Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.
This is the last week of NHL action before the best of the best head to Sochi to take part in the Olympics. There isn’t a whole lot of change at the top of the Rankings after two weeks – the top dogs just keeping it done and in the case of the Blackhawks – they keep getting to OT but are having issues getting the two point.
With Dominick Cruz back on the sidelines Renan Barao and Urijah Faber will fight for the second time to determine the top dog in the Bantamweight Division.
UFC 169: Barao vs. Faber
Date: February 1, 2014
Time: 10pm ET/7pm PT
Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Main Card (PPV)
Renan Barao (31-1-0): -285
Urijah Faber (30-6-0): +225
UFC Odds From Bovada
This is a rematch of a very close fight in which Barao came out on top. Faber would love nothing more than to win and get a shot at Cruz once he returns – Barao will be motivated to defend the interim title for the third time since Cruz’s injury.
Renan Barao may be one of the most well-rounded fighters in the game today. A strong Muay Thai background making him one of the most feared strikers in the games and he also has a Black Belt in Jiu-jitsu that has helped him to 14 submission victories in his 32 fight career.
Faber is another guy that brings a very well-rounded game to the Octagon. He may be the more athletic of the two fighters and he brings a very strong wrestling base and technical game each and every time out. The lone possible hole in his game is striking but that has certainly improved over the last could of years. Faber, like Barao can beat you anywhere a fight happens to go.
The first fight was very close – the winner of this bout will be the one that has improved more since the first encounter. That honor goes to Urijah Faber whose striking has dramatically improved since the last fight. A true student of the fight game, look for Faber to go to school on what Barao hopes to do and find a fight plan to secure victory.
Pick: Urijah Faber +225
Jose Aldo (23-1-0): -625
Ricardo Lamas (13-2-0): +450
The terrific Jose Aldo steps back onto the Octagon on Saturday to defend his 145 pound title, looking for his 17th straight win overall. His opposition Saturday – the #2 ranked Featherweight in the world – Ricardo Lamas who enters on a four fight win streak.
Jose Aldo is one of the more dominant champions in the UFC today – nobody has really come close to snatching his title. His Muay Thai is incredible, his leg kicks are lethal and his “air of invincibility” is a real thing.
Lamas has the wrestling and the striking to be a #1 contender but there is no way he defeats Aldo. If Lamas could get close to Aldo, he may have a puncher’s chance – I just don’t see him being able to close the gap enough.
Pick: Jose Aldo -625
Frank Mir (16-8-0): +240
Alistair Overeem (36-13-0): -300
In what is sure to be a “loser gets cut match” Heavyweights Frank Mir and Alistair Overeem will be fighting for their future spot in the organization Saturday. Both men have been disappointing to say the least their last couple of outings – both have a ton to prove Saturday.
This is your classic “grappler vs. striker” matchup – Mir being the grappler and Overeem being the striker. Mir is one of the best Heavyweight submission fighters of all time while Overeem is one of the best pure strikers ever in MMA.
Frank Mir is going to have to bang with Overeem in this one – Alistair’s takedown defense and ability to work in the clinch will make it tough for Mir to get this fight to the mat. The winner here will be able to drag their opponent into their type of fight while taking their opponent out of their plan. I see Overeem being able to keep this fight standing and ending this fight early via first round TKO.
Pick: Alistair Overeem -300
John Lineker (23-6-0): +100
Ali Bagautinov (12-2-0): -130
Flyweights take to the Octagon when John Lineker who won all three of his fights last year (but missed weight in two) takes on the very dangerous Ali Bagautinov who has not only been perfect so far in the UFC but has also won 10 straight fights. The winner of this fight will likely get a title shot, assuming that Lineker can control his eating!
Both men have knockouts on their mind – Lineker has won three straight by KO while Bagautinov can also do some damage with his hands. The difference between the two is that Lineker will be the aggressor and Bagautinov will utilize a strong counter punching game.
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Bagautinov has moved to New Mexico to train with the Jackson camp – his preparation ahead of this fight will be like no other he’s had before. Although Lineker has been destroying his competition, Bagautinov’s game is the perfect answer to Lineker’s style. I see a unanimous decision win here for the Russian as he climbs up the 125 pound ladder,
Pick: Ali Bagautinov -135
Abel Trujillo (11-5-0): +125
Jamie Varner (21-8-1): -155
Lightweights Abel Trujillo and Jamie Varner will try to make a little noise in the stacked Lightweight division Saturday. Varner is a former WEC Lightweight Champion who will be looking to stabilize a career that has been up and down the last couple of years while Trujillo will be looking to prove why he is one of the most feared prospects in the game right now.
