Na were semifinal winners Saturday and will meet for the title of the Aegon Classic on Sunday. The second-seeded Sharapova advanced first with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 victory o

Injury-depleted Germany opens WC play against Australia >>
Durban, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Germany opens the World Cup on Sunday against Australia, and despite a rash of injuries prior to the tournament, coach Joachim Loew is confident the three-time winners are still a threat. Germany

Bjorn takes 3-shot lead in Portugal >>
Estoril, Portugal (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Denmark's Thomas Bjorn fired his second consecutive seven-under 65 to take sole possession of the lead Saturday after the third round of the Portugal Open. Chasing his first win in four years, Bjorn

Querrey, Fish set for All-American final in London >>
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Americans Sam Querrey and Mardy Fish will play for the title Sunday at the Queen's Club after both won semifinal matches in the Wimbledon tuneup on Saturday. The seventh-seeded Querrey rallied for a 6-

Gonzo sidelined until August >>
Santiago, Chile (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fernando Gonzalez of Chile will be sidelined until August because of a knee injury. Gonzalez said he is taking the next 10 weeks off after being diagnosed with bilateral patellar tendinitis. He

Nebraska's Osborne: Big Ten move trumps tradition >>
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -When Nebraska beat Oklahoma in the 1971 Game of the Century, when Johnny Rodgers took that punt return the distance, Tom Osborne was there.He made the call when the Cornhuskers fell short on the 2-point conversion try for the win

Super Bowl XLIV Odds

Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.

That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.

Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.

After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.

The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).

To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.

NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV

New England Patriots 8/1

Dallas Cowboys 9/1

New York Giants 10/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1

Indianapolis Colts 12/1

San Diego Chargers 12/1

Baltimore Ravens 14/1

Tennessee Titans 16/1

Carolina Panthers 18/1

Philadelphia Eagles 18/1

New Orleans Saints 20/1

Atlanta Falcons 25/1

Denver Broncos 25/1

Green Bay Packers 25/1

Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1

Minnesota Vikings 25/1

New York Jets 25/1

Arizona Cardinals 30/1

Chicago BearS 30/1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1

Buffalo Bills 35/1

Houston TexaNS 35/1

Miami Dolphins 35/1

Washington Redskins 35/1

Seattle SeahawkS 50/1

Cleveland Browns 55/1

Cincinnati Bengals 60/1

San Francisco 49ers 60/1

Oakland Raiders 75/1

St. Louis Rams 75/1

Detroit Lions 100/1

Kansas City Chiefs 100/1

Odds as of: 2/2/09

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

To visit this online sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.