Varner’s inconsistency has kept him out of title contention – I think that creeps up on him again. Despite a lack of wrestling defense, Trujillo should be able to utilize his terrific striking to keep Varner at bay. Trujillo’s recent work with Rashad Evans and Anthony Johnson should have given him some grappling chops to boot.
Pick: Abel Trujillo +125
Preliminary Card (FS1)
John Makdessi (12-2-0): -165 vs. Alan Patrick (11-0-0): +135
Pick: John Makdessi -165
Chris Cariaso (15-5-0): -150 vs. Danny Martinez (16-4-0): +120
Pick: Chris Cariaso -150
Nick Catone (9-4-0): +160 vs. Tom Watson (16-6-0): -200
Pick: Tom Watson -200
Al Iaquinta (7-2-1): -260 vs. Kevin Lee (6-0-0): +200
Pick: Al Iaquinta -260
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Clint Hester (9-3-0): -200 vs. Andy Enz (7-0-0): +160
Pick: Clint Hester +160
Tony Martin (7-0-0): +220 vs. Rashid Magomedov (15-1-0): -280
Pick: Rashid Magomedov -280
Neil Magny (8-3-0): +145 vs. Gasan Umalatov (14-2-1): -175
Pick: Gasan Umalatov -175
Penguins and Kings Meet For First Time In Two Years Thursday Night
A Heavyweight clash highlights a busy night in the NHL Thursday when the Pittsburgh Penguins head to Los Angeles to take on the Kings.
It’s less than a week away from kickoff for the biggest annual sports event in North America – the anticipation is palpable. Super Bowl Media day has come and gone – all there is the game to worry about now.
Super Bowl Props – Something For Everyone
The NFL does a miraculous job in keeping everybody hyped for the annual event – women, children and football fans from all over the globe. Be it the halftime show, the commercials or the Spectacle itself, the Super Bowl is like no other sporting event on the planet.
The most fan friendly tournament on the PGA TOUR comes our way from Scottsdale, Arizona – the Waste Management has assembled a decent cast to go after the prize this week.
Heated, Hated Rivals Do Battle in Vancouver – Scuffling Blackhawks Play Visit
If you have been backing the Chicago Blackhawks lately – I, like you am at a loss. A loss last night in Calgary of all places has officially dropped the Hawks out of first place in the Central Division – they are 0-2-2 in their last four games and 4-3-6 in their last 13 overall.
Hawks Hope The Road Will Cure Their Woes – Visit Flames Tuesday Night
The defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks are in some sort of funk – three straight losses and a 4-3-5 record in their last 12 games. On Tuesday they take their show on the road to visit a Calgary team that rides a tidy two game win streak into Tuesday’s clash.
Canucks Look to Extend Dominance Over Oilers Monday Night
It is a short turnaround for both the Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks but both teams will meet Monday night looking to build off impressive wins from Sunday night.
Broncos Early Favorites to Win Super Bowl
A terrific season of NFL action culminates February 2 in New Jersey when the best offense in the NFL, the Denver Broncos squares off with the best defense in the league, the Seattle Seahawks. It’s the first time since 1990 that the league’s top offense will face the No.1 defense in the Super Bowl.
Bruins Face Recent Cup Winner For the Second Afternoon in a Row – Host Kings Monday
The Boston Bruins get back on the ice Monday afternoon after dropping a 3-2 decision in a rematch of last year’s Stanley Cup Final against Chicago. On Monday, the Bruins have the honor of hosting the team that won the Cup a year earlier – the LA Kings in the teams’ second meeting in 11 days. The Kings won the first meeting 4-2 and enter this game having lost two straight games in a shootout.
Los Angeles (29-14-2-4) at Boston (30-15-0-3)
When: 3:00 PM ET, Monday, January 20, 2014
Where: TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Broadcast: NHLN-US, NHLN-CA, FS-W, NESN
Kings vs. Bruins Betting Lines from betonline.com
Los Angeles Kings +1½ -310 +102 Ov 5 +114 Ov 2½ +110 Un 2½ -140
Boston Bruins -1½ +260 -113 Un 5 -126 Ov 2½ +110 Un 2½ -140
The Los Angeles Kings were perhaps unlucky to lose in Detroit but the team has little time to think about it – the mighty Bruins are next on tap. The Kings have been playing much more consistent hockey of late and it coincides with the return of Jonathan Quick to the lineup after a groin injury. Quick has been sensational – he has gone 4-1-2 with a terrific 1.40 GAA since returning. He is once again giving the Kings a chance to win every night – all by himself. Quick has posted a 2.17 GAA while winning six of eight career starts against Boston.
Offensively, the Kings are still struggling to score goals – something that might haunt them against Boston. The team averages an OK 2.45 goals per game but they have had a difficult time as of late finding the back of the net. Jeff Carter has goals in consecutive games for the Kings and a three-game point streak overall – he has 19 points in 18 games while Slava Voynov has three points in two games and Drew Doughty has two points in his last two games. The Kings’ old nemesis – goal scoring may be an issue Monday – unless Quick can weave his magic once again.
The Boston Bruins have lost four of six and two of its last four have been decided by one goal – they are in every game but not getting the results. Boston is just 4-5-1 in their last 10 games overall but are playing better than that record indicates.
The Bruins are playing well defensively to nobody’s surprise – just 2.17 goals per game allowed and they are also getting it done offensively this year – scoring 2.85 goals per game.
Patrice Bergeron has two goals and three assists during a three-game point streak for the Bruins – including two goals yesterday, Brad Marchand has five points in three games, Milan Lucic has two points in two games and Riley Smith has three points in three games. Some veterans on this team are struggling however – Loui Eriksson is pointless in three games and Jarome Iginla hasn’t hit the score sheet in five games.
Tuukka Rask was pulled in the first meeting between the two clubs and could get a rest Monday after making 35 stops against Chicago Sunday. That would leave Chad Johnson who is 1-1-0 with a 1.78 GAA and .942 save percentage in his last three games to start between the pipes.
Betting Prediction: A few trends to consider:
• Under is 18-6-12 in LA last 36 road games.
• LA are 9-3 in their last 12 vs. Eastern Conference.
• LA are 20-7 in their last 27 Mon. games.
• Over is 8-2-4 in BOS last 14 overall.
• Over is 6-2-3 in BOS last 11 Mon. games.
• BOS are 8-3 in their last 11 vs. Pacific.
• LA are 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
It looks as though the LA Kings may have caught the Boston Bruins at precisely the right time. For some reason good play isn’t translating to victories for Boston. After an emotional hard-fought game yesterday, look for the Bruins to come out a tad flat Monday and for the Kings to take full advantage.
Pick: LA Kings +102
Jets Look to Make a Genius Put of New Coach – Travel to Calgary Thursday Night
It took something drastic to wake the Winnipeg Jets up and that came in the form of a firing. One day after replacing Coach Claude Noel with Paul Maurice, the Jets finally showed up, played a complete game and beat the Phoenix Coyotes to snap an ugly five game losing streak. On Thursday night the Jets will be tasked with travelling to Calgary to take on a Flames team that has their own issues losing six straight in regulation on home ice getting outscored 17-2 over that span.
Western Conference Heavyweights Do Battle Thursday – Kings Visit Blues
Two of the favorites to challenge for the Western Conference title throw down on Thursday night when the Los Angeles Kings travel to St. Louis to take on a Blues team that has been scorching of late. Both teams are coming off low scoring wins but only one team has played like a serious contender lately. The Blues are 10-1-1 in their last 12 games while the Kings are just 3-6-1 in their last 10.
Capperspicks ATS Previews
We are down to the Final Four in the Super Bowl chase and one could argue that it is the best four teams still standing. Many had predicted just this – a Seattle/San Francisco NFC Final and a Broncos/Patriots AFC Final.
Cappers Picks Golf handicappers have all your latest golf news and information so be sure to make us your trusted source for up-to-the-minute golf details. PGA Golf betting fans will also have plenty golf action to focus on as this year’s PGA Majors are on the horizon.
Trench Warfare – 49ers Visit Seahawks In Battle of the NFCs Best
An NFC West showdown of epic proportions awaits this Sunday as the Seattle Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers to see who will represent the NFC at the Super Bowl February 2.